How to appear rich?

[happyasharry]

I know this is crazy and it's a million miles away from how I normally think but I have a reunion coming up soon and I don't want to be the 'poor' one.
We have a 3 bed semi, a 3 year old Volvo and we're really strapped at the moment. I have a college reunion soon and most of my friends have travelled the globe, found rich spouses and live the dream.
Anyway, for one night only I want to appear like them. I love my life and I am proud of what we have achieved as a family but this is playing on my mind. Any idea how I can achieve this and just fit in a bit?

The actual rich people I know you wouldn't know by looking at them

It is the desperate that go down the designer label showing off that need to fake it

The Millionaire Next Door is more about people in blue collar jobs who end up being millionaires as they do not try and keep up with the Jones so the plumber pays his home off by late 30s and then invests his extra money and may end up wealthier than the doctor who may feel the need to live in the bigger home, drive the bigger car that is in line with their middle class status. So some doctors can be worse off than the electrician or contractor especially today when those jobs earn big $$. If you live frugally you can be a millionaire today if you have a property but the very wealthy of course the old money set pride themselves on not being so crass as to show off their wealth but dress for the occasion I would say and new money tend to want people to know you know they have come into money so they will display the markers of wealth and so mark themselves out as that sub group within the wealthy and I see that as being beyond being a millionaire which the average Londoner with a home and a pension is by 40 -50 I would say.

Marc Zuckerberg for example, same outfit most days...he has nothing to prove I suppose as so much of the try hard stuff is about displaying to others your success or how you want to be perceived as successful but surely most agree by middle age, success is being content with your lot, being healthy, happy with your relationship or lack of one. I suppose some people do genuinely envy those with great wealth and that that makes it hard to be content but for sure wealth does not protect you against the kind of things that generally interfere with contentment levels I would say.

I went to a 25 year uni reunion just before Covid. Almost didn’t go. Discovered all these folks with big jobs also felt stuck and unfulfilled. I was one of just two who wouldn’t change my job or house! The grass is not always greener!

Buy an old banger, wear battered but good quality second-hand clothing and don't talk about money.

There was a successful sitcom about someone trying to appear loaded, she was the butt of all the jokes.

Don't be that person.

But why????

@Springtime43 Because it ISN'T important. And because the OP asked.

Also, for a change. To see a different way of living and to challenge any preconceived ideas. Are these people happier? Why? How do they spend their time? How do they make their wealth?

Arrive by helicopter

Not sure what you mean by living the dream but in all likelihood their lives are not as perfect as they seem.

My dear friend and husband are loaded...millions...just sold their million pound house to buy bigger, they invest rather than spend.She shops at aldi and primark and is proud of it.

Doesn’t look like anyone has given the advice OP asked for.

You could hire an outfit. I think an oversized silk blouse or cashmere sweater (slightly oversized is key - rich is all about excess so tightly fitted doesn’t work the same) with sleeves casually rolled up, very simple plain gold dainty jewellery, simple trousers or jeans, and a statement coat (a Max Mara would be perfect).

I’ve not read the comments, just be you, don’t pretend to be something you’re not, cos you will be found out by one, and then you will feel uncomfortable to go to the next one.

Or rent an outfit from The Row if you can!

Go French...classy, casual

Yeah, she’s going to have a blast at her reunion if she’s not only concerned with a haircut and buying expensive shoes, but is now taking acting classes in advance to appear confident, putting in weeks of reading the FT, and conducting a sociological survey on whether the rich are happy on the night…

OP, has it occurred to you simply not to go, if the mere prospect is filling you with such shame about a life you say you’re happy with?

He's made that part of his brand though. It's marketing. It's not got to do with wealth. He's made himself a logo iyswim?

....but........but.......but....... you are ALREADY rich!

You love your life, you're proud of what you have achieved as a family - that's being rich .

Having loads of money and swanky clothes etc etc doesn't make a person. You being you is worth more than any material item.

If you try and fake it, you're going to feel out of your depth anyway. It's best you just being you, truly.

You are content with your life ....leave it there, no need to impress anyone.

Go along to the event, make good memories. DONE .... Move on to the next day.

I've got a 3 bed semi and a car that's nearly 20 years old.

I have a lot of generational wealth, which I'm very lucky to have.

Wealth and outwards displays of it don't necessarily tally OP.

And some successful people don't particularly care about bags and watches 🤷🏻‍♀️

A friend of mine is the boss of his family business, its a big, very big beverage concern and he is worth hundreds of millions, if not over a billion.

He lives in a lovely house, but you wouldn't guess from meeting him and his family in the street, drives an old Land Rover, and none of them wear high fashion clothes - and critically they never mention business / money, they are always interested in how you are.

so that's my experience of the very rich, no side, no flash

or just say you invented Post-Its

@StarlightLime not in my circle though. If they said they dont care about watches or bags but i bet they still have it. My business partner is very rich women who doesn’t into bags so much. But her shoes and watches always on point. I never meet any rich people who dont own good watches.

Well, I think you’re circulating with a particular type of rich person. I can think of several I know whose wealth is marked sartorially mostly by them being able to look unbelievably under-dressed and scruffy 98% of the time, purely because they own chunks of SA. One I’ve known for a quarter of a century and literally the only times I’ve seen him out of anonymous flip flops/trainers, shorts and T-shirts was at the weddings of his children. He never wears a watch. (I don’t think many people wear them any more — unnecessary wrist clutter.)

He’s far from the only one I know who regards extreme wealth as giving him the power not to have to obey grooming norms. I can think of others I’ve seen bribe front of house to get them past restaurant dress codes. More men than women, but I can think of several women who just wear ‘uniforms’, like a black shirt and trousers, all the time.

a 3 yo car and 3 bed house is all good op. Some of them will be looking at you and wishing they had that. Don't fake it just go and have fun x