The internet is obsessed with imitating old money. The popularity of shows like Succession and Inventing Anna demonstrate just how much people care about the "old money aesthetic," and how much they want to participate in it. Old money wannabees are all over the internet, except they don't get it. None of us do. 

This Tweet calls out one such wannabee, and sparks the question: What does "old money" really look like?

Old money has dress codes that normal people can neither recognize nor imitate. It’s a language you have to be brought up in, and 99% of us don’t speak it. https://t.co/CSOdD27zwq

— Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) February 13, 2023

It doesn't take a genius to recognize that "old money" is more than just a few designer brands and flashy pieces. "This is cosplay," one comment says. "They don't need to impress you. They will never struggle a day in their lives." This carefree attitude seemed to be a common theme among responses. 

The difference is that old money will still wear brands but they don’t wear the logo stuff. Old money people don’t need to prove to you that they wear brands by wearing a Gucci logo

— soda punk (@Nic0letteivy) February 12, 2023

I recognize it because I grew up working for it.
Everything is quality and meant to last. Things are maintained. The car is 5 years old and runs like new.
The faded tee and jeans you wear to putter in the garden fit you perfectly, are well-made, and have been mended.

— Hauntie Kip said so (handcrafted nightmares) ☭ (@TodayImKip) February 13, 2023

I went to a very, very expensive private school on scholarship, and so much of old money was really just not caring? Actually having nothing to prove. Quiet luxury sometimes, but mostly, just an ease I find hard to explain.

— ashley fairbanks (@ziibiing) February 13, 2023

While imitating this luxurious lifestyle sounds fantastic in theory, doing so demonstrates a profound ignorance of old money's real implications. Someone attempting to copy the aesthetic is not only admitting to a vapid materialistic obsession but a disregard for the humanity of those around them.

It extends far beyond that—Tiktok has had a hardon for “old money,” which, to them, exclusively refers to western white European people, for years. It’s an obsession. The middle class & poor telling other middle class/poor people WHAT the wealthy do. Plus, the Roys are new money

— Big, Sassy Broad (@ImJessSims) February 13, 2023

Old money is nothing to aspire to. They’ve undeservedly inherited wealth from their robber baron new money ancestors, then look down on new money folks who look up to them for social clout. Reg folks idolize both when they really should be questioning why either exist ‍♀️

— Kaneema (@kaneema_) February 13, 2023

Of all the looks in the world, why would the one you chose to emulate be the one that means “I’ve nothing about my position that was earned fairly and my money descends directly from enslaving people.”

— Just A Simple Artificer ⚙️ (@AndrewMBlake) February 13, 2023

The attempt and subsequent failure to properly imitate the "old money aesthetic" is an American tradition through and through. Especially when ignoring historical transgressions is included. In reality, the United States doesn't have much in the way of old money, at least not compared to its European counterparts. America is materialistic, capitalistic, flashy, and posturing. Old money is none of those things. No wonder our TikToking youths can't seem to pull off the look. 

The US is weird because we don’t have Old Money the way Europe or Asia do, the people who aspire to be Old Money cosplay what would have been called Nouveau Riche gauche in the 80s, and the closest we have to real Old Money is often cosplaying as an extra from an F250 commercial.

— Glasgow Smirk (@MonocledMolotov) February 13, 2023