Succession Fashion: Passing Down Style Through Generations

Even if you've never seen an episode of the HBO show Succession, you've probably heard a lot about the outfits, and for good reason. Even though the show only has a few well-known actors, every episode is a fashion home run. Siobhan is a "Shiv" Roy, who is Logan Roy's only daughter, and seems like the most likely person to take over the Roy business. Shiv is best known for her turtlenecks, high-waisted pants, and beautiful suits, but all of the women on the show have great clothes, which is one of the reasons it's so interesting to watch (besides Gerri and Roman forever). 

Quiet luxury

Quiet luxury is one of the most popular styles right now. This is a look that supports classic, well-made items that show money without being too loud. The main characters in "Succession" tend to wear this style, which consists of well-fitted, colorless, minimalist outfits like khakis, starched shirts, blue cashmere, and baseball caps without logos. When characters on the show don't follow the "stealth-wealth" style, like by having a purse with a lot of logos or wearing bright colors, they are quickly found out and kicked off.

Even if you wear a lot of color, you won't be a social outsider. On the other hand, there are many benefits to living your daily life with a calm, luxurious look. Not only is it a big trend, as shown by Sofia Richie's wedding dress, but buying classic pieces is a great way to build a wardrobe you'll love for years to come.

Continue scrolling for the most important lessons in covert money accumulation from "Succession."

Understated Luxury

"Succession" could put an end to "showy luxury," which focuses on logos, signature prints, and other easily recognizable visual cues (like red soles, monograms, and letters that are intertwined). Emily Cooper, the main character of the TV show "Emily in Paris," wears crazy clothes. The Roy family, on the other hand, wears somber, well-tailored suits, pretty dresses and blouses, and smart coats that don't stand out—or almost don't. 

People from the same social class as the wealthy Roy family know where the costumes on the TV show came from, even though the average viewer or member of the general public probably wouldn't be able to tell at first glance. This is the best example of "silent luxury," a style that the show has done a lot to popularize and that tends to separate the newly rich from those who are already wealthy through their clothes and accessories.

Choose High-Quality Fabric

Source: HBO

Let's start with the obvious: Everyone loves cashmere, and when they wear it, they look rich. Silks, cashmere, and other rich fabrics are used to decorate the Roys' boardrooms and boar hunts, which are great examples of calm luxury. Logan Roy, the head of the family, wears wool cardigans.

The outfit designer for "Succession," Michelle Matland, says, "If you go after quality, it will always pay off." "We don't look at the price tag, and we don't go shopping to spend money. Instead, we pay attention to the soft texture, pattern, and shine." Unfortunately, cashmere looks different from poly blends. "It simply is".

But that doesn't mean that your sweater should be as expensive as your rent. Metland said, "I also like outlet stores," telling his listeners to look for deals. "It's completely fine to buy it for less."

No Logos

Source: HBO

The goal of "silent luxury" is to hide as much as possible about where one's clothes came from. This style is shown by the clothes the main characters of the show wear, which are simple, neutral, and hard to tell apart. There are no names or symbols that jump out at you, but there is a lot of elegance and sophistication. 

In particular, the Roy family's clothes in "Succession" show what they do not wear. In a different show, a rich family could be wearing jewels the size of Mentos, exotic furs, Birkin purses that sway, and patterns with logos all over them. The Roys, on the other hand, have nothing to prove by showing off their wealth. Their clothes are pricey, but they don't have to wear brand labels or follow the latest fashion trends. You might not know how expensive some of their simple goods are unless you see the price tag.

No Hard and Fast Dressing Rule

Source: HBO

Matland suggests that if you want to appear to be a member of the established upper crust, you should emulate Roman Roy rather than Tom Wambsgans, i.e., go for an effortless look rather than one that is forced. Wambsgans joins the Roy family by dating and marrying the sole daughter, Siobhan "Shiv" Roy. He is shown as an outsider who strives far too hard to fit in from the time we meet him in the first episode. Indeed, one of the few things the Roy children have in common throughout the series is their disdain for Wambsgans' fashion faux pas.

It makes no sense to match a shirt, pocket square, and suspenders."For anyone with real money, that would be a dead giveaway that you're posturing and desperately trying to show something," Matland said of the 0.001 percent's complicated fashion choices. "People like Tom get fashion and money mixed up, even though they have nothing in common." It can also be as small as the space between the stripes on a suit. Tom's is a little bit more visible, but Kendall's would never be so clear. If you saw a pinstripe, you might think it was small, but Tom's is just a little too much.

Roman Roy is the youngest son of a wealthy family. He gives off a mix of easy confidence and scorn. When Wambsgans tries to fit in, he often stands out, while Roy is the exact opposite. Even without a tie and with a creased button-down shirt, he can still look efficient. Anyone can buy a pricey suit, but only Roy can wear a six-figure suit in the most casual way possible to show off his wealth.

Go For Minimal Basics

Source: HBO

The people in "Succession" don't like bright colors or big handbags, and the focus is on clothing basics. Wamsgans's speech for Hirsch in episode 1 of season 4, when he brought a date with a Burberry plaid tote bag to Logan Roy's birthday party, is the best example of this kind of "stealth-wealth gatekeeping." The speech has since become a joke. Wamsgans says it's because she brought a suitcase that is way too big. "What is that even?" Shoes with a flat bottom for the subway? What does she have for lunch? Greg, I mean to say that it is evil. It's wonderful. You could take it on a camping trip. You can move it across the floor after getting a job at a bank."

Kerry Castellabate makes the same fashion mistake by wearing bright colors like pink and blue instead of basic, neutral colors. The bright colors make her stand out terribly in the world of "Succession," emphasizing that she doesn't belong on ATN or in their social circle.

Even though there's nothing wrong with a Burberry tote bag or a colorful wardrobe, it's still a good idea to buy wardrobe items that will last for years. And there's no doubt that the Roys will agree.

Recomended Reading: Dressing for Success: Black and Navy Outfit at Work that Make an Impression

Choose Earth Tones

Source: HBO

Does Shiv Roy have any idea which color Pantone has chosen to represent the year? And more importantly, does it matter to her? Your color pallet is another area in which you should avoid maximalist trends and instead focus on understated wealth. If you are a Roy, then you are not dopamine-dressed because you have more important things to devote your efforts to (such as pre-grieving, light treason, and lying down in traffic). If you want to truly master the Roy family's approach to fashion, your best bet is to stick with a power color like black, navy, or beige, and to only sometimes wear jewel tones.

Know How To Save

When asked by The Ringer for a way to buy things on a budget, "Succession" costume designer Michelle Matland told them about her "mix and match" attitude.

In one scene from Connor's wedding, Shiv wears a Tom Ford suit and a $47 top with a gold chain. Because of this, you mix and match. She wore silk pants and a Zara T-shirt when she wore browns and tans. So you can find things that are similar to what you're trying to copy. Some short paths can be taken. There are times when a $300 pair of pearl stud earrings looks better than a $10 pair from Macy's.
Spend your money on jewelry, but don't be afraid to buy a cheap T-shirt once in a while.

Indeed, many companies are making money off of the success of the TV show. Even though these elite under-the-radar brands aren't as well-known as Gucci, Fendi, or Balenciaga, they are becoming a big deal with the general public. The Row by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli, and Loro Piana, as well as Tom Ford, Theory, Hugo Boss, Max Mara, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, and Barbour, are all shown in the display.

Fareed Uddin

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Fareed Uddin is a blogger and SEO specialist. More expertise are in inbound marketing.

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