To ask how do you know which things are 'tacky/common'?

[TheHydrangeas]

On here I sometimes see certain items, behaviours, homeware, fashion, makeup, etc classed as "tacky" or "common". Sometimes I can understand it, but other times it is things that seem pretty innocuous. Despite this you see this kind of unanimous belief that those things are "common". However I can't really find an underlying pattern to what is deemed to be tacky/common and what is not. Is there any kind of theme or pattern to this? One example is I remember reading a thread where a pretty popular brand of scented candles were classed as tacky.

I also want to say that I am not trying to portray other users negatively as judgemental or anything, we are all entitled to our opinions. I am just interested from a broader point of view - how do certain things become tacky or common?

Tacky is my christmas tree with gaudy baubles and tinsel.
Chavvy is mirrored furniture, grey interior and exterior anything.
Common is having the sheer snobbishness to name things that are tacky or chavvy.

It's hard to quantify and can change quickly. I remember many years ago, like forty odd my uncle bought my Mum a Burberry umbrella, it was considered a luxury item.
When Daniella Westbrook dressed head to toe in Burberry, I think she had her child in matching Burberry print too and East17 etc would wear the clothes it became tacky in my opinion.
I think Louis Vuitton bags are a similar situation, so many people toting fakes around that the brand is diminished somewhat and looks tacky.
I'm sure there are plenty of brands that wish some people would not wear them so blatantly.
It's also personal taste, I think the whole parents and kids dressing in the same clothes / swimwear etc is slightly tacky but I do love matching Christmas PJ's which many would find tacky...I suppose it is a bit tacky but it's fun for me.

I think the grey decor thing has had its day, not sure of it's tacky but it is common in the sense that EVERYONE seemed to go for it. Now it just looks dated. People who redecorate to keep up with "fashion trends" rather than when it needs doing. Ironic really as if you have enough money to keep up with current trends and redecorate for the heck if it every few years then you're considerably better off than those who will replace a kitchen tile because it's cracked after 15 years. But then money doesn't buy class and what a PP said about your TV screen being bigger than your bookcase really hit the nail on the head.

Ha ha .... I've got my massive telly on my Farrow and Ball walls ... I haven't got a car .. so I walk in my nice Air and Grace trainers ... does that give me enough points to keep my telly ? ( and no one is taking my Ferrero Rocher .. tacky or not !!! )

@BluntAndToThePoint80

Chanel is not tacky... knock-off Chanel is. But generally the difference is obvious.

I think overly branded designer stuff is awful, but in many cases it’s knock off anyway.

I agree with the PP about things becoming popular with the working classes leading to them ending up being considered tacky. Which is a shame really. If you like it, you should like it.

Chanel is tacky, sorry, because it's recognisable and branded. Just and only that. Anything that's nicely designed and functional is possibly better. There are tons of makers out there doing exquisite work without obvious branding. Branded goods is something I don't do.

Mirrored furniture. Hmm. Have one of grannie's wardrobes with inlays and little paintings and a lovely oval mirror in the middle panel. Has a matching headboard with really naff inlaid little miniatures.

XingMinv if you had class it would be branded goods are something I don't do. You really can't buy it.

The first thing that springs to mind is those sparkly Chanel sign ornament. Chanel would never produce something like that. I guess it's people wanting to look 'designer' or 'aspirational'

Ffs, Yankee Candles! Not found in shops in posh areas... 🤣🤣🤣
No genuine person of class would shite on like that, or give a toss what the great unwashed were scenting their homes with.
Piss off, Hyacinth; we've rumbled you 🤦‍♀️

Most people who are/have tacky or common stuff don’t give a shit, I admire them in a way.
Tattoos, loads of Botox, fillers, huge lips and breasts, hair and lash extensions all seen as common but some women find them highly desirable. I would think status symbols in the poorer sections of society. Also giving their children fancy made up names and designer clothes, in their circle of friends they perceive themselves as top dogs.

I posted on a thread about personalised number plates - I have one, and lots of people came on just to say they hate them and think they’re tacky. Just as well I live my life for me and not random strangers then isn’t it?! 🤷‍♀️

My mum told me.

The distinction can be subtle, and not at all obvious to those who are not ‘in the know’. Example : Rolex watches.

Stainless steel Rolex Submariner, GMT Master or Daytona, price new £7-9k. Not tacky.

Yellow gold Rolex Day Date with diamond-encrusted dial, price new £45k. Tacky.

@Owleyes16 sorry but Chanel is rarely seen worn by a “common” person, unless its fake of course. Chanel is more exclusive than other designer brands e.g Burberry, Louis Vuitton etc

@OhTheRoses

Mirrored furniture. Hmm. Have one of grannie's wardrobes with inlays and little paintings and a lovely oval mirror in the middle panel. Has a matching headboard with really naff inlaid little miniatures.

I don’t think that’s the kind of mirrored furniture we mean. It’s more something like this.

www.dunelm.com/product/harriet-mirrored-bedside-table-1000133585?defaultSkuId=30609600&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpZT5BRCdARIsAGEX0zkegcKzx-B3WAypa0CrpBkvsKQ2EzGYPxMKPFx18uh95PvDL6TYaLQaApvUEALw_wcB

I don't think I claimed to have class, or to be a good typist, @Ohtheroses.But I stand by my comment.

Tacky and common is so lower middle class 😂

Yankee candles are horrible, jo malone and diptyque are expensive nonsense. St Eval are awesome and the only ones that actually smell of anything. But then other people will disagree and that's fine.

One of my friends thinks that my house is cluttered and naff because it's a jumble of colours and mess. I think hers is sterile and boring because it's all fucking grey. Who's right?well both of us.

Everyone has different taste and that's fine.

My house may be painted in Farrow and Ball.....but my favourite clutch bag is pink sequins

Ooh my word, that furniture! I don't need to see my feet in my bedside table, ta!!

However, saying that michael Kors handbags are hideous and tacky.

Mine are the classier Modalu (apart from the pink sequinned ome....)

@OhTheRoses

nannewnannew Oh you just made me laugh. DD has outgrown it now but there was a phase when she and her chums all had their arsexcheeks tumbling out of too short shorts. I shan't whisper the school fees. But they did all have long blonde hair or very healthy other coloured hair

You sound like a crashing snob . Nobody cares about your school fees, or your deluded belief that it makes your children superior beings.

@GuyFawkesDay

Ooh my word, that furniture! I don't need to see my feet in my bedside table, ta!!

Imagine the fingermarks. You’d be a slave to it.

The thing is @vinyldetective I thonkntjat beats white mdf.

Yeah, no branding. If you're a toff you'll have a relative of some sort who knows a "little man who makes exquisite ...", often in rural France or Mexico.....

@OhTheRoses

The thing is *@vinyldetective* I thonkntjat beats white mdf.

I’d rather have an orange box than either.

I’ve not heard of a Yankee candle. In the context of this thread I’m not sure what that means but it’s making it hard to follow !