5 "Old Money" Hairstyles That Are Effortlessly Chic

You’ve heard of quiet luxury as it pertains to fashion, and you can exude that very same high class vibe when it comes to your hair. The key? Go for old money hairstyles—AKA styles that look polished, put-together (but not overly-fussy), and low-key expensive.

“These looks are trending because women are wearing their natural hair, and these styles look good without extensions or enhancements,” says Sophia Royal, a hair stylist and owner of Salon Philosophie in Vacaville, Calif. “These are classic looks that regain popularity every few seasons. If you took a picture today—or 10 years ago— an ‘old money hairstyle’ will always look elegant and classic.”

Think classic, natural-looking hair colors—deep reds, blondes, browns, blacks—without obvious highlighting or dye work. And texture-rich styles that range from marquise layers to the full blowouts popular in the ’90s. Take some inspiration from these iconic old money hairstyles that are enjoying a surge in popularity right now.
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Old Money Bob
The old money bob is a short, sleek, polished finish that can be cut uber-blunt or go softer with subtle layers, Royal says. Whatever you go for, styling options include tousled texture or soft curls.

“Cleanse or clarify, then follow with a shampoo and conditioner for your hair type—fine, medium, coarse, color-treated or chemically treated. You want to maintain protein for strength and moisture for flexibility and elasticity, so your hair will be nice and full,” Royal instructs. “Once dry, spray on a heat protectant, then use a small curling or flat iron with a beveled edge.” For a heat-free alternative, sleep on satin rollers that won’t pull on or damage your hair.

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Marquise Layers
This layered haircut, inspired by a marquise cut gemstone, is all about making your face the shining feature. “The soft face framing technique brings a diamond like shape to the hair accentuating the eyes, cheeks and lips,” explains Mia Santiago, a celebrity stylist who’s styled Martha Stewart, Dove Cameron, and Brittany Snow and many others.

She adds that round brushing the face framing layers down and away from your face draws attention to the eyes and cheeks while the rest of the hair starts to move in toward the face. Alternatively, go in with a large barrel curling iron and style away from the face; avoid a full curl and go with more of a subtle bend.

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‘90s Blowout
Made famous by supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Tyra Banks, the ‘90s blowing is unapologetic when it comes to volume. It says “I have lots of healthy hair and I’m not afraid to show it off.”

“It’s voluminous at the root with bouncy curls for a full look that is big and bold, yet soft and classic,” Royal notes. “To create light, bouncy curls, apply a mousse or curl foam and dry to 80%. Then finish drying over a round brush, adding volume at the root and smoothing the length.”

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Curtain Bangs
With soft, face-framing fringe melts into longer layers, this old money hairstyle hearkens back to icons like Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birken. Today we’re seeing modern iterations worn by celebs like Sabrina Carpenter, Kaley Cuoco, and Jennifer Lopez. What’s great about curtain bangs is that they look great whether your hair is up or down. Try them with a sleek chignon or loose with soft waves.

For a more lived-in vibe, air dry with a touch of texturizing spray or using a round brush to softly curl the ends away from your face. If you prefer a polished look, a blowout with a large-barrel brush will double down on volume and bounce.

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Butterfly Haircut
The butterfly haircut incorporates lots of blended layers to create tons of volume while still giving the look of breezy weightlessness. This high glam style features shorter layers around the crown that blend seamlessly into longer lengths, mimicking the effect of fluttering wings—hence the name.

“The butterfly haircut is great because it looks gorgeous in a big, bouncy blowout,” Santiago says. “To achieve this old money look, a plumping mousse and Velcro rollers will get you there fast.”

For a more relaxed take, lean into a tousled, undone finish. Apply a lightweight texturizing spray to damp hair, then rough-dry with your hands or a diffuser. A quick pass with a large curling iron can add definition, but keep it loose for that effortless, lived-in effect.