Old Money, Open Doors: The Glamour and Guilt of Hosting & Houseguests
Awkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
Release Date: 06/16/2025
Awkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
Why is everyone suddenly dressing like they ride? From “equestrian-core” to “country luxe,” the horsey aesthetic is galloping through fashion — but what does it really say? In this episode, Kiki Astor, fresh from a research trip at her hunting lodge in Virginia's horse country, getting ready to release her upcoming dark old money gothic equestrian romance Scarlet Fever, explores why the equestrian look is the ultimate old money uniform: disciplined, neutral, and quietly expensive. We’ll talk about Ralph Lauren’s lifelong love affair with the hunt, the five essential garments that...
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
As daylight wanes and autumn deepens, the first week of November offers unique opportunities—and subtle challenges—for anyone who cherishes etiquette, aesthetics, and intentional living. In this episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners with Kiki Astor, Kiki reveals how to navigate early November with elegance, balance, and old-money flair. What you’ll learn in this episode: 1. Daylight Savings Time Etiquette: Adjust your daily routines gracefully, pour drinks earlier, and embrace the cozy rhythms of the season—without sacrificing sophistication. Learn how small timing...
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
What happens when artificial intelligence meets old money manners, style, and lifestyle? In this witty and insightful episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners, Kiki Astor takes on the rise of the AI Old Money Girl — that picture-perfect, algorithm-crafted vision of luxury and composure who seems to live in a permanent Ralph Lauren ad. She’s flawless, serene, and utterly unreal. She's also damaging to your self esteem and your sense of reality. Here's the thing: true sophistication isn’t generated — it’s cultivated. Kiki explores how to use AI tools elegantly, not for...
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
"People will talk." For ages, this has been used as an excuse for not doing something that could be incredibly rewarding, be it starting a business, writing that book, making the art, or wearing the dress or the lipstick that makes your heart sing. In this week’s episode of Awkward Etiquette- Old Money and New Manners, Kiki Astor explores one of the oldest social anxieties in the book: what people say about us—and why it still stings, even - or esecially- in the age of curated feeds and public personas. From the elegant discretion of old money circles to the performative transparency of...
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
Hosting doesn’t have to be hard — unless, of course, you make the tragic mistake of calling it a potluck. In this sparkling episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners, Kiki Astor reveals the secrets of easy entertaining the old money way. From what to wear as a host or hostess to the timeless menu formulas that never fail, Kiki shares how to create effortless elegance (even on a budget). Expect chic dinner party ideas, old money anecdotes, and the kind of practical charm that transforms chaos into calm. You’ll learn why gracious hosting is less about perfection and more...
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Beauty fades. Fortunes vanish. But style—the kind old money has mastered—is eternal. In this week’s episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we unravel the old money secret to staying unforgettable long after the roses wilt and the cheekbones soften. From patched Barbour jackets to grande dames in caftans, from Brooke Astor’s birthday notes to Diana Vreeland’s “garden in hell” apartment, this episode explores how true style outlasts both beauty and wealth. We’ll meet the archetypes of age and authority—the Dowager, the Grande Dame, the Patriarch, the Patron, the Spinster...
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
info_outlineAwkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners
What makes a home look quietly elegant… and what makes it look like a Cheesecake Factory in disguise? In this episode, Kiki Astor breaks down the common, supposedly “old money” decorating elements that actually cheapen a house when done wrong. From blinding white exteriors and shiny DIY lacquer walls to overdone marble countertops in modern farmhouse McMansions and Greek columns that aim to make a 60's ranch-style home look like a neo-Palladian estate but instead fall painfully flat, Kiki explains why these popular choices fail — and how true old money interiors whisper rather than...
info_outlineThis week on Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we’re diving into the enduring—and often awkward—tradition of the summer houseguest. From the Gilded Age to the Hamptons, summer hosting has long been a cornerstone of old money etiquette and upper-class rituals. But why did houseguests used to stay for weeks (or even months)? And how can you survive it today—whether you’re the host or the one unpacking in someone else’s guest room?
Kiki shares the surprisingly elegant history behind long-term summer guests, the unspoken codes of how to be a good houseguest (and host), and what to do when things get awkward—like when you’ve overstayed your welcome or your friend is trying to “pop by” for ten days. Expect practical etiquette advice, personal stories, and subtle boundary-setting tips for modern manners.
Topics include:
– Old money rules of summer hosting
– The art of being a charming houseguest
– Setting boundaries with grace
– Saying no (without sounding rude)
– How long is too long to stay?
– Funny (and painful) real-life guest stories
Whether you're decamping to someone’s beach house or preparing for your own weekend guests, this episode is your social survival guide. Listen now and brush up on the manners that still matter.