Old Money Summer Style: 22 Classic Pieces for a Chic Capsule Wardrobe

Affordable, all-American pieces styled into outfits you’ll wear on repeat all summer

Want to give your summer an easy, stylish look that oozes class? Jump onto the “Old Money” trend, a collection of classic looks that feels just as put together on the shores of New England as it does on a Florida beach.

What is Old Money Style?

Old money style means avoiding “fast fashion” trends that you’ll be over before Labor Day. Instead, the look revolves around time-tested basics reminiscent of classic American brands like Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, and J. Crew. They’re the kind of outfits Nancy Meyers would dress you in if you were starring in one of her movies. Think Coastal Grandma, think quiet luxury.

Below, we’ve pulled together a 22-piece Old Money summer capsule wardrobe built around pieces that are both stylish and affordable. You can mix and match the pieces to create a summer’s worth of looks. Best of all? Most are from Amazon so you can add them to your cart and have them before the weather gets too hot.

Prefer the French Girl style to preppy, Old Money looks? Check out our French Girl Summer Capsule Wardrobe.

Jump to → Shop the Full Capsule

The Basics: What You Probably Already Have in Your Closet

Good news about starting your Old Money capsule wardrobe: You probably already own a third of the items you need to start styling your looks. And sometimes, it just means modifying what you have to fit the look, like cuffing a pair of light-wash, straight-leg jeans or tying a white button-down shirt at the waist. Any of these in your closet?

A classic white button-down (slightly relaxed, easy to tie at the waist)
A plain white tank top
Light-wash jeans for cooler mornings
White jeans (cropped, full-length, straight-leg, wide-leg… whatever you have)
White shorts (go shorter this year!)

The Hero Piece: White Linen Drawstring Pants

This is the item you’ll be wearing on repeat all summer long: easy, comfortable linen or linen-blend pants with a drawstring waist. You’ll be surprised how effortlessly they move from beach to brunch, days at the office to dinner with friends. We found this affordable pair on Amazon in a linen-cotton-viscose blend that’ll help fend off wrinkles. After all, no one want to have to iron in the heat of summer.

White Linen-Blend Pants

Lightweight and endlessly versatile, these linen-blend pants are the effortless summer staple you’ll wear on repeat all season long.

Shop the Pants

Bright-Colored Tops and Sweaters

These are the pieces that can form the foundation of an Old Money look.

There’s no need to be dull and boring when fashioning your Old Money look. For summer, lighten things up with pink, floral print bags, or even blue gingham. We love the look of a blue gingham maxi skirt. Worn with a white tank or a white button-down tied at the waist, it’s a style that looks good on just about anyone and is super comfortable for day-to-day wear. We found the perfect gingham skirt at Boden, but it’s disappearing quickly so we also added in a tiered version that’s available on Amazon.

Tip: Bring your bright-colored sweatshirt along for cool evenings and for any time you’re moving from outside to air-conditioned interiors.

The Perfect White Dress for Summer

Yes, every Old Money wardrobe contains an LBD (little black dress), but for summer you’ll see the Old Money set switch it up for a perfect white dress. We love this one from Vineyard Vines that cuts just above the knee and can be worn with sandals or sneakers.

White Vineyard Vines dress

American-Flag Fashions

It’s not often we take our style cues from a teddy bear, but here we are, channelling the Polo teddy bear with his iconic American flag sweater. (And honestly, this American flag sweater from Amazon costs less than the Polo bear.) For summer, an American flag hat is just as impactful.

The Accessories: The Final Touches

You don’t need much in the way of accessories to pull off the Old Money look. Honestly, less is best when you want the understated style that’s so representative of quiet luxury. Just a few classic staples, a choice of summer bags, sandals, and sneakers and you’ll be set all summer long.

A colorful block print tote
A shell-shaped straw bag
A leather-look handbag
A thin leather belt
A colorful beaded necklace
Pearl studs
Oval sunglasses (the hottest item of summer!)
White sandals (these look just like Jack Rogers sandals for a fraction of the price!)
Stylish sneakers

How to Put the Looks Together

1. Pink Polo + White Shorts

Introducing your new everyday Old Money look for summer, brought to you by this stylish hot pink polo, white shorts, and these iconic white sandals. Add in a colorful block-print tote (you know, to carry your paperback Hemingway novel) and you’ll be set!

2. White Dress + Sandals

It’s the summer version of the Little Black Dress, in cool, white lightweight cotton. Here, we’ve matched it with Jack Rogers-style sandals and a cute seashell handbag.

3. Blue Gingham Skirt + Tank Top + Sneakers

This outfit right here! It’s easy, it’s stylish, and it’ll look good on almost everybody. A maxi skirt with sneakers is an Old Money summer must, and we love these Back 70 sneakers in white and navy, paired with navy gingham. The finishing touch: an American flag cap.

4. Striped Breton Shirt + White Jeans + Quarter-Zip

An ideal outfit for errands or a travel day that’s anything-but-boring. The classic Breton striped t-shirt in pink is perfection. Throw the quarter-zip sweatshirt over your shoulders, add in cute white sandals, and grab a cotton tote bag. Wear the beads … or not. This look doesn’t need much to feel polished.

5. Navy Gingham Skirt + Classic White Blouse

When you want to take your gingham skirt look up a notch, for dinners out or brunch with your buds, add a white button-down shirt, either tucked in or tied at the waist. With sandals, a cross-body bag, and oval sunglasses, you’ll be set.

6. White Shorts + Tank Top + Sneakers

White on white is just right with this fun look that says Old Money style so well. A cap and sneakers, plus a belt and cross-body leather-look bag, finish a just-right style you’ll be wearing on repeat.

7. Pink Polo Shirt + White Jeans + Sandals

This look works for everything from casual office days to travel day to lunch with friends. The white straight-leg jeans are a summer staple and the pink polo is a classy addition to your summer repertoire. Need a pair of earrings that’ll get you through the summer? Pick pearl studs.

8. White Dress + Sneakers

It doesn’t get much easier than a dress and sneakers for summer, and this all-American, white cotton dress matched with blue-and-white sneakers is a Coastal Grandmother classic. A fun beaded necklace to cap it off? Why not!

9. Jeans + Classic White Shirt + Sneakers

For those days when you don’t even want to have to think about what to wear, put on jeans and a classic white button-down shirt. From there, the Old Money accessorizing is up to you. Sneakers? Sure. Belt? Maybe, if you remember. Handbag? Only if it’s handy. Get the picture?

10. White Pants + Quarter-Zip + Colorful Tote

What will you wear to the Memorial Day BBQ? We suggest white jeans or drawstring white pants with sandals and, if there’s still a chill in the air, a colorful quarter-zip sweatshirt that’s perfect for kicking off the official start of summer.

11. Jeans + American Flag Sweater + Sneakers

You might be mistaken for American royalty when you’re in this outfit, which works just as well for everyday as it does for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. It’s perfect for cool evenings and casual dinner parties.

12. White Pants + White Button-Down

All white is alright in the summer, and no outfit could be easier than stylish white drawstring pants with a white button down (in gauze is even more extra). This look works for swimsuit cover-up, a work outfit that moves easily to dinner, and shopping beach boutiques. In other words, it’s your everyday staple.