You've heard of balletcore, Y2K, and punkature, but the current trending aesthetic isn't anything of the sort. That's right, heavy branding and micro trends are out. In 2023, it's subtle, tasteful styles that are gaining popularity as consumer interest has taken a major shift from big-name designer couture to what's been tokened as “quiet luxury.”
And though there might not be just one name in fashion to credit for this shift, model and entrepreneur Sofia Richie Grainge, daughter of musician Lionel Richie, is the one to thank for making things official. Read about Richie's rise to fame and her influence on current fashion in the latest.
Who is Sofia Richie?
Sofia Richie (Sofia Richie Grainge as of this April) is an American model, fashion designer, and the beauty director of Nudestix. She grew up in Los Angeles, first dabbling in music and film at a young age until she started modeling at 14 years old. From there, she spent years working in front of cameras and on the runway, later to start collaborating with various designers in 2019.
It wasn't until 2020, however, that her “rebrand” began, and she went from being famous by association with other celebs to the woman we know her as today. InStyle begged an excellent question, of course: “…is it a “rebrand” or is she just working with a different stylist (Liat Baruch, to be specific), wearing haute couture and having a wedding at one of the most glamorous places on Earth?” But we think it's more than that.
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
In recent years, Sofia shifted from following the in-crowd and embracing micro trends and sub-par recognition to establishing and sticking to her own personal style. And naturally, with originality comes power. It's been proven time and time again that industry figures that have developed and maintained their own public images hold the most influence over the fashion world. And now, it's Sofia's turn: since her “rebrand,” her traction in the media has grown exponentially.
Today, it's seldom that you'll catch the star in anything but timeless, chic looks, lounging in the south of France and drinking espresso with her best girls. She's all about glossy hair and dewy skin, minimal makeup, clean manicures, and effortlessly crafted looks. And while, sure, it might be partially thanks to her new style and PR team and generously wealthy husband, that's not to say that she doesn't still have us wrapped around her finger.
So let's talk about it: how can you achieve Sofia's quiet luxury look on your own?
Dressing the Part
Like we said, Sofia has quite a few favorites when it comes to dressing day-to-day. But what exactly is quiet luxury, and do you have to have family money to dress the part?
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
The answer, to put it simply, is no. The idea behind quiet luxury actually isn't to load your wardrobe with in-your-face logos and flashy hardware. Instead, it nods to high-quality and elegant textiles, relaxed and neutral colors, and classy silhouettes. Basics are key when it comes to dressing with quiet luxury in mind, and an entire wardrobe can be built off of just a few staples if you know what to look for.
Statement Sunnies
It's so secret that eyewear can make or break an outfit. Brad Goreski put it best: “Putting on a new pair of glasses or sunglasses is a simple way to completely transform your look- just like a new hairstyle.” Still, if you're trying to dress quiet luxury, it's important to be picky about your styles.
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
Mrs. Richie Grainge is a huge fan of oval and cateye frames, and usually opts to keep her lenses dark and simple. Every once in a while, she switches it up and makes a statement with a more eye-catching pair (no pun intended) like these Lowewe X Paula Ibizas, reminiscent of the Dutch Pastel trend we saw last summer.
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
Intentional Color Palettes
There's nothing wrong with a splash of color, but there is a way it should be done, and Sofia Richie has it figured out. While she usually goes for neutral colors (and frequently coordinates her looks with her husband Elliot), Sofia's not one to shy away from bold looks like these:
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
What sets them apart from others, however, is that despite how unconventional some of her looks may be, she truly commits to them. From shoes to jewelry, she ensures that everything matches or directly compliments the main feature of her look. To put it simply: when dressing quiet luxury but still aching for some color, monochrome is the way to go. And if you're more keen to keep it neutral, provided you include timeless pieces in your look and avoid micro trends, it's almost impossible not to nail it.
Maxi Skirts and Dresses
We knew they'd be trending this spring, but it looks like maxi-length skirts and dresses are here to stay a while. As summer rolls in, we've started to see countless society swans stepping out in ankle-length pieces, styling them in a multitude of ways. And, of course, there's a multitude of reasons we're loving it.
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
You really can't go wrong with a good maxi skirt or dress, and in 2023, wearing longer styles has become infinitely easier. Ankle-length dresses aren't just for black-tie events anymore, and long skirts have gone from a relic in your mother's closet to a piece to swap your jeans for. Sofia Richie is one of the best examples of looks like these, as she's made them a staple part of her wardrobe.
Suiting, of Course
Pant suits, blazers, and tuxedo-inspired silhouettes are obviously crucial to encapsulating that “old money” look, but Sofia's twist on the style has taken them to a different level. After all, the media personality is known widely for her longstanding relationship with Chanel- specifically with Karl Lagerfeld himself- so it's no wonder she's a savvy for tweed. Still, there's a fine line between using suiting to look classy and accidentally looking a bit too dated. Take a look at how Sofia effortlessly works her way around this dilemma:
via @sofiarichiegrainge on instagram
The key is using suiting as a tool, not a foundation. By taking a modern look and incorporating notes of suiting, you can easily avoid looking in the mirror and wondering if something isn't quite right. Richie Grainge isn't the first or only celebrity to embrace this trend, of course. We've seen plenty of stars pair blazers with their athleisure or trousers with a baby tee. But no matter what you base your look on, if you're aiming to dress quiet luxury, keeping it classy is the way to go.
Consistency
Whether Mrs. Richie Grainge will maintain the hold she has on the fashion world for much longer is a question that only time may tell. Regardless, however, she will always remain one of the monarchs of quiet luxury- provided she stays in the game. And even though consistency will always be key to dominating any fashion niche, when it comes to dressing quiet luxury, it's more important than ever.
By: Mackenzie Ostrowski