Two words I have heard being used a lot this autumn by fashion buyers is “quiet luxury.” This aesthetic is certainly nothing new, as it is a phrase that perfectly describes the Phoebe Philo era at Celine and the ethos behind Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s 14-year-old brand The Row. However this move towards classic, elevated pieces, that are beautiful and special, but not too shouty or flashy, is particularly resonating in 2022.
Last autumn there was a shift towards more classic pieces and this customer’s mindset is invest now and wear forever. “Although dressing up means something different now, there are still excuses to wear something a bit more glamourous, there are plenty of evening options that are comfortable, elegant and ideally suited for a more relaxed occasion such as entertaining at home,” Cassie Smart, Head of Womenswear Buying, at Matchesfashion.com, explained last year. “The Row and Gabriela Hearst are great for quietly luxurious pieces.”
Tiffany Hsu, Fashion Buying Director at MyTheresa, adds: “Understated luxury is the keyword for many collections, and the vocabulary is high-quality knits, cashmere, and neutral tones. Among the ways to achieve the look, the knit dress is a new wardrobe essential.” In terms of the key items to achieve this look, Hsu noted last year: “A standout style for us was Joseph’s head-to-toe layered knit look, which included a long, matching shawl. We also loved the pared-back silhouettes from Deveaux and The Row’s cosy cashmere slippers.”
The appeal of these ‘quiet luxury pieces’ is that they are designed to be seasonless and so are guaranteed to go the distance within your own wardrobe. The 12 items below are all classics that you will treasure forever.
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