Editorial Critique of the ‘Old Money Aesthetic’

In an age where appearances reign supreme, the "old money aesthetic" has taken social media by storm, promising sophistication and timeless elegance to anyone who dons a cashmere sweater and browses The Great Gatsby. With its neutral tones, polished demeanor, and Ivy League pretense, this trend has become a playground for dreamers and poseurs alike. Yet beneath the tweed blazers and curated Instagram captions lies a precarious truth: facades, no matter how meticulously crafted, are doomed to crumble when reality hits.

A House of Cards Built on Illusion

The old money aesthetic is seductive. Who wouldn’t want to exude an air of quiet luxury, suggesting generational wealth and refined taste without the vulgarity of flaunting it? But here’s the catch: the aesthetic is just that—an aesthetic. It’s a costume, worn by those desperately seeking to project an image of success, intellect, and privilege. It’s easy to mimic the surface, particularly on social media— pose in front of a parked Bentley, sit on mahogany furnishing, over the shoulder vintage leather, and quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald—but such posturing is as shallow as the sheen on a knockoff Hermès bag.

The true old money lifestyle isn’t about appearances; it’s about substance built over generations. The people who truly embody it don’t need to flaunt it—they don’t even need Instagram. When the façade is put to the test, the difference between substance and style becomes glaringly obvious.

The Cost of Pretending

For the aspirants chasing this aesthetic, the costs are more than financial—though, let’s not overlook the irony of bankrupting yourself in an effort to look wealthy. The psychological toll of maintaining such a charade is far greater.

1. Imposter Syndrome: Constantly pretending to belong to a world you have no real connection to creates a gnawing sense of inadequacy. How long can you smile through a wine-tasting post when you barely know the difference between a Bordeaux and a boxed wine?

2. Social Alienation: Pretending to be part of a class you’re not inevitably creates distance—both from those you’re trying to impress and those who see through your act. The effort to maintain this illusion can leave you isolated, lonely, and perpetually on edge.

3. Erosion of Self: In the pursuit of appearing polished and poised, many lose sight of who they really are. Pretending to care about polo matches or Proust might feel glamorous at first, but the façade becomes stifling when it replaces authenticity.

The Fragility of Façades

The danger of building your identity around this aesthetic isn’t just that it’s exhausting—it’s that it’s unsustainable. What happens when the illusion falls apart? When someone questions your “vintage” Rolex or asks which prep school you attended? The fantasy collapses under the weight of reality, leaving its architect exposed.

This isn’t just about individual embarrassment; it’s a broader commentary on the risks of chasing illusions. When we invest so heavily in pretending to be something we’re not, we miss out on the opportunity to build something real—whether it’s genuine confidence, meaningful relationships, or a fulfilling life not tethered to the validation of others.

Romanticizing the Rotten

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the old money aesthetic is its underlying message: that wealth and privilege are the ultimate ideals. By romanticizing the symbols of generational wealth, the trend glosses over the often problematic realities of these dynasties. Colonialism, exploitation, and systemic inequality are conveniently ignored in favor of monogrammed luggage and weekend trips to the Hamptons.

Chasing this aesthetic isn’t just shallow—it’s complicit in perpetuating a classist fantasy that erases the struggles of those left outside its gates. The very idea of “old money” rests on exclusion, gatekeeping, and the quiet arrogance of those who assume their superiority is inherent rather than circumstantial.

A Call to Authenticity

Instead of spending hours perfecting an image that will inevitably unravel, why not invest in building something genuine? True sophistication doesn’t come from dressing the part; it comes from integrity, intellectual curiosity, and the confidence to embrace who you really are.

The next time you’re tempted to curate a façade of old money elegance, ask yourself: who are you doing it for? If it’s for others, their approval is as fleeting as the likes on your latest post. If it’s for yourself, consider this—real confidence isn’t found in silk scarves or mahogany libraries; it’s in the substance of your character, not the veneer of wealth.

Pretending to embody the old money aesthetic is like decorating a crumbling house: it looks nice from the outside, but the cracks beneath will eventually show. And when they do, the collapse can be both humiliating and irreversible. The energy spent keeping up appearances would be better invested in pursuits that truly enrich your life, not just your Instagram grid.

The Danger of Losing Yourself

When you dedicate yourself to imitating an identity that isn’t yours, you risk losing your authentic self in the process. The habits, values, and passions that make you unique can fade away, replaced by the hollow pursuit of an unattainable ideal. Over time, the lines between the persona you’ve created and the person you are blur, leaving you unsure of where the performance ends and you begin.

This identity crisis is particularly cruel because it often masquerades as success. You may feel validated when someone compliments your outfit or assumes you’re part of a privileged world, but that fleeting approval only deepens the emptiness beneath. It’s a cycle: the more validation you crave, the more effort you put into maintaining the façade, and the further you drift from authenticity.

Letting the Façade Crumble

Here’s the harsh but liberating truth: no amount of silk, cashmere, or curated elegance will fill the void left by an absence of genuine self-worth. True confidence doesn’t come from mimicking the lifestyles of the wealthy—it comes from accepting and celebrating who you are, flaws and all.

The old money aesthetic may look timeless, but it’s a fleeting trend, like all others. Chasing it is like building a sandcastle at high tide: the illusion of grandeur is temporary, and the ocean of reality will inevitably wash it away.

Simply Put: A Word of Warning

Fads like the old money aesthetic thrive on selling fantasies to the insecure. They tell you that you’re not enough as you are, that with the right blazer or brand, you could be someone important. But the truth is, importance isn’t bought or borrowed—it’s earned through authenticity, resilience, and a willingness to be unapologetically yourself.

So, let the façade crumble before reality forces it to. There’s more dignity in building an authentic life—imperfect and unpolished as it may be—than in living as a counterfeit version of someone else’s fantasy. Real wealth lies not in your closet or your Instagram aesthetic but in the richness of a life lived authentically.

When all is said and done stop pretending to have a life and start living the one you have!