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 define authentic equestrian chic (and how not to look like you're wearing a costume), and the etiquette of foxhunting — from who may wear scarlet to what never to say about someone's horse.

It's a masterclass in tweed, tack, and taste — because true equestrian style isn't about showing off; it's about knowing the rules.

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 changes can elevate your lifestyle and keep you effortlessly on top of social expectations.

2. Selective Hospitality:
Discover the art of hosting with intention. From gracefully declining invitations to offering one-on-one refuge instead of trying to please everyone, Kiki shares how to cancel plans politely, truthfully, and with elegant alternatives—because refined social navigation is always in style.

3. Autumnal Home Rituals:
Bring seasonal charm to your home with old-money-approved practices: polishing silver, waxing floors, stocking quality candles, and rotating throws and portières. These subtle touches honor the season, elevate your home's gravitas, and add understated sophistication to everyday life.

4. Sensory Living:
Cultivate warmth and romance by focusing on sound, scent, and texture—from cedar-scented storage to the Calandre glow of ambient lighting. Kiki explains how attentive, sensory-focused living can transform a simple space into a haven of comfort and style.

5. Wardrobe of Withdrawal:
Learn to embrace seasonal fabrics like velvet and linen, revive the hostess dress for intimate gatherings, and indulge in self-care without falling into sloth. November is the perfect time to make quiet elegance and comfort your wardrobe mantra.

6. Intentional Connection:
Reconnect with old friends and family thoughtfully. Create opportunities for others to contribute, and enjoy low-pressure, intimate evenings—like a chic aperitivo—where conversation and connection take precedence over performative socializing.

No…vember is the month when introversion is chic, minimalism is luxurious, and balance—between solitude and connection, leisure and responsibility—is essential. Join Kiki Astor as she guides you through the subtle arts of selective hosting, seasonal refinement, and the timeless pleasures our ancestors once celebrated.

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 artifice but for authentic refinement. From organizing your wardrobe like an old-money heiress to planning seamless travel, writing better thank-you notes, hosting with warmth, or even curating digital routines that feel intentional — this episode is your guide to living beautifully in the modern age.

You'll learn how to blend technology with timeless taste, how to stay discerning amid digital perfection, and how to make AI your most stylish assistant — not your aesthetic enemy. Because real elegance, luxury, and grace were never about resisting innovation… they were about mastering it, beautifully.

"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 modern social media, Kiki dissects the etiquette of reputation, how to navigate gossip gracefully, and why not caring what others think is the most powerful (and chic) move of all, and a social skill you'll want to develop as soon as possible.

Listeners will learn how to protect their reputation without becoming paranoid, reclaim their narrative with composure, and turn criticism into quiet confidence. Kiki also unpacks how online notoriety has changed the rules of reputation—what still matters, what doesn't, and how to maintain dignity, mystique, and good manners even when "people will talk."

It's a witty, psychological, and oddly reassuring guide to surviving the spotlight—whether it's the country club, the comments section, or your own circle of frenemies.

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 about good manners, atmosphere, and the right lighting. Whether you're planning a weekend luncheon or a supper for six, this episode is your guide to sophisticated entertaining with wit, warmth, and a dash of scandalous truth.

Topics include: old money entertaining, hosting on a budget, elegant dinner menus, what to wear when hosting, modern etiquette for hosts, and how to throw a proper dinner without losing your mind.

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 Aunt, and more—each a living proof that permanence comes not from youth, but from cultivating eccentricity, rituals, and presence. Along the way, you'll discover why old money never throws anything away, how to turn quirks into calling cards, and the simple rituals you can borrow to make yourself unforgettable in a disposable age.

If you've ever wondered why the old money aesthetic keeps trending—or how to build a style that even time can't erase—this is the episode for you.