- Stealth wealth is a fashion term for wearing high-quality designer clothing that’s relatively understated, and which many might not recognize as luxury.
- Stealth wealth shuns logos and obvious branding in favor of luxury materials, sensible and practical silhouettes, and elevated taste.
- Stealth wealth as a trend may be the fashion world’s response to an economic downturn, as a way to restrain audacious displays of wealth.
What is stealth wealth?
Stealth wealth means dressing in understated designer clothing. Also sometimes called “quiet luxury,” stealth wealth is a growing (and recurring) fashion trend where the very wealthy dress in luxury clothing that the average person may not realize is luxury. The trend avoids obvious logos, big-name brands, and style fads that most people are wearing and opts for lowkey displays of wealth. Think “opulent minimalism.” Stealth wealth is often associated with “old money” sensibilities. That is, not self-made millionaires or your uncle with the lucky lotto ticket, but people for whom wealth runs in the family. Lots of wealth. Like, generations of wealth. The term has recently been used to discuss HBO’s Succession, in which very wealthy characters wear subtly extravagant outfits, as well Gwyneth Paltrow’s recent court appearances, where she wore many lowkey and luxurious fits.
Why do people wear stealth wealth?
Stealth wealth is another way to signal your financial class. When you get right down to it, stealth wealth is the same as any other clothing status symbol. Wealthy people wear stealth wealth brands and clothing and carry stealth wealth accessories to signal to others that, yes, they’re rich, and yes, they’re not afraid to spend their money. The key difference with stealth wealth is that only other wealthy people are likely to recognize it, which places the wearer in an even more esteemed position. Crucially, stealth wealth is a way for the ultra-rich to separate themselves from the newly-rich or wannabe-rich, the latter of which are more likely to flaunt expensive name-brands and designers.
Stealth wealth lets you wear designer clothes without the attention. It’s all in the name. The point of stealth wealth is not to draw too much attention, but still impress. The recent surge in the trend is likely due to COVID and economic downtrends. As wealth gaps widen, it becomes bad form to flaunt your riches. So, to avoid being too gauche or attracting too much scrutiny, celebs and other mega-rich folks dress down, but still drop a pretty penny doing so. EXPERT TIP Alena Le Blanc Alena Le Blanc Personal Stylist Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University. Alena Le Blanc Alena Le Blanc Personal Stylist "Quiet Luxury" is a fashion trend that values quality and craftsmanship over flashy designs. The trend emphasizes minimalism and timeless pieces of the highest quality. Examples of quiet luxury include a well-made cashmere sweater, a perfectly tailored blazer, or a simple white cotton shirt.
Stealth wealth is another fad, and people love fads. Fashion is a pendulum that swings back and forth. Sometimes, the way to flaunt what you’ve got is by dressing up as the fashion equivalent of a billboard and turning heads. But then, trends change and react, and suddenly a muted, understated wardrobe is the en vogue way to say, “I’m not like those flashy fashionistas. I’m something else. I’m cool.” Rather than standing out by… standing out, you stand out by blending in.
How did stealth wealth start?
Stealth wealth can be traced back to the French Revolution. If you’re not brushed up on history, the French Revolution in the 18th century was an uprising largely caused by extreme poverty among the masses while the rich lived it up. Afterward, nobility tossed out their powdered wigs and lacy dresses in favor of more austere and restrained looks. After all, their audacious displays of wealth were part of what landed them in hot water, to begin with. Stealth wealth has also been notable throughout American history, thanks to the country’s Protestant roots, which encourage a certain formality and humility, rather than bold aesthetics, even when you’re wealthy.
Stealth wealth has come and gone many times before. From runways to the streets, stealth wealth and quiet luxury are trends like any other—cyclical. The fashion label Prada (among others) kicked off a cycle decades ago by rolling out a more practical line in the 90s, and the trend came back with a vengeance during the 2008 recession. It may also be a natural, generational cycle, as the young mature and start to feel like their dress code ought to mature, as well.
Spotting Stealth Wealth
Look for the logos. It’s a bit counterintuitive to look for what’s not there, but obvious branding rules out the possibility of stealth wealth—flashing a Gucci logo is a dead giveaway that someone isn’t exactly afraid to flaunt what they’ve got. No, stealth wealth is all about going fashionably undercover. You won’t find any evident branding or signature designs or patterns. Give someone a quick once-over, and if their outfit looks nice, but not branded, they may be rolling in it.
Pay attention to clean, simple styles. At its heart, stealth wealth is about taste, not overt glamour. In the absence of logos, look at the person’s overall appearance. Is that blazer tailored just right? Is that cable-knit sweater cashmere instead of cotton? And how about the shoes—are they spotless? (The sign of someone who’s probably not walking to their appointments.) A sleek silhouette and a generally put-together look aren’t a guarantee, but they’re good signs, nonetheless. Stealth wealth also tends to have a consistent vibe, since it borrows its sensibilities from old-money looks. Think boarding school blazers and croquet on the lawn.
Clock the accessories. This is where some of the more obvious signs are. True, accessories still follow the “no logos” rule, but they’re often piled on and striking, even if they’re also timeless or classic. Look for expensive-looking watches, immaculate jewelry, statement glasses frames or sunglasses. When the outfit itself is subdued, the personality (and money) often comes through in the accessories.
Getting the Stealth Wealth Look
Shop the staple stealth wealth brands. Even stealth wealth has its go-to outlets. The classics include Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Max Mara, and even Ralph Lauren. But the new kids on the block that are causing more of a stir are brands like The Row, Gabriela Hearst, and Khaite. The great paradox of stealth wealth is that, even as logos are shunned, the brands still matter. The people who know their brands will know you’re wearing them. If you can’t dish out the cash for those name brands, look for well-made clothing items with lowkey branding.
Fill your closet with sensible, re-wearable foundation items. Here’s your checklist: wide-leg linen pants, fitted slacks, a tailored jacket or blazer, button-down shirts with stiff collars, and crew-neck shirts or turtlenecks. Practicality and reusability are key; this isn’t a one-wear affair, which is good news for those of us burdened by a budget. And remember: minimalism is vital. Solid colors, unobtrusive patterns, and definitely no neons. Faux or vegan leather are less-expensive alternatives for the real thing, for when you want to look rich without being rich. Shopping secondhand is a great way to keep your stealth wealth closet both cheap and sustainable.
Show your personality in your accessories. Again, no logos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself. Your accessories are where you let your particular light shine. Strap on that chunky watch or big belt buckle. Let the bangles dangle and the earrings twirl. Big sunglasses are fab for an fashionable, editorial look. And don’t forget hats. As Succession’s Kendal Roy demonstrates, even a baseball cap can be designer. The ultra-rich might even accessorize with the cars they drive—Audi A3s, Mercedes S 500 LWBs, Jaguar XJ-R Sport, to name a few. For the rest of us, slap a sensible case on your phone or opt for some higher-end headphones.
Act the part and don’t talk about your wardrobe. The whole idea of stealth wealth is avoiding detection, so if you’re going to walk the walk, you ought to (not) talk the talk, too. Keep it lowkey, don’t flaunt that designer handbag, and try not to talk about your finances. If we’re being honest, it’s probably not the greatest idea to build your aesthetic around how much money you do or don’t have to begin with. Instead, focus on building a sustainable wardrobe with practical, long-lasting garments. The glam will come naturally after that.
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