What is that WASP aesthetic?

[Anonymous]

I am so curious what posters here mean when they say WASP. Clearly not just "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant" since not all of those have the kind of money or aversion to "tackiness" people are assuming. Is this being used like the term "old money" ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so curious what posters here mean when they say WASP. Clearly not just "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant" since not all of those have the kind of money or aversion to "tackiness" people are assuming. Is this being used like the term "old money" ?

I have seen terms "high WASP" and "low WASP." Seriously. Family of the former have been in America long enough have made a fortune and lost it and remade somewhat, at least enough to keep up appearances and send your kids to private school. Low WASPs don't really have a fortune in their background.

So kind of old money but often old money perdu that's enough to dine out on.

[Anonymous]

Carolyn Bassett Kennedy. Her look entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

These bathing suits are not WASP! One piece preferred!

Nor the fake boobs.

Wasps tend to be small chested, boyish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think Brooks Brothers and LL Bean

Add in Orvis.

Hey these are my stores! I call my look practical and a little country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are varieties. The preppy handbook does a good job laying it out—the book is mainly about WASPs (as opposed to what’s now associated with the preppy aesthetic).

I come from horsey WASPs and their look/demeanor/style is very different from city WASPs, especially in NYC or even DC. I think what they have in common is a dislike of excess or “tackiness,” a DIY kind of toughness thing among the women (the women are generally not shrinking violets but expected to be strong), a natural look as far as hair and makeup, and a frugality despite their wealth that can border on cheapness[/b].

[b]

Yes!! My mother and all my aunts in Connecticut. Greenwich rich as sh@t, but always talk about finding their bargains at the Talbot outlet or TJ Maxx. They look old money. My mother looks like Jackie O.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carolyn Bassett Kennedy. Her look entirely.

+1

Greenwich, Connecticut raised

[Anonymous]

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2010/09/the-new-preppy-201009

The article is 10 years old, but a fun take on the modern WASP.

Should we try for a pandemic edition?

I think crisp button downs or cashmere sweaters, high wasted jeans, brown booties and light makeup in a house near New Canaan, CT. Dressed classically to trek from the kitchen to the living room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do WASP women dress and act like?

This is coming from a Mediterranean immigrant, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But if I had one word to describe the American WASP aesthetic and demeanor, it would be... boring. Nothing unique, nothing loud (in volume or appearance). WASPs experience revulsion and disgust at anything deemed "tacky" (read: associated with lower income and/or "ethnic"). Also, WASP parties NEVER have enough food.

I’m a wasp with sibilngs who married into Jewish and Italian families and omg this is so true about wasp parties never having enough food! When I first started going to Italian and Jewish weddings I was blown away but how much fun I had and how much food there was

[Anonymous]

I think tho the look only works if you're thin with few curves. Thin curvy women or women who are heavier can't quite get that WASP look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

These bathing suits are not WASP! One piece preferred!

Nor the fake boobs.

Wasps tend to be small chested, boyish.

This is straight up Florida Hooters model tacky, I have no idea what this PP is on. A smoky eye and liner at the beach? Bathing suits that look like they cost 12.99 from some online Chinese retailer? The crappy dye job and cheesy updo? I don't know who this is but there are a lot of "low rent" things happening in these pics that don't at all jive with WASP style. I'm frankly surprised she doesn't appear to have French tip acrylics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A little preppy, but very understated. Classics— button downs, straight-fit denim, ballet flats and low-heeled pumps by classic designers. Understated but real jewelry (pearls and classic diamond studs, preferably family heirlooms). The look can go a little bit tweedy or a little bit edgy or a little bit girly, but not too much.

Long hair, but not too long. A WASP needs a classic ponytail for tennis and that perfect wind blown look for photos near on the beach next to the summer house or out on the boat. Subtle highlights, but a WASP is not going to go super bottle blonde. Most of the Wasps I know have very shiny brown hair.

Very little makeup. Clean face. A little color from outdoor activity, as a Wasp should be spending weekends and holidays boating, skiing, or relaxing at one of their family’s or family friend’s weekend homes.

Wasp icons: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jackie Kennedy, a host of socialites who have also written for Vogue at one time or another.

And Hope Hicks, right?

[Anonymous]

A lot of this is spot on. I went to a ne boarding school In the mid 90s ( not wasp);

Old j crew roll necks
Barbour jackets and barn jackets
Duck boots and llbean backpacks
Dull colors
No to low makeup
Air dried hair, mostly straight
Sun kissed look but never fake tanned
Women A bit horsey. Looks like you could be on the crew team
Men a little bit femme I the cut of the clothes
White ball caps and unkept hair in the boys
Taste in music like phish or old crew medicine show

[Anonymous]

Horsey or mousey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little preppy, but very understated. Classics— button downs, straight-fit denim, ballet flats and low-heeled pumps by classic designers. Understated but real jewelry (pearls and classic diamond studs, preferably family heirlooms). The look can go a little bit tweedy or a little bit edgy or a little bit girly, but not too much.

Long hair, but not too long. A WASP needs a classic ponytail for tennis and that perfect wind blown look for photos near on the beach next to the summer house or out on the boat. Subtle highlights, but a WASP is not going to go super bottle blonde. Most of the Wasps I know have very shiny brown hair.

Very little makeup. Clean face. A little color from outdoor activity, as a Wasp should be spending weekends and holidays boating, skiing, or relaxing at one of their family’s or family friend’s weekend homes.

Wasp icons: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jackie Kennedy, a host of socialites who have also written for Vogue at one time or another.

And Hope Hicks, right?

Like Carolyn Besette, mentioned earlier, Hope Hicks is Catholic.