The Ultimate Guide to Building a Quiet Luxury Wardrobe
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
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Author: Tellar Styling Team | July 2025
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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:
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Cashmere and merino wool for knitwear
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Organic cotton and linen for shirts and trousers
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Silk and crepe de chine for blouses
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Wool-cashmere blends or double-faced wool for outerwear
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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:
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Ivory, cream, beige
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Camel, taupe, stone
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Navy, grey, black
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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:
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Trousers that fall perfectly at the ankle
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A coat that fits your shoulders exactly
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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 |
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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:
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📏 Measure once using your bust, waist, and hips — or enter a size you already know from another brand.
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🔎 Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to get your perfect size in labels like Max Mara, Khaite, Joseph, and COS.
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✅ 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:
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White and black cotton t-shirts (Totême, Arket)
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A navy blazer (Joseph or COS)
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High-rise black trousers (Khaite or Me+Em)
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One pair of neutral straight-leg jeans (Nili Lotan or Frame)
Phase 2: Smart Knitwear + Accessories (Month 3–4)
Add:
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Fine cashmere roll neck (Loro Piana or Uniqlo Premium)
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Tan leather belt (The Row or Arket)
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Silk blouse in ivory or slate
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Leather crossbody or tote bag
Phase 3: Statement Outerwear + Shoes (Month 5–6)
Finalise with:
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Full-length camel coat or wrap trench (Max Mara, Totême)
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Black suede ankle boots or flat leather loafers
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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:
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Steam or iron garments properly
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Invest in garment care (brushes, cedar hangers, wool wash)
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Shop seasonally, slowly, intentionally
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Stick to one or two silhouettes you love
DON’T:
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Follow flashy trends (neon, big logos, fast fashion)
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Over-accessorise — the fewer details, the better
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Mix poor synthetics into core pieces
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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
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