"I imagine we are none of us what may be called rich, though we all possess a genteel competency, sufficient for tastes that are elegant and refined, and would not, if they could, be vulgarly ostentatious.”
Cranford, Elizabeth Cranford 1904
I know that quiet luxury is a not a recent or new trend but recently I was watching a simple living blogger on Youtube who made a comment that made me stop and think. She said that many people who follow the quiet luxury trend aren't actually rich but are simply trying to appear wealthy and that that particular trend is not in alignment with simple living.
I sat with her words for a while, not entirely sure that I agreed with them. I realised that her interpretation of the term "quiet luxury" and mine didn't match up. For her, it was a focus on wearing expensive clothing and jewellery and even going into debt to appear that one was more wealthy than they actually were. There are some people trying to appear rich and luxurious, she says, to appear as if they have more money than they do, and this is counter-intuitive to simple living. For me, quiet luxury is more than an appearance of wealth and I'd like to share my thoughts with you on that today.
I do not follow the quiet luxury trend, in fact I don't really think I follow any "trend". My particular principles in life are quite classic and don't fluctuate with the current zeitgeist or trend. At least, that is what I try to aim for. But there are many aspects of quiet luxury that overlap with how I choose to live my life, and I'm sure there are many of you that feel the same way. Quiet luxury and simple living do not need to be mutually exclusive; it all depends on our personal definitions and how we choose to live.
Take, for example, some André Leon Talley's definition of luxury:
Luxury is...to be able to take control of one's life, health and the pursuit of happiness in a way that is joyful.
Or...
“The greatest luxury is to be a kind, good person and to impart [upon] humanity something that will enrich their lives, to have a moment with someone that you’ve imparted richness.”(Quotes taken from this article)
Talley was a fashion editor and brushed shoulders with the "rich and luxurious" on a daily basis, yet neither of these definitions mention a particular brand of expensive luggage or fabulous cashmere sweater, nor do they preclude them. For Talley, luxury was the ability to choose in all aspects of our lives, to be educated on knowing how to choose well and in alignment with our own personal beliefs and principles. All of these ideas align with simple living.
Writers such as Jennifer L. Scott and Shannon Ables have long inspired me to live a classic life, one that chooses quality over quantity, appreciates the beauty in the everyday and prioritises things that matter and letting go of things that don't bring joy or fulfilment. There are so many people in the world today that do not have these luxuries of simple living. We tend to forget - or ignore - those people who are forced to work in appalling conditions in jobs that do not pay well, live within a caste system that allows no freedom or aspirational growth, and the crippling poverty that limits their choices. Truly, is not having the education and choice to live a simple life a luxury? I believe it is. Therefore, in my mind quiet luxury and simple living share many things in common.
Being able to make choices about the food that I eat, prioritising good health - both mental and physical, is also an attribute of both quiet luxury and simple living. Having some land to grow some food and prepare high-quality, fresh meals is a natural follow on from this. Or rather, choosing to use that land to plant flowers and bushes so that my home is a natural reflection of the seasons. Decor is at once both natural, yet appealing.
Knowing who I am and being confident in those choices, whether they be a classic capsule wardrobe, the books that I read and the music that I listen to are other areas where quiet luxury and simple living can overlap. Choosing quality natural fabrics - linen, silk and wool - that will wear well and stopping the need for constant shopping at fast fashions stores is a luxury. Knowing that I have enough and can undertake a no-buy year is a luxury.
I have the ingredients, ability and time to make bread for my family - that is a luxury. I live in an area where the air quality is good that I can line dry our clothes - that is a luxury. Additionally, my neighbourhood is safe and heavily lined with trees so that I can walk safely, on my own or with my children, all year round - that is a luxury. I also have the luxury of walking to the shops, choosing how and where I want to spend my disposable income, catching a bus or riding my bike, and swimming in free, local waterways (rivers and beaches). I wear a watch that I chose and paid for myself - it is not an expensive brand, but it is the watch that I wanted. I also wear a silver bracelet everyday. I can't remember where or when I got it, but it is of high quality and yet simple in design. I love it and would rather have this one quality piece that matches my style than a hundred others that I have to think about choosing from every time I get dressed.
Can you see how when we change our mindset and our definition of quiet luxury, that the two terms have much in common? We can choose to live our lives however we want, quietly, behind the closed doors of our home without having to shout it from the rooftop. If we think that we may help others, either through our ideas or our words, then as Talley says, that too is a luxury. And it is having the ability to choose whose words we take to heart that makes our choices all the more luxurious.
To end, I'd like to refer back to the wise women of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford who use the term "elegant economy."
' "Elegant economy!” How naturally one falls back into the phraseology of Cranford! There, economy was always “elegant,” and money-spending always “vulgar and ostentatious”; a sort of sour-grapeism which made us very peaceful and satisfied. ... If we walked to or from a party, it was because the night was so fine, or the air so refreshing, not because sedan-chairs were expensive. If we wore prints, instead of summer silks, it was because we preferred a washing material; and so on, till we blinded ourselves to the vulgar fact that we were, all of us, people of very moderate means." '
Perhaps it is just a question of semantics, or the way that we choose to view our lives and the world around us. Perhaps this discussion isn't really necessary but it was what was on my mind as I started this new year. I am sure 2025 will see new trends, new concepts and possibly even the re-hashing of old ideas in new ways. I want to encourage you to be mindful and purposeful in taking in these trends and also ask whether they align with your principles and the way in which you want to live your life.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments.
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