Succession didn’t coin the term “quiet luxury,” but it might also have. While the drama on HBO’s status series (which concerns an end after this season) is constantly excessive, Siobhan Roy’s clothes, like her role in the family, remains regularly composed, computed, and clever. Helmed by outfit designer Michelle Matland, Ms. Roy’s ensembles have exemplified the quiet luxury motif from the first day, years before the expression got in the popular style vernacular.
Since Succession’s premiere in June 2018, short articles dissecting Shiv’s enviable clothing have been consumed with as much frequency as episode recaps. Top-tier brands like Tom Ford and Max Mara have made it into audiences’ closets– or a minimum of onto their vision boards– as they epitomize Shiv’s specific brand of peaceful luxury.
Represented by Sarah Snook, Shiv Roy’s design exemplifies the expression “cash talks, wealth whispers.” As the only child of billionaire media scion Logan Roy, Shiv sports the most elevated closet on a set where over-the-top high-end is plentiful. Her individual design evolves together with her character throughout the show’s four seasons, often reflecting her emotion and hierarchy within her duplicitous, power-hungry household. Favoring modern labels like The Row and Monse, Shiv gravitates towards halter necklines, gem tones, matching separates, and minimalist fashion jewelry.
For those of us who don’t have Roy household funds (or feuds), how, exactly, can we utilize her as inspo? In this case, quiet luxury is a catchall for a specific brand name of minimalism rather than a specific cost point. That’s what stealth wealth looks like, no matter the cost.
Obviously, Shiv’s wardrobe of peaceful high-end pieces is still worth emulating even if your day-to-day isn’t filled with conference room meetings and betraying brothers. If you’re still figuring out how to infuse a bit of Shiv’s design into your own everyday wear, then you’re in luck. We’ve selected numerous clothing that show the elegant yet downplayed ambiance without diverting into over the top area with a “ludicrously capacious” bag– because Shiv would never.
Shiv is in full power-suiting mode this season, even at her brother Connor’s wedding. Keep in mind the tuxedo-inspired lapels, gold padlock, and halter neck chain paired with her daily diamond studs and emerald green Thierry Lasry sunglasses. The entire thing perfectly matches Snook’s reversed strawberry blonde hair.
Basically, suiting, well, matches Shiv. A fitted jacket with matching plants and a silky blouse are as near to uniform impersonating it gets for a female competing to cement her position at the top of the business ladder and maintain order amidst a falling apart relationship.
The season 4 premiere had fans looking at Shiv’s reasonably dull match with silk drawstring trousers. Although it wasn’t her most standout look, we need to admit: Pairing flowy pants with a top-shelf quality fit coat is a power move.
Vacationing in Tuscany looks excellent on Siobhan? In this episode, she embraces a more vibrant palate that requires the audience’s (and preferably anyone however her partner Tom’s) attention as her individual life begins to unwind. Her romantic flower halter gown states, “take a look at me,” while likewise acting as a distraction from what’s actually going on behind the scenes in her marriage. Again, wealth whispers …
Sarah Snook looks extraordinary in all things emerald green. The shade is ideal with her coloring, but also conveys a lot about who her character, Shiv, is as a person. To specify the obvious, the whole Roy household is consumed with money and jealous of one another, and the costume department leans in on this theme by having Kendall and Shiv wear green throughout this episode. And, while the Monse gown used to her bro’s birthday bash is unquestionably flattering– honestly, Shiv’s never looked better– it likewise speaks volumes about the power struggles at play.
An essential component of quiet high-end is knowing when to spend lavishly versus when to save. Case in point, Shiv’s maroon silk top is by Club Monaco. You can literally buy the exact same one. It’s a versatile layering piece that can work well under match jackets or on its own with pants, as revealed here. Rather, her gold fob pendant, timepiece, and diamond stud earrings do the heavy lifting.
Now this is what it looks like to travel in design– no, we’re not simply speaking about the private jet– Shiv breezes past your average service class commuter in this summer season suit with a subtle pattern, cream knit leading, and traditional Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. When it comes to carry-on baggage? Let’s just say the Roys don’t require a matching travel luggage set to carry that.
The turtleneck that released a thousand believe pieces debuted in season 2 of Succession, where Shiv Roy abandons the ill-fitting Fair Isle knits and corduroy trousers that comprised her closet in season one in favor of the more business “businesswoman unique” that she grows into throughout the rest of the series. Paired with plaid paper-bag waist pants and her signature fragile fashion jewelry, this scene will forever be called the moment Shiv’s quiet high-end visual went into the chat. Oh yeah, she also gets an excellent brand-new haircut.
