CherryPavlova
I'm thinking of the middle classes with higher disposable income to spend on those things vs middle classes who may have good salaries but it's tied up in their home/childcare etc.
Aspiring middle classes would be the 'fur coat, no knickers' types as my grandparents would say. (Waits for impending condemnation for daring to suggest anyone likes to present a certain lifestyle).
The class system only exists because people perpetuate it.
The class system exists because there are very real differences in income, opportunity, differences in terms of access to education, health differences, life expectancy, access to secure housing and so on and so forth
The problem when discussing class is that it's easy for some to pretend it's some thing people have just created, but it isn't.
The social differences exist and part of that is that different trends occur within social groups. It's a fact of life.
ethelfleda
I agree with you, but would say that certain trends and features are more/less prominent in different classes.
E.g.. The toilet brush thing I hadn't come across until MN, but there's a difference between people who have the money and inclination to buy Joules, White Stuff, Boden etc vs someone who buys knock off sports gear from the market vs someone who shops mainly at affordable high street such as Primark, new look, h&m.
To pretend as some would that these aren't signs of class is disingenuous. In one area of my area the fake juicy velour tracksuits with lots of bling on the back are the in style for teens, in another it's all Michael kors school bags and ballet flats with the big Vivienne Westwood logo on.