By Kriena Nederveen, Personal Stylist — Los Angeles & New York
For the past few years, quiet luxury has dominated the conversation. That moment is over.
Understated palettes, impeccable tailoring, few if any logos. The message was clear: true wealth whispers. And for a moment, fashion listened.
Fashion always boomerangs. As a stylist who has watched trends rise and fall across decades of working in Los Angeles and New York, I can tell you with confidence: quiet luxury has peaked.
What quiet luxury was — and why it resonated
To understand why quiet luxury is fading, you first need to understand why it caught on. It was a reaction — coming out of the pandemic, a burst of maximalism met the relentless performance of wealth on social media, and people craved restraint. The Row, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli promised clothing that didn't try too hard. But total restraint has a shelf life.
Why it's fading
Quiet luxury felt like a secret — a coded language for insiders. But once a trend becomes broadly recognizable, it loses what made it compelling. By 2025 it had become a uniform. This is where your stylist comes in: I won't let you become boring, during this trend or any other.
When everyone knows the codes, the codes stop working.
What's taking its place
The 2026 runways told a clear story. At Loewe, Dior, and Fendi, bold block colors replaced muted neutrals. Saint Laurent sent head-to-toe black leather; Balenciaga and Chanel leaned into drama. The message from every house: it's time to take up more space.
What this means for your wardrobe
This doesn't mean your investment pieces are worthless — a camel coat or cashmere sweater always has a place. It means this is the moment to reintroduce color, texture and personality. The clients I'm working with in Los Angeles closet edits and virtual styling sessions are experimenting with pieces they'd have called "too much" a year ago — and they look extraordinary.
The bottom line
Every era of fashion is a conversation between excess and restraint. Loud luxury isn't about showing off — it's about showing up. After a few years of whispering, fashion is ready to speak again. And we'll execute this in a way that works for your life. I promise.
Ready to dress like yourself again?
Personal styling and closet edits in Los Angeles, plus virtual styling sessions for clients anywhere.