"Today's high-net-worths don't show off their money - but they'll spend a packet on 'experiences'"
"On a 2023 episode of Succession, the drama series that parodied the uber-wealthy in its depiction of four adult children fighting to take over the media empire of patriarch Logan Roy, Tom Wambsgans heaps a savage ridicule on Bridget, cousin Greg's unexpected date to Roy's birthday party, for carrying a Burberry tote bag."
"At the time, the voluminous designer bag - with Burberry's instantly recognisable vintage check print - was selling for around €2,500."
High-net-worth individuals increasingly eschew overt displays of wealth and conspicuous consumption. Preference shifts toward subtle signals, private services, and high-quality experiences rather than prominent designer logos. Cultural portrayals capture this tension by showing peers policing visible brand displays as gauche or notable. Designer goods remain expensive, but visible luxury items can attract ridicule or mark social missteps. Spending patterns prioritize travel, exclusive access, bespoke events, and experiential purchases that convey status without loud branding. The balance between privacy and selective splurging defines modern wealthy consumption habits.
Read at Independent
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