Middle class life

[Blueandsilver]

Not one of those goady or provocative titles. I suppose I see Mumsnet in this bracket although perhaps less so than maybe ten years ago.

I’m just thinking things like Downton Abbey, John Lewis, national trust memberships, NCT classes, Volvos, Labradors.

What else?

Just reading back the way. Apologies. The ignorance of what constitutes British is staggering but very amusing. Do please continue!

@whalleyt

Are you still wondering if you possess middle class attributes?

Appearance? What sort of “appearance” denotes middle class?

Well I don't know, and wouldn't like to guess, but it comes up on the long-running class threads. All part of first impressions I suppose.

Yes- people in NI do not see themselves as English but as either British or Irish.

@Janedoe82 does no one consider themselves to be Northern Irish then?

I only know people from NI who consider themselves to be Irish.

@Cam22 nah, couldn't care less.

I'm European, far more important to me.

But where are the examples? How can I tell a mc person?. They don't go around with their degrees strapped to their chests!

@whalleyt can you give examples from London?

Re clothing signals:

Decent, good quality clothes. No huge labels; any label must be discreet. Anyone who imagines the Chanel Cs, the Vuitton LVs to be classy are wrong. Some heritage brands are fine. Anything ostentatious or too short or too clingy is unacceptable.

Less is more is the mantra the wannabes fail to understand. Natural fabrics. A clean look.
Classic shoes. Natural hair. Discreet makeup. Light scent. Very little jewellery.

@Naturelover5 I'm a outsider obvs but mc signifiers in my world are

prep schools/or state primary's in very expensive catchments
lots of fundraising/volunteering at school
obsessing about secondary from yr 3
volvos or bike
national trust membership
more hand me downs/2nd hand uniforms
lots of clubs for dc
holidays are skiing, summer in France or Greece or trekking in Peru. Camping too particularly with other families.
Holiday homes, if U.K. will be Salcombe, Southwold, etc
Dachshunds seem to be very popular currently.
Lots of eco initiatives in the community.
Family money, I don't know anyone who bought without help (including myself). Gifts of 6 figures completely normal.

Decent, good quality clothes. No huge labels; any label must be discreet. Anyone who imagines the Chanel Cs, the Vuitton LVs to be classy are wrong. Some heritage brands are fine. Anything ostentatious or too short or too clingy is unacceptable.

I would disagree with some of this as many mc people can also be into fashion. A chanel woc or vintage Gucci is completely standard but yes no clingy clothes.

@whalleyt thank you. We were camping in Norfolk recently & there was plenty of London era around. Your description fits the bill perfectly. In fact I think Norfolk was the most MC place I was ever in!

All of this applies to the middle classes in Northern Ireland.

London types not era!

With regards to appearance- tasteful dress. Good quality winter coats for standing watching hockey and rugby. Kids have dry robes.
Middle class teens in lots of hollister, pull and bear. No grey tracksuits. Fresh faced. Lots of sport.

@Naturelover5 I cannot stand camping but have to do it as the dc love it. I think that's why going in a group is so important!

No.

@Naturelover5 I would also say (ime) a pretty diverse mix of people in terms of accent, religion & colour but similar jobs/education level. And a proudness of the diversity if that makes sense.

Being “into fashion”? Not at all in the way that expression suggests. In my own experience.

Tatty old Volvos are more upper class. Most people in Britain are middle class as per the socio economic definition, it's about occupation not income. Manual labour is not that common now.

We, for full disclosure, are definitely a by that scale or elite by the more recent one yet don't have a Volvo, a Labrador, I don't shop in John Lewis and I don't have a National trust membership. I'm happy with Lidl, charity shops and my sports car

I think these badges of middle class hood are for those aspiring and trying to fit in, new money colloquially, I personally don't care what people think. Off on the very noisy motorbike for fish and chips at very working class Weston...

I consider myself European, too. That does not mean one has to be ignorant about basic geography.

Tatty old Volvos are more upper class.

What a cliché!

I worked at a designer shop in Wimbledon Village & on one in Bond Street as a teen. You definitely get mc people & royals who are into designer handbags.

That does not mean one has to be ignorant about basic geography.

I made a mistake, you can hold onto it if it makes you feel better.

I agree @whalleyt but it's very discreet. The bag may be a Gucci tote but the label on the front is tiny.