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 understated style of old money. You’ll get tips on photo taking and social media etiquette, as well as how to display personal photos in a refined, intentional way at home—think silver frames, leather-bound albums, and a total ban on selfies.

Whether you’re trying to curate your Instagram like a vintage Town & Country spread or just wondering where to hang that candid from Capri, this episode is your guide to being visually elegant, socially polished, and never gauche.

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 of solo dining, embrace the understated glamour of doing things alone, and reframe solitude not as loneliness, but as personal luxury. With references to iconic solitary figures—think Jackie O, Greta Garbo, and mysterious heiresses who summered alone in the South of France—this episode is a cheeky-yet-chic guide to becoming effortlessly comfortable in your own company.

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 riche billboard, and dissects the old money perspective on luxury: discreet, enduring, and never desperate.

With juicy anecdotes from her recent travels through Morocco, Turkey, and China, Kiki shares firsthand observations of the proliferation of fake designer bags, the depressing state of luxury duty-free shops, and the disillusioning reality of modern production—even at historic maisons like Hermès and Chanel. 

Topics we cover:

• The erosion of luxury's mystique in the age of TikTok unboxings.

• Why handbag resale value isn’t the flex people think it is.

• How discerning old money treats luxury goods (hint: if it has a TikTok hashtag, it’s already over).

• Spotting a dupe without losing your mind (or your manners).

Whether you're a bag lover, a social climber, or simply etiquette-curious, this episode is your guide to navigating the luxury landscape with wit, wisdom, and perspective.

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 invitation to breathe, settle in with something fizzy or soothing, and reclaim your social confidence—the elegant way.

Kiki reveals her favorite etiquette-based social skills hacks designed for introverts, overthinkers, and those who never know what to do with their hands. You’ll learn how classic etiquette tricks—like the art of introductions, small talk that isn’t painful, and exiting a conversation gracefully—aren’t about perfection, but about making others feel comfortable, which (spoiler alert) helps you feel more at ease too.

From how to glide through a room without breaking a sweat to using etiquette as armor in awkward social situations, Kiki shows that even the most anxious among us can master the social graces of high society—without faking a thing.

Perfect for: Anyone looking for social anxiety tips, introvert-friendly social strategies, and a little old-school etiquette wisdom with a wink.

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 financial instability. We also dive into the growing economic disparity of our era—why the ultra-wealthy keep getting richer while the rest feel increasingly precarious, and how this imbalance manifests in social media and social interactions. Why does losing wealth sting more than never having it? Is elegance ultimately more admirable than riches? And in a world where Instagram flaunts excess while reality often tells a different story, how do we maintain grace and authenticity? 

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 that could turn an aristocratic affair into a social disaster.

Expect witty insights on classic garden party menus, champagne and other beverages,  dos and don’ts, and the subtle art of appearing effortlessly chic while secretly micromanaging everything. Whether you’re planning a formal English garden tea or a laid-back estate luncheon, Kiki reveals how the truly elite entertain outdoors—without breaking a sweat (or letting anyone see them sweat).

Tune in for humorous social commentary, historical high-society anecdotes, and Kiki’s signature nouveau pauvre take on timeless etiquette.

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 when to simply let people embarrass themselves at a dinner party, Kiki explains why true elegance is about staying unbothered.

You’ll learn how to navigate social faux pas without losing your cool, set boundaries while maintaining charm and wit, and master the art of letting people self-select out of your life—whether it’s a toxic friend, an over-eager suitor, or that one guest who insists on ignoring the dress code.

If you’ve ever wondered how to exude quiet confidence, maintain effortless poise, and avoid the trap of chasing people who don’t appreciate you, this episode is your guide to graceful disengagement. Tune in for Kiki’s signature mix of old-money elegance, sharp humor, and a dash of social satire—because as always, the best response to bad manners is to simply let them.

www.kikiastor.com

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, your Auntie Kiki, Kiki Astor, walks you through some of her best nouveau pauvre tips for living a glamorous life on a budget, from fashion to home to entertaining, travel, and lifestyle, to the art of being an in-demand houseguest.

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 so intriguing. From members-only access to secretive social networks, we unpack the hidden dynamics of private clubs, both old money and new money, and what it really takes to become a part of these elite circles. Whether you're curious about the benefits, the cost, or the true value of membership, we discuss it all—from the history and evolution of private clubs to their modern-day influence on social status and power. We'll also be talking club etiquette. Join us as we break down what’s behind closed doors and why private clubs continue to capture the attention of the wealthy, powerful, and influential. Don't miss this eye-opening episode about a world few ever get to experience! 

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 to cliché. We'll be having a conversation on authenticity over aspiration, touch on iconic garments that whisper deadly chic, not deadliest catch, explain the high-low blend that takes your decor from tacky tidal to maritime fabulous, and generally how to achieve the perfect balance, so you're charmingly nautical but never nouveau.