Tellar
Search

The Ultimate Guide to Building a Quiet Luxury Wardrobe

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

The Tellar Fashion Hub is the UK's Largest, 100% Free, Fully searchable, Fashion Library.

Filled with 4000+ Honest & Unbiased posts, written by our expert stylists.

No adverts, no sponsored posts, no subscriptions. We are 100% free to use.

We are paid by affiliates, but we never allow brands to influence our recommendations.

Honest, Unbiased, Accurate & Free.

Author: Tellar Styling Team | July 2025

All content is independent, honest, and unbiased. Tellar.co.uk does not accept payment for reviews or features.


What Is Quiet Luxury?

Quiet luxury is a fashion philosophy rooted in understated elegance, premium craftsmanship, and a strong rejection of overt branding. Often associated with labels like The Row, Loro Piana, Max Mara, and Khaite, quiet luxury is about quality, not quantity—garments that speak through materials, tailoring, and longevity rather than logos or trends.

The key to building a quiet luxury wardrobe lies in refinement, fit, and function. Every item should work across seasons, elevate your everyday outfits, and be cut to perfection.


Core Principles of a Quiet Luxury Wardrobe

1. Focus on Fabric First

Quiet luxury starts with superior materials. Think:

  • Cashmere and merino wool for knitwear

  • Organic cotton and linen for shirts and trousers

  • Silk and crepe de chine for blouses

  • Wool-cashmere blends or double-faced wool for outerwear

  • Supple leather and suede for accessories

Poor-quality synthetic blends won’t hold shape or look elevated. Fabric is the quiet luxury signature — it must feel exceptional.


2. Stick to a Neutral Colour Palette

A quiet luxury wardrobe is typically built around soft neutrals:

  • Ivory, cream, beige

  • Camel, taupe, stone

  • Navy, grey, black

  • Occasional deep forest, burgundy or muted pastels

These tones not only elevate your look but allow for easier mixing, layering, and seasonless wear.


3. Invest in Tailoring & Fit

Tailoring defines quiet luxury. You don’t need dozens of pieces — you need:

  • Trousers that fall perfectly at the ankle

  • A coat that fits your shoulders exactly

  • A silk blouse that skims your body without clinging

Great tailoring avoids trends like exaggerated shoulders or oversized shapes unless perfectly proportioned.


4. Build Around Timeless Essentials

Start with versatile anchor pieces that work year-round. Core quiet luxury staples include:

Category

Must-Have

Outerwear

Camel coat, wool blazer, minimalist trench

Tops

Crisp white shirt, fine-gauge knit, silk blouse

Bottoms

Tailored trousers, structured jeans, midi skirt

Knitwear

Cashmere crewneck, merino polo, ribbed tank

Dresses

Sleeveless midi, shirt dress, wrap style

Accessories

Leather belt, crossbody bag, understated loafers


Top Quiet Luxury Brands (UK & USA Access)

Here’s where to shop for genuine quiet luxury — not just the look, but the quality behind it:

Brand

Notes

The Row

The gold standard. Elevated basics, perfect cuts, finest fabrics

Loro Piana

Italian masters of wool, cashmere, and tailoring

Khaite

New York-based, sharp silhouettes and luxury denim

Max Mara

Timeless Italian outerwear and corporate chic pieces

Totême

Swedish brand known for architectural simplicity

Joseph

British tailoring with elevated staples

Arket & COS

Entry-level quiet luxury — minimalist with good structure

Tibi

Modern classics with a creative edge

Nili Lotan

Polished but wearable NYC style

Me+Em

UK-based, workwear-focused and beautifully cut

Not all pieces have to be high-end. A blend of designer investment and high-quality high street (like Arket or COS) is often the most realistic way to build your quiet luxury wardrobe.


Sizing Is Everything in Quiet Luxury

Quiet luxury only works when the fit is precise — and this is where most wardrobes fall short.

Overspending on tailoring is common — but preventable. With Tellar.co.uk, you can shop confidently across 1,500+ brands knowing exactly what size you are in each brand, based on your body.


Tellar.co.uk: Quiet Luxury, Perfectly Fitted

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool, designed to take the guesswork out of shopping — especially essential when investing in premium, tailored items.

How it works:

  • 📏 Measure once using your bust, waist, and hips — or enter a size you already know from another brand.

  • 🔎 Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to get your perfect size in labels like Max Mara, Khaite, Joseph, and COS.

  • Shop confidently knowing you’re choosing the correct size — fewer returns, better fits, longer lifespan.

It’s fast, browser-based, and always free. No downloads, no app required.


Build Your Quiet Luxury Wardrobe in Phases

Phase 1: Foundation Layers (Month 1–2)

Start with:

  • White and black cotton t-shirts (Totême, Arket)

  • A navy blazer (Joseph or COS)

  • High-rise black trousers (Khaite or Me+Em)

  • One pair of neutral straight-leg jeans (Nili Lotan or Frame)

Phase 2: Smart Knitwear + Accessories (Month 3–4)

Add:

  • Fine cashmere roll neck (Loro Piana or Uniqlo Premium)

  • Tan leather belt (The Row or Arket)

  • Silk blouse in ivory or slate

  • Leather crossbody or tote bag

Phase 3: Statement Outerwear + Shoes (Month 5–6)

Finalise with:

  • Full-length camel coat or wrap trench (Max Mara, Totême)

  • Black suede ankle boots or flat leather loafers

  • Optional: one silk midi dress or column dress for layering

🧠 Pro tip: Use Tellar to determine if tailoring is required before you purchase — perfect fit is non-negotiable in quiet luxury.


Quiet Luxury Dos & Don’ts

DO:

  • Steam or iron garments properly

  • Invest in garment care (brushes, cedar hangers, wool wash)

  • Shop seasonally, slowly, intentionally

  • Stick to one or two silhouettes you love

DON’T:

  • Follow flashy trends (neon, big logos, fast fashion)

  • Over-accessorise — the fewer details, the better

  • Mix poor synthetics into core pieces

  • Wear badly fitted trousers or gaping shirts


FAQs

Q: Can quiet luxury work on a budget?

Yes — start with mid-range labels like COS, Massimo Dutti or Me+Em and focus on fabric quality and fit. Slowly build up to brands like Max Mara or The Row over time.

Q: How do I avoid looking too plain?

Quiet luxury isn’t about blending in. Use silhouette, contrast (e.g. wide leg + slim top), and texture (cashmere + leather) to elevate your look.

Q: Are neutrals a rule?

No, but they’re practical. Add muted pastels or rich colours for seasonal updates. Just avoid clashing or overly saturated palettes.


Explore More on Tellar.co.uk


Final Word

Quiet luxury isn’t a trend — it’s a wardrobe philosophy rooted in timeless style, flawless fit, and thoughtful dressing. With fewer, better pieces and a smart approach to sizing, you can build a wardrobe that feels luxurious, looks effortless, and lasts a lifetime.


Start Now with Tellar.co.uk


Follow Us for Quiet Luxury Styling Tips: