How and why do people who aren’t actually well off pay for this stuff?

I think a "bad" area is very subjective. If its all you know and you've happily lived there with friends and family, it probably feels like a decent place to live!
More money then means more luxuries rather than moving and leaving everyone you know.

It is his money but when he was spending it on designer gear rather than paying his car loan and ending up over drawn and wrecking his credit rating, while my daughter was trying to save for a house deposit , it's very reckless.

"But you're poor, why are you wearing that?" is the sentiment I got. Maybe that's why they're poor?

Well, there is a huge gulf between prostitutes on "dirty money" and people working hard for theirs.

I bet he smells lovely though

Fake, stolen, TK Maxx, or bought second 👋

I think you’re less likely to waste money that you’ve actually had to put effort into earning pretty sure that that’s been proven previously.
As I say it’s more a case of what else are you going to do with it? If it’s dirty money you can’t save it. Or purchase any assets.

He sounds thick as a bag of shite.

It's different priorities. I know someone who spends loads of money on holidays but doesn't have a car. Most of our money goes on a vehicle that can accommodate our disabled children's needs so we can't afford to go on holiday.

Yes, there is a name for the subculture, can"t remember it though, it is fuelled by influencer clowns online, the kids are borrowing MASSIVE amounts with credit cards to buy designer shite to make their broken sense of self-worth feel better (How the self-worth got broken would also make a good study)

Um, you can work hard for your money and fritter it away on shite. Some people have problems with spending, and their income or where it comes from does not really come into it. It is dopamine seeking.

But it's his money.
If that's what he is choosing to spend it on then that's his choice.

Absolutely. I think when it’s within budget that’s the case, however when you begin to spend over and above your means the reality is no longer giving your family the best that you can but feeling the need to present an image

My daughter's ex , as I said before, is thick as mince, he literally buys stuff because he's seen someone on SM with it , he probably would never have heard of Baccarat Rouge if it wasn't for SM. He has more than 20 bottles of after shave, most of which are unused.

MYOB
The majority is knock off.

This! I know lots of people who drive expensive cars, have Chanel bags, but live in bad area, studio flat and thousands in debt.

No, they are basically making clowns of themselves, buy a jumper from the charity shop and go and read some good investment books.

I live in an ABC1 demographic area up north. Small, semi rural village, period houses. Out of the 6 most expensive houses in my cul de sac, 3 are owned by builders/retired builders.

I think it’s status and because they don’t prioritise money in the same ways as other people.

it makes them feel good to look like they can afford it?! Even though the only ones who can afford those kinds of clothes are usually more like them!

It’s easy come easy Go.
If you’ve actually had to work for your money, you’re not going to spend it on shite
If you are a shoplifter for a living or a drug dealer or a prostitute
You’re more inclined to spend money than attempt to save it on the basis that you can’t launder it and put it into a savings account anyway so you might as well buy something that you want that has perceived value to you

Why do people buy anything that isn't basic food, clothes, furniture etc?
Because they want to.
I personally wouldn't "waste" money on alcohol, going to Disney World for two weeks or paying to watch opera or a boxing match. But I understand perfectly that some people want to do that.
Their money. Their choice.

Seriously doubt anyone shopping at tk maxx is trying to buy their way into the social circles of the wealthy, that is just an absurd notion.

Yeah, it sounds like she didn't understand your priorities. Lots of people would rather a smaller house with nice things than live in a larger house surrounded by broken tat.

There are loads of massive houses around me and whenever they are up for sale most of them are pretty grim inside. Unless someone has 5 kids I don't understand why someone would choose to live in a large grim space over a smaller, nicer space. It's just different priorities innit. I'd rather have nice surroundings others would rather big surroundings.

I remember school friends making similar comments about our house when I was younger. It was in a very well to do area, but our furniture was all my grandparents’ old stuff (I’d love it all now- G-plan Ercol, that kind of stuff). Our TV was black and white, and we didn’t have a phone. My grandparents had given my parents a 50% deposit for the nice house, and they bought Dad a new car every 3 years, so everyone assumed we were well off.

You can Klarna in shops? I need to get out more (or not, with my broke self).