What is that WASP aesthetic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The question was not “who is a famous WASP.” The question was what is the aesthetic. People are answering that and one poster, who really wants everyone to know that Catholics also dress simply and elegantly, keeps noting that many of the famous examples are catholic or other.

Catholics ape WASPs. WASPs in the US, to a certain extent, ape the British landed gentry.

I think the reason people want to look like WASPs is that we recognize that despite their frequent frumpiness or shabbiness that they have money and confidence. In some ways that’s easier than trying to “look rich” with lots of expensive designer clothes.

The question was in the present tense but almost all of the examples are of old/dead people. The varying examples and definitions aren't even universally agreed upon. So it's coming across like a style for rich old white women from decades ago who are mostly dead since nobody younger really dresses like that anymore. I'm not getting the sense anybody below a certain age is emulating any "WASP" style. They wear more makeup, show more skin, and don't wear tweed or quilted barn jackets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:District of Chic on Instagram

Nope - not at all actually

[Anonymous]

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/07/carolyn-bessette-kennedy-style/amp

[Anonymous]

Thom Brown

[Anonymous]

Thom Browne (autocorrect above)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question was not “who is a famous WASP.” The question was what is the aesthetic. People are answering that and one poster, who really wants everyone to know that Catholics also dress simply and elegantly, keeps noting that many of the famous examples are catholic or other.

Catholics ape WASPs. WASPs in the US, to a certain extent, ape the British landed gentry.

I think the reason people want to look like WASPs is that we recognize that despite their frequent frumpiness or shabbiness that they have money and confidence. In some ways that’s easier than trying to “look rich” with lots of expensive designer clothes.

The question was in the present tense but almost all of the examples are of old/dead people. The varying examples and definitions aren't even universally agreed upon. So it's coming across like a style for rich old white women from decades ago who are mostly dead since nobody younger really dresses like that anymore. I'm not getting the sense anybody below a certain age is emulating any "WASP" style. They wear more makeup, show more skin, and don't wear tweed or quilted barn jackets.

Agreed. I’m from CT and went to Boarding school and WASPs are my people. Wearing LL Bean or Lands End or Talbots is ver 1980s. Tuckernuck and similar stores are much more to the taste of modern, younger WASP women. When we want to recreate, we wear Patagonia or Northface and more than happy to thrown on some Lulu or Athleta for leisurewear.

[Anonymous]

Become old, pruny and angry looking. Don't age well. No softness in features. Smallish eyes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skinny or slim cut denim
A lot of white denim
Solids , rare prints and only in small amounts
Simple classic jewelry (Cartier watch, diamond or pearl studs, small gold hoops)
Nude wedges
Suede ankle boots
High end riding boots
Suede pants
Scarves
Crisp white shirts
Block heels
Cashmere
Barbour
A lot of blue
A lot of white
No short skirts
Tights with tweed or similar skirt just above the knee
Manhattans or G and T
Wine
Boring food - nothing too “ethnic”
Cheese and crackers as an appetizer bonus if triscuits
Movie and game night with family
Family sport (tennis, sailing, etc)
Short nails in neutral polish if at all
Blazers
An understated French bag
Turtleneck sweaters
Fisherman knits
Irish wool
Clean no to little make up
Good skin
No hairspray
One piercing only in each ear
Engagement diamond not too large
Robert AM Stern
Bunny Willams
Tulips
Beautiful garden
Fresh herbs
Books
Black coffee
Yves Delorme
Rag wool socks
Tennis whites
Still has wall of DVDs in basement
Beautifully bound family albums
Nicely framed pictures in tables
Golden retriever or labs or Portuguese Water Dog
Cashmere wraps
Maine
North Fork
Sea Island
Orange County
Chinoiserie
Wool rich
Pendleton blankets
Bean boots

This is really quite a good list, if I may say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skinny or slim cut denim
A lot of white denim
Solids , rare prints and only in small amounts
Simple classic jewelry (Cartier watch, diamond or pearl studs, small gold hoops)
Nude wedges
Suede ankle boots
High end riding boots
Suede pants
Scarves
Crisp white shirts
Block heels
Cashmere
Barbour
A lot of blue
A lot of white
No short skirts
Tights with tweed or similar skirt just above the knee
Manhattans or G and T
Wine
Boring food - nothing too “ethnic”
Cheese and crackers as an appetizer bonus if triscuits
Movie and game night with family
Family sport (tennis, sailing, etc)
Short nails in neutral polish if at all
Blazers
An understated French bag
Turtleneck sweaters
Fisherman knits
Irish wool
Clean no to little make up
Good skin
No hairspray
One piercing only in each ear
Engagement diamond not too large
Robert AM Stern
Bunny Willams
Tulips
Beautiful garden
Fresh herbs
Books
Black coffee
Yves Delorme
Rag wool socks
Tennis whites
Still has wall of DVDs in basement
Beautifully bound family albums
Nicely framed pictures in tables
Golden retriever or labs or Portuguese Water Dog
Cashmere wraps
Maine
North Fork
Sea Island
Orange County
Chinoiserie
Wool rich
Pendleton blankets
Bean boots

This

[Anonymous]

A lot of WASPs do the above. I studied “why French women look so chic” compared to WASPS. WASP women just don’t want to try that hard. Also many are either doing a sport and wearing those clothes, or they are in their way to country home and wearing those. Or they are exercising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:District of Chic on Instagram

Nope - not at all actually

Serious question: how is District of Chic not the epitome of the modern WASP aesthetic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:District of Chic on Instagram

Nope - not at all actually

Serious question: how is District of Chic not the epitome of the modern WASP aesthetic?

These women -- on blogs, Instagram, the oft discussed DC "socialites" and the blonde lady on the other thread -- are all posers. WASPs do not showcase their lives on social or other media, so by definition anyone taking such an approach is inauthentic. As some said -- WASPs traditionally aped British aristocracy. That is the aesthetic.

These threads are exhausting -- the WASP culture is narrow minded and can be vicious, not sure why it is so revered on this board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:District of Chic on Instagram

Nope - not at all actually

Serious question: how is District of Chic not the epitome of the modern WASP aesthetic?

These women -- on blogs, Instagram, the oft discussed DC "socialites" and the blonde lady on the other thread -- are all posers. WASPs do not showcase their lives on social or other media, so by definition anyone taking such an approach is inauthentic. As some said -- WASPs traditionally aped British aristocracy. That is the aesthetic.

These threads are exhausting -- the WASP culture is narrow minded and can be vicious, not sure why it is so revered on this board.

Exactly so Kate Middleton IS the Wasp aesthetic now.

[Anonymous]

Tinsley Mortimer/Dale Mercer

[Anonymous]

^ Those photos - Wes Anderson is the WASP aesthetic