Succession: A Fashion Moment That Cried Wealth

* Zoe Walker Awa is the style editor for Stuff and the editor of fashion and culture website Ensemble.

This story contains spoilers for all seasons of Succession.

It’s a fashion truism that money can’t buy style. No matter how much you stack up, true style—dressing that catches the eye, shows your personality, and influences others—comes down to creativity, good taste, and knowing yourself.

The characters in “Succession,” which has its final episode today after four seasons, are not stylish. There are a lot of clothes, and a lot of expensive clothes.

But apart from New York It Girl’s Naomi Pearce and possibly Geri and her mother Caroline, not a single character has true style.

As The New Yorker’s Rachel Syme wrote of fashion in 2019’s Succession, “The Roys are a family of ‘a little bit of fun and sparkle,’ dressed in beige cashmere uniforms to protect themselves.” There is.

Over its four seasons, the show has sparked many conversations about the power of the media, the toxicity of families like the Murdochs, and what people do to gain power.

It has also come to define the oft-discussed “stealth riches,” an aesthetic of understated luxury that is whispered rather than shouted.

This is in contrast to the more overt extravagances, such as ‘Selling Sunset’ or ‘Emily in Paris’, where the label is often literally in front of you. But the stealth luxuries, especially those shown in Succession, are equally jarring.

The series comes to an end with the long-awaited finale, looking back at the Roy family’s very rich and very expensive style and variety of hangers.

Kendall Roy’s Entire Wardrobe

Our baby girl Kendall thinks she knows fashion. He sees himself as hip with a creative twist from his family, and his delusions are showcased throughout this wardrobe throughout the season.

His style embodies the “quiet luxury” the show tags. Suits, caps, and sneakers that are seemingly brandless, sober, and discreet to outsiders.

Kendall is the type who reads niche menswear blogs and newsletters to see what’s “cool,” and he’s made pieces for specific occasions, such as L to the OG pinstripe baseball jerseys and CEO flight jackets. I am the type to buy something new or custom. From his investor speech to the Lanvin sneakers he bought to impress an arts startup. He is a hard worker, but he has a very expensive hobby.

Where to begin with his iconic and expensive moments across the series’ four seasons? He has become synonymous with his Tom Ford suit and Loro Piana cashmere baseball cap.

When he’s feeling unstable or anxious, you can tell by the way he’s dressed. His clothes got messier and more flashy, like his birthday brand Gucci bomber jacket and the $25,600 Rashid Johnson gold pendant he wore to plan a disastrous event. Become.

In the season 3 finale, he was wearing the same pendant and a plain brown T-shirt when he nearly drowned and shaved his head. Those in the know belong to Margiela (it’s in the “tag” subtly sewn into the T-shirt). return).

Ridiculously Large Burberry Bags

“What’s in there? Subway flats? Her lunch bucket? I mean, Greg, that’s horrible. It’s huge. You could take it to camp. At the bank.” You can slide it on the floor after you’re done with it.”

To be honest, it was this fashion-focused scene in the first episode of Season 4 that finally convinced me, five years too late, to watch Succession.

Tom’s reaction to the Burberry bag that his cousin Greg’s girlfriend had was utterly shady in its meanness, and based on something as frivolous as the big plaid bag, some people criticize others. It represented a subtle way of judging people.

The price was around $4,780, which was still considered insufficient for the Roy family. Tom himself was a newcomer to the family, and he was always accused of trying too hard with suits, vests and watches.

very expensive watch

It’s a detail most people don’t even register for, but somehow I ended up on the “Watches of Inheritance” side of TikTok, where I was provided with various in-depth videos exploring each character’s watch collection.

Watches (called timepieces at this level of luxury) are like collectibles for the ultra-rich. They’re status symbols and, as The New York Times explained in 2019, “another easy way for the rich to turn their money into more money.”

At Succession, small wrist accessories say a lot. It’s the details of the costume design and the story.

In the first episode, Tom commits the blunder of giving an unimpressed Logan a Patek Philippe watch for his birthday, and in the process utters the gloomy “It’s unbelievably accurate. The clock is unbelievably accurate.” tell funny jokes. Every time I see it, I know how rich you are. “

In Season 3, when Kendall goes wild with a pile of birthday presents and his then-girlfriend Naomi Pearce (actually the most stylish character on the show) presents him with a Rolex watch, Kendall cheekily I replied: I want to be stupid, but I have a watch.I have my clock. “

roman tight shirt

His brother gets more attention from his dad when it comes to fashion. But Roman’s rigorous wardrobe of Oxford button-up shirts kept me spellbound throughout the season. Always a little scruffy, shirt sleeves rolled up and a little too tight for comfort.

As with his odd habit of sitting on things, he never looks comfortable in clothes and is constantly changing and adjusting his clothes to such an extent that he almost pops out of them. He looks stiff and a little vulgar. Much like his slime puppy state. It’s also a traditional façade, hiding a rather deep mess underneath.

Shiv turtleneck

We’ve never seen so many turtlenecks as in the four seasons of Succession, from Stewie to Lea Jarrell. And of course Sib Roy. Shiv’s various turtleneck and high-waisted wide-leg trouser combinations have become an icon of Succession’s style.

Shiv is not a fashion girl. Her uneven wardrobe throughout the series proves it. I remember this turtleneck and pants era when Shiv was told by someone (probably a personal stylist) that it worked for her and was a “girl boss” empowering look, something she could wear without actually wearing it. As read that she grabbed it. please think about it. Don’t forget the simple gold necklace.

Shiv’s hair

Logan’s only girl had the most hair changes throughout the season, with each look representing her state of mind and position.

Season 1 saw the long, casual, low-maintenance Locke as a liberal political strategist. In Season 2, he challenged a sharp, business-like Bob who needed regular trimming as a favorite at the time.

Season 4 was the worst. Her shoddy DIY ponytail she made for her brother Connor’s wedding symbolized how uninterested she was in the occasion and her own lack of power.

tom in general

Poor Tom, I can’t get a day off. His outfit is ridiculed throughout the series. From Argestes’ puffy Moncler vest, which Roman teases is packed with “hopes and dreams,” to the “boxy and firm” suit, which Roman teases makes him look like a Transformer (his wife Shiv is mean). at) replies “He’s thrifty and has the worst suit taste”).

He may be Roman’s punching bag, but Tom channels that same energy to those “below” him, criticizing their clothing choices as lacking class.

Yes, there’s the iconic ridiculously oversized bag insult, but Tom’s fashion critiques throughout the series could put him on par with the meanest fashion editors.

Greg’s early season outfit includes a Goodwill suit and deck shoes to piss off his boss.

“Excuse me, but are we talking to each other on the poop deck of a grand schooner?” Tom asks. “Salty salt water in my face? No? Then why are you wearing deck shoes?” I asked for a pair of shoes.

The final episode of “Succession” will air on Monday, May 29th at 7pm on Neon and Soho.joining thing Select the finale on Tuesday, May 30th at 12:00pm live chat.