Ready for a rich-mom summer? Right this way for affordable picks that whisper old money. (Amazon)
The Hamptons have quite a reputation: oceanfront mega-mansions, Ferrari-filled towns dripping with diamonds ... the epitome of extravagance. But to me, they bring to mind a much simpler existence. My parents bought a small home there in 1973 (the only bedroom had a beaded curtain for a door — groovy!). That means I got to know the Hamptons before they were the Hamptons, so I spent my summers eating $1 roadside ice cream cones instead of $50 raspberry peach pies and searching for sea glass, not glam hotspots.
During the '80s, massive houses popped up left and right, along with celebs and other fancy-schmancies sauntering their leisurely selves in and out of designer boutiques, art galleries and ridiculously expensive sandwich shops. These people wore rich-mom garb, which had them looking effortlessly put together way before it was a trend. You might have heard the saying "wealth whispers," and it certainly applies here.
Happy news for us common folk: The easy-breezy rich-mom vibe can be yours even if you can't afford a helipad on Billionaire's Row. During a recent trip, I spent hours on a bench, just taking in the scene. I made mental notes of matching loungewear sets, graceful linen pants, oversized button-downs and cream-colored cable-knit sweaters — yes, sometimes draped over shoulders. I spotted designer labels galore, like these Hermes sneakers that are a mere $1,175. But I also realized there are ways to fake the look for a lot less. If you'd like to get on the stealth-wealth train (without stepping foot on the Long Island Railroad or Hampton Jitney), take a peek at these 15 chic but affordable Hamptons-inspired buys.
A crisp striped shirt says, "I mean business." And when it's oversized and a bit slouchy like this one, it gives off a laid-back air of confidence. Since it's loose, you can tuck it in, tie it up or layer it under a sweater or over a swimsuit. Or do as Gwyneth Paltrow does and whip up pancakes in it. Add a few gold chains and bracelets, throw on white jeans and you've got yourself a lovely rich-mom ensemble.
The vertical stripes on this top help elongate the body. It's mostly cotton (with a smidge of wrinkle-resistant poly thrown in for good measure), so it feels soft and structured at the same time.
White jeans are a blank canvas, just waiting for a striped button-down (see above) to complete the rich-mom masterpiece. I was surprised to see that these are among Amazon's top-selling jeans, only because I think of traditional blue washes as the biggest crowd-pleasers. But these win the prize for various reasons: They're stretchy enough to ward off muffin top. They're lightweight enough for hot days — plus, the wide leg offers extra breeziness. And they're cropped, so you can show off a cute pair of sandals. They're a rich-mom staple.
The monochromatic look is classic rich mom, and in the Hamptons, I saw lots of matchy-matchy beige and black. I'm into this ensemble because it works for daytime, strolling the town, and transitions right into nighttime dinner and drinks. Top it with a denim jacket if it gets chilly, and you're good to go. With a streamlined, toned-down outfit like this, you can go bolder with the accessories (check out the chain purse below for one great option).
The rich-mom look depends heavily on accessories, and the shoppers I spotted in the Hamptons took their purses seriously. They'd have on fairly simple outfits so the star of the show — a stunning designer bag — could truly shine. Many carried black quilted crossbodies like this one. I have something similar and break it out constantly. It's fancy enough for a nice dinner without being too flashy and holds all the essentials. This one whispers wealth with the gold hardware, but it's reasonably priced — I'll take it.
The rich mom I spotted in town wearing all black paired the look with none other than these iconic Adidas Sambas. I've owned the same pair for years, walking all over New York City in them, so I can confirm that they're not only low-key chic but incredibly durable and comfortable. I think rich moms like them because they're graphic, adding a punch to an otherwise subdued outfit. You'll wear them constantly, trust me! I saw a lot of Hamptons townsfolk rocking the white versions too.
Hamptonites love a flowy, romantic dress they can wear while sipping rosé at a stunning vineyard during magic hour. I saw someone wearing almost this exact dress while walking next to a store window showcasing basically the same thing (hee hee). This piece is sweet for sure, and it's practical: The drawstring helps give you an hourglass shape by cinching in your waist.
I saw versions of this lightweight pullover everywhere I looked, and that's no surprise: Classic cable knit is old money in a nutshell. The Hamptons set wore the top with white linen pants, flowy skirts and Levi's jeans. (I even saw someone pair one with a sweater tote bag for extra knittiness!) This version is nice and thin, making it great for throwing on as the sun sets over the ocean.
Linen and the Hamptons go together like cheese fries and gravy (it's my favorite food, OK?). There are so many options on the market, and I'm sure the ones I spotted people wearing in the ritzy towns were way over $100, but not these babies! I'm loving the drawstring waist for indulgent vacays (note the aforementioned cheese fries). A little wrinkle here and there? No biggie, it just adds to the overall appeal.
Yes, these are running shoes, and I doubt the ladies I saw wearing them were sprinting anywhere except to the Ralph Lauren store, but they caught my eye nonetheless. The oversized logo feels very '70s, and they're sporty in a sophisticated way. The person I spotted in these wore them with white jeans and a thin navy puffer jacket topped with a camel-colored, cape-like cashmere throw. Hamptons rich-mom style done right.
When you think of slides, you might picture those sporty slip-ons you wear to the pool. But "real" rich moms are shuffling around in some truly elevated styles that feel regal and refined. If you want to nail the supermodel I-woke-up-like-this look, go for sandals with a flat sole and a single wide strap (these actually have two interwoven straps, but who's counting?). This faux leather pair is sleek minimalism at its best, radiating quiet luxury.
Rich moms love striped sweaters as much as they love striped button-downs. The Hamptons set reaches for black and white stripes, and I spotted this form of "zebra chic" all over V-neck collared tops, chunky cropped shirts, slouchy crewnecks, gold-buttoned cardigans and sweater jackets. Yes, it was like the Bubba Gump Shrimp of the East End. And they were styled different ways, from being tossed over shoulders to layered under jean jackets. Rock the trend with this lightweight short-sleeve cutie that can be worn on the hottest days.
I saw so many petite purses in the Hamptons. Yes, many actual rich moms do carry huge bags for all their kids' crap, er, stuff. But when you're just shopping around town, what else do you need to carry but lip balm and your phone? Just 11 inches wide and 6 inches high, this dainty looker from L.A.-based JW PEI is your new out-and-about companion.
Women, men, tweens, teens and kids were wearing these — they were all over the place. Yes, the ones I saw on the feet of well-to-do Hamptonites were Birks, but at $165 a pop, they're not cheap. These suede lookalikes, on the other hand (foot?) are Amazon's No. 1 bestselling mules and a fraction of the price. You'll love the deep heel cup and ample arch support, and the fact that you can just slip 'em on and go.
Purses crafted from interlaced strips of leather are the hottest bags of summer 2025, and I saw tons of them in the Hamptons. They add craftsmanship and depth to an outfit, but there's no need to go for the expensive stuff. When Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards whipped out this Bottega bag lookalike, we knew it was a must-get. "Love, love, love this bag, guys!" she gushed in a livestream. "It is really, really beautiful and fits a lot of stuff."
I can vouch for it; I have it and get compliments almost every time I use it. Made of vegan leather, it measures a generous 15 inches across and comes with a handy clutch. Choose from six colors, including the caramel I have (pictured) and Kyle's favorite: a rich chocolate brown.
The fact that I saw several ladies walking through town wearing fairly high heels boggled my mind, but I guess it shouldn't be too surprising: They probably have private drivers taking them to and fro. I did spot a few practical people wearing a block heel like this one, which feels way more doable than stilettos for weddings, showers or nice dinners out. More than 12,000 five-star reviewers rave about their comfort — I'm sure the memory foam insole and adjustable ankle strap are why.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
