The old money photo rules and etiquette Slim Aarons knew (and you might not)
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this chic and a propos episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, just in time for your summer vacation photos, Kiki dives into the sun-drenched world of Slim Aarons photography, exploring how his lens captured the unspoken codes of old money elegance, exclusivity, and leisure. From poolside glamour in Palm Beach to quiet opulence in Gstaad, his photos were a masterclass in effortless wealth—and discretion. But what happens when we try to channel that today? Kiki unpacks the etiquette of taking and posting photos in the social media age, and how modern oversharing clashes with the...
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Table for one, please: the lost art of intentional, elegant solitude
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this elegantly introspective episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, etiquette expert and romance author Kiki explores the timeless allure and quiet power of solitude. From the romance novel heroine brooding on a windswept terrace to the old money doyenne dining solo in a tucked-away bistro, being alone is not a condition to be pitied—it’s an art to be mastered. Kiki delves into the etiquette of spending time alone with intention and elegance, whether you’re reading on a park bench, traveling solo, or savoring a quiet meal at a fine restaurant. Learn how to navigate the manners...
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Heritage or hype? The true value of luxury handbags in 2025: an old money perspective
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we dive into the true value of luxury goods—especially designer handbags—amid a shifting global economy, social media overexposure, and growing transparency about where and how these so-called “heritage pieces” are actually made. In the age of the Wirkin, or Walmart Birkin, and in the wake of the Chinese revealing exactly how many luxury goods get produced in their factories rather than in chic Parisian ateliers, Kiki unpacks (pun very much intended) the history of handbags as status symbols, from old money necessity to nouveau...
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Social skills hacks that actually work: Etiquette vs social anxiety
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
If you suffer from social anxiety, you might think that the old money, high society types you see effortlessly navigayting cocktail parties were simply born with a socializing superpower, or that they learned it in boarding school, and that it's too late for you, but that's not true. In this calming yet cheeky episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, Kiki turns her velvet gloves toward a topic near and dear to many hearts: social anxiety. Whether you freeze at cocktail parties, overthink every interaction, or find yourself replaying conversations in bed at night, this episode is your...
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The rise of the Nouveau Pauvre: Status in the age of economic instability and inequity
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
When your host, Auntie Kiki, says she’s an “ex rich person” and espouses the label of “nouveau pauvre,” you may be left wondering whether that means she’s fabulously wealthy or delightfully destitute, or somewhere in between. In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we explore our society’s love-hate relationship with wealth, performative wealth on social media platforms and in real life, the rich vs poor divide, the rise of nouveau pauvre as the defining ethos of our times, and why the old money aesthetic and lifestyle gained so much traction in a time of...
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The ultimate guide to old money style garden parties and outdoor entertaining
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
Is there anything more elegant and romantic than a garden party? In this episode of Awkward Etiquette, Kiki Astor dishes on the secrets of hosting the perfect old money garden party, because it takes a bit of behind the scenes preparation to exude effortless charm. From phrasing the invitations, to selecting the right garden party dress code to mastering high society entertaining, Kiki breaks down the essential elements of gracious outdoor hosting. She explores the proper etiquette for garden parties, including how to handle uninvited guests, seating arrangements, and social faux pas...
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Unbothered & Elegant: Let's discuss Mel Robbins' “Let Them” theory
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
Whether it’s at a cocktail party, on the tennis court, or around the dinner table, Mel Robbins’ Let Them theory is the pop culture, pop psychology self-help phenomenon on everybody’s lips. But what does it really mean, and how does one apply it to living an authentic, elegant life on one’s own terms? In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we dive into Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” theory and how it applies to high society etiquette, social skills, and romantic dilemmas. From handling social climbers with grace to dealing with romantic rejection like a queen and knowing...
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Welcome to the nouveau pauvre club: a glam life, on a budget
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
If you have always felt you have more taste than money...that you aspire to elegance and refinement, but are on a restricted budget...that you would be absolutely darling at spending oodles of cash, but for now you're making do with less...Welcome to the club! You're not poor, you're nouveau pauvre, my darling. Nouveau pauvre is an offshoot of old money, the one with no money...and you don't have to have been rich before to belong to the club. I'll let you in, as long as you promise to live an extraordinary, rich life, no matter your budget. In this episode of the Awkward Etiquette podcast,...
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Behind closed doors: the secret world of private clubs
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
You're either in, or you're out...and who wants to be on the outside looking in? For many people, the words "welcome to the club" are music to their ears and the fear of being blackballed looms large, because, as the advertaisement famously states, membership has its priviledges. It's a basic human evolutionary need to feel that one belongs, and being excluded or feeling FOMO is far from fun. In this episode of The Awkward Episode Podcast, amateur social anthropologist of old money Kiki Astor dives deep into the world of private clubs, exploring the allure and exclusivity that make them...
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Nautical but nice: mastering the fisherman aesthetic
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
The fisherman aesthetic is having a moment, to put it mildly, but those with old money sensibilities have been living with it for generations, sporting weathered knits, salt-washed trousers, and perfectly battered Barbours at their seaside second homes long before even coastal grandmother was just a twinkle in the internet's eye. In this episode of Awkward Etiquette, Kiki Astor, your old money internet Auntie and the romance author who singlehandedly introduced the hot fishmonger trope, dives deep (pardon the pun) into looking and living effortlessly nautical without veering dangerously close...
info_outlineIn this episode of Awkward Etiquette, and to celebrate the launch of her latest book, Art, Love, and Other Miracles, set in the international art world including galleries in Roma Norte, CDMX, and Art Basel Miami, romance author, ex rich person, and art enthusiast Kiki Astor delves into the fascinating world of art collecting, offering practical tips for collectors at any budget level. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting, Kiki provides insights into the nuances of building a collection that reflects your taste and investment strategy. The episode explores the key differences between old money and new money approaches to art, from how they acquire pieces to their philosophies on display and preservation. Kiki also shares advice on navigating galleries, auctions, and private sales, ensuring listeners feel confident in making informed decisions. Tune in for a cheeky yet informative guide to mastering the art of collecting with confidence, sophistication and flair.