How to Wear Quiet Luxury the Orlebar Brown Way
Forget shouty logos and trend-chasing chaos for a moment. Quiet luxury isn’t new, but it’s having a moment - and it’s not hard to see why. It’s about feeling polished without looking like you tried too hard. It’s about premium materials, clean lines and pieces that just work, wherever you are.
At Orlebar Brown, we’ve always leaned towards the refined and unfussy side of style. Our clothes aren’t made for loud entrances or big declarations. They’re made to feel good on, to travel well, and to give you that subtle, confident look that turns heads without needing to compete for attention.
So if you’re curious about quiet luxury and how to make it feel like your own, we’ve pulled together a guide - OB style - with a few wardrobe highlights worth bookmarking.
What Quiet Luxury Really Means
Quiet luxury is about how something feels rather than how much it shows off. The idea is simple: buy better, wear longer, enjoy more. Think tailored linen shirts that work with everything, swim shorts that double as smart casual wear, and lightweight long-sleeve polo shirts that feel luxe without looking flashy.
This way of dressing puts focus on the fabric, the cut, and the detail. It skips anything over-designed or overworked. And instead of rotating through fast fashion every few weeks, it invites you to wear your favourites on repeat, year after year. Which is better for your wardrobe and for the planet.
Quiet luxury isn’t complicated. It’s just clever.
Start with the Fabrics
One thing that really separates quiet luxury from everything else is fabric. The second you put it on, you feel the difference. It drapes better, lasts longer, and just feels good against your skin.
At OB, we build around natural fabrics that are light, breathable and built to move. Linen, silk, organic cotton, and brushed Italian wool all feature in our more elevated pieces. These materials don’t need to be dressed up with big prints or detailing - they do the talking all on their own.
A great example is our Giles Linen Shirt in White Sand. It’s cut from Italian-woven linen, with a clean collar and our signature tailored fit. It feels relaxed but sharp, and it’s the kind of shirt that works from breakfast to beach club without missing a beat.
And if you’re not quite ready for full linen, there’s the OB-T in Sea Mist - a lightweight linen tee that looks like a classic crew neck but feels cool even on the hottest days.
Keep the Palette Clean
Quiet luxury doesn’t mean you have to live in beige (although biscuit tones are always a good call). It’s more about thoughtful colour choices. Neutrals like navy, white, stone and olive are a great starting point, and they make mixing and matching simple. You can add in deeper tones like Damson or Night Iris when you want to shift things into evening.
Take a look at the Alex Trousers in Latte. They’re a perfect base to build from - clean, straight-cut, and made from breathable cotton-linen blend. Pair them with a soft white linen shirt or a knitted polo, and you’ve got an outfit that quietly says, “I know what I’m doing.”
Or, for a more coastal take, pair Navy Bulldog Swim Shorts with a white tee and open overshirt. It’s crisp, tonal and makes the most of simple pieces working together.
Focus on Fit, Not Flash
Good fit matters more than any logo ever will. That’s the thing with quiet luxury - the detail is in the way it sits on the body. A shirt that tapers slightly at the waist. Shorts that hit just above the knee. A long-sleeve polo that’s slim through the shoulders but never clingy.
It doesn’t need to be tight. It just needs to sit right.
Our Sebastian Linen Polo in Caddie Green does exactly that. It’s tailored without being stiff, made from 100% linen jersey, and finished with our signature side-seam patch. Tuck it into our caddie green trousers for a stylish co-ord set or wear it loose over shorts. Either way, it gives you structure without effort.
The Striped Setter Swim Shorts are another example. They’re shorter in length but not too slim, with adjustable side fasteners so you can tweak the fit. On a warm day, they can easily pass for smart shorts when paired with a polo or an open linen shirt.
Keep Accessories Low-Key but Considered
When you're dressing with restraint, the finishing touches really count. Accessories in the quiet luxury space are subtle, functional and feel personal. Think tonal caps, quality leather sandals, or a lightweight watch you’ve had for years.
We’ve introduced a few understated extras that round things off nicely. The Anderson Sunglasses in Havana, for example, are classic and timeless - tortoiseshell frame, simple shape, and handmade in Italy.
Or there’s the Daytripper Bag in Black, which keeps things minimal and travel-ready. No fuss, just clean lines and a durable finish you won’t need to replace next year.
Dress Up (Without Feeling Dressed Up)
Quiet luxury doesn’t mean staying casual all the time. You can dress up, but keep it understated. Go for soft tailoring, muted colours, and fabrics that move with you.
A favourite for this look is our Giles Bib Resort Shirt. It has just the right amount of detail to feel special, with a pleated bib front and a tailored collar. Pair it with Carsyn Linen Trousers, no socks, and some suede loafers. It’s the perfect evening outfit for warmer nights.
And when things cool down, throw over a light knit or cashmere-blend layer. Nothing loud, just something soft that adds depth without overcomplicating the look.
Make the Most of Fewer, Better Pieces
One of the best things about this way of dressing is that you don’t need a lot. Just a few really good pieces that you can mix and match. Think of it like your own personal capsule - but without the spreadsheet.
A few ideas:
- Maitan II Shirt in White Sand for relaxed days and evenings
- OB-T Linen Tee for layering or wearing solo
- Alex Shorts in Biscuit for clean, tailored warm-weather dressing
- Bulldog Seersucker Stripe Shorts for pool days that turn into drinks on the terrace
It’s about flexibility, not excess. Once you’ve found your core styles, you can build around them slowly. Add seasonal pieces, bring in a colour you like, or upgrade your basics when they start to wear. Quiet luxury isn’t about starting over every season. It’s about building something that grows with you.
What Quiet Luxury Isn’t
It’s easy to mistake quiet luxury for minimalism, but they’re not quite the same. Minimalism is about paring everything back to the bare bones. Quiet luxury is more about restraint. You still get texture, richness, even a pop of colour now and then. But nothing’s forced. Nothing’s overdone.
It’s also not about being boring. A bright pink linen shirt can feel luxurious, as long as the fit and finish are there. A tailored co-ord in bold blue still works if the rest of the outfit keeps it grounded. The key is in knowing when to stop.
It’s not anti-trend. It’s just not reliant on them.
Style That Speaks Softly (But Sticks With You)
You don’t need a fashion degree to get quiet luxury right. It’s just about dressing with purpose. Choosing pieces that feel good, wear well, and give you a bit of confidence. Things you look forward to pulling out of your wardrobe, year after year.
At Orlebar Brown, we’ve never been ones for shouty designs or quick trends. Our focus has always been on how clothes feel - and how they make you feel. Quiet luxury isn’t a buzzword here. It’s just the way we’ve always approached good design.
So next time you’re getting ready - whether it’s for dinner abroad or a sunny Saturday - try dialling things back. Keep it simple, wear something well-made, and let the details do the talking.
You’ll stand out for all the right reasons.
