This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year.
There is a lot of fun to be had while thrifting — beyond the promise of a good deal — like the thrill of the hunt when shopping for an aesthetic you love. The “old money aesthetic” has sparked a trend where influencers buy luxury clothing under a budget of $100. However, The Cascade, loving a good challenge, wondered: would it be possible for someone to find an “old money” outfit for less than $50?
The term old money refers to a style of dressing that is minimalist and classic, made from high quality, luxury fabrics such as linen, cashmere, and silk. This aesthetic usually stays within a neutral colour palette, featuring styles like chinos, tailored blazers, cashmere turtlenecks, tall leather riding boots, and trench coats.
Over the course of a few thrift trips, I found an outfit that embodies the “old money aesthetic” for a much lower price point than designer and retail store prices.
The first place I went to was MCC Clothing Etc., where I found a brand new pair of tall, genuine black leather boots with buckles, made by Naturalizer. The boots still had their original tags, priced at $250 CDN. At MCC’s half price, I only paid $10.
When looking for old money aesthetic pieces, it’s a good idea to look for styles that have clean, elegant lines and are, ideally, in excellent condition.
Another piece I found was a pair of brown and grey tweed dress pants by RW&CO for only 50 cents. These dress pants are regularly priced around $80, and so this made another great versatile find at a great price.
Tweed patterns are a good option when buying for the old money aesthetic. The pattern’s colours and texture add a richness to an ensemble; for this particular aesthetic, it’s always better to go for smaller print sizes.
The next store I went to was Value Village, where I purchased a Uniqlo brand grey cashmere turtleneck for $10 and an Everlane cotton khaki trench coat for $10.50. The retail price for the turtleneck is regularly $130, on sale right now for $99, and the retail price for the trench coat is around $394 before tax.
The great thing about buying neutral basics is that they pair well with many outfits. Part of the beauty of the “old money aesthetic” is that people invest in higher quality basics that look and feel good. They also last longer than fast fashion because they are made with higher quality materials.
The total cost of the outfit was only $32.80, when the original retail prices would have totalled $962.08. The difference in cost is incredible and goes to show that not even quiet luxury needs to be expensive when thrifted on a budget.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
