So, how do very wealthy people dress day by day?

[bellaiceberg]

Very daft thread title i know.
I don't need to know this because I want to emulate it or copy it. I'm not interested in looking rich, I could make the most expensive item in the world look like a bin bag, hehe

But have been in a conversation with my sister who believes rich (or very well off) people don't feel the need to worry about clothes or style so wear very basic, ordinary (even cheap) clothing during the day or school run, etc but get the really expensive stuff out for special occasions and specific pursuits only. So basically you would never guess from the clothing if a person was very well off (generalisation alert!)

My opinion is a bit different in that I would imagine you can enjoy playing with style and might prefer to express your identity with lovely quality pieces, like we all might (depending on our budget). So I mainly presume we are all essentially the same, just having different incomes.
I must admit that having once lived in a wealthy part of the UK a lot of people did tend to just bob about in jeans, tshirt and converse. But that was years ago,

So which is it? P'raps it differs across the UK?

It’s the ironing.

My kids go to a state primary within a very expensive area. Uniform is strictly enforced but you can see the money, and where and when it’s come from.

Kids wearing knackered hand-me-down uniform that barely fits, slightly grubby all the time with hair that badly needs a tidy or looks high-risk for head lice = old money or even upper class. The clothes are always ironed, because the cleaner does it. The school cardigan will barely reach past the elbows but it will have a sharp crease down the sleeves. Mum will send them into school in daps rather than buy new shoes at the end of term, but she’ll have the contents of a florist in her jute shopping bag for life at pick-up.

Kids wearing immaculate school uniform including hemlines and sleeves that never look too long nor too short, plus neat, recently cut hair = first generation upper middle class. They base their children’s appearance on George and Charlotte Cambridge, even if they can’t afford Thomas’s. Everything is “smart”. Their alpha appearance is the result of their alpha executive function, which would be exhausting for the rest of us.

Hand-me-down uniform, not ironed, but clean and well kept hair, face and finger nails = middle class, just about managing. That’s us.

Um...what are daps??

@BobbieT1999

Um...what are daps??

Plimsolls?

"It's the ironing"

I've heard it all now. A novel, if unrealistic, way to define the class system. Nonsense

Just my light hearted observations, @wellmanaged, do set us straight when your wedgie has loosened.

Everybody I know irons or gets it done at the laundry. I know MN hates ironing but it has nothing to do with class.

I have worked with extremely wealthy people and they dress quite normally. One has become a good friend and she wears ordinary clothes but her jewelery and bags for everyday use are top end designer but discreet.

Thanks!

I think it depends why they are wealthy. If born into wealth they are used to quality clothes, so their aspirations will be elsewhere , so clothes will be pretty ordinary but with quality. If you’re self made you will aspire to what you think makes you look rich so designer clothes, newest fashions and top brands will be your choice

—out of fashion— slim jeans (denims or black for a more polished look), cashmere jumpers and plain white stan smith (replaced by dubarry boots when in the country side)

I forgot to add the cashmere jumpers come from good value high street brands

I have some lovely clobber, some very expensive items but I purchased them either second hand or tkmaxx. You may be right as I'm (proud) working class. I do look like a bag of rags most of the time and just to add my fella is working class and is not into football, most of my ex's didnt like football either.

@slipperyeel

When did S&B start morphing into AIBU?

I don't know, but there's so much unpleasant combat and discreet bullying here recently that It's not helpful or fun or informative anymore.

It is peculiar to see posters openly laughing at and calling each other liars in a style forum. Perhaps these threads really do bring out people's insecurities? It certainly looks like it. It's all a bit ugly.

I can definitely tell that the person I know to be rich is rich by her clothes - she has a coat that is this beautiful buttery cashmere, and extremely preppy, ironed, not at all scruffy clothes that look good quality and expensive and she actually wears scarves tied at the throat like people in films. I would need to be earning double what I now earn (above national average) to begin to consider shopping at Hobbs/Toast/Brora and that price bracket as achievable and normal - I can’t thole spending £50 on a t-shirt. I do buy things from that bracket of shop, but only in the sales. But if I earned loads, or won the lottery, I would buy really good cashmere (the kind that starts at £350 for a jumper), not need to buy cheap leggings and then have to worry about them being see-through (they’re only for the gym!), and I’d have a really lovely proper wool coat instead of one that’s a wool blend.

[quote Oneforthemoneytwo]@Gonnagetgoing it’s done quite low key, The engagement ring Is simple but larger, shellac is done on v short nails. Hair casual. We are very urban, I don’t know anyone who lives in the country and it’s def not a showy look it’s just a more polished, still understated just a bit more glossy version of everything else.

But then i don’t know anymore who rides horses, has country piles and I had to look up what Dubarry was.[/quote]
I think the difference here is probably age and areas.

I know a few people (younger, talking mid-late 30s) who do shellac but it depends on how much money they have, what they spend it on.

I know several people who just don't bother with large stones in rings - either because they don't like them or it's just not their style. I do get what you say because you can see a similar look e.g. in Chelsea. But on the whole these types wouldn't touch e.g. Primark, cheaper brands with a bargepole - the cashmere would be Brora if they could afford it, Boden a big favourite or Woolovers (ex-owners of Woolovers are family friends actually!). I get the look you're talking about - more polished - but I do think it depends very much on area. In Essex you'll get classy polished and you'll get cheap polished (even wearing very expensive cashmere or trying to be posh).

I do know a few horsey people (not necessarily millionaires) but on the whole, if the kids have good jobs they spend money on designer (shoes and bags a lot of the time) but they also rock their DM's designer vintage pieces too, as I have done!

The country pile people I know of (very posh, much older) and was a while ago - it was very much the Sloane look - but they weren't really Sloanes - lots of expensive white shirts, Burberry coats, jackets etc - but worn to fit in around London and London jobs. You honestly wouldn't know they were from money though (maybe by looks) but definitely by accent and if they rode horses and had country piles and Dubarrys that was very much saved for weekends/holidays/seeing family.

I've always noticed its the people with less money who try to dress to impress. The latest outfits flashy cars etc.

@Oneforthemoneytwo

The give away is expensive watches, coats, diamond rings and other jewellery.

100% this. I think we would probably come under this as would many of my friends. I would say same as anyone but I would agree it’s mainly in the accessories and coats - simple Rolex every day, diamond earrings as a standard never changed, a larger diamond in my engagement ring, coats from mackage / moose knuckle / woolrich. Trainers such as golden goose, short manicured shellac nails, regular blowdry, expensive handbag but not a statement one.

Rest of the outfit might be primark / m&s / H&M, Zara but it’s the touches which give it away.

We are urban so never come across the whole dirty car and raggedy clothes thing

Interesting, I think there is a lot of variety though in how people with money choose to spend it. Personally I wouldn’t be seen dead in clothing from those places as I prefer quality clothing that lasts me, classic not fashionable/ on trend. I value a capsule wardrobe of clothes I love and will wear for years. I don’t wear diamond earrings and prefer semi precious stones eg ruby, emerald which I swap depending on my outfit. My engagement/ wedding/ eternity rings look pretty standard, not too big a solitaire as it’s not my style. However, they are all Tiffany’s so much more expensive than you might expect. I wouldn’t wear a Rolex (my watch is a Fitbit). I do like fairly expensive jewellery but they will be more unique pieces from a local jeweller. I will also buy some one off pieces from Etsy. I don’t like shellac nails or regular blow dries. I can do my hair nicely myself and can’t be bothered wasting my time going to a salon and shellac isn’t to my taste (think it looks a bit tacky tbh). Bags never expensive but prefer good quality that will last. Most cost less than £100, and I only tend to have 4-5 bags at any one time anyway. I have never heard of any of those coat brands but would usually spend £150-200 on a winter coat. Maybe it is because I wasn’t brought up with wealth. I don’t like typical ‘posh’ brands or ‘fake’/ highly groomed style. I prefer a fairly natural, relaxed but smart look and like good quality items. Also my family would wonder wtf I was thinking if I turned up in a Rolex or with a designer bag. I don’t have rich friends or relatives so just not used to being around these things. I just buy what I love.

I was having a conversation with my friend about this. She said I look like I spend money on myself and what I wear and always look ‘nice’. I was wearing quite a low-key outfit but everything costs more than high-street prices so we worked it out.

Coat: £500
Boots: £200
Jeans: £200
Jumper: £150
Bag: £200
Diamond engagement ring: approx £8k
Watch: £1k

I’d just had my hair cut and coloured: £200

Etc etc. Nothing completely insane and no labels or designer brands. I mean, I was wearing jeans and a jumper to go for a walk but everything is good quality - I’m very fussy too so will only buy stuff that I really like and look after it.

But that’s one look - it’s probably something typical of a city-dweller professional. Well off yes but not filthy rich.

My friend who is genuinely rich - millions of pounds living off a trust fund rich - fits more the ‘old money’ living in holey jumper trope.

I guess everyone is different.

I think people who have to work are probably more used to dressing smartly, hence the stereotype of scruffy old money types. On a side note, I don’t understand why so many people see old money as more tasteful than new money. Yes, the latter is often more showy (e.g. footballers) but I’m not personally impressed by the Paris Hiltons of this world who often haven’t done a day’s hard work in their life and sniff coke like a full time occupation.

"I only tend to have 4-5 bags at any one time anyway.

ONLY? How many handbags does the average person have???

My income has increased about 8 times over the past couple of decades. My style hasn't changed much and I don't spend 8-10 times more on clothes. I tend to buy less because I have everything I need. I also haven't upped my spending on a regular Friday night bottle of wine from £5 to more than £10 :)

I have 3 handbags that I have had for years.

@EightWheelGirl

I think people who have to work are probably more used to dressing smartly, hence the stereotype of scruffy old money types. On a side note, I don’t understand why so many people see old money as more tasteful than new money. Yes, the latter is often more showy (e.g. footballers) but I’m not personally impressed by the Paris Hiltons of this world who often haven’t done a day’s hard work in their life and sniff coke like a full time occupation.

So agree with this @EightWheelGirl - weird snobbery against people who have actually earned their money rather than having it handed to them through an accident of birth.

Currently lounging in my Primark hoodie and jogging pants with Stella McCartney trainers which have a massive hole at the toe. That’s what what I feel like wearing but I have very expensive pieces and accessories when I can be arsed to get dressed. I don’t dress a particular way because I have money.

@LadyWithLapdog

My income has increased about 8 times over the past couple of decades. My style hasn't changed much and I don't spend 8-10 times more on clothes. I tend to buy less because I have everything I need. I also haven't upped my spending on a regular Friday night bottle of wine from £5 to more than £10 :)

Thats sad though- wine is something where paying more usually get you more

Splash out on a great bottle or 2. Even going to £20 will transform your experience.