To understand the return of the "old money style", we need to first understand what the "old money style" is.
Different from the rising "new money", the "old money" shows an innate sense of relaxation and good taste because of its original capital accumulation. They are not interested in fancy but outdated designs, preferring low-key but quality-oriented classics.
The timeless "old money style" is the prudent charm of the elites and a decent symbol of status. When we talk about the return of the "old money style", we are more nostalgic for the effortless but detailed style of dressing.
If the "old money style" in the West is the forever meticulous high-end cashmere sweater, custom suits and checked trench coats, what about the "old money style" in China? In fact, the Chinese "old money" are quite similar in their dress attitude to the leisure class in nineteenth-century Europe.
They pursue the high-quality texture presented by exquisite craftsmanship, but also care about the scarcity and uniqueness of the piece. Therefore, in ancient times, indigo dyeing, a traditional process of dyeing and printing cloth with natural animal and plant colors, was born.
To make a kindigo dye, it takes at least 20 years for the craftsman to hone his craft. The beauty of time and work has achieved the luxury of "old money".
On the other hand, blue has always been the favorite color of "old money". In ancient times, there was blue dyeing blue, and now there is fashion blue. For example, "Classic Blue", which has become a global trend, and Haze Blue and Klein Blue, which have been popular on fashion week runways, together form essential elements of contemporary wardrobes. Denim Blue, in particular, has shown signs of a resurgence in recent seasons.
Now, you don't have to follow the "old Western money style" that is actually a little far away from us, because China has long had a fashion that defines the "Chinese old money aesthetics".
LI-NING1990's "Blue Series" is a capsule series that is fixed every season, telling China's "old money spirit" with a touch of blue. The Blue series is inspired by the "indigo dyeing" process, and uses refined fabrics to precipitate the restrained, calm and timeless blue color.
The new products launched this season are a new upgrade of the Blue series, which brings a more ingenious design interpretation of the ancient and modern blue.
"Old money style" can be both classic and modern. This season's Blue Collection, still inspired by "indigo dyeing", pays homage to this millennia-old tradition in a more modern way, forming a unique set of urban sketches.
In this season blue series, the beauty of traditional craftsmanship is no longer snowy, and can be appreciated by more modern urbanites. Inspired by ancient blue dyeing, this collection pays homage to the modern denim dyeing process, giving this traditional oriental blue aesthetic a modern new life and becoming a design language that young people can empathize with.
What touches us even more is the details of Chinese culture that can be seen everywhere in this season.
The theme pattern is completed by a Chinese style thread embroidery process, and the original flat fabric suddenly has a three-dimensional texture, and the retro handmade texture is immediately visible. The sheen of the yarn gives the pieces a different texture, and you can notice the unique bamboo style at a glance.
The pattern weaving fabrics of different patterns are closely connected by the splicing process, which visually forms the effect of national style baijia, but it is more recognizable than ordinary baijia cloth.
The patterns of different embroidery blocks of Baijia cloth are all from the arrangement transformation of the classic logo of LI-NING1990, and the arrangement method comes from traditional Chinese artistic expression techniques such as paper cutting and tiles.
It is also worth mentioning the exclusive car mark of the Blue series, which also shows these special patterns, and is also embroidered with the Chinese character "blue" and its pinyin lán, which shows the richness of details. Wear the blue series, no matter where you go, you can bring the seeds of Chinese elements to distant places.
So how does this season's blue series reflect the aesthetics of old money?
Old money is undoubtedly low-key and unassuming, but this does not mean that there is no sense of design. What they need is a minimalist style with hidden details, which looks like a treasure hunt and is full of intriguing surprises.
This season's Blue collection continues its classic and elegant style in design, so it is not easy to be eliminated by time. The design is smart enough, but it doesn't fall into the monotonous trap of flat and straightforward.
This is due to the fact that the designer has buried a lot of details in seemingly inconspicuous places such as necklines, buttons, textures, etc., and has also made many bold attempts at tailoring. It is not obtrusive, but it can make the texture of the entire series have an essential improvement.
For example, this season's two T-shirts, one is woven with different yarns to create a different texture, replacing the ordinary round neckline with an expensive Henry neckline, and the other is made of different fabrics with an asymmetrical cut with different left and right shoulder lines. It seems simple, but it has a lot of mystery. The worn-out metal buttons on the shirt jacket are another great finishing touch to the season.
Athleisure, which has been in the limelight in recent years, is actually not unrelated to the old money style. After all, for them, tennis courts and golf courses are like their own estates, and daily casual sportswear is what they need most. But the athleisure beloved by old money is not the fat sweatshirts that can be found everywhere on the street, but needs to be carefully cut and textured.
Sporty chic is easily available in the Blue Series. LI-NING1990, as a brand with sports genes, has also launched a lot of sports-style items in the blue collection this season. These pieces are infused with the aesthetic of the Blue series and also have the characteristics of effortless chic, allowing the wearer to be relaxed.
The polo collar dresses and half-turtleneck knitwear with a unique weave process have a sense of line and layering in the fabric itself, while the elasticity is excellent to better wrap the curves of the body. Another pair of casual trousers is equally comfortable and soft and can be easily adjusted.
The possibility of wearing multiple scenes is also important for old money. As a leisure class, the old money people have rich daily living arrangements. There are both outdoor activities and indoor socializing.
Diverse and inclusive design ideas run through this season's Blue collection. Not only can the classic and simple silhouette be suitable for many occasions, but the Blue Collection also continues to explore the inherent potential of a piece, enabling a variety of combinations and ways to wear it.
This season's long trench coat can be loose and cinched at the waist, making it extremely practical. It is more elegant and intellectual when worn at the waist, and elegant when worn open. The pressed pleats at the back of the trench coat not only accommodate different body types, but also highlight the meticulous pursuit of sophistication.
This season also features a knitted vest that can be worn on both sides. One side is embroidered thread Baijia fabric, the back is plain washed fabric, the two fabric styles complement each other, and can be switched according to the scene and style.
The addition of a variety of accessories such as shoulder bags, cross-body bags, shoes and more enrich the sense of style and make this collection more complete.
Among them, the newly launched Shadow RMX shoes are particularly noteworthy. The shoe body is made of Baijia fabric pattern to echo the ready-to-wear design, and the low-key and versatile color adds a vintage color. The smooth lines run through it, combined with the light mesh material, which is light and breathable, and also adds more dynamic beauty to the whole shoe.
The most eye-catching is the hollow design of the full palm bottom, which not only increases the visual sense of breathing, but also makes city walking more comfortable.
Retro and timeless, modern yet endearing, the Blue Collection explains how tradition and modernity can blend in a way that is not incompatible. And this is China's unique "old money style" with a sense of fashion and precision.
Why can the blue series carry our expectations for Chinese fashion? We look back at the story of the Blue series along the way and discover the secret of its ability to carve out a unique piece of the Chinese world in the dazzling fashion world.
For the Blue Series, each season blockbuster is not only a showcase of the role of new products, but also a spiritual dialogue with consumers.
In this season's blockbuster, the white background and blue clothing form a wonderful resonance, leaving a blank space for urbanites to wander outside the three-dimensional world, allowing them to have a serious dialogue with their hearts.
Taking "blue" as a clue, the blue series combines the modern beauty of modern cities with the retro beauty of traditional culture, telling a fashion story about "blue".
Since its inception in Fall/Winter 2021, the Blue Collection has focused on the color "blue" to connect all designs. The blue dyeing blue makes this fashionable blue a vein connecting ancient and modern cultures.
LI-NING1990 believes that "blue is the background color of the fertile soil of the spiritual world of Chinese people, and has run through Chinese culture for thousands of years." ”
Escorting quality as a design is the spirit of the Blue Series, which is inherited from LI-NING1990 behind it. It is not the Li Ning brand in our impression, but the independent high-end sports fashion brand of Li Ning Group.
From the blue series, we can know that the design language of LI-NING1990 takes into account classic retro, urban modernity and sports functions, which can adapt to the multi-scene changes of contemporary urban life - commuting, sports, leisure and socialization.
At the same time, LI-NING1990 strives to build the brand with texture. The heavy fabric is complemented by fine craftsmanship, and the design is simple and classic, but the upper body can immediately feel the texture.
In addition to paying homage to the indigo dyeing process, the blue series also contains clever use of traditional Chinese culture.
However, the blue series is not directly appropriated, even elements engraved with traditional DNA, such as baijia cloth and placket Hanfu, will be integrated with the trend and fashionable interpretation, so that contemporary elites can use this as fashionable armor to freely travel through the city.
The innovative interpretation of theme patterns with traditional methods such as paper cutting and tile patterns, Chinese characters and pinyin car marks and other details are the finishing touches that allow Chinese culture to be passed on and sent our voice to the world.
Fashion is perishable, style lives on.
In today's slightly impetuous era, being able to calm down and polish a color, a craft, and a brand is itself the unique charm of "Chinese old money" in the world, and it is also the secret of LI-NING1990 to inherit the Chinese spirit.
Forging timeless designs and quality, the Blue Collection is tempering timeless fashion into a time-honored classic. Being friends with time may be the true meaning of fashion sustainability.