15 AFFORDABLE OLD MONEY BRANDS FOR TIMELESS STEALTH WEALTH STYLE

When some guys wear a dark polo and chinos, they give off a vibe that screams, “I’m a down-on-my-luck used car salesman who could really use a commission.” 

On the other end of the spectrum, some guys can wear the same two pieces and immediately project a vibe that says, “I just popped off my yacht to grab a quick espresso, but I can’t stay long—my private jet is waiting for me at the airfield.” 

The key to looking more like the latter and less like the former is to hue closely to the Old Money aesthetic, a timeless style that evokes the understated elegance and effortless sophistication of rich bastards people with buildings named after them. 

But there’s a reason the Old Money look is sometimes referred to as stealth wealth: it can cost a bloody fortune. Designer brands like Brioni, Gucci and Hermes charge thousands for pieces that fit the Old Money mold, which has traditionally made it hard for us mere mortals to adopt the look.

Fortunately, that’s starting to change. In the past few years, the Old Money look has been applied to everything from suits and shoes to hairstyles and basic tees—and brands that don’t require a trust fund to afford them have finally taken notice. 

Below, I’ve rounded up more than dozen brands that combine the timeless, sophisticated Old Money look with prices that real people can actually afford. 

The Tie Bar

I remember when The Tie Bar started popping up in GQ back in 2010. (I was – and will forever remain – an absolute sucker for the one-inch tie clip that The Tie Bar pioneered, which GQ used to feature on some of their most stylish covers.) 

But don’t let the name fool you—The Tie Bar has graduated way beyond ties. They still offer plenty of handsome accessories, and their silk grenadines and classic knit ties are staples of understated, Old Money style, but nowadays they’re also knocking it out of the (country club) park with tailored dress shirts, crisp chinos, and versatile, unstructured blazers. 

The brand’s subtle textures, clean cuts, and lack of flashy logos perfectly capture that discreet, “trust-fund-chic” vibe, without costing a fortune. 

Case and point: their off-the-rack suits are simultaneously affordable and refined, while their textured ribbed polo looks like the kind of thing JFK Jr. might have worn for a stroll on a warm Nantucket evening. 

Bonobos

And speaking of the Kennedy clan, Bonobos has nailed the art of making you look like you summer in Nantucket—without having to do something as douchey as, say, summering in Nantucket. 

I tend to recommend Bonobos quite a bit because their dress shirts, blazers, and (exceptionally well cut) stretch chinos all have that tailored-but-not-stuffy feel that Old Money types love. 

And with an ever-growing range of colors and fits, you can find something that says “I know my tailor by name,” even if you don’t actually have a tailor. 

One particular piece worth looking at from Bonobos is their stretch Oxford cloth button down. Inspired by 19th century British polo players, the OCBD is an absolute staple of the Old Money set, and Bonobos makes one of the best in the biz. 

I raved about it to New York Magazine a few years back because, in addition to offering a wide range of fits and lengths, they also have the perfect button stance; when you leave the top button undone, the resulting “v” shape goes low enough to look casual, but not so low that your chest hair comes pouring over the top.

Suitsupply 

Suitsupply isn’t quite as affordable as some of the other brands on this list, but its aesthetic absolutely screams “Old Money.” 

The groomsmen for my wedding all bought their suits at Suitsupply, and I would have bought my tux there too, but the style I was after (a midnight blue number with black shawl lapels, ala James Bond in Skyfall) wasn’t in stock at the time. 

These guys specialize in European flair with just the right amount of prep—think sharp blazers, crisp shirts, and (of course) immaculately cut suits that make you look like you inherited a yacht, even if you’re still paying off your car. 

In addition to great cuts, one thing that’s great about Suitsupply is that their fabrics are top-notch—wool, linen, and cashmere blends that feel way more luxurious than the price tag suggests. 

Proper Cloth 

Proper Cloth is for guys who care about details—like getting the perfect collar roll on an Oxford cloth button-down or dialing in a custom dress shirt that hits just the right balance of relaxed and refined. 

They also do well-made blazers and trousers in classic cuts and colors, so you can build a wardrobe that screams “Old Money” without blowing your budget. 

Bonus: their online shirt customizer is so easy to use, it almost feels like cheating.

Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers has been outfitting the upper crust since 1818, making it a quintessential Old Money brand.

They practically invented American prep with their button-down shirts, softly tailored blazers, and classic suits, and sell everything from black silk tuxes to summer straw hats,

But for maximum Old Money impact, stick to basics like their pinpoint Oxfords, navy blazers and timeless trousers—all of which contribute to a wardrobe that whispers “I play tennis at the club on weekends” (even if they’re really spent playing ping-pong in your basement).

J.Crew 

J.Crew’s had its ups and downs, including briefly going into bankruptcy in 2020 as the realities of the pandemic were setting in. Fortunately for style snobs everywhere, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes, and has continued to specialize in an aesthetic that blends an Old Money sensibility with modern trends. 

Their Ludlow suits are an affordable, off-the-rack riff on Savile Row, and their classic button-down shirts and cashmere sweaters nail that “my family’s been going to Martha’s Vineyard for decades” vibe. 

Just stick to the timeless stuff—navy, grey, and camel—and skip the neon colors unless you’re actually yacht-hopping.

RW&CO

Canadian label RW&CO might not have the same cachet as Brooks Brothers, but their tailored dress shirts, suits, and trousers offer an affordable entry point to that refined, understated look. 

The cuts are sharp, the colors are classic, and there’s not a logo in sight. 

If you’re in the market for an Old Money vibe on a new money (or low money) budget, RW&CO is probably your best bet.

Hockerty 

Want to channel that bespoke, Mayfair tailor look without dropping a fortune? 

Like Indochino and other online made-to-measure brands, Hockerty’s shirts, suits, and overcoats let you tweak every detail to your liking—from the cuff style to the lapel width. 

That customization gives you the kind of fit and personal flair that projects Old Money; no garish branding, just classic lines and fine materials. 

It’s a surefire way to look like you spent time in a Savile Row fitting room, without actually hopping across the pond. 

Uber-Cheap Amazon Brand Worth Considering:

Coofandy 

Above I mentioned that RW&CO is the best bet for those on a budget, but if you’re really strapped for cash and don’t mind compromising on quality in order to spend less, Coofandy is at least worth a look. 

A classic example of an Amazon brand with a funny name, questionable quality and eerie photos that are clearly AI-generated, a lot of Coofandy’s blazers, shirts, and sweaters certainly look the part, which makes it worth a mention. 

Just keep in mind that you tend to get what you pay for, so don’t expect their stuff to hold up very well over time. 

Beckett Simonon 

Easily my favorite dress shoe brand, Beckett Simonon is basically a cheat code for getting high-quality shoes without paying Old Money prices. 

As I wrote in my full review, their shoes both look and feel like they came straight from a high-end haberdasher, but because they’re made-to-order, the prices stay surprisingly reasonable. 

They use full-grain leather, Blake stitching, and all the little details that signal “quality” to anyone who knows shoes. They might take a few weeks to arrive—but once they do, they’ll look like they cost three times as much.

Allen Edmonds 

If you’re going for that American Old Money look—think Ivy League alumni with a wingtip addiction—Allen Edmonds is your guy. 

Their Park Avenue Oxfords and Strand cap toes are classics for a reason. 

Built with Goodyear welts and crafted in the U.S., these shoes are the kind of thing grandfathers pass down—and guys who dress like grandfathers buy new. 

Yes, they’re pricier than most on this list, but with AE’s regular sales and recrafting program, they’re a smart investment in the long run.

M.Gemi 

M.Gemi blends Italian craftsmanship with modern direct-to-consumer pricing, and the result is pretty much perfect for stealth-wealth style. 

Their drivers, loafers, and sleek lace-ups have a low-key elegance that’s perfect for quiet nights on the banks of Lake Como—and just as good for those of us who’ve never been, but would love to channel that energy. 

Every pair is handmade in Italy using buttery leathers and refined silhouettes, but thanks to their no-middleman model, you won’t need a second mortgage to afford them.

Ace Marks 

The name makes it sound distinctly American, but Ace Marks is another Italian brand that delivers the polished, international playboy look without blowing your budget. 

Handcrafted in Italy using full-grain leather, their Oxfords, monk straps, and loafers look just as good with a custom suit as they do with tailored jeans and a blazer. No loud logos, no trendy gimmicks—just classic, confident design that fits right in at the country club… or at least at the valet stand outside of one.

Meermin

A favorite among in-the-know style guys who want high-end materials and construction without the markup, Meermin offers Goodyear-welted Oxfords, tassel loafers, and derby shoes that are sleek, minimalist, and classically styled—perfect for pulling off the “my grandfather taught me how to polish shoes” vibe. 

The leather quality is impressive for the price, and the brand’s Spanish roots give them a continental polish that pairs nicely with both suits and sport coats.

Uber-Cheap Amazon Brand Worth Considering:

Bruno Marc 

As I did with the clothing options above, I wanted to provide an (almost ludicrously) affordable shoe option for those who are really cash-strapped. 

Bruno Marc is the ultimate “look the part without parting with cash” brand. 

Found on Amazon for budget-friendly prices, they have a lot of styles that fit the Old Money mold, including minimalist white sneakers, leather horsebit loafers and even a pretty handsome-looking pair of double monk straps. 

Are they handcrafted in a Tuscan workshop by sixth-generation cobblers? They are not. But I’ve tried a number of Bruno Marc pairs over the years, and I have to admit I’ve been both surprised and reasonably impressed with the quality, given the price point. 

With that said, here’s a good rule to keep in mind when shopping for cheap shoes: cheap leather pretty much always looks cheap, while cheap alternatives to other materials like suede or breathable mesh are a lot closer to their high-priced counterparts. 

So if you really want a pair of leather dress shoes with a svelte toe shape, but you can’t afford the couple hundred bucks it would cost at Beckett Simonon or Allen Edmonds, Bruno Marc is probably your best bet, but the quality really won’t be anywhere near those other brands. 

On the other hand, if you opt for something like their breathable mesh hybrids, the value proposition is much better. 

I actually own the pair that I linked to in the previous sentence, and can confirm that they look and feel almost as good as anything sold by expensive brands like Wolf & Shepherd, but cost a fraction of the price.

Stop Making Style Mistakes

Don’t Get Overlooked—Get Better Looking 

If you want to look more refined, confident and put together, shopping at the best Old Money brands is a decent start.

But even the classiest clothes won’t do you any favors if you’re making the kind of fashion, grooming and style mistakes that undercut your appearance.

That’s why I created a free email series that shows regular guys how to avoid the most common style pitfalls—and start looking sharper almost instantly.

Check it out if you’re ready to stop scoring own-goals, and start leveling up your look.

The post 15 Affordable Old Money Brands for Timeless Stealth Wealth Style appeared first on Irreverent Gent.

2025-06-06T20:04:46Z