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"Old Money Aesthetic" vs. "Nouveau Riche" Rules on Social Media

  • Thread starter Thread starter Betty Baguette
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Betty Baguette

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I guess I've been living under a rock, but I've just noticed this big trend on social media about trying to look like "old money" instead of "new money."

There's a set of "rules", like not wearing logos (on clothes, handbags), stilettos, really bright clothing, or big flashy jewelry :-o. The list goes on and on. There are even YouTube videos on old money vs. new money cars. They frequently cite the characters on the tv shows "Succession" and "Gossip Girl" as examples of looking like old money (guess I've gotta get an HBO subscription to find out what they're talking about).

Apparently people who are from old money families are taught these "rules" from any early age. There's also the saying, "Money talks (nouveau riche) but wealth whispers (old money):



www.buzzfeed.com

People Are Sharing Examples Of "Money Talks, Wealth Whispers," And Wooooow, This Is Interesting

"When you ask them if they’re wealthy or not, wealthy people will always just say, 'I’m comfortable.'"
www.buzzfeed.com www.buzzfeed.com







Have any thoughts or opinions on this? I'm not in either group (unfortunately :lol:) but think it's an interesting topic (just for fun, not to be taken too seriously!).
 
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I can share my experiences with old money via a Latin American family with strong international corporate and political connections who are affectionately referred to as the royalty of their community, as well as an east coast family with generational real estate wealth. Logos are an absolute never - not just for clothing or handbags; also for jewelry, footwear, sunglasses, luggage. They dress comfortably, especially the women, but their Tshirts, sweaters, and slacks can cost thousands each. The women certainly wear expensive jewelry, but it's never off-the-shelf. Emeralds are a preferred stone. Diamond rings are step cut, not round. Vehicles are expensive, but not rotated frequently; they'll often keep their vehicles for many years with meticulous maintenance.

I have many people in my social circle (I'm an admin in a many thousand member car group) who want to impress upon others that they have money who fall prey to the flashy displays. Some of the hallmarks I see with them are prominently displayed logos (especially logos in photos for social media), flashy cars in loud colors that are rotated frequently (sometimes multiple car swaps in a year), logos on every accessory they wear (shoes, socks, belt, sunglasses, bracelets). The biggest giveaway is they announce everything they do on social media - every purchase, every vacation, every restaurant, every new car, every new watch. My old money connections don't do that - doing that can be a risk to their safety, or to their positions (perception matters).

Alas; I have neither old money nor new money
 
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Not only did I have no clue about this trend I do not give a fiddle dee dee about it :lol:

We should all do what works for us and makes us happy and brings us joy. And not pay attention or give any mental energy to what others think we should do. I never cared for trends anyway. I always march to the beat of my own drummer and too bad for anyone who doesn't like it

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musicloveranthony said:
I can share my experiences with old money via a Latin American family with strong international corporate and political connections who are affectionately referred to as the royalty of their community, as well as an east coast family with generational real estate wealth. Logos are an absolute never - not just for clothing or handbags; also for jewelry, footwear, sunglasses, luggage. They dress comfortably, especially the women, but their Tshirts, sweaters, and slacks can cost thousands each. The women certainly wear expensive jewelry, but it's never off-the-shelf. Emeralds are a preferred stone. Diamond rings are step cut, not round. Vehicles are expensive, but not rotated frequently; they'll often keep their vehicles for many years with meticulous maintenance.

I have many people in my social circle (I'm an admin in a many thousand member car group) who want to impress upon others that they have money who fall prey to the flashy displays. Some of the hallmarks I see with them are prominently displayed logos (especially logos in photos for social media), flashy cars in loud colors that are rotated frequently (sometimes multiple car swaps in a year), logos on every accessory they wear (shoes, socks, belt, sunglasses, bracelets). The biggest giveaway is they announce everything they do on social media - every purchase, every vacation, every restaurant, every new car, every new watch. My old money connections don't do that - doing that can be a risk to their safety, or to their positions (perception matters).

Alas; I have neither old money nor new money
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Emerald stones and step cut instead of round diamonds. Interesting. Who knew? :lol:
 
I get tons of these suggestions on IG and I adore them, always good for a laugh :bigsmile:
 
Who gives a flying F-ing rat's @ss about all that social media airhead drivel? :knockout:

Kill your smartphone.
There's a real life available for you to live.
 
There are unwritten yet all-pervading rules and norms in all strata of society, cliques, groups, families -- yes, old money and new money (aka nouveau riche) classes have existed since the late 1700s/early 1800s if not before -- generally speaking, old money meaning families who inherit their money versus nouveau rich/new money families who make their money by their own efforts in their own generation
 
marymm said:
There are unwritten yet all-pervading rules and norms in all strata of society, cliques, groups, families -- yes, old money and new money (aka nouveau riche) classes have existed since the late 1700s/early 1800s if not before -- generally speaking, old money meaning families who inherit their money versus nouveau rich/new money families who make their money by their own efforts in their own generation
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+1. And it goes back way before the 1700s, to the Romans, if not earlier. Trimalchio's Feast in Petronius' Satyricon is a classic example of sneering at the nouveau riche.

I've sometimes thought that having nouveau riche is a sign of a dynamic society - if everyone is born into their place and knows it, there can't be much progress.
 
kenny said:
Who gives a flying F-ing rat's @ss about all that social media airhead drivel? :knockout:

Kill your smartphone.
There's a real life available for you to live.
Click to expand...

As I said above @kenny, this topic is just for fun, not to be taken too seriously. ;)2
 
I remember my mother being sniffy about the non-family nouveau riche at big family gatherings. My mum was, still is, a bit of a snob to this day!

DK :roll2::lol-2:
 
I'm very very very far from rich but I hate manufacturers logos on clothes, shoes, etc....
I am not paying money to advertise your company on myself.
If you want me to advertise your company on me then you pay me.
 
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Karl_K said:
I'm very very very far from rich but I hate manufacturers logos on clothes, shoes, etc....
I am not paying money to advertise your company on myself.
If you want me to advertise your company on me then you pay me.
Click to expand...

To add to your statement, I always remove the dealership license plate frames from my vehicles! No way am I giving them free advertising every time I’m stopped in traffic or parked someplace!
 
@Betty Baguette I have definitely noticed the trend of content creators talking about old money vs nouveau riche aesthetic. There’s one creator who interviews “random” passers-by in Palm Beach and asks them to say where their outfit, bag, shoes, jewelry are from. It’s kind of uncomfortable to watch. Either the people are very eager to state which designers they’re wearing or they’re vague and say things like “my dress is from a shop in Positano,” or something. I finally blocked the creator because it was creeping me out.

Another creator started listing things that are “old money aesthetic” and I remember one she included was ladies nails. Apparently old money only wears a nude/pale pink polish, nothing at all, or a classic red, and absolutely all were short, no long nails at all.

Yet another trend has been the LL Bean boat and tote, with a twist: this time it’s “ironic” monogramming. For example, one young man is pictured with his boat and tote bag embroidered with “Short King.” A young woman shows hers with “Me Trying” in script.

Then there’s the “quiet luxury” that I blame Mary Kate and Ashley Olson for. Their fashion label is The Row and good grief is it boring. Label-less yet recognizable to someone in the industry. Lots of black, and plain white tees that are prob $100. Again, trying to be old money aesthetic but missing the point entirely that people have old money because they didn’t spend it all on white cotton tees that cost $1 to manufacture.

Finally, Kiel James Patrick is a brand that’s had a fair amount of success after creating an Instagram aesthetic that looks like what one might imagine when they think of Martha’s Vineyard or a Nantucket vibe: cords, tweed, rugby shirts, fair isle sweaters, critter-embroidered chinos, etc. Rowing Blazers has followed suit in a similar manner by using social media to create an image that revolves around prep school attire collaborations with classic characters like Babar, Winnie the Pooh, and partnering with the likes of Arthur Ashe for collections as well as bringing back the iconic Princess Diana sweater (red with all white sheep and one black sheep on the breast).

Sooooo, yeah. It’s become a whole thing. It’s fun, but as you say, not to be taken seriously.

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monarch64 said:
There’s one creator who interviews “random” passers-by in Palm Beach and asks them to say where their outfit, bag, shoes, jewelry are from. It’s kind of uncomfortable to watch. Either the people are very eager to state which designers they’re wearing or they’re vague and say things like “my dress is from a shop in Positano,” or something. I finally blocked the creator because it was creeping me out.
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That came across my feed also!! There's an NYC one, also!! It's sooo so so uncomfortable and awkward. It makes my skin crawl
 
musicloveranthony said:
That came across my feed also!! There's an NYC one, also!! It's sooo so so uncomfortable and awkward. It makes my skin crawl
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It reminds me of red carpet Hollywood appearances—what happens in Hollywood needs to stay in fake Hollywood. And I always wonder if these people are worried about being robbed!
 
The timing of this is weird, apparently it must be a very big trend, because I received my first ever recommended video based on this content a day or two ago while browsing social media. I watched about 30 seconds of the video and then proceeded to scroll on. I just can't fathom being in a social circle that would care about that nonsense. I much prefer just doing whatever makes me happy, as do my friends, and while we have wildly different tastes, we support each other in them.

Old money vs new..... I just care about having enough to do what I want in life, and to do it the way I want to do it.
 
I have a friend that in every picture on FB, she makes sure her jewelry is on full display, mostly her huge ER. Her Rolls is pictured, her trips around the world...
And every word is sugar coated drippy sweet. They have some money, but not what she wants everyone to believe. But hey, whatever floats your boat. I've often wondered if she has ever been targeted because of those displays.
 
I’m older and no longer care about what other people think.
decades ago I knew a guy who was old money, very old money and a lot of it. He drove a Volvo station wagon bought new 20 years earlier and would be driven until it gave up the ghost. A group of us from work went to his apartment as we were traveling with him and he needed something from home. His apartment was the entire floor and penthouse and at Darling Point in Sydney. Today, value in the tens of millions. He had paintings on the wall that I’ve seen photos of in books. Nancy who was somewhat bored while waiting leant on a table, half sitting on the edge. I swooped in and removed her butt from it! You don’t sit on tables, let alone a Chippendale piece.
His family, well his forbearer had a few sheep and was on our Australian $2 note. And he would never have said.
 
Bron357, I love that. One of my ex-aunts (Paul married 6 times) gave Sam Walton his allergy shots. She said, "He's common as an old shoe."
Politics aside, my sartorial hero is King Charles with his decades old overcoats and shoes that have been patched and repaired numerous times. Those photos of his clothing just tickle me. It makes SO much sense.
 
These videos will come in handy when teaching The Great Gatsby! Thanks for the links!
But as for me, I have always found the concept so ridiculous—both extremes. “Good taste” is a social construct and if it interferes with whatever makes one happy, not admirable. Like. God forbid I bling out bc I’m showing off. Pleeezzze. I will wear all my diamonds bc I take pride in my passion.

I do want to add that while I know no one personally who is old money, I know a lot of practical people—who splurge on what they love, here and there.

I think soc media is a different beast. People tend to show off not just possessions or trips, but also experiences that proclaim to the world that they are “in the know” or in loving relationships, etc. The need for validation through soc media is something I will never understand.

I do want to add that the wealthiest people that I know love to obsess over money. Every conversation is about investing in real estate, or other ventures that will amass more net worth. I don’t get that either. Like. Get a hobby that isn’t about amassing more wealth.
 
monarch64 said:
@Betty Baguette I have definitely noticed the trend of content creators talking about old money vs nouveau riche aesthetic. There’s one creator who interviews “random” passers-by in Palm Beach and asks them to say where their outfit, bag, shoes, jewelry are from. It’s kind of uncomfortable to watch. Either the people are very eager to state which designers they’re wearing or they’re vague and say things like “my dress is from a shop in Positano,” or something. I finally blocked the creator because it was creeping me out.

Another creator started listing things that are “old money aesthetic” and I remember one she included was ladies nails. Apparently old money only wears a nude/pale pink polish, nothing at all, or a classic red, and absolutely all were short, no long nails at all.

Yet another trend has been the LL Bean boat and tote, with a twist: this time it’s “ironic” monogramming. For example, one young man is pictured with his boat and tote bag embroidered with “Short King.” A young woman shows hers with “Me Trying” in script.

Then there’s the “quiet luxury” that I blame Mary Kate and Ashley Olson for. Their fashion label is The Row and good grief is it boring. Label-less yet recognizable to someone in the industry. Lots of black, and plain white tees that are prob $100. Again, trying to be old money aesthetic but missing the point entirely that people have old money because they didn’t spend it all on white cotton tees that cost $1 to manufacture.

Finally, Kiel James Patrick is a brand that’s had a fair amount of success after creating an Instagram aesthetic that looks like what one might imagine when they think of Martha’s Vineyard or a Nantucket vibe: cords, tweed, rugby shirts, fair isle sweaters, critter-embroidered chinos, etc. Rowing Blazers has followed suit in a similar manner by using social media to create an image that revolves around prep school attire collaborations with classic characters like Babar, Winnie the Pooh, and partnering with the likes of Arthur Ashe for collections as well as bringing back the iconic Princess Diana sweater (red with all white sheep and one black sheep on the breast).

Sooooo, yeah. It’s become a whole thing. It’s fun, but as you say, not to be taken seriously.

IMG_9912.jpeg
Click to expand...

"Me Trying" boat and tote :lol:
 
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