So what DO rich people wear? (Lighthearted)

[Embelline]

Was just chatting with a friend and she was talking about how truly wealthy people don’t wear labels but just wear “quality”.
So no designer etc.
but when I asked her what they actually wear then, are there secret “rich people” brands she couldn’t answer? Just said vaguely you know, quality expensive stuff?

so I’m curious, what do they wear? If I wanted to pretend to be a rich person for a day and look “expensive” in an understated day where would I find my clothes?

lighthearted because obviously just a bit of fun and I’m too tired to dress up as me let alone a rich person today, I’m in sweatpants 😂

It depends what you mean by rich?

I was at a lunch recently - the sort where a table costs a few thousand - and there was a lot of Chanel. I so love the MN myth that old money don’t. They really do

A lot of people on here must have very little clue what middle class is if you consider it a rich demographic

I think of it as Barbour, quilted jackets, boat shoes, fitted clothes. Less about the labels, more about the smart preppy look, classic, slightly dull day wear. It could be LK Bennett, Zara or an independent British designer, but always something you could wear on repeat until it falls apart.

It depends on the “rich” or “wealthy” person to be fair and their definition of these terms.. I have found people of “new money” would be the ones that dress like they are made of money, show it on the outside and sometimes make a point of it.. not all of them are like this but the most I know of are like that.

ones that are from “old money” or never knew life any other way usually dress like everyone else and you would never know any different. Sometimes they even live the complete opposite and look outwardly worse off than everyone else when in fact they are much better off.

I know people of both the kinds I mentioned above to do the complete opposite though also, you have those rich people that live lavish rich lifestyles giving no care for anything or anyone but themselves. Very often you find celebrities have to (or choose to) live up to a certain look with some flaunting it in our faces, but those that are not celebrities sometimes keep themselves in money by living cheap even when it is not needed.

everyone is different but a “rich” person can have different amounts of money they consider to be a lot and can all act or dress differently. Personality plays a big factor!

They never recovered from the chav/ Daniella westbrook association I don't think

Johnstone of Elgin for knit wear

@BluebellBlueballs its so fascinating how one person can make or break a brand isn’t it?

The ones I know where normal stuff like jeans and t-shirts and whatever

I can supply the dog hair in abundance to anyone who has the cashmere. You’re welcome.

I do get quite bored of this on MN but I need to remember that it's not actually cold anywhere in the UK. It is in parts of Canada and the US. They're also worn by researchers in the Canadian Arctic and in Antarctica. Apparently there's a weird thing going on over there on the UK with CG being a flash choice but they are actually serious garments for serious cold.

I also need to keep reminding myself that this question, on Mumsnet, is always absolutely nothing to do with actual real wealth and net worth. It's always a question about class. Bernie Ecclestone's girls weren't slouching around in ratty old cashmere and supermarket tshirts. The revoltingly wealthy UAE wives and daughters aren't scouring the thrift shops.

Which is totally fine! I don't want to dress like a UAE wife either. But maybe just be honest and ask about the British upper classes, instead of "rich people".

my aunt is rich, he is married with man from dubai who is rich af. She always looks sophisticated, even her lounge clothes are elegant. Mainly shop in Loro piana
ralph lauren not the polo ones tho.
alexander mcqueen. Maxmara, chanel for blazer. Apparently gucci clothing is tacky she said.

loungewear most from reiss. I shop in reiss for nice looking dress or going out. But she maily for loungewear.

I recommend you get a copy of the Sloane Ranger Handbook. Things haven't changed much since then.
Alternatively, Jilly Cooper's Class gives insights.

Good quality shoes and bag. I don't buy mega expensive things, but never go for cheap.

Vinted and eBay are brilliant for quality second hand.

Which is totally fine! I don't want to dress like a UAE wife either. But maybe just be honest and ask about the British upper classes, instead of "rich people".

This! many rich people do wear labels etc

Oh god yes, the MN view that “real” rich people west tatty old tweeds and drive old bangers. No, that’s cash poor upper class people. Cash rich upper class and “new money”/common rich people do tend to wear expensive clothes that are replaced when they get tatty.

It’s going to massively depend on where you live though, isn’t it? I’m in a little village and the wealthy people I know are all very much country people - so for the guys it’s things like classic chinos and check shirts often accessorised with cow shit and a shotgun (yes, they are pretty much all farmers). Tweed is frequently involved. If they go shooting they are in nice tweeds, flat caps etc - but ones that usually look as though they’ve seen a bit of action. Women - generally skinny jeans, Crew Clothing-esque sweatshirts and the like. Good boots - not necessarily Dubarries - Ariats are popular, Tuffas are a local brand so you see a few of those around here too. Hair is usually pretty well kept, and natural or no makeup. Hay and cowshit optional - horseshit seen on a semi-regular basis though. Practical coats, sometimes tweed, sometimes just good outdoor brands. Generally not too many wax jackets these days. But go into a city and the well-off will be dressed completely differently (as will everyone else).

I was once told that the way to spot wealth in a man was by the wallet and watch.

I only know one seriously rich person, he is from another country and lives n Issey Miyake, he even made a documentary about him. I can see why he travels a lot and a weeks capsule wardrobe fits in a small carry on. Gucci though, was gauche and tacky.

Oh and just to add - the non-boot footwear of choice for women tends to be deck shoes.

But as I said, it’s so location and age dependent as to be almost meaningless in all honesty.

@Enthrallingstoryofstillnessandlight and @HMTheQueenMuffin - I am so glad I could share the house of bruar joy. Have you checked out the woman’s sporting trouser collection? Joyful. If they reboot monarch of the glen, they can kit out all the cast from the one shop.

Oh god yes, the MN view that “real” rich people west tatty old tweeds and drive old bangers. No, that’s cash poor upper class people. Cash rich upper class and “new money”/common rich people do tend to wear expensive clothes that are replaced when they get tatty.

I think the narrative has been created by some of the cash poor old money crew to soothe their egos. Perhaps judging the flashy neighbours makes them feel warmer when they are shivering in their old pile 😆

'Rich people' are not one homogeneous group, so why would there be a style they all share? Probably some wear obviously show-off labels, some wear 'quality labels', some shop at Sainsbury's, etc.

Day to day shoes that can be repaired.
Good but minimal jewellery

I was on the bus yesterday, listening to the two ladies in front of me chatting (bus is great for people watching!). Both my mum’s age, grey hair, leather backpacks, wool coats, sensible shoes. One was wearing a hi-vis (for cycling). Apart from their conversation you’d never expect they were wealthy...

They had those old-money posh accents. Talked about their various properties / purchases / estate agents / tenants / house insurance etc... Also spoke about their travels (both been to several expensive locations multiple times). No mention of grandkids / husbands / homelife. But it didn’t seem like either of them had ever worked.