I'm so glad you made this video. I have known an "old money" family all my life ....and I don't remember ever seeing anyone wearing such contrived costumes as I constantly see on RU-vid. The reality is most establishment families are not so different from everyone else - some are stylish ....and most couldn't care less. It's the "New Money" people (who are often far wealthier) who go to such lengths to look "Old Money".
I grew up around some “old money” families and I think because it was pre-internet, it was a very different lifestyle. Meaning: far less flashy and attention-grabbing. The kids I knew dressed very well but also very quietly. And this was partly because that was how they were raised. But also because not everyone around had money, including some of their own friends. And at least back then, it was considering in very poor taste to intentionally make someone feel like they were inferior because of how they dressed or what kind of car they drove. I’m not trying to paint a picture of pure rainbows and sunshine. These kids could be just as mean and cruel as everyone else. But this was just one area that was sort of an unspoken “off limits”.
Nouveau is still trash. Always have been. Only a jerk would follow a Kardash or Bezos or Buffet for fashion choices. In fact, ancient money doesn't give a crap about fashion. That's why they have money and you don't. You're too busy trying to look like them. They look as bad as you.
@@eo9165 One of my "bosses" was a Compote Swan. Stupid as a brick and twice as hate filled. Not someone you would want to know. Don't believe everything a PR firm says about ladies who lunch.
Ralph Lauren’s genius wasn’t that he created this look, he was smart enough to revive this style that originated in the 1920’s and before. Ralph Lauren really came into wide popularity in the 1970’s. I still have some classic Ralph Lauren ties from the mid 1970s.
The photoshopping of ribs being removed to make a woman who’s a size zero look even “better”…inside cover of Oprah Magazine with theme of “accept your body”.
You'll be laughed out the room in England, it's considered tacky and quite homosexual in the flamboyant sense. We also don't mix formal and casual a ton, it looks mad. Proceed with caution.
I’ve always followed and tried to copy that old money aesthetic. Particularly the RL look. Being born and raised in the Bronx, I’ve had to deal with adversity because the style and culture was more Hip-Hop. But Mr. Lauren has always given me the confidence to be different! Thank you for sharing this brief history of one of the greatest fashion icons.🙏🏼
I practice minimalism, and I now only get my outfit narrowed down to Ralph Lauren boutique, because the brand sells almost all the aspects of lifestyle, each of their brand lines, looks timeless even after worn down over time.
I’ve never heard of Ralph Lauren being associated with Old Money, but then, I’m not American. I’ve always thought of it as an American East coast aesthetic, but in the UK, old money would never be dressed head to toe in any designer or high fashion look
I think he's equating simplistic formal outfits with a fashion brand that has a long history of putting logos on things, I think the over lap is very little. Ralph Lauren is more of an upper middle class fashion house than anything else. :)
Neither would old money in the US. I just added a comment about this-check out the original version of The Official Preppy Handbook. It’s a bit satirical, but it’s accurate. That’s what I grew up amongst in Palm Beach in the 1980s before all the new money took over.
@geemo4284 -- yes, and your opinion is consistent with that of the American _haute bourgeoise_ (or whatever one might want to call us) who descended largely from the younger sons of British gentry who came over during the great migration of the 17th c. There are _many_ places where the tastes, views and sensibilities of "old money" Americans overlap with those of their British equivalents, such as the avoidance of ostentatious displays of wealth, thrift and repairing clothing as long as possible, color understatement, body modesty and so on, that the creator(s) of videos like this one completely miss. But catering to _actual_ old money doesn't sell new merchandise, and the "old social order" makes some people envious and resentful. And of course, just as in Britain (although probably less so here), people who _actually_ came from "old money" recognize each other by far more subtle cues than whatever clothing they may wear.
And doing it very well. This was a good episode; perhaps more videos about other labels such as Brooks Brothers, Tom Ford, or Gieves & Hawkes? @@Gent.Z
Ralph Lauren DID NOT Invent the old money aesthetic he just made it his trademark. I’m age 68. As a kid my social circle‘s wardrobe was pretty basic, “Brook Brothers” (button-down white shirts), khaki pants, Harris Tweed sports coats, Donnelgal Sweeters. penny loafers. Our parents' motto was quality. It wasn’t until the 80s that we were called, “preppy” and were accused of being elitist. I live in a college town and am often asked where I purchased my sportscoat. The answer shocks them, “I’ve had this longer than you are old.”His ad with models that are supposed to look aristocratic, don’t. When I attended Cambridge When I attended Cambridge University almost all students had the exact aesthetic. Of course, I like Ralph Lauren clothing, but I don’t know if I own any of it. Frankly, nowadays I prefer Orvis, quality and lasts a lifetime, and at age that isn’t saying a lot
I also grew up in this era. High School we wore Pappagallo flats, Deans sweaters, Lacoste polos, etc. This is where RL got all his design ideas, from the New England prep school (your public school) aesthetic. Cheers.
Great essay. You could probably do similar pieces on others like j. Crew, banana republic and maybe even the influence of classic specialty brands like land’s end and tommy bahama
Really loving your videos. Growing up in the 80s, Ralph Lauren was the style everyone aspired to. His influence was monumental. Hope you're loving New York.
I think it's laughable that "fashion" bought back the most hideous & cheapest elements of 1980s style. All severely distressed & acid washed jeans, and neon "athleisure". I remember a return to natural materials especially cotton & real wool, and a rejection of double-knit polyester, or "ponte" & rayon/viscose.
Just bought myself a Polo Zip from Ralph Lauren last week, and it´s great to see more about the history and ideals of this classic brand. Indeed, Ralph Lauren it´s one of my favorite brands, together with a brazilian brand called "Richards", that combines a "carioca" lifestyle with old money color palette and cloth. Greetings from Brazil, love your content.
Fascinating story! Love the Ralph Lauren brand and it's good to learn more about it's creator. I really appreciate the RL mix of classic clothing and boldness.
I have always dressed like this my whole life, didn’t know what they call it. So simple and stylish. I guess, I have always been preppy, very close to this style. I love your voice and your narration.
RL did the same thing for English Country House Style. ("It's been in our family for generations.") He brought far more romance and luscious glamor to the genre than ever existed in real life.
@@seabreeze4559the old WASP elite in the US descended from the English so it had nothing to do with cultural appropriation on their part but definitely on Ralph Lifshitzs though.
Ralph Lifshitz would not have known "old money glamor" if it slapped him across the face, until relatively recently. He was born to a poor house painter from Belarus. He bought into an image of something that he aspired to, and even went so far as to change his name to try to fit into that world.
A great message and Good point in regards to the real old money look. I much more approve of celebrating the joy of dressing rather than trying to ”fit in” or try to be someone you are not.
I'm 41 and I've loved Ralph Lauren since i can remember. Recently this has been called the "old money" aesthetic but i just always loved how timeless his clothes were (to me at least) i have stuff from highschool that i can wear today and they don't look dated.
I enjoyed you videos and grew up loving classic dress. I grew up admiring the styl you were right when you said that since the lock down people have deep desire to dress their best but when I see the way people dress I’m not sure. I can only hope videos like yours will inspire people to embrace classic dress.
I don’t consider Ralph Lauren to be high fashion. To me it’s more preppy, upper class with an “edgy” twist. It’s perfect for rich people with a bohemian, well-travelled aesthetic with a cowboy “Americana” influence. I can see his clothes worn on an African safari, a yacht in St. Barth’s or a ranch resort in Wyoming. I could hear you speak for hours by the way and you are SOOOO easy on the eyes! 😊
Thank you. I think Ralph Lauren exists somewhat outside of fashion. He definitely creates clothes for a lifestyle rather than a passing trend. I'll be doing a video on his personal style soon too
Weird, my grandfathers were wearing it at school in the 30s and 40s before he founded his company... guess you're another liar like most of this comment section. Nothing he does is original, it's called a ripoff merchant.
I really enjoyed your video. That’s exactly right he designed clothing that was selling also a lifestyle it was his fantasy probably it’s most people fantasy.😊
so you lost the point of the video, Ralph Lauren was inspired by the royal family and all the preppy, but he added elements of style, desire and trends of the era to evolve the Old Money
Old money aesthetics except from that time the horse on the polo shirt became so big you could almost ride it 😂That shirt was associated with people looking like Borat.
I love the fashions of the 1920s, when people took pride in their public persona. Everyone wore nice hats, for example. I like Ralph Lauren clothing except the logo. I’d feel like a walking billboard wearing those items.
Great video on Ralph Laurens history. Very interesting. I believe Old money is really about classic style and not fashion . Fason doesn't last but style goes on forever. Cheers Ron
This is absolutely true. In my old money "preppie" family he and his clothes were made fun of. In the early 80's Dad once shamed my brother out of a button down shirt with his polo logo on it by saying "why are you wearing Ralph Lipshitz's shirt? Are you really that insecure?" That said I have always liked his clothes for women. They are indeed classic.
Having grown up in South Africa, public schools with blazers, ties, cricket jerseys , rugby jerseys , I totally identify with RL's timeless classics and love his use of colour in what one wears . I get a lot of inspiration from the photo shoots on his website . I definitely appreciate the New England sense of comfortable , but timeless style and subtle elegance . Thanks for a great video .
Classy video - merci. My understanding of RL's major influence was that of America's Royal family, The Kennedys, particularly their seeminly casual-collegiate-sporty style harkening to their easy breezy days at Hyannisport [sport being the root]... of sailing... of touch football... of being athlectic... even competing during family gatherings on American holidays. Americans didn't have to be born of class, they made thier own class - and this is what i understood to be most appealing to RL.
I think you’re right. They had a huge influence on this particular style and made it very popular not just regular rich white people but for anyone to wear. Also places where old money in America travels to summer such as Nantucket, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard were made very popular because of them.
I Love Ralph Lauren. I have been wearing his clothes for years. The first clothes I bought of his were two shirts that were Chapes, then a few years later I got my first Polo Shirt, an Oxford cloth Blue and white stripe like the one you are wearing, mine had the Polo Pony on it, yours looks like it has a pocket, which is really funny to me because I was just thinking about wanting to get a shirt like that a couple of days ago, the one with the pocket.. I have had an Oxford cloth blue and white stripe shirt with the polo pony in my wardrobe all of this time because I love it and it is so classic, I am on my, I think, fourth one now. They last for years. I love the sport coat you are wearing. I have wanted one for a long time, but have had no luck finding one out here, yet. Great video, Jeff❤
This is really interesting background of a phenomenon I've been a casual observer of for decades. It's not really my thing though, at least relative to the images in these ads, where everyone looks like they're trying way too hard. You seem to allude to that when you put up the pics of princes William and Harry.
Please make more videos about Ralph Lauren. I love his clothing. I own many RL pieces from the Old Money/Ivy League style to the western style. I love learning more about his life, lifestyle, I adore video of his car collections, his homes and hearing what fascinates him relative to the topic of style.
Ralph Lauren is what used to be called a cad. He used the upper class sport of Polo to promote his brand then sued polo clubs across the globe for using the word 'polo' And also for having a polo player schematic on their clubwear, even if the club's logo looked nothing like his, with the club's name included.. If you do wear his clothes, just make sure there's no visits to a Polo club on your day's agenda:)
New subscriber, really enjoying the videos! Do you have any recommendations for books on how to learn more about men's style/fashion? The history, the different types of jackets, shoes, etc?
Only an outsider looking in could have the perspective to recreate something that was not a style, but a way of life and package it as an aspirational lifestyle
I didn't expect this to be this interesting. I've always been told that this style doesn't go out of style, but maybe it would have if RL hadn't made it evergreen? Just a handful of decades before this look, women were wearing skirts that swept the floor. Maybe we'd all be in silver jumpsuits if not for RL keeping these "classic" looks alive? And yet, this style also signals something that irritates me, when done from head to toe. It signals to me a desire to step right in with what came before, politically as well as stylistically. I've met true old money people and remember feeling that there was something creepy about young people wanting to venerate, not change, as if the evergreen clothing signaled a desire for evergreen ways of thinking about how the world should be set up, especially in regard to keeping economic and social power in the hands of those who had it when the look was created. Your more generous way of seeing the staying power of this look is worth thinking about. Thanks.
Ralph Lauren is one of the creators of the lifestyle of the old money but not the only, have a documentary here in youtube called "The Look" which in one of the episodes talk about Ralph and called him a mediocre fashion designer, but a master in styling, from old money, to cowboy to nautical. Another creator of the old money aesthetic is the japanese Kensuke Ishizu, in the 50's and 60's his fascination for the American Preppy couture was developed in his own brand called VAN. Van was substantially inspired by the traditional american and Ivy league style from the occupation in post-war Japan. He and his crew have a photography book about the Ivy league called "Take Ivy". His look was called Ametora which is the name of the book I took this informations, but is a play on words for "American Traditional"
Nope, it's working class fashion from after WW2, the upper class began dressing like their staff so the Monarchy wasn't ended. Americans and Japanese can go hang in the English court of opinion, they copy us, even now (especially the Japs). The Kennedys aren't even WASP, this whole conversation is ridiculous.
I feel RL took an British Old Money (Manor Class) Aesthetic, and Americanized it. Look at the imagery....horses and polo, sailing, cricket, country estates. This is English, which is what the average person aspired to. And the fact that his brand really took off in the 80s when we (Americans) were obsessed with all things British from music to the Royals. The timing was perfect. Old Money in the US can never be that Old, considering the US is pretty much in her teens as a nation.
I was definitely inspired by his marketing during the 90’s, but being in the upper west-midwest, it wasn’t all that purposeful for our needs. Closest I got was a piece or two to wear with more rugged & less refined clothes.
This video can be credited to be made with some effort, but with this title I did expect far more grounded materials, knowledge and reasoning in the aesthetics.
I grew up in an "old money waspish" neighbourhood, those people never splurged on fashion, they bought, on sale once a year, high quality timeless clothes. Their wealth, power and security meant they didn't give a rat's ass for other people's opinions, except maybe for those from their tribe.
I think people nowadays don´t understand anything about nothing. Old money aesthetic is a stupid name for a style that always existed in all classes. As in the past society was much more conservative in its way of dressing than it is today. In the past, it was common to see men in suits or just in a blazer and shirt. So this indicates that dressing in a classic and timeless way is not something for the rich. Then there is also the confusion that "old money" people only dress formally, which is a lie, as they also dress more casually even if there is an item that denotes some formality to make the look more composed and clean. . Furthermore, over time, Old Money people began to relax and leave this type of style a little aside, as fashion became more creative and dynamic. Nowadays, there is no aesthetic associated with anything, because in terms of fashion in the most varied social classes, everything is diluted. I've seen young people from old money families wearing doctor martin boots or some pieces from luxury designers, for example, thus showing their creativity and a certain break with the mold of the past. What I find interesting is that people dress with classic elements from the past and include new elements with new and different views. There is no style that categorizes having or not having more money, what exists is an attitude and way of being that differentiates who has class or not!
Great content as usual, not sure if you trade RL in the stock market, but your video is right on target, Ralph Lauren is hitting all times high, heading much higher as global demand is picking up once again
You can see by watching well established people that they tend to wear the same things over and over, not because of any inherant fashion sense but because they don’t want to waste money. It’s why you see such people driving a six year old Toyota, and other fiscally prudent activities. Then they can splash out on something they really value, like a good piano, for instance.
