Colours evoke emotions and reflect personalities, but did you know they reflect wealth too?
Shades like beige, ivory, taupe and more are known to exude elegance, luxury and prosperity. These neutral colours are a favourite of the ultra-rich, and there is a reason for it.
Alessandro Sartori, the artistic director of Ermenegildo Zegna, an Italian luxury goods label, told The New York Times, “The ultrawealthy don’t want to show off, and beige colours are good in that sense… This class of people is super discreet and doesn’t want to be seen.”
“To be fashionably super-rich,” he adds, “is to be clad in the anodyne colours (colours that are neutral, bland and that are not intended to evoke strong emotions or statements)... It is all within a limited tonality — stylish, but not too much out of the perimeter of being noticeable.”
PANTONE’S MOCHA MOUSSE IS ALL ABOUT ELEGANCE
Pantone Colour Institute named ‘mocha mousse’ its 2025 Colour of the Year. The Pantone committee was inspired by the feelings of comfort, indulgence and subtle elegance it evoked. Leatrice Eiseman, the institute’s executive director, said, “When we do colour/word association, the creams, the taupes, the camels signify that something has longevity, lineage, and is secure.”
SHADES OF WEALTH & TIMELESS LUXURY
- Ivory
- Taupe
- Ecru
- Greige
- Stone
- Camel
- Oatmeal
- Dusty rose and blush
WHAT NEUTRAL TONES CONVEY
Soft browns and neutral shades convey various emotions and statements. Shilpi Gupta, a fashion designer, says, “These colours elevate confidence and suggest a lifestyle that does not need external validation. They also highlight quality and craftsmanship.”
According to Bhawna Rao, a fashion designer, “Soft hues are visually soothing and are associated with mindfulness. Neutrals convey permanence and reliability. They suggest a lifestyle that is not swayed by fads. Essentially, they project a quiet form of power.”
Muted tones and minimalist dressing are central to the visual language of modern wealth. They highlight quality over quantity… They signal ‘old money’ values. The understated tones suggest generational wealth, where luxury is lived, not flaunted
Bhawna Rao, fashion designer
HOW TO WEAR NEUTRALS
Mix textures, not just coloursMix cottons, linens, knits and silks to add dimension to the look. Think oatmeal-toned linen shirt on white denim or a taupe silk slip dress with chunky ivory knit. Pair a cream cashmere sweater over wide-leg beige linen trousers with a textured waist belt.
Go monochrome and layer smartlyFor example, layer an ivory tank with a stone-toned oversized blazer and wide-leg trousers in the same family, adding depth with tone-on-tone accessories like suede loafers or a nude clutch.
Add an element that pops the overall lookAdd a rich chocolate brown leather bag, gold jewellery or tan sandals to a blush or camel outfit. For special outings, opt for a bold red lip or statement earrings to elevate the look.
For glam evenings, go with satinPair a dusty rose silk midi dress or a greige co-ord set in velvet with nude heels and minimal gold jewellery for the ‘less is luxe’ vibe.
(As suggested by fashion designers Bhawna Rao & Shilpi Gupta)- With inputs from The New York Times
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