The Plazacore Aesthetic—What It Is And How To Nail It
It’s more than a hotel. It’s an aesthetic.
If I get a second job, I can stay at the Plaza Hotel. Those were the words I told myself last summer as I – a full-time writer and part-time music instructor – planned my first trip to New York City.
And so, I did. I took on a second part-time job so I could treat myself and my friend to a room for the weekend – a room which ran somewhere around $2,500 a night.
Whether or not the experience was worth such extravagance is a question in and of itself. But the Plaza Hotel is an icon. Those who stay there are paying not just for the experience but for the name. (If you’ve ever wanted a Chanel purse just to have a chance to flash those infamous double Cs on the street, then you know what I’m talking about.)
However, the Plaza is notorious not only for its name but also for its aesthetic. And that, mercifully, is obtainable without a flight to NYC or a broken bank account.
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#Plazacore: The History
We all know about Barbiecore, Old Money, Mob Wife, and more. But have you heard of Plazacore?
That’s right, one of New York’s most famous addresses has its own aesthetic. It’s been “a thing” since Cosmopolitan featured it in 2023, but now it’s primed to explode.
Hearkening back to days of Jazz Age glamour (remember The Great Gatsby?) and featuring a touch of youthful whimsy (did anyone else grow up reading Eloise?), #Plazacore hits all of the right notes, creating a complex aesthetic that effortlessly balances silliness and sophistication, elegance and excess.
Since its revolving gold-and-glass doors swung open for the first time over 110 years ago, the Plaza has played host to a continuously rotating cast of celebrities, ranging from authors (like F. Scott Fitzgerald of The Great Gatsby and Kay Thompson of Eloise) to actors (think Marilyn Monroe and the kid who played Kevin McCallister in Home Alone II) to musicians (everyone from Frank Sinatra to the entire Beatles crew). In fact, Donald Trump even owned the place for a stint back in the ‘80s.
It’s no surprise, then, that all of these larger-than-life personalities have played a part not just in the history of the Plaza but also in its future by shaping its aesthetic.
#Plazacore prides itself on being a study in contrasts. It’s both down-to-earth and outlandish, elegant and effervescent. As heavily as it leans on “rich” colors and textures (think gold plating and crushed velvet), it also has a spunky side made up of pink, tulle, and even a few ostrich plumes. The Plaza has a lot going on – it still serves afternoon tea in the very lobby lounge in which a British socialite notoriously lit up a cigarette in 1907, when women’s public smoking was still taboo, and it boasts both “Gatsby” and “Eloise” suites. The former is a study in Art Deco glam, while the latter looks like something out of a little girl’s fantasies, complete with zebra-striped flooring and walls that are pink, pink, pink!
It sounds outrageous, and to some effect, it is…but only in the best possible way, and one that influencers have embraced and incorporated into their own sense of design and style.
#Plazacore: The Look
The Plazacore aesthetic is certainly having a moment, perpetuated by, if nothing else, the hotel’s own eponymous pop-up shop which opened last fall, initially for a month, but is still welcoming shoppers to peruse its collection of hand-picked pieces from popular designers. (As you might expect, the price tags on said pieces cost about as much as a room for the night.)
Though a shopping spree at the Plaza Hotel is an item that we all might love to put on our bucket lists, it’s more than a little impractical. However, bringing its aesthetic home with you might not be as pricy as you think, because, at its core, Plazacore is all about simplicity.
Simplicity and zebra print and feathers? Not hardly!
Fair point, but those are mere accents. Let’s take a look at the most essential Plazacore elements.
The Colors and Textures of Plazacore
A trip to the Plaza reveals a secret. For a hotel famous for its role in the Eloise books and movies, it’s surprisingly, some might say shockingly, neutral. The Plaza’s main colors are ivory (preferably in the form of marble) and gold (lots of gold). Accents appear in the form of fresh greenery, dark navy stationery, and the Palm Court’s famous stained glass ceiling, which happens to be pink!
A Plazacore aesthetic is dependent upon an elegant base of warm neutrals paired with pops of pink (think Barbiecore but a little more grown-up), but color is only part of the equation. The true magic of Plazacore is exhibited in its materials – and it doesn’t skimp. Bathroom fixtures are plated with real gold, mirrored walls sparkle and gleam, and chairs are upholstered in luxe velvet.
These colors and textures can be translated into our style, and for Plazacore, that means major designers and brand names. Incorporating a few name-brand pieces into your look gives your style the Plazacore “wow factor,” and it, too, can be done on a budget. We might not be able to afford Chanel, but this ivory and gold Coach purse is much more affordable, made of real leather, and just as Plazacore chic for a fraction of the price. Or get familiar with my favorite place to find Plazacore pieces for my wardrobe: TheRealReal, an online authenticated luxury consignment store.
Eloise herself is quoted as saying: “My needs are few: Food (Filet Mignon), Shelter (The Plaza Hotel), Clothing (Dior)”
So I decided to go on a treasure hunt. I managed to find my own pair of dream Dior kitten heels on the site for just over $250, but there are countless other pairs of gently used designer kicks at a bargain – check out these champagne satin pumps for less than $90.
My other favorite way to add designer glam to my style without getting another part-time job is by purchasing luxury cosmetic items like this shimmery nude Chanel lip balm (no.54 is my go-to).
On the non-designer front, sassy pieces like this feather and sequin blazer dress from Amazon combine classic Art Deco and tuxedo elements with modern glimmer and glam for a fresh, fun minidress that would fit right into a modern take on The Great Gatsby.
Other essential and accessible Plazacore elements include hair bows (start saving the ribbons wrapped around your birthday presents!), tweed or plaid blazers and skirts, old-fashioned accessories such as gloves or fascinator hats, and plenty of jewels. Pearls are always a classic, but the Plazacore aesthetic also begs for a bit of personalization – this monogrammed gold pendant necklace from a Rockefeller Center jeweler is the perfect touch!
#Plazacore: The Space
Dressing like you’re headed to tea at the Palm Court is one of the most fun ways to emulate the aesthetic of the Plaza Hotel, but the Plazacore aesthetic needn’t be confined to personal style – all of our homes could benefit from a little touch of Gilded Age or Great Gatsby class. One of the best ways to bring the Plaza to your home is by taking a visit to your local resale/antique shop. I’ve picked up cut crystal drinking glasses and goblets for mere cents apiece, and you never know when you’ll run into a vintage piece that Eloise would define as “tres chic!”
No matter how far you live from the real Plaza, you can also visit its online shop from anywhere in the world. I’m particularly fond of their fragrance line, which features candles, reed diffusers, and even perfumes with the Plaza’s signature gardenia scent, which perfumes the hotel’s rooms, suites, and lobbies. Whenever I catch a whiff of the aroma, I’m instantly transported back to the Plaza’s hallowed halls. Craving a good night’s sleep? Pick up a set of the Plaza’s iconic embroidered pillowcases and give each one a spritz of gardenia-scented linen spray for sweet dreams of NYC luxury.
And, of course, a visit to the Plaza isn’t complete without afternoon tea at the Palm Court. Do yourself a favor and give yourself a taste of the Plazacore aesthetic by ordering a box or two of the same tea served during teatime. Although you’ll have to go to New York yourself to try the Plaza’s own signature blend, scented with almond and rose, you can sample both the English Breakfast and Earl Grey blends. They’re two of my top choices for a slow, luxurious morning.
Ticket to Luxury
A stay at the “real” Plaza might be out of budget for most of us (short of taking on that dreaded second job), but bringing its aesthetic to your home might not be as pricy as you think. If you need a glamorous retreat, use these tips as inspiration for reinventing your personal style and turning your home into a glamorous Gilded Age retreat. Bon voyage!
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