Awkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners

In this episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money & New Manners , Auntie Kiki dives deep into the fascinating sociology of boating and yachting. From the quiet elegance of old money sloops and classic Rivas to the loud, party-centric energy of new money mega yachts and pontoons, boats are the ultimate floating status symbol. We cover the unwritten rules of yacht etiquette—what to wear, how to behave...

Join Kiki Astor on Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners as she dives deep into the fascinating world of linen, revealing why this ancient luxury textile is the ultimate status symbol and a cornerstone of quiet luxury for old money. This episode unravels linen's rich history, from Paleolithic origins and its role as currency in ancient Egypt, to its resilience against the Industrial Revolut...

In this episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners , host Auntie Kiki (Kiki Astor) takes listeners on a fascinating deep dive into the history, sociology, and etiquette of the monogram. Far from just a preppy aesthetic, monograms are one of the world's oldest status symbols, evolving from ancient Mesopotamian cylinder seals and medieval maker's marks to Victorian household necessities...

Gather round, darlings! In this captivating episode of "Awkward Etiquette, Old Money and New Manners," your hostess, Auntie Kiki Astor, unveils a powerful, often overlooked domestic secret: the humble silver ice bucket. Far from just a vessel for drinks, this episode dissects its profound role in creating an old money aesthetic of ease, elegance, sophistication, and genuine hospitality – regardles...

In this episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners , host Kiki Astor unravels the enduring allure of the iconic Hermès silk scarf. Discover how a simple square of silk evolved from a 19th-century Parisian harness workshop into the ultimate global symbol of elegance, quiet luxury, and old money style. Auntie Kiki takes you on a journey through the meticulous craftsmanship of the Hermès...

Why does a battered, smelly, 100-year-old raincoat signal more wealth and social standing than a pristine, fresh-off-the-runway Hermes Birkin? In this episode of Awkward Etiquette, Auntie Kiki explores the maddening paradox of class signaling through the lens of the iconic Barbour jacket. We dive deep into the sociology of mud, exploring how the British elite fetishized utility, why looking like y...

In this episode of the Awkward Etiquette- Old Money and New Manners podcast, host Kiki Astor takes a deep dive into the history, sociology, and psychology of jewelry. Moving beyond precious stones and price tags, Kiki explores jewelry as an ancient social technology used to signal belonging, continuity, and wealth. She breaks down the distinct jewelry "languages" of Old Money (which values biograp...

This episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners with your Auntie Kiki Astor goes far beyond mere fragrance, exploring perfume as a social language, a class performance, and invisible status signaling. Dive into the fascinating anthropology of scent, from Cleopatra's perfumed sails to the opulent courts of Versailles, uncovering how elites throughout history manipulated fragrance as ca...

In this season finale, Kiki steps out from behind the microphone to pull back the curtain on her creative process, the psychology behind her books, and the nuanced world of unspoken social codes. Addressing a curated list of reader FAQs, she dives into the intersection of taste, money, and power, exploring what our aesthetic choices actually reveal about us. Kiki also discusses the reality of her...

In this insightful episode of "Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners," Kiki Astor delves into the historical Grand Tour, contrasting it sharply with contemporary travel and offering a powerful framework for cultivating taste, confidence, and a sophisticated worldview in the modern era.   Historically, the Grand Tour (17th-18th centuries) was far from a mere holiday; it was a rigorous social...

In this episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners, Kiki Astor explores how Queen Victoria's 1840 white gown and later royal spectacles (Charles & Diana, Grace Kelly, JFK/Jacqueline) shaped modern wedding expectations. She examines the social and economic pressures behind extravagant weddings, who should pay, the rise of pre-wedding events, venue and menu choices, wedding attire (old...

Join Auntie Kiki (Kiki Astor) on the "Awkward Etiquette Old Money and New Manners" podcast as she uncovers the secrets to a truly timeless existence. This episode dives deep into why the old money aesthetic resonates so deeply and how you can integrate effortless elegance into your home, wardrobe, lifestyle, manners, and even your approach to aging. Inspired by a surprising home tour, Kiki shares...

Have you ever scrolled through social media and felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy? Everywhere you look, people seem to be living incredibly expensive, flawless lives filled with luxury travel, designer shopping, and perfect morning routines. But is it real?   In this episode, Kiki Astor breaks down the jarring difference between influencer wealth and actual wealth. We explore the history of...

In this episode of Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners , etiquette expert and author Kiki Astor explores the fascinating social tension between strategic vagueness and chronic oversharing. Kiki dissects why old money aristocracy and traditional upper-class society view discretion and understatement as the ultimate forms of power and elegance. Listeners will learn how aristocratic etiquett...

In this episode of Kiki Astor's Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners , your Auntie Kiki explores the modern cultural phenomenon of "Main Character Energy." We dive deep into the intersection of social media trends, old money archetypes, and the delicate art of owning your narrative without becoming a social nuisance. From the curated lives we see on TikTok to the historical upbringing of a...

In this episode of  Awkward Etiquette , Auntie Kiki begins with a cautionary tale of a dinner party guest who arrived forty-five minutes late without an apology—and why she was never invited back. This isn't a story about petty drama; it's a masterclass in the quiet, devastating power of standards, the invisible architecture of a civilized Life . We move beyond the surface level of manners to disc...

Are you staring at the wine list, instinctively searching for the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, only to let your finger slide regrettably down to the second least expensive Pinot Noir? Welcome to the club, darling. You aren't broke; you are Nouveau Pauvre.   In this episode, Auntie Kiki explores the fascinating, often tragic, but always stylish world of the "New Poor." We discuss the cultural verti...

In this episode of The Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners, Kiki Astor tackles the elusive and often misunderstood concept of Style. Moving beyond fleeting trends and social media aesthetics, Kiki defines true style as a consistent manner of doing things—a language of behavior that extends far beyond your wardrobe. Join Auntie Kiki as she explores the difference between authentic style an...

What is the invisible quality that separates the merely rich from the truly refined? In this foundational episode of Awkward Etiquette , Auntie Kiki goes beyond surface-level aesthetics to deconstruct the psychology and social anthropology of true elegance. We often confuse elegance with luxury, but history tells a different story. From the stoic discipline of Ancient Rome to the "sprezzatura" of...

Is taste inherited, learned, or just a synonym for money? In this definitive episode of the Awkward Etiquette trilogy, Kiki Astor dismantles the biggest myth in high society: that wealth buys discernment. This week, we move beyond which fork to use and delve into the philosophical core of elegance. We explore why the richest person in the room often has the worst taste, why "class" and "taste" are...

In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor , we tackle one of the most uncomfortable—and misunderstood—topics in modern society: class. Not money. Not income. Not net worth. Class. From ancient Rome and Greece to modern Europe and North America, this episode explores how class has historically functioned as a system of behavior, duty, values, and conduct —not merely consumption. We trace...

Why does exclusion hurt so much—and why has every functioning society depended on it? In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor , Kiki dismantles the modern fantasy that "everyone belongs" and reveals exclusion as one of the oldest, most stable organizing principles of social life. Drawing on history, psychology, etiquette, and elite social systems—from Mrs. Astor's 400 to Palm Beach cl...

For the final episode of the season of Awkward Etiquette Old Money and New Manners , Auntie Kiki invites you into the most intimate setting of all: the floor by the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts imperfectly and talking you down from the holiday panic spiral. This conversational season finale explores why old money traditions never revolve around a perfect Christmas and why elegance, confidence, a...