To ask - If you are well off would you say that helps how you look?

[evergreen7]

Sorry if it's a bit random but I'm just quite curious wether it's a factor of having money or just finding out a bit more about what works.

I have 2 distant friends who have both recently crossed into what I would consider quite wealthy category. - think buying houses over 500k driving brand new expensive cars etc

I've also noticed how different they both look their skin is lovely, the hair always falls great, their clothes look brilliant on them. They were both good looking women and could afford regular hair cuts and getting their nails done etc beforehand anyway but now they look put together and flawless 24/7.
None of them are particularly girly and usually wear minimal makeup but it looks perfect.

I know it's nosy but AIBU to ask you if you consider yourself well off financially would you say it's a large contributing factor to how you look or do you think it can be done on a low budget once you know what you're looking for?

Absolutely money helps people look better!

There is a correlation with wealth and health. Health and looks.

You probably have more time generally so can be more rested.

You can buy expensive skincare products.

Time and money to have beauty appointments (eyebrows, facial, nails etc)

You can buy lovely clothes that fit you and suit you.

Personal trainer.

If you want you can have Botox etc.

I’m reasonably well off and while I don’t spend a fortune on hair, beauty and clothes I do spend quite a bit. I mostly look ok but often look a mess, largely because I’m a bit fat
I think if you are thin it’s easier and if you are rich and thin it’s MUCH easier to look nice

Isn't it a bit obvious? People who shop at Primark and charity shops and get their haircut once every 6 months aren't going to look as good as people who can afford designer clothes and get their haircut every 6 weeks are they? Money worries cause stress as well so those who have money won't have that particular issue to deal with. Stress is aging.

Of course it does - money means you can get a regular decent haircut & colour, have facials botox & fillers, buy lovely face creams and expensive make up, get a personal trainer, nice clothes that hang well, teeth whitening, sort any minor medical things done that can't be done on the NHS (varicose veins for example, skin tags another), get a personal trainer, buy juices and get them delivered to your door, you can go on holiday, you can go on spa days and be pampered, you can treat your friends and have nice dinners and evenings out, travel, go to festivals with your big yurt and have lots of fun spending time with friends and family and relaxing...

You don't spend every day and night stressing about how to pay your rent or put food on the table or keep the old car running a bit longer or the fact your kids are missing out by never going on holiday or having music lessons....

I have no money, we are poor and struggling & I look like a haggard, chaotic mess, because I am. If I had decent money I would do all of the above nice things and look bloody fabulous doing it. There is a reason why people with money look all bright eyed and dewy skinned, it's not just genetic luck!

I think there is often the opposite effect. Some people are poor because of their need to look good. A mum at the school spends all her money on facials that do bugger all, expensive peels and creams, hair extensions that have given her a bald patch, designer clothes that are a bit early 2000’s and buys her basics in Topshop etc. She looks no better than my other friend who admits she only uses wet wipes, Vaseline and leaves her hair natural. In terms of aging, the friend who makes no effort is champion. And she saves about £2k a year on all the bollox!

The point about being middle-class rich is that you look awful in a cool I-don't-care kind of way. Whether you don't really care is questionable, esp post-50 when you can't get away with it.

Whether you look cool according to other people is also debatable; people poorer than you will think you are mental for making such little effort, and loathe your lack of colour and tidiness, whereas those younger than you will ignore you.

Your stealth wealth markers are unbrushed hair, sloppy tee shirts that drape in a crooked way only a fellow stealther could know they cost 100 quid, 200 quid knackered jeans and startlingly expensive spectacles/glasses from charity shop. Neatness is forbidden, thinness compulsory. Cleanliness is, er, on a scale.

I think you need to have the basics there already and also to skills. We are well off by the markers you used and I always look like a sack of shit tbh. I just don't have the skills to dress nicely and do my make up. I'm wearing expensive clothes and make up but I just don't have that look you mention.

I know someone who is very, very senior in a large company and her published salary is close to 7 figures. I have never seen her dressed for work, but if you saw her out of work, you would never guess she was that wealthy: her style is fairly grungy (e.g. black drapey tops and jeans) and her hair does not look particularly expensively cut. I presume she is just not that interested, or has enough of looking more formal and groomed at work and can't be bothered at weekends. The house, cars and holidays would give you much more of a clue.

I am also pretty well off by most people's standards, but not at all interested in make-up or designer brands, I get my hair cut once or twice a year and have never had a manicure in my life. That would not change if I suddenly had ten times the money either.

Some people are saying that people who are well off have more time and more rest - maybe that's true for the truly loaded, but what about people who are well off because they work really long hours? I'm comfortable but far from rich, but I had far more time to faff about with hair and make up when I was starting out in my career than I do now that I'm at a senior level and am expected to put in really long hours.

I don't think you need to spend a lot of time or money to look put together. There is a definite 'less is more' rule to looking put together; a limited colour pallet of neutrals, navy, black, grey and white. Maybe the odd colourful accessory. Simple cuts, nothing too flouncy or busy. Dark clothing should not look faded, whites should be bright and everything should be ironed/pressed (looking after what limited clothes I have is crucial, being sloppy with the laundry will even make a designer wardrobe look crap). Bags, coats/jackets and shoes should be of good quality but not necessarily designer or expensive. Also it helps to be tall and slim (I'm neither by the way 😭). Hair doesn't have to be freshly cut or styled, just clean and worn simply, either down or simple pony tail. Make up minimal, some mascara, lip gloss and a bit of blusher. No stage make up and no high-fashion. These are the rules I've been sticking to for the last 5 years and it's made a massive difference. Everything coordinates well, nothing clashes, you don't have to spend ages deciding what to wear. Also I don't buy much, I get clothes that can be dressed up or dressed down so that they can be used for all occasions. And buying classic styles rather than high fashion means nothing goes out of fashion.

Your stealth wealth markers are unbrushed hair, sloppy tee shirts that drape in a crooked way only a fellow stealther could know they cost 100 quid, 200 quid knackered jeans and startlingly expensive spectacles/glasses from charity shop. Neatness is forbidden, thinness compulsory. Cleanliness is, er, on a scale.

This isn't what stealth wealth looks like in London at all. Maybe it's a country thing?

Agree with pp, when you’re young makes no difference.
40 or so plus and money makes a massive difference. Unfortunately.

Stealth wealth definitely looks like that here (Semi rural Norfolk). Maybe it is a town / country thing.

I think money helps but some of the wealthiest people I have known have been some of the scruffiest. I think it depends what's important to you. Even with all the money in the world I'd be unlikely to look sleek and glossy because I spend so much time doing stuff outdoors for my horse.

Sounds like OPs friends just naturally look good though.

Income-wise we are well off, but TBH all our money seems to vanish on living costs, so I feel a bit funny spending over £40 on an item of clothing!

But yes, if you choose to spend your money on good clothes (not necessarily designers), manicures, facials and regular blowdries you will look good. And by the same token, some people look good without any money... but obviously stress, physically strenuous jobs etc may take their toll on how well you look too.

Not in my experience. I'm a high earner but time poor. I struggle to find the time to get to the hairdresser to cover my roots. I don't have time to clothes shop. I've painted my fingernails once so far this year. I work full time, commute and have a toddler. I have zero time for me!

This is weird.

I live between two towns- one is poor/deprived/high u/e/mental health issues- the people there don’t look great.

The other town is wealthier and the people there do look stronger, fitter, happier, better.

Are people really disputing this is the case? Money makes a massive difference.

It is very much personal choice as to how or if you spend your money. If looks are important then yes it is much easier to look good if you can comfortably afford well cut clothes and grooming.

Not everyone choses to do this, years ago I worked in a bank and one of our most affluent customers, who could easily have bought a house with the balance of his current account which was a fraction of his overall net worth would come in daily to check his share portfolio from our copy of the FT. He lived as homeless person in the bus station and dressed accordingly. He would often have a nap in our banking hall and other customers would regularly comment that there was a tramp asleep in the hall. He was the loveliest gentleman and customer you could ever hope to meet, I often wonder what he's up to now.

Definitely..
Some peopleare just attractive anyway and have good taste but money helps 100x

I think being able to afford regular professional haircuts, nails, pedicures, teeth whitening or veneers, and probably a dermotologist etc too, would make a big difference.

Some women are just naturally beautiful though, and look amazing after a basic shower and shave. Some are not so blessed, no matter how much money they spend on changing their appearance.

Yes. I have very nice hair and very nice shoes and regular manicures/pedicures. I also work part time so sleep amazingly well and have no stress which totally shows in my face. I am however an incredibly lazy slob so dread to think how I would look otherwise.

That’s one case. The idea that in general that money makes no difference to looks or health is wrong.

We know people smoke more, are obese, have worse teeth and die younger in poorer communities. Do people not believe this?

Yeah cos council estate people look shit

God I'm from a council estate, cheers no matter how much I try and make myself look nice with my cheap low end make up, lose weight, and my Primark clothes, and five quid hair dye I might as well not bother.

Sorry confidence is at an all time low this morning, feel worse after reading this thread now

I agree that money can't buy class or taste. I think princess's Eugenie and Beatrice, and some of their awful hat choices/outfits, are a good example of this.