Fashion’s fast paced race towards the next big thing hasn’t even Succession wrap up before the show’s stealth wealth craze makes way for the latest fashion direction yuppie-core with some help from A$AP Rocky.

A$AP Rocky, yuppy, fashion, trend, quiet luxury, stealth wealth
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: A$AP Rocky is seen at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023/24 on February 24, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images for Gucci)

As the globe faces down an economic meltdown that could make the 2007 GFC look like the golden days, folks are using fashion to dress not just for the job they want but the financial windfall they dream about.

Trench coats, loafers, Wall Street-style pin stripes worn both ironically and sincerely, it’s almost as though Gen Z are dreaming of the days their parents talk about when money was on a loop.

Case in point: A$AP Rocky who is perhaps the best barometer of menswear we have today. The rapper and father has been regularly switching out his familiar denim, sneakers and Tees for suits and ties. Obviously, tweaked for his own style. But the vibe shift is there: Rocky’s gone yuppy.

He didn’t quite get there on his own, to be fair. A recent video at the Gucci head offices and music with fellow yuppinister Tyler the Creator has obviously had some influence on Rihanna’s boyfriend.

Tyler has been playing at this schtick for years. Loafers with socks while wearing shorts. Knitted vests over Tees. His entire “gone golfing” aesthetic is the yuppy downtime dream and to his credit, Tyler has been at it for years. We’re all just catching up.

But how did we get here?

It could be argued that this is a natural progression on from the quiet luxury fad for those who want the luxury without the quiet part. But nor is it shouting. It’s clothing with an inside voice. It’s the difference, for example, between Zegna and Ralph Lauren. Between Tod’s Gommino driving shoe and a Gucci horsebit loafer.

Intrinsically tied into the preppy look with many overlaps. A varsity jacket, for example, fits in both as does Tommy Hilfiger especially the new monogram line. But where preps kept it casual, yuppies are fond of a suit and the all the trappings of C Suite professional attire.

It could also be because of the legendary 20 year cycle fashion theory. Twenty years ago, yuppy cinematic masterpiece supreme American Psycho hit the theatres. Turns out that the kids on TikTok have just rediscovered Christian Bale’s killer (literally) performance in the black comedy and are even attempting to imitate his “Sigma Face” scene and iconic walk into the office while listening to ‘Walking On Sunshine’.