"Looking Expensive" & the class implications of how we dress | Internet Analysis

[@tiffanyferg]

I can't be the only one fascinated and confused by the concept of "looking expensive," right?? hope y'all enjoy this one!!

[@socksnslides7021]

Thank you for providing the best content queen !!

[@cameliabeauregard3516]

I never understood. And I will never.

[@deathuponusalll]

Not at all, I as a man have wondered about this as well, I’m such a. Need for politics and this adds to my curiosity to understand where and how fashion works, also just learned recently that some big name clothing company was originally made by the Nazi state back in the 40’s and I’m sure that had to affect fashion somehow to this day though I’m still learning how

[@Rr0xxii]

Thank you for this video. I also thought about it. I mean the concept of looking rich/enjoying expensive things vs actually being wealthy. Why should I actually spend so much time and money to look rich instead of using this time and energy to actually earn some money/upskill for future promotion etc. Second thing that comes to my mind is a situation that i remembered after watching a reality show from my country similar to love island. This one guy there was given a cup od coffee and was told its The most expensive coffee in the world. This was of course a coffee made of beans that were eaten by some kind of Animal, undigested and collected from its poo. Instead of asking anyting about this expensive coffee, for example why its so expensive, the guy Just bluntly said:”great i love expensive things”. I thought this was interesting to see such attitude u edited.

[@irinapanfilov6286]

Really enjoyed this video! From my history class I learned that prior to the invention of the loom clothes were very scarce- after though, having a lot of clothes with intricate fabrics and patterns became a status/wealth symbol.

[@alyssab90]

I read recently about how in Europe, before the colonial period, spices used to be expensive and hard to find, so spicy food was extremely popular amongst the wealthy. Then when trade routes expanded and spices became cheaper, the wealthy decided spices were for the poors and they became more interested in “high quality” cuts of meat that “didn’t need spices”. They decided that if you used spices, it was a sign that your food was “low quality” and you needed to cover up the “natural” flavor. I think “neutrals look expensive” is probably very much the same sort of idea. Dyes, especially blues and purples, used to be extremely expensive and nobility wore colorful, ornate, bejeweled clothing to signify their status. Once dyes became cheap, and artificial stones became prevalent, it became much less expensive to achieve a similar look. Now the wealthy have decided that an ornate and colorful look is cheap and it’s much more luxurious to wear fabrics that are so expensive they “don’t need” embellishments to look good. And white or cream are more high status and expensive looking as they are more difficult for most people to keep clean. This is such a popular idea amongst “old money” that even modern royals follow a similar aesthetic.

[@alexmcginness8859]

Omg this is such an interesting takeaway! 🤯

[@f.t633]

i remember reading a quote by Goethe saying that neutral and subdued colors were markers of a civilized person/ country and that brighter or more loud colors were associated with primitveness 😐😐 also, we need to make cleaning products and meat cheaper so that rich people dont find anything to wear and eat and go extinct❤

[@jenifermartins2946]

I actually watched a documentary about this (don't remember the name), and that's exactly what they said. Once embellishments became cheap, they became associated with the poor, who went overboard with them.

[@jenifermartins2946]

My mom was very poor as a child (to the point of not having food at home). Now that she can afford whatever she wants, she always goes for the shiniest most exagerated things (jewelry, clothes, furrniture, decorations), because that's what she associated with the rich when she was younger.

[@justletmesleep_]

Lol yes someone on TikTok was making a video on rich kids toys and they were all like shades of white/ beige lol... Sometimes about 'letting the natural material shine' but also to match their minimalist house decor... it's so strange to put those sorts of criteria on toys for CHILDREN lmao.... Colours are for the poors apparently 😂

[@cherrypanda887]

the fact that it’s mostly women who want to “look expensive” points to the idea that women need to use their looks as social currency. so if you look at the phrasing of “looking expensive”, it doesn’t just mean the clothes are expensive. it means YOU are expensive. because you are expensive, you’re highly valued. you have more social currency that “affords” you respect and privilege.

[@ornenow4703]

This! I came to the comments to say that. The woman who runs the "finishing school" had a ton of videos on her channel about how to meet wealthy men (not sure if they are still up, but that's how I found out about her). It's this idea that somehow we can all dress or marry our way into upward mobility without ever discussing how desirability politics and having acesss to the right social circles to begin with play a part.

[@user-tv2ll4mf5q]

@@francheska2113 What about Cinderella?

[@nicolelopez4133]

@@francheska2113 this! Also I haven’t seen any comments here about it but I figured it was worth saying. Her channel is for sugar babies. Of course it isn’t mentioned or said it explicitly for obvious reasons but many have pointed to that channel for tips and tricks. I hope that helps reframe the purpose of her channel because I would totally see how some might see it if they didn’t have that context

[@lizker9887]

@@user-tv2ll4mf5q the prince felt in love because she looked beautiful, her dress was amazing and she looked put together that's no even taking in account how a glass heels probably looked like something only a rich person could afford and even in that case her family (even when they didn't considered her as part of it) was invited there, so it wasn't like she was a girl living in a farm with poor parents barely making a living in the middle of nowhere.

[@nineteenfortyeight]

💯 It's about how high your price is. You look like you cost a lot. Only rich men can buy you. Gross. This 100% is what the School of Affluence woman is about.

[@AliceCappelle]

There must an intersection between the "looking expensive" trend and the law of attraction, namely the belief that looking expensive will bring wealth into your life

[@scarebears3359]

temporarily embarrassed millionaires ah man, i know that point's been made over and over and talked about so much, but i feel like it's so integral to us culture that i never really stop running into it. there are a lot of things about our culture that makes the whole temporarily embarrassed ideas easier to trick yourself into believing. :/

[@NataliaBarkhatova]

There is a pretty good chance that this particular Venn diagram is a full circle

[@chipotleburrito]

At 12:50 keywords ‘yet’ so yes i believe it’s has definitely got to do something with that otherwise what’s the point; if you play the part long enough it’s inevitable which i find quite smart

[@katherinemorelle7115]

In Anna Bey’s case, I think she means literal attraction- as in, look rich and hopefully you’ll land a rich man.

[@random23287]

I was just thinking of your dark academia and cottagecore videos!

[@TheBookLeo]

there has to be an association between the superiority of 'neutral colours' and it being completely devoid of any cultural signifiers. Lots of non-western traditional clothing is colorful, heavily accessorised and "loud", but also seen as less respectable

[@sanaa.2195]

1000%, being form the Indian subcontinent, our clothes are really colorful. Sometime ago Kumail Nanjiani wore a purple embroided attire, based on what grooms wear on weddings or just special occasions. I saw a Pakistani commentary channel saying that many people that leave their home countries often adapt to neutral/black clothes to fit in the corporate word (which make sense if you are not trying to stand out). But once you are at a position of power, you don't need to fit in. And people tend to crave those roots that they lost on the way.

[@Orlagh]

Absolutely!

[@alejandramoreno6625]

Absolutely. I'm Mexican and I live for bright colours. I also have very pale skin and dark hair, so neutrals make me look sickly.

[@Chrisalyde]

While your point is correct, there are a lots of traditionnal european clothes which are colorful ( southern france for instance), in my opinion the superiority of the neutral colours also takes into account the notion of blending in, the suppression of originality

[@sanaa.2195]

@@Chrisalydetotally. Many European countries have their own "typical" folkloric clothes, usually only worn on celebrations (Semana Santa in Spain for example). I think it's really a japanese-northern Europe take on clothes. Where every one wears neutrals, and everything is homogenous. And these countries are seen as "ahead of their time", so maybe there is as inferiority complex that is driving us all to copy them. (The scandi-girl aesthetics and Uniqlo aesthetic are good examples). Also, these countries tend to focus on productivity rather than self expression.

[@friedallie]

I love that the woman called Zara "cheap," because of course it's less than Gucci, but I for sure can't get more than maybe 2 items from Zara without blowing my budget.

[@rosabellavitaalvarez-calde5836]

Just because it costs a lot of money does not mean, unfortunately, that it is not cheap

[@ijwd424]

Maybe she referred to the quality of the products? Zara can be above my budget too but their clothes are so low in quality (both in terms of fabric and sewing) that it's not even worth it to buy them for that price. They're on the same quality level as H&M

[@almamater489]

They meant cheap, as in quality

[@debspringchannel831]

I always loved Zara ....but I have to agree that Zara is cheap in the sense. .that their cutting of clothes and fabric choice is actually pretty terrible compared to the prices they charge! That's definitely cheap. ..you will always find out the true value during sales!😅😅😅😅

[@randomnotimportant9607]

She's from Sweden

[@rilke3266]

As a racial and sexual minority, “looking expensive” can help shield us from the judgement and discrimination that society throws at us. Yes, our outfits should not open or close doors for us, but it does.

[@Debziiie]

I think this is why some ethinic minority women especially black women end up looking super high maintenance because if you're a ethinic minority and you dress more casual there is a high chnace you'll be labelled as ghetto

[@ahviwe]

💯

[@airbatsenoj]

Well said 💯 I’ve always dealt with this problem subconsciously. It’s great to finally put a name or video to it.

[@thegardener3650]

Yes. This is the bottom line.

[@barbarasmith7432]

Chris Rock said that during his time as a Saturday Night Live cast member, he had to wear a suit and tie to get past the guard at the stage door entrance, where the rest of the cast could wear jeans and t-shirts. When he tried that, the security guard stopped him and wouldn't let him in even after he showed his ID. Someone from inside the building had to come and identify him. Chris went back to wearing a suit and tie.

[@ThePragmatist839]

I’m 100% convinced that the obsession with neutral colors, sensitive materials, no wrinkles, and pointy-toed shoes is related to signaling wealth due to not having to do any Labour. If you cook, clean, take care of children or a dog, have duties in life, your clothes will show that you’re working, and you’re working class. More than anything, looking expensive means clothing yourself in things that are sensitive and impractical because only someone with a maid, nanny, and no responsibilities can reasonably wear these things without having them be stained or torn, and can afford the dry-cleaning and tailoring bills that go along with things like these. It’s the ultimate symbol of the leisure class.

[@annaliseaudrey963]

And the biggest irony of course is that the WORKING-class look is associate with laziness 🙄 The systemic is narcissistic. Always projecting.

[@roopsachakraborty149]

Beautiful analysis.

[@JustHarperGray]

Very nice comment!

[@cloudyskies5497]

Agree completely. This perception also comes into play regarding pale skin. If you work outside, you're going to tan and have rough, worn skin. In Korea some young women asked me if I bleach, and could I recommend the brand I use for it. I had to explain my genetic ancestors are super pale, Celtic, Nordic, etc. The downside is I look like a translucent ghost half the time, but it's viewed as a wealth flex. "I don't have to work outside, so I have pearly white skin" and such. When you're this pale though, you can't hide blemishes, and acne destroyed me T_T. Oh well!

[@AskMiko]

Like in the movie, “ Gone With the Wind,” the men would ask women to take off their gloves and show their hands as a way to determine their class and wealth.

[@HeyRowanEllis]

"clean, clear face and makeup" my acne could NEVER

[@Becca_Lynn]

Just bedazzle your acne. Stunning

[@An-kw3ec]

Yes, skin is one those things that people use to evaluate your social status, all the rich people that I know got rid of their skin concerns before everyone else.

[@bayleypair4826]

Same 😅😂

[@karacoconutag]

Lmao for real, I just turned 25 and my hormones still hate me like they did at 16. "jUsT WAsH yOUr FaCe" 🤪

[@grawrisher]

Same, 27 and wondering when the "acne of puberty" goes away

[@Scr3amerrr]

"looking expensive" is just thin, white, attractive people wearing a minimalist style Tons of people wear a minimalist style, but the only one's who ""look expensive"" - according to this niche of content - are the ones who also meet Eurocentric beauty standards

[@currybread5298]

Truth bombs being dropped over here, like is she fashionable or is she just skinny

[@mooble1325]

!!!

[@awsome182]

Hmm many of the expensive looking women here on this video are women of colour though 🤔

[@arushisingh930]

a lot of you parrot this same nonsense everywhere but i see no truth in it

[@viviandluong]

What a small minded way of looking at this. I know tons of classy people who are people of color (and even wearing their cultural pieces). This is giving fake woke

[@vintagejanejane]

As someone who used to work in a clothing store in a fancy ski resort in Austria: you can't fake looking rich. A person can be well dressed and look put together, but a beige coat from Shein will never look like the beige coat from Gucci. When a customer walks into a store, I know right away how much their outfit cost, when they bought it, if it is something new or something from 2 years ago.

[@Likeicare96]

There’s also a very gendered aspect to this. Notice that all of this is targeted at women. And while male fashion spaces do also push well tailored suits, it’s framed more around looking attractive rather looking expensive. Because we also love to share simple sloppy billionaire look… but only on (white &cis but not only) men. I think it’s because looking expensive has the implicit goal of looking competent, and men in those situations don’t have to worry about it because their bodies already are deemed competent

[@elvingearmasterirma7241]

Also notice how a lot of jewellery is considered incompetent or inexpensive, whereas in the past, rich women wore lavish gowns. Lots of jewellery and embellishments. Especially the ruling class women!

[@katymaurer388]

Guys just get some watches and new sneakers and call it a day. They literally don't care about anything else 😂

[@stagnantfox3027]

I dont think men are deemed competent by default. It's just that we women like it or not are more observant of each other and judge each other harshly. While most men literally dont give a fuck and those who do tend to be called out for being shallow by both genders.

[@elvingearmasterirma7241]

@@stagnantfox3027 No they are, its what happens when we live in a patriarchal society. Men can afford to not care because of that, whereas women and afab people, especially poc have to fight tooth and nail to not be brushed off an aside.

[@acestarone]

The males mostly push wearing cologne remaining well groomed and working out They may flex their car or apartment

[@catboyweirdal]

i remember when that picture of two fat people went viral and people said that they looked like they were wearing Walmart, but some people pointed out that it was similar to outfits skinner people were praised for wearing. there's absolutely a weight component to almost all fashion

[@literaIIyshy]

Ah yes. People shared a picture of Kendall Jenner alongside it

[@0neAutumnLeaf]

That incident taught me to always thing “Do I like that outfit because of the outfit, or because it’s on a skinny person?”

[@currybread5298]

Yessss this

[@beld13z16]

I get what you are saying, but I think that we should also take in consideration that some people know what cut/clothes, etc compliments their body shape and constitution and that is what makes their outfit stand up more. At least for me, it's not only 'it looks pretty just because she is skinny' but "she is skinny and she knows how to dress her body". I'm a very skinny girl (because of a medical condition) and trust me, being skinny is not a synonym of looking good in every or any clothes, there are outfits I see in heavier girls and i love them but I know I wouldn't be able to pull it off the same way and that's okey. In the overall is the combination of your body shape, size AND the outfit you choose that is going to compliment what you like the most about yourself and hide what you don't like as much. I'm aware that there are people who would hate your body just because you aren't skinny tho but that is the moron's problem.

[@hannaolssen668]

Everything looks better on a thin person. Fat people usually look vulgar in less clothes

[@andreeamicu792]

I also think that for women looking expensive is often equated with looking normatively pleasing but not overtly sexual. Pretty but not too attractive or too voluptuous, because that would automatically gather too much male attention and therefore make you subject to be labeled as “cheap.” And there are a lot of class, race, and morality connotations to that. Expensive is the Cate Duchess of Cambridge look, conventionally pretty but not at all sexual. It’s why Kendall Jenner in jeans and a t-shirt looks more expensive than Kylie in Gucci.

[@lucheeese]

I think there's also something to having reached a point beyond having to appear super sexy, now you can just carry yourself in more classic neutral wear, you don't have to show off while you can show off

[@casper7319]

This is so true! I'm a size 8, tall, but very big chested and it's crazy how I can be totally covered up (full turtleneck) and look "cheaper" than my small chested friends with shirts cut to their bellybutton, because of how curvy bodies are precieved

[@andreeamicu792]

@@casper7319 same, I’ve always been curvy and I’ve always been very aware of this issue

[@love-dk7ii]

It's not actually true, someone with bigger bust can look expensive , even more expensive and elegant . It's all about balancing your looks and dressing accordingly

[@ChezzaOuttaNowhere]

The whole “actually rich people don’t dress expensive and look casual” thing is such a fallacy. They do dress expensively, they don’t all wear labels, but even their t-shirts cost s pretty penny. And if you live in NY you can tell the difference between ppl who dressed polished and wealthy ppl. This is interesting though because this def seems like “how to look expensive in small towns” because none if this looks expensive in NY, expensive looks expensive here. Anyway, that shouldn’t be the goal, just find your fashion flow. I appreciate your breakdown. You’re dope, im subscribing.

[@aoifeg-s4247]

I agree with this so much. I live in a really posh area of a big city (think NYC or Paris) and it’s so clear who actually has money and who is trying to project the image that they have money. Which is not to hate on people who have less disposable income, but it’s obvious that they’re trying to give an impression which they don’t actually have

[@oh4539]

agree

[@Jeshiae]

Haha, I had this thought. I didn't grow up rich, but I grew up around a lot of actually rich people and people pretending to be rich and... you can tell. Like sure, there are probably rich people that dress mostly in fast/casual fashion, but outside of influencer circles, I'm very skeptical that this is an actual trend.

[@soph3378]

Thank you, I looked through this comment section and laughed. They spent bare money to look that regular, because trust they’re not shopping from the same places normal everyday people shop.

[@lemsip207]

It's only the men who can dress down when they are wealthy and successful. Notice the examples are of Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Never the women who become wealthy and successful at what they do.

[@Jellyfishdumpling]

*Inhales* Neutrals look "expensive" because wearing garments in light colors implies that you are not a laborer who works in a "dirty" environment, because light fabrics would soil too easily. Because, historically, the wealthy have been able to avoid labor, the emphasis on light neutrals and the "clean look", is us (unconsciously) separating ourselves from the portion of the working class associated with hard labor and little wealth. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk

[@thisisme4074]

then why does an all-black look always look so expensive? browns can also look super expensive. i guess black does show a lot, sometimes, but still. it covers up a lot, unless you've got a cat.

[@naida4014]

i think that it's also the minimalism of it all - stereotypically, old money is "minimalist, not show-off, with good garments, well-tailored but still lowkey" and new money is "brash, show-off, flashy" which kind of ties to the hoarder mentality that poor people are supposed to have once they access to money, for me, i love neutrals because they go together, and i'm a pretty lowkey person, and if you look at it fashion-wise, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, i love how cream, brown, navy, grey can make an outfit flow together and make it solid, which is much harder to do with bold colors, and they are my favourite colors in my wardrobe, but what destroys it for me is when an aesthetic is gentrified in order to mix & match different aesthetics (eg : workwear, or african prints, or certain types of sneakers) because you take a thing that is supposed to be cheap and "elevate" it... idk it's bothering me

[@imani0nline]

I always found it interesting that looking expensive is often looking as palatable as possible, colours are kept neutral and anything that has some personality is suppressed or looked down upon

[@squidthing]

The biggest irony is that super duper rich heiress types often dress in avant garde outfits because they can get away with it. Like Daphne Guiness.

[@sams3015]

@@squidthing my grandmother use to say you’re eccentric if you’re rich and a weirdo if you’re poor. It’s same with style

[@juliasm3443]

True! Looks like it all comes down to just blending into the crowd of similar people, not standing out too much, not "offending the senses" of the good old patriarchal look with wrinkly shirt or "not flattering" silhouette. And I feel that as we exercise these judgements on ourselves we internalise them and start judging others quite a bit more with the same standards.

[@aliceche714]

Yes! Basically, trend on "clean" clothes and other items was popularised by f*n naz!s. They tried to create "white" europe and destroy folk culture which is always very colorful and over the top. they destroyed even german folk costumes: simplified tracht, the trad dress. It all goes not only to clothes but also to interior design, remember this ideal minimalist white+concrete empty room. It basicly makes everyone the same and erases cultures and differences. If u are white-looking, of course. But now it is spreading on everybody.

[@algo98algo]

@@aliceche714 this a million times.

[@sarah8028]

Honestly I can really relate to the desire to "look expensive". I grew up poor and I remember getting turned down at job interviews because I would show up in a cheap H&M cardigan and slacks (my nicest "business wear"), having to hold my limbs in a particular way to cover up holes and tatters, while other people showed up in sharp blazers and blouses. Ever since I've been able to earn my own money and buy my own clothes and cosmetics, "looking professional"/"looking put together" has kind of been a neuroses for me. As an adult I've always worked in fields dominated by generationally wealthy people - journalism, finance, public policy, etc. - and I try really hard to "look expensive" and "classy". It makes me feel kind of guilty, but it also makes me feel way less imposter syndrome, feel more respected at work, feel like I'm not getting passed over for opportunities because of "bad culture fit", etc. Even though obviously there is no shame in being poor, sometimes wealthy colleagues (even well-meaning ones) can sure make you feel like it.

[@ParanoidOwlet]

I felt that!! I’m in a similar position but firmly believe we should not be ashamed of wanting to look according to our environment. Especially not when you grew up poor and now a corporate worker. I know that perhaps the psychologically right thing to say would be “girl you look fine, stop worrying about looks so much, it’s your skills that matter”, but no, I’m afraid it doesn’t cut it for us.

[@lainiwakura1776]

That's not their fault you didn't learn how to sew and preferred shopping at H&M than the thrift shop.

[@lsmmoore1]

@@lainiwakura1776 Depends on what would have been available at the nearest thrift shop, and whether that was affordable. And as for learning how to sew - a lot of clothes really ARE made with a worse quality than they used to have, so sewing would likely only go so far. And patches, the most reliable way to mend rips and tatters via sewing - if she got turned down for wearing an H&M cardigan and slacks, patches on her clothes would have been seen as an instant "nope" from those companies, because if a cheap cardigan looks "cheap" to these interviewers, patches (esp. if in contrasting colors because you have to use whatever fabric is available, or with faded homegrown dye jobs) look even MORE "cheap" and generally unprofessional in the eyes of the folks setting those standards. So no, sewing would not fix those problems.

[@monkeymoonky7900]

Relatable. I grew up poor in a wealthy neighborhood so I always felt insecure both internally and externally. Now that I can afford things somewhat I try hard to be presentable bc of my own insecurities. Sucks but it does make me feel more confident so do what you gotta do you know?

[@cantsay2205]

You shouldn't feel guilty for looking nice.

[@janinethehuman]

The colour topic made me think of something else I just recently learned: There is much research in archeology that found out ancient Greek sculptures weren't actually as white and monochrome as we know them, but rather colourful and painted. There was an exhibition in my town where they recreated the presumably original colours from traces they found on the figures and it looked so unfamiliar - and somehow, I have to admit, less expensive or "traditionally aesthetic". There is actually fascinating research on why we historically associate the white and beige colour scheme with wealth, and the more colourful things with being "wild" or undisciplined, which is not rarely connected to deep running anti-romany sentiment. Such an important topic to discuss, thanks for the great video!

[@khushichadha512]

This was such a interesting comment

[@a.m.7286]

Super interesting, thanks for sharing! Did what you read specify if it’s because neutral tones are perceived to reflect Greco-Roman antiquity? And that’s why ppl think it’s “expensive?” Or is there some other reason why neutral tones overall are considered “expensive?”

[@aliceche714]

Yes! Basicly, trend on "clean" clothes and other items was popularised by f*n naz!s. They tried to create "white" europe and destroy folk culture which is always very colorful and over the top. they destroyed even german folk costumes: simplified tracht, the trad dress. It all goes not only to clothes but also to interior design, remember this ideal minimalist white+concrete empty room.

[@alejandramoreno6625]

But until the mid XIX century, when dyes were expensive, colours were a sign of wealth.

[@janinethehuman]

@@alejandramoreno6625 exactly! This is also why the sculptures were painted, presumably. Because it gave them even more special features and exhibited wealth of the artist or their funders. The white/monochrome = expensive ideal seems to be a much more recent ideal

[@Lanimarie93]

As a black woman I find my “casual” still involves makeup that isn’t really “natural” and I feel like I have to realllly try hard to “look expensive”. Too little and people see me as unkept and too much, people see as ghetto.

[@currybread5298]

Like yeah, you can never win

[@naeb9486]

Agreed as another woman of color. Especially with keeping our hair a certain way.

[@barose1]

100%. As a black woman in my early 40s I can’t afford to even go to my mailbox unkempt, let alone go out until the world au naturale. I have to dress well, keep my weight down, hair groomed, and wear makeup as to not me misunderstood by the world around me.

[@Lanimarie93]

@@barose1 The struggle to look "presentable" to society while going to the mailbox, corner store...places which should just be a quick run SUCKS.

[@abcdeisthekeygaming277]

You will realize that a lot of these insecurities are from yourself and the world isn't looking at you that way. When I stopped shaving my body hair and face. And stopped wearing makeup and "cute clothes" and dying my hair unnatural colors. I thought the world would laugh at me. But they don't. Because societies standards are in our own heads. Not other people's. But since I started living life how I want. Not according to what I thought others wanted out of me. I became happier and more accepting to myself and others. Just live your life.

[@valentinamaciel39]

clear skin is 100000% a sign of wealth. When my acne was really bad not matter how put together I dressed myself I always felt “cheap” because of the condition of my skin. It’s sad but true

[@aricarly]

And even if you have all the money for treatments, there are some skin conditions that have no 100% cure (like my eczema).

[@JRey28]

The classism of clothing and appearance reminded me of the iconic quote from Dolly Parton who subverted it all with, “it costs a lot to look this cheap.”

[@killitwithfire5377]

I think this all the time with alt looks that originate from poor communities. Like maintaining punk hair must be so fucking expensive. Or acquiring enough jewelry to have that maximalist hippie look.

[@oggyboggy8692]

It definitely doesn't have to when it comes to mainstream alt looks. A lot of punk fashion comes specifically from DIYing, buying secondhand, using chains and safety needles that aren't actually jewelry (but are cheap) as jewelry.

[@JF-gy7tt]

🙌

[@catladylifts6931]

@@killitwithfire5377 yup and tattooooooos!!! now i know that if you have tattoos it means one of two things: a) you are super rich or b) you probably suck at managing money. i live in the u.s. and a small-medium size tattoo can cost anywhere from at least half, to a full month's rent. i wanted to get a tattoo back in October and had to cancel the appointment when i found out it was going to cost at least $350. it was going to be a name. that was it. like sis i have medication and bills to pay..... and ironically, tattoos, for the longest time, were associated with poverty, drugs, prison life etc.

[@ahlishaholloway233]

I am a black man, and have adored the vintage/old money/ dark academia look for a long time, and have made it apart of my personal style. Not to the extent that it determines how I live, but just enough to say I have an appreciation. As a result of this style choice I've continuously been made to feel ostracized by my peers, often with the implication that I had a superiority complex, or was a self loathing black person. Needless to say, neither is true. Now, with the large amount of essays and videos critiquing this style, I can't help but feel as though I am somehow "in the wrong" for enjoying these things. Is it shallow or narcissistic of me to embrace this style, despite the obvious cultural and historical implications?

[@lc-do5eo]

You are fine. It's really just a style. When us black people don't fit our stereotypes, we will have a lot of people bash us. Ignore them.

[@everythingexploration707]

Not at all! You can romanticize the style without romanticizing the old values that used to come with it. I've seen video essays critiquing the 'aesthetic' of old academia in regards to eliticism, romanticizing depression and white-washing, but that doesn't means these values are reflective of YOUR values/beliefs. Dressing in vintage/academia styles doesn't negate your 'blackness' or means your stuck-up, and anyone who says otherwise obviously doesn't know you and haven't taken the time to know you. Unless you've used your sense of style to put down other people then I don't see how you are being shallow or narcissistic. As long as you are happy and confident in what you wear and how you present yourself then that's all that matter.

[@fibromiteready2fight809]

I think that it’s not an automatic indicator of your “Blackness” or lack thereof .I am a Black person that personally enjoy dark academia, equestrian, English boarding school, and vintage styles and aesthetics, and I’m a constant advocate for racial, class, and environmental justice. In the vintage loving community, there’s a saying “ vintage style, not vintage values”. I think this of all my aesthetic interests. I also like to research each aesthetic (I’m very interested in fashion) so I technically believe in understanding the history of the items I wear before wearing them (knowing about the old money connotations, and avoid cultural appropriation), but at the end of the day, it’s clothes. The clothes themselves don’t showcase your political stance. Also, some Black people just wanna hold on to stereotypes of what a Black person “should” or “shouldn’t say or do(mocking others for liking pop music, not using exclusively AAVE in conversation, etc) and don’t grasp that we are an diverse group of people that can have different and multiple interests. Dress how you want.

[@feistychickpea3494]

@@lc-do5eo ❤

[@MsAngrybutterfly]

I certainly don't think so, I grew up near Detroit and a specific black male friend who embraced this style, as well, and many older black men encouraged it. It's kind of the Detroit Athletic Club look.

[@Belle-zq3xc]

As a Russian i find it interesting that so much of that "how to look expensive/rich" aesthetic overlaps with the Russian sugar baby look

[@j.j.3759]

I was going to say...a lot of these looks just say, "high paid escort" to me.

[@Belle-zq3xc]

@@j.j.3759 yeah a lot of them would look dated in Russia because of that escort stereotype lol especially if you add fur into the equation. Here young rich/"expensive" (or aspiring to be rich) women dress in more of an elegant French style or Scandinavian&Korean inspired street style with oversized silhouettes or preppy or some dark academia & cottagecore vibes. Definitely lots of beige and other neutrals tho

[@jaydent8657]

Anfisa from 90day

[@nineteenfortyeight]

The woman from School of Affluence tells everyone she's swedish, but in fact she is Russian.

[@catd8929]

@@Belle-zq3xc do you know any KZbinrs that give tips on dressing in the style you mentioned?

[@victoriagouveia8465]

"some simple Zara clothes" Here in Brazil, Zara is one of the most notorious brands for its high price, modern expensive-looking clothes bought by our national celebrities. This brand is so expensive here, it only has 5 stores in the financial capital of the country (Sao Paulo, where I live), all in the central areas, on shopping centers and streets considered to be the beverly hills and wall street of Brazil. This brand is so expensive they have a internal politics of making their employees follow black folks while their shopping just because they're black and therefore more likely to shoplift. That's how simple Zara is to me.

[@zhisu2665]

even here in Australia Zara is considered expensive :(

[@Franciellestephanie]

No it's not. Where in São Paulo do you live? It's expensive compared to other fast fashion stores.

[@user-zw8uc4rm1m]

@@zhisu2665 no it's not lol

[@Viviana-pe5sh]

In Mexico it's also considered expensive, not designer-expensive, but still pretty expensive and their prices have been rising up recently

[@user-ov9vr1wc2j]

Is no one going to say anything about “just because they’re black and therefore more likely to shoplift”? Or…?

[@JennRighter]

The shape of the body is an aspect of what is considered professional for ALL women. I have large hips relative to my waist and I wear a 36DDD (36F) bra. In or outside of work, just normal clothing I wear has always been viewed as selacious. Even if it's just a fitted t shirt or even a turtle neck with slacks. But if I wear a baggy t shirt or clothing that's too loose, it's considered frumpy and unprofessional. There is no winning there.

[@kr3642]

Same. 😳

[@tyannaalexander]

Yes! I have never related to a KZbin comment in my entire life! Growing up, I would feel uncomfortable wearing anything form-fitting because of all the unwanted attention I would attract. A manager told me I was “ distracting,” but the irony was I was minding my business and doing my job. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@tiamarie1226]

I agree ...same bra size....and when I wear a dress it naturally hugs curves and some might think I'm too sexy for work

[@khazermashkes2316]

As a visibly disabled person I put a lot of effort into dressing in a “respectable” way because people already tend to treat me worse due to ableism. This is especially true for things like doctor’s appointments where whether or not I am taken seriously can have major impacts on my health.

[@lucheeese]

At the same time if you look too put together with invisible disability, there's no way you can 'look' disabled to many people including doctors. Ableism is a real shitter

[@Laurasaurus5]

This is so true and so sad. I see all these memes and posts now about working from home in pajamas and it strikes me as such a privilege-laden thing because if I had ever even joked about doing that as a disabled person pre-pandemic I would have been judged as lazy and bad at my job.

[@catchinghorses]

This so much!

[@marylhere]

The fear of landing in the emergency room in mismatched pajamas at 3:00 a.m. Doctors will truly look down their nose at those who look disheveled even when bleeding. Been there.

[@kzvegansuperstar]

This this this

[@asapkaila]

As someone who is black and grew up lower/working class, it was deeply ingrained in me that just because you have low funds doesn’t mean that you have to look like it. Which says a lot about how we as a society hold such a high value to material items. Within black culture appearance is basically everything from how you wear your hair, to if you have clear skin down to how clean your white sneakers are. I still find myself, a 25-year-old who now lives very comfortably holding myself to these respectability politics. Like who cares if I am running out to go get breakfast at 8o’clock in the morning in sweatpants and an oversize hoodie? Yet somehow I find myself having to put on an entire outfit just to go grocery shopping.

[@indiefairy09]

YES! I've worked really hard to not care when I am running errands. Or I have a few comfortable dresses that I throw on that make me look "put together" but I am not overthinking it. But I've gotten more comfortable wearing sweats or workout shorts and slides if I need to go buy toilet paper. It's freeing. And you realize everyone else is basically wearing the same thing unless they're coming from work or something. It also makes errands less daunting bc I can just get out the door.

[@katherinemorelle7115]

There’s definitely a cost as a minority, to not presenting oneself as at least middle class. It’s likely why my mother pushed etiquette on me as a child, so that I wouldn’t look or “act” poor. It’s definitely helped convey some privilege on me though, as much as I feel uncomfortable with using it. Because it is respectability politics, and it does play into classism. But, I’m already poor, disabled and gay, so if there’s a way to gain some privilege, then I do. I can’t speak to what my friends and family go through as racial minorities, but I know the difference is how I’m treated when I “class up”, and I’m sure there’s even more of a difference for them. It does make me realise just how massive class is, as an axis of oppression. And makes me even more frustrated at certain liberal types, who refuse to recognise just how important it is.

[@MsBloo]

@@indiefairy09 @Katherine Morelle @audenmarierose wow everything you all said I empathize with completely due to first and second hand experience. I just want to piggyback and add how I still play into respectability politics presentation portion for survival and to get an edge where possible due to it being how our societies perception still being based off of this unfortunately. For example, when it comes to looking for apartments. I will dress up as if I am going to a job interview due to it being ingrained into me from when I was young ( grew up in a west indies culture ya'll so you already know! 👏🏾) People will judge you based on how you present yourself physically. And in the realm of apartment hunting it has rung true! I didn't have the best credit but good rental history and that coupled with how I presented myself physically and self advocacy helped me get my rentals with no need of a cosign. It's wild. I had a black male friend who was looking for an apartment and although he brought in 60k at the time due to him going to the apartment viewing in sweats....which I urged him not to do but he waved it off saying, "it shouldn't matter. They won't be that petty. I'll just show them my stubs and we call it a day." Mind you the landlord he was going to see was an old traditional Italian and need I say more with that? Well, you can guess that he did NOT get the apartment which he was drooling over for so long. He opted for a basement level apartment. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@lainiwakura1776]

I think it's a way of saying just because you're poor doesn't mean you have to dress like a slob.

[@linzeeb4]

Yeah. Respectability politics have a chokehold on so many of us in the Black community because it's trying to mitigate the inevitable mistreatment we experience because of racism.

[@craftandmakeup]

Hi, I binged watch all of the "LOOKING EXPENSIVE" videos, and this is from someone who's very shabby looking, never know how to match clothing articles, those videos have been extremely helpful. They help me shopping mindfully, picking only items that I will use in the long run (instead cheap trendy items). For me it's about looking presentable and not frumpy.

[@feistychickpea3494]

I had a similar experience. When I entered the professional world after college, I realized that I had absolutely no clue how to dress. I looked for videos on how to dress, and inevitably came across the "how to look expensive " videos. For me being a woman of color it became vital for me to dress in certain ways. The pressure to look a certain way in order to advance in your career is real. I took these types of videos with a grain of salt. I think the videos on how to pick quality clothing so that you can shop less and shop more intentionally are what I eventually got to, in a round about way, thanks to the other videos.

[@starbean9]

Yes, I think some people are just looking to break out of the trend cycle bubble and learn more about timeless fashion so that they can feel good and presentable without having to chase trends. Also from my experience, it can feel really embarrassing and vulnerable to show up to a classy event or be around people who have more wealth than you and your the only person wearing "cheap" clothing/style. So it's nice to know the basic dos and don't of how to blend in when you need to.

[@villainoir]

I think instead of "looking expensive" it's better termed as "looking classy/elegant"

[@nompumelolo]

SAME

[@mmmk5385]

Same, they taught me to how look for second hand high quality pieces that I would wear for years as well.

[@TaraMooknee]

"animals prints look cheap" then call me Mrs. Dollar Store edit: AH THANKS FOR THE SHOUTOUT ANGEL

[@tiffanyferg]

Right! I never really wore animal prints until the last few years and I am having my RENAISSANCE! and of course, I loved your vid :)

[@bohunkjunk2514]

Except when used as an accent for shoes and purses and paired with solid neutrals or a pop of color...

[@davmpls]

How do you do, fellow Mrs. Dollar Store?!

[@realSimoneCherie]

I always thought this but I’m actively reconditioning thanks to videos like this.

[@gatetohell9260]

It’s Tara!!! I love your channel and of course, the cow :). Your subscription pet shoutout always makes my day better

[@sarahwenger1284]

"We are constantly judging poor people for the physical manifestations of the poverty that they live in" Is so true and you're absolutely right

[@babelfish567]

I wonder if the obsession with light colors/neutrals is a flex that you don't have to care about your clothes getting dirty throughout your day because you're in some kind of (literally) white collar job, or don't have to work at all. Also may be an indirect flex that you have the time and/or money to maintain the pristineness of light colored clothes (ex. you can get these materials cleaned regularly, maybe even professionally or by a maid).

[@juliasm3443]

Yes, caring for light-coloured and pitch black clothes is a trouble for people with less than Pinterest living conditions. Animal fur, improper cleaning, even walking vs driving a car can make even the best clothes look messy in no time. Then you constantly need new ones to keep up with the aesthetics.

[@Jennevere11]

Historically speaking, this is right on the money. Before modern laundry machines, the only people who could afford white and light colored clothing were the very wealthy. That's where the terms white color/blue collar come from too

[@a.m.7286]

@jennevere: I think maybe in the Western society, but in my culture colors were only allowed if you were royalty or the wealthy. Neutrals were for the working class lol

[@missmatti]

There is definitely an aspect to this in particular when you wear white. I also find some of these neutral colors in particularly beige can easily look cheap compare to other colors in the same fabric. I often thought that beige looks best as knitted wool, cashmere, silk, high quality linen or cotton and as a camel coat. All materials that are associated with “looking expensive”.

[@deathbatgirlxxx]

That, plus natural colors in cashmere and other deluxe textiles contrast sharply with cheap synthetic dyes. Ever since dye became inexpensive in the late 19th century, natural colors have become perceived as more sophisticated and desirable.

[@nuggetpai]

"Wear an all black outfit" goths over here looking the most expensive of us all

[@annhans3535]

That's me and I am not even goth. I have shades of black, blues, greys and whites. My daughter says I have work and funeral clothes only.

[@SunshineJoleen]

Looking 'classy' can be the difference between getting good service at the restaurant or being virtually ignored. It can mean getting that job, or people in the meeting listening when you speak. It can mean the difference between someone helping you lift your heavy suitcase up the metro stairs, or people pushing and shoving you out of their way as they hurry past. Looking 'expensive' can mean the store security doesn't monitor your every move, or mistake you for a shoplifter when you go to return something you purchased with your hard-earned money. This is all especially true for persons of colour. I'm amazed that it's a novel concept for some. How fortunate one must be to have grown to adulthood without ever feeling the need to use clothing as a tool for professional advancement, social acceptance, or just plain safety.

[@ccc4102]

Unfortunately this is very true.

[@naya4607]

this is true. But this also needs to change. Instead of conforming, challenge it. Conforming just makes you a part of the problem because ultimately, you'll adhere and uphold these notions.

[@johannahayhtio8608]

This is sadly so true.

[@AbigailThinks]

@@naya4607 I agree, I totally understand what the initial commenter means, but by passively playing into respectability politics we are actively perpetuating them. All that to say that yes, we should use them to our advantages to an extent, but not without challenging them once we are in certain spaces.

[@naya4607]

@@AbigailThinks no. That's ingenious. We should strive at all levels to work against respectability politics.

[@frumtheground]

Something I feel like gets overlooked a lot is "dressing up" for the doctor. I have an autoimmune disorder and while I was pursuing a diagnosis I definitely noticed how differently I was treated depending on how I was dressed. I was in my early college years and because I was always in a lot of pain and my symptoms were very "vague" wearing sweat pants and an unwashed messy bun usually didn't get me anywhere but being told I was just anxious or worse- seeking drugs. If I had the energy and felt good enough (which was almost never) and I put on jeans or a cardigan my doctor at least pretended to listen and would run a few tests or make a referral. It's also important to be as calm as possible when talking to a doctor. Whenever I went in emotional because I was in pain and was never getting answers the less I was heard and treated like a hysterical woman.

[@monkiram]

As a doctor, I'm so sorry that you experienced that. Doctors are just human beings, some of them are awful people, some of them are great people, all of them will have personal biases and be judgemental like the majority of human beings. I suspect it's different for older doctors, but as somebody who graduated a few years ago, there's a lot of emphasis placed in medical school on being aware of our biases and not treating patients based on prejudices. That said, that is hard to do even for the most well-meaning people and there are definitely lots of doctors who couldn't care less about challenging their biases or prejudices. I believe that younger generations of doctors are doing a relatively better job with this than older ones though, and I hope this continues to improve.

[@frumtheground]

@@monkiram Thank you so much for your reply. It's easy to forget there's just a normal person in the scrubs sometimes because as a patient you trust they know what's best. I definitely agree. I think the medical field has come a long way in more than just bedside manner. Everyone has biases and prejudices and all we can really do is try to recognize them and minimize them. I've definitely had terrible doctors. I almost gave up on seeking a diagnosis altogether because advocating for yourself by yourself is hard to do. I have a great rheumatologist who listens now tho.

[@monkiram]

@@frumtheground I'm so happy you found a good doctor! And you *should* be able to trust your doctor's opinions, it's our fault, not yours, when you can't. We all really need to do a better job when it comes to listening to patients. Autoimmune diseases tend to be so difficult to diagnose and it sucks that so many patients needlessly suffer for a long time before they find a doctor who can figure out what's wrong. Research shows that patients who advocate for themselves have better outcomes than patients who don't, though, so keep doing what you're doing! And good luck :)

[@gaelle4328]

@@monkiram Honestly it’s on a doctor by doctor basis . I never go to the doctor unless I’m medicated over the gills and ready to give a performance and armed with lists with what to say exactly especially since I have asd so don’t react like I’m supposed to and have a hard time formulating myself on a bad day. I cannot afford to not get treated because I screamed or tried to get away when some doctor hurts me which is every time ( Multiple painful conditions) or not react adequatly because I’m trying not to hit anybody or start crying. Remembered the time when I lost control when I was at the doctor. Had a double sided renal infection and it hurt like Hell so tried to shut off so the doctor could touch me but told him that it hurt like hell, he went out to take a phonecall came back and I was crying and he asked is has anything happened totally oblivious and I said I told You it hurt like Hell in the examination . He hurt me so bad. Took three weeks before my kidneys stopped being extra sore from the examination. Also after that som learnt to always if I can bring a man because if he says I’m in pain then it’s believable and before You ask no doesn’t work with another woman. And yes just read your comment above have autoimmune together with reumatological and a nerve trapped in my back so spot on. Thank You!

[@Ruby-xk8kn]

If I go in for help with mental health I don't wear makeup, because if I do they don't take it seriously, but if I go to the doctor for something physically wrong i dress up fancy and put makeup on or else they will think I'm just mentally ill and imagining things. Seriously I was told a huge lump on my neck was all in my head so I went to another doctor and dressed up nice and what do you know it's a tumor and autoimmune disorder!

[@helenlittle7761]

I work as an engineer in a manufacturing facility, and there are a lot of implications about working in that environment that make it difficult to dress “expensive”: no open toed or uncomfortable shoes in case a tool drops on them, no ruffles or dangly jewelry that can get caught in machines, no constricting bottoms or skirts because I often have to crouch or even lie on the floor to work, no delicate fabrics that can easily tear, and no clothes that can’t get grease on them. It seems like a desk job with zero manual labor is a requirement to dress “expensive”.

[@jeanmariegonzalez7254]

Agreed! I have a lot of the same clothes rules as a scientist

[@aalmondmilk]

i’m kind of glad i have a labor job and don’t have to worry about looking professional like people in an office do. I don’t even have to buy clothes for work other than my uniform which is great and takes off pressure to dress nicely like everyone else. It probably helps creates a good work environment as well.

[@catladylifts6931]

@@aalmondmilk i really dont want to work in a setting that will require me to dress this way (expensive) because it seems like such a waste of time, money, and natural resources just so i can get *marginally better pay. i cant physically do a job requiring physical labor atm so i'll probably end up in an office but i'm dreading this part. i've been in the service industry since i've graduated college and it's been hard to leave it, and it's tiring work, but one of the perks is getting away with dressing comfortably and throwing everything in the wash on the hottest setting at the end of the week. it's so freeing. edit*

[@darc1290]

It’s really ironic that wrinkled clothes come across as lazy when we all know the rich aren’t ironing their own clothes 🙄

[@thisisme4074]

but theyre clothes are still being ironed? whether or not theyre doing it. i dont see the irony.

[@treslechestogo]

TRUE

[@HB-fc2mp]

Based on my observation “looking expensive “ in fact gets you a lot of privileges. A friend of my mine just got a really good business deal just because he was wearing a luxurious watch (: “looking expensive “ basically attracts people who want to benefit from you, because they assume that you are wealthy. On the other hand , “looking cheap” makes you less approachable in your social life. It really is a sad how we live in a judgements society ):

[@HB-fc2mp]

@@silversilver0 100% agreed, the fact that people are trying to fit in a class they are not apart of , is a reflection of how shallow society is . Additionally, the fact that some people could create the fake “expensive” look is within itself a privilege, considering the reality that the lower class can’t even afford to fake “looking expensive “. It’s really sad how there is so much pressure on the economically disadvantaged people on their appearance, which affects their opportunities of improving their standard of living. It’s really disappointing how such a ridiculous thing , such as “looking expensive “ could really make you less approachable in your social life.

[@snuzzbobble]

Justine Leconte does so many videos about how to assess the quality of a garment, the benefits of certain materials, and above all how to care for your clothes and shoes! She has quite an understated style but my perception is that she doesn't try to make you adhere to a specific aesthetic - she's just there to educate.

[@tiffanyferg]

Yes I appreciate those videos so much!

[@cass4701]

Exactly! The cracks start to show in the "how to look expensive" types after you find creators who genuinely care about clothing on its own merits, not just social capital. Love Justine's videos, they're super practical!

[@awsome182]

I can also recommend Audrey Coyne.

[@popovka]

@@awsome182 and Alyssa Beltempo, also very on the "sustainable fashion" side

[@bascoaful]

I love her 🤭

[@bananawitchcraft]

Reminds me of the saying "Appear weak when you are strong and strong when you are weak" ... It is more advantageous for wealthy people not to show off their wealth, whereas poor people may benefit from appearing wealthier than they are.

[@RT-dk7yv]

I remember reading vogue in the 00s-10s and it was all about the “high-low mix” aka how to trick people into thinking you’re wearing all designer by pairing one or two designer pieces with Zara basics.

[@manicpepsicola3431]

Damn that's literally ingrained into my psyche unintentionally everything I wear is usually some expensive items with mostly cheap items

[@ElibelDublin]

Me too!!!

[@ElibelDublin]

@theresia2012 You can do the same just as well with Primark. In fact, i’m a firm believer that it’s not how much you spend, but the pieces you pick and how you wear them. it’s very possible to look a mess even when spending a fortune, some people just don’t have style.

[@aisling8308]

I've noticed this too, inexpensive basics made to look more expensive by throwing on an expensive jacket, bag, or shoes

[@mayam9575]

This summer I had my first real internship and had to dress semi professionally. Every Thursday I would have a one on one with a research assistant where they would give me advice and answer questions I had about jobs and careers. I'm a WOC and the when the only WOC research assistant talked to me a lot of what we talked about was presentation. She was talking about how people are going to judge you more then anyone else for every hair that is out of place and every wrinkle on your shirt and that you are going to have to look better than everyone else. You touched on this in your video but I think that looking expensive is a way for people to escape the expectations that are placed on them.

[@dva5610]

Thank you for sharing

[@gremlita]

tiffany this was such an interesting video! (also thanks for the shoutout ❤)

[@sams3015]

Omg I always watch your videos on my smart tv but just realised I wasn’t subscribed with this account. Your content is amazing 😻

[@vvMathematicalvv]

I literally walked into the Gucci store wearing an H&M shirt, but going full out with the "expensive" look, despite it being a cheap outfit. The sales woman thought I was wearing one of their shirts, which upon inspection, looked identical to the H&M shirt I was wearing. They literally thought I was already a customer wearing that seasons new expensive shirt and treated me like I was going to buy everything. It was the confidence, but the faux shirt being mistaken for Gucci at the Gucci store by an employee of Gucci still makes me laugh. lol.

[@k1k0000]

me when i lie

[@peachesandapricots5010]

@@k1k0000 lmfao

[@Jamjar-iu3ji]

What a cap 😂😂

[@PandoraRoman]

The irony of "looking expensive" is only those who are aspirational will dress like this. The main characteristic of these clothes is that they are nondescript and don't reveal what class you are truly a part of, but they also don't reveal any history or personality. People who are rich or upper class are allowed to and frequently do indulge in eccentric fashion, out-of-fashion heirloom pieces, things collected whilst travelling etc because they can afford to not look like everyone else. Edit: I'm talking about the style of clothing promoted at the beginning of the video rather than the styles created by Dapper Dan discussed later in the video.

[@user-ru5qg5cz2l]

This is the comment I was searching for. Uber wealthy people often have eccentric clothing I’ve found but neutrals hide the class level IMO like you said. So true.

[@foamsoap41]

I've thought about this a lot lately. At my current job we get special discounts on things like Arc'teryx, to the point where it's cheaper for me to be dressed head to toe in that than to go shopping at the mall. My friends joke that I'm dressed in "drip" but really I saved so much money. It's fascinating to me the appearance vs reality in any case!

[@Julia-tp3fb]

What line of work gives you Arc’teryx discounts 👀👀👀 asking for uh, a friend

[@foamsoap41]

@@Julia-tp3fb hahahah! I work for an outdoor retailer! We get things called prodeals with all kinds of brands. They make their prices way more affordable for us so we can try everything and expand product knowledge for recommendations! :)

[@josefah4952]

I have lots of thrifted Ralph Lauren and Burberry that I cleaned and repaired to look brand new, when in reality it was cheaper than Shein lol

[@foamsoap41]

@@josefah4952 and Shein is such shit quality so bonus points!!

[@josefah4952]

@@foamsoap41 thanks! I'm proud

[@unepetitemarmotte2918]

As a (French) law student, I can confirm that a lot of us do dress well as a way to look professional. Our teachers, or any people we meet that works in the field people from my class want to work in (the public administration, as it's a public law degree) tell us, and show us, that looking well put together is very important. Law students are often (playfully) mocked by other students because of that, but it's something we have to learn if we want to be taken seriously.

[@maryjohnson9337]

As an equestrian, I love the humor that there’s an equestrian aesthetic that’s supposed to not look dirty.

[@Viv_Nwe]

Omg I relate to this whole vid and have made so much “bougie on a budget” content myself 😂😭. Respectability politics is definitely a thing in the black community & first gen/immigrant community and getting treated differently based off how you dress and speak. My parents are immigrants & faced a lot of discrimination for having accents, so my brother and I in turn have perfect American English diction and always look put together. I competed in pageants for years with girls who were wealthy and the only way to hang was to thrift and upcycle. But now as a young adult people often assume I come from wealth and literally put out false narratives based off how I dress. It’s so weird. When I was in college and every girl had a particular bag, I told my Mom not to get it because it was so overpriced. She saved for 6 months and bought it for me anyway. She was so proud. But by the time I got it , it wasn’t as popular anymore and another designer was coveted. I felt so bad because my mom was so proud. But the weird thing was my mom has 3 degrees and the parents of some of the girls I saw with the most bags didn’t even earn as much as her. It was about appearances.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

lol welcome to being working class among the wealthy in the the capitalist, highly stratified world we now live in this past half century. If you spent a childhood around the small world of yuppies, now you will graduate and see how the rest of the world can't relate to what you never fit quite into but were normalized to. I go through this all the time with my working class suburban bf. He doesn't get how Im so poor but have to act and dress a certain way around my wealthy family members. I have to lie about what I do for a living etc and his family just accepts people. It's an entirely different world to what I was normalized to.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

appearances are a thing too for sure. youd be surprised how much of upper class white people's lives are about appearances and concealing reality lol. Capitalism is so sick

[@miamivicemami]

People like to claim their appearance does not matter or implicate their worth but do this. As if our fashion choices reflect our class and social worth. It can provide mobility or at least give strangers with more privilegie than us a “good first impression ”. But it boils down to accommodating those who enjoy judging a book by its cover

[@Moana_moo]

As someone who’s obsessed with fashion do actually think someone’s clothes do reflect their personality. Not self worth but like personality. I mean i am a very moody person and love the spotlight and attention and it shows in my fashion too since i often like to switch styles like one day i’ma rock the “looking expensive look” other times i’ma do some sweatpants big earrings bold colours. My best friend is more quiet mellow doesn’t like to stand out and it shows in her clothing since whenever we go shopping she prefers to look at more conventional stuff

[@skyedots]

I hate that the term uses the word expensive instead of, say, elegant. Ever since I was a teenager I've noticed solid neutral colors, simple or no jewelry and simple makeup has always looked elegant to me, no matter if the outfit in question cost less than $50. "Looking expensive" kind of implies that you care too much about materialistic things and use that as your personality. I've come across plenty of boring, shallow people that use their wealth (or fake wealth) as their whole personality and I don't see what's so cool about them. I dress "elegantly" sometimes, not hoping people think "oh she looks so rich", but simply because I like the minimal look sometimes. But idk, some people are obsessed with the idea of others thinking they're rich and they strive for it, even if it's not the truth. We live in a shallow world.

[@Moana_moo]

@@skyedots The thing is “looking rich”don’t even exist like if u go after the Eurpoean looking rich is very minimal but if u look at “American rich” is very influencer based with logos and Balenciaga yeezy

[@NoOne-on4vt]

I have a great story about light colored clothes. I had a drastic change in economical status a couple years ago and I cannot afford to wear light colored clothes anymore because my current lifestyle stains them really easily. It's the little things really like taking the subway instead of a car or taxi, working in a grocery store or restaurant instead of an office, no dishwasher, no washing machine and thousands of products to keep whites white, etc... The realization that it was now harder for me to wear white or beige was truly astonishing

[@memie13]

One thing that I have been noticing is how “looking expensive” means not wearing anything relating to ethnicity and culture. For example traditional patterns or too many bright colours.

[@user-zw8uc4rm1m]

@@gdg1326 even then, european cultures and even western european cultures have colourful traditional costumes. It's just another way that the entire world is being distanced from their cultural roots.

[@Ruby-xk8kn]

That's a really good point that I haven't thought about before!

[@laila.h.90]

I genuinely love dressing up everyday, doing my hair, my makeup, and looking my best even if I’m only going to the grocery store. There is nothing wrong about that. I’ve always loved the elegant style and dressed accordingly because it represents me not because I wanna look “expensive” or appeal to a certain social class. People like Anna Bey is giving the elegant style a bad rap. It’s about time someone calls her out. Some of her content is toxic, highly derogatory and misrepresentative of true class and elegance. I personally never liked her content because of her snobby and pretentious attitude towards women who don’t dress this style. She puts pictures of real women and publicly shame them for the style they choose to wear. None of these women who she shames asked for her opinion yet she continues to do that. She once in a designer bags related video indirectly expressed her annoyance that “common people” have access to certain designer bags now which makes those bags look “cheap” thus we elegant women should stop wearing them. I was absolutely in disgust for hearing her utter these words and immediately blocked her content from appearing on my feed. Elegance to me is not only dressing well but also treating others with grace, kindness and respect. An elegant style doesn’t make you superior to others. Everyone has the right to choose and dress whatever style they feel represents them and nobody has the right to shame anyone for what they choose to wear. I’m sorry this ended up being a very long comment. I’m passionate about this specific style and I’m sad that we have people online like Anna who completely misrepresents this style.

[@vanilloia7479]

"She once in a designer bags related video indirectly expressed her annoyance that “common people” have access to certain designer bags now which makes those bags look “cheap” thus we elegant women should stop wearing them. I was absolutely in disgust for hearing her utter these words and immediately blocked her content from appearing on my feed." Neat, that is something i'd really been wondering about esp. with monogrammed bags. I don't think I've ever seen the classic brown louis vuitton bag and thought it was real. So since everyone can have a fake, it must lose it's status symbol for rich people. But its impossible to find data on that. So cool to see that someone this snobby is complaining about it xD

[@monkiram]

I agree. I also love dressing up (with the exception of doing makeup, I'm not very good at it and rarely wear it) but I love wearing dressy clothing and accessories. During the COVID lockdowns, we had so few opportunities to dress up that I would dress up to do the most insignificant errands haha. Also I completely agree with everything you said about elegance and Anna Bey, it surprises me that there are people who actually follow her and take advice from her when her attitude towards others is so inelegant. Btw gorgeous profile photo!

[@Daisyjones94]

I feel you so so so much. I love clothes and looking great, and have no aspiration whatsoever to appeal richer people. Btw this kind of people hate to death Michael Kors bags, because they say he made designer bags something for middle class folks. I mean, these people have real issues. They have no passion for fashion, they only want to look wealthy, that’s it. I’m generalising maybe, but that’s the vibes they give to me. And guess who just bought a MK bag on vestiaire collective?! :D

[@sudhamukhia9860]

Me too!😊

[@breadjinnie5495]

Agreed. I have become more feminine as I've gotten older. And I was binge watching many femininity videos. Sadly many turned into being feminine to catch a high quality man...but one women said that listening to rap is not feminine and we shouldn't do it...to listen to softer music, more elegant. I listen to my One OK Rock music while wearing my cute, feminine dresses. And the type of rap that I listen to is BTS rap line's solo work and Lecrea is a Christian rapper. And I play video games with my nephews. Because it is what they love and I want to bond with them. I used to play video games a lot when I was younger. And I love Dragon ball and I have Goku figurine in my "girly room." My point is that some femininity videos would say that is not classy or feminine. But that is me. And while I love dressing up, makeup and nails. I am not going to stop being who I am just to be fit the classy femininity that these influences preach. Like they would point all of these things out if they could as masculine. Ok. It won't stop me from doing it.

[@sundiva7642]

As someone that suffers from depression and bipolar, I'm sometimes praised for wearing any clothes and stuffs like that. I remember when I was having a depression episode and my friend told me that I didn't look good ND I needed to take care of myself. She didn't understand that sometimes simple things such as taking a shower or bathing is an uphill task. Since then I've always been conscious of my appearances, I always have to look on point. It doesn't matter if or can barely move, it doesn't matter if I'm on my death bed, it doesn't matter if the sky was falling down, I must keep that illusion of appearances

[@lgsuma71]

even waking up and surviving can be really hard. But for me it goes the other way too Like, clothes are a way to express myself for me, and it is a simple thing, but it really motivates me so that I can get up put my outfit of the day. Even skincare routine has brought a bit of structure in life so that I wake up do my routine. But i still have days where I waste 3hours in bed(because quarantine and work/school at home) just because I don't wanna wake up. It's an uphill battle

[@user-wm9tj3jz9m]

I recently saw a post on ig about how we need to decolonize the way we look at colors. I don’t remember the specifics but it talked about how we look at color theory through a western view about which colors go together and which don’t (ex. Don’t mix warm and cool tones). The post specifically mentioned how in Japan, there were certain color combinations for kimono that the west would never do. The post also highlights that in many other cultures around the world, bright colors are often put together that the west would see as “clashing” and “tacky”. I think it’s interesting to note that throughout history the rich had the more colorful clothing due to dyes being more expensive (plus maintenance) while the poorer class wore more neutral and natural colors. Now in modern times where the majority can and do wear more colorful clothing, the rich ideal is to wear neutrals.

[@cocteautwin]

i didn't even think about that last point you made, definitely true to see how fashion with rich people was mostly looking colorful and extravagant, as in my culture they often wore jewel tones, and poor people wore white or other neutrals.

[@a.m.7286]

THIS 🙌🏻

[@frances7994]

I realized this a couple years ago and began incorporating a lot of much missed color back into my wardrobe! I mean I can only speak for myself and do you but imho this "expensive" look comes off as very try-hard and monolithic. Like, everyone's just hitting copy and paste.

[@aliceche714]

Yes! Basically, trend on "clean" clothes and other items was popularised by f*n naz!s. They tried to create "white" europe and destroy folk culture which is always very colorful and over the top. they destroyed even german folk costumes: simplified tracht, the trad dress. It all goes not only to clothes but also to interior design, remember this ideal minimalist white+concrete empty room. It basicly makes everyone the same and erases cultures and differences. If u are white-looking, of course. But now it is spreading on everybody.

[@agathachris9722]

It's not even that deep cultures value different things. Wearing white to an Indian wedding would be cursing the couple with death. That's just it. Cultures have come to be over time through tough moments like wars, slavery, oppression as well as things like trading, migration and marriage. There exists no culture that has been free from the influence of the things mentioned above. The idea of "de-colonizing" our ideas about color is asinine. If we attempted to go in and remove the influence of painful history on the ideas of all cultures, we'd have few things left.

[@glovefox]

I think we're all just overstimulated in this day and age and choosing neutrals is a way of filtering down one area of saturation in our lives. I can't live without bright colours in my home, decor and accessories, but I find that wearing neutrals helps me stay relaxed. The same can be said for the reverse.

[@tiffanyferg]

That's fascinating! I have actually noticed myself buying & wearing a lot more neutrals in recent years, just bc prior to that I didn't have any simple go-to basics and it made putting together outfits very difficult lmao. But now I miss the funky sorts of items I used to have. I need a good mix of both!

[@kr3642]

Same. Damn near every time I buy a colorful clothing piece I have a hard time matching it with anything else I have, and it sits around never to be worn. Choice paralysis is too much.

[@monkiram]

@@kr3642 True! I have lots of colours in my closet and regret buying most because I tend to gravitate towards neutrals when I just want to have a comfy low-key day. Wearing colours feels so flashy on days when I just want to blend in lol

[@birdiewolf3497]

@@kr3642 Yeah, so many people say that eliminating colors or reducing them means "suppressing your personality" and idk I feel like we overestimate our how much our personality actually plays into what clothes we buy. For a majority of people we are just getting duped by really good advertising. I mean these people have spent decades figuring out ways to use our lizard brains against us, and they are very good at it. I switched to achromatic mainly to try to combat this problem. Colors and patterns make it very easy to continuously shop, but with blacks, greys, and whites there really is only so much you buy before it starts to feel repetitive.

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

"Expensive" looks also tend to remove the bright, flashy and intricate work of ethnic fits. Eastern European, East and South Asian, and South American ethnic wear is considered "gaudy" and "tacky" by many Americans.

[@B3bita1215]

I can see your point of view Tiffany, and I must say after I changed my style from the "regular, plain Jane" to a more clean, sophisticated look I've seen a tremendous change in my surroundings and the kind of people who approach me. I used to only attract those guys who liked to chill outside of their front porch smoking weed etc. Again, the neighborhood I come from that life style is just "a normal regular thing to do." Ever since I changed my style when I started watching "Anna Bey" suddenly I was "too nice looking" for these "hanging outside their porch, smoking weed guys" and slowly stopped pursuing me. Mainly because, as one guy put it, I was "out of his league." 😳 What I am trying to say is, that I DO agree with what you are saying on why would someone want to "look expensive" if they can't afford it and things like that. And in my own personal experience it might be a gate out of the "not so fortunate" life one has been placed on. So, looking expensive CAN change your life in this society we life in, if that is what you want, as it did for me. ❤

[@mariabelen4011]

Same for me, I born in a little town and through scholarships in a private school and university I could achieve a really good job in my country... but then I hit a "glass ceiling" and I realized that there are a lot of unwritten rules in society that I didn't know. I followed a lot of advices from Ana Bey and surprisingly I ascended in my job... It's absolutely unfair but it's how it is, so I'm really grateful for her channel! (I'm learning english so sorry in advance if a made any mistakes!)

[@lilianheldmann2882]

It’s funny because I have also read that a lot of “old money” people dress in neutral colours with no recognizable logos because they are actually trying to downplay their wealth, not look expensive. Those class circles try to blend in in order to seem “polite” and well mannered, an idea they find admirable. The idea of buying “quality materials” and such is also a justification they can give to working class people, who often seek to get the best price for what they purchase.

[@TammyJerkChicken]

I would just say, the issues faced by POC’s are felt in all former Colonies, not just America. It’s intense

[@HanabiFae]

I just finished watching Salem Tovar's video essay on the Shein-pocolaypse. Very interesting video exploring fast fashion and how Shein plays a huge role in this. She did a very good job of exploring both arguments of people buying fast fashion because it's trendy, but also people of lower income who cannot afford sustainable fashion so resort to fast fashion. Highly recommend the watch!

[@Jayk-kz7sh]

Watching the comparison between what’s seen as “expensive” and what’s seen as “cheap” made me think about the previous videos about flex/hypebeast culture on the channel. Because that sort of fashion definitely pulls a lot of aspects of the “cheap” look but does it deliberately to let the wearer show off their sort of material wealth and ability to afford that fashion sense to everyone else (ie pre-distressed pants, oversized shirts, lots of logos, the bright colors and patterns, etc.) So it’s interesting to see “the kind of clothes that makes you look like you’ve got money” swing the complete other direction in these videos, but with a lot more blatant classism and just general bigotry

[@mmmmmmolly]

It's so interesting that it's said that neutrals colours are expensive looking colours while in past centuries the rich, vibrant colours were considered luxurious because only royalty amd very rich families could afford those fabrics

[@johannageisel5390]

They: "Elegant ladies don't wear wrinkled clothes." Linen fabric: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@fatimazahrael3430]

Actually anna bey mentioned that in one of her videos

[@herecia]

She's right in a way though. I don't care if my clothes are wrinkled for I rather spend my time screaming into the void!

[@sheilakosoff5806]

What I find most intersecting is how bright colors really flatter BIPOC skin.

[@uetzel]

Bright colors flatter everyones skins. I was surprised to see that traditional German clothing is just like every traditional clothing: intricate, often colorful and filled with history and erased to get a broader Germaness.

[@user-zw8uc4rm1m]

@@waterissogood but the topic doesn't just apply to you 🤣🤣 the entire video is about how EVERYONE is being told to wear neutrals. OP said poc look good in bold colours. So does everyone. What the hell is your problem lmfao?!

[@iamsofia3782]

@@waterissogood You really are trying to divide people, aren't you

[@iamsofia3782]

@@waterissogood Yes, the topic was bright colors.

[@mikaelalm9333]

wtf is bipoc skin? some white people are darker than "bipoc" and a lot of "bipoc" is lighter than white people.

[@lilithbachelder4631]

One thing that I find interesting about the wording of "how to look expensive" in particular is how self objectifying it is. With many of these videos, there is an element that specifically addresses how to look appealing to men, and the video's instructions are very clearly intended as a means to finding a suitable mate. The explicitness of it feels extremely old school, like reading a manners guide from the 50s, but they are essentially teaching marketing tactics and how to turn yourself into a product. It also glaringly highlights the enormous expense of being seen as an acceptable woman- the amount of "maintenance" required (a word that is increasingly used by prominent influencers, particularly in the beauty sphere to describe the long list of treatments and techniques that they use to maintain a certain level of "upkeep") to meet these astronomically high standards is impossible for most people to achieve, either for lack of money or time or both. That language is interesting as well- "maintenance" is an alienating and objectifying word to use to describe oneself, and the way so many of these procedures and treatments are tied to a sense of "cleanliness" is disturbing to me. This ties in again to anti-poor sentiment, but what is considered "dirty" once you move into a certain echelon (particularly on social media) sets the bar absurdly high. It seems like these unachievable beauty standards and expectations are directly tied to the enormous class divide in this country- as wealth becomes more and more of an impossibility the bulk of people, and the gap widens, the need to delineate who has money and who doesn't becomes more pressing. This, of course, makes the performance of wealth more aspirational, but also more necessary to get by. I'm sorry this is turning into such a long comment but your videos always make me think about a billion different things!! Final bit- this connects to a conversation my partner and I were having the other day about how in the influencer age the appearance of having capital and actually having capital are nearly the same thing (up to a point) because the appearance of having capital and being able to cultivate an audience solely based on that is a form of capital in and of itself in addition to being a road towards accumulating more capital...... quite literally, fake it until you make it?? Anyway sorry very long comment over now, thank you for another great video

[@Luumus]

Very interesting take!

[@lilithbachelder4631]

@@Luumus Thank you haha, it was a thought provoking video

[@pri.sci.lla.]

I feel like a lot of the times, you can’t tell who is truly rich or poor by the way they dress. I’ve seen broke people have designer and millionaires wear plain ass clothes.

[@manicpepsicola3431]

My dad used to be an IT guy for DR Horton and I went to a camp for kids who's parents work there and the owner of the company was at the camp a lot and would just wear a bucket hat a Hawaiian shirt cargo pants and between the toe flip flops

[@MsAngrybutterfly]

I live in Silicon Valley and oh boy is this true.

[@sukh6566]

exactly how much you earn doesn’t correlate to the way you look

[@josefah4952]

Usually those plain clothes are insanely expensive. Mark zuckerberg t-shirt cost like 500 dollars

[@carole5648]

that "clean, effortless" look that only comes from not having to worry about getting to your job on time to pay for all day skin treatments/facials//nails/haircare/waxes/massages monthly, or more often. this is one of the things i love about living in Maine, literally no restaurants have dresscodes, everyone including CEOs go out to dinner wearing jeans and bean boots. i'm sure this could be unpacked too but there is very little 'expensive' looks, when the rich people move here they dress down to match us!

[@48mavemiss2]

How funny is that example of “not put together” given by Anna, because that is literally the style of many southern wealthy white women who like to go shopping with their girlfriends. I think it really also should be dependent on location. Elegant in one setting or in one area, does not look the same in other areas of the country or in other parts of the world.

[@magentahoward]

Its also interesting how rich people cosplay being poor with pre distressed clothing (ie golden goose sneakers or a $300 pre distressed faux muddy flannel).

[@LucileHR]

I've thought about this SO MUCH! The "old money" trend on TikTok is legit giving me PTSD of my boarding school days.

[@cocteautwin]

im so glad i have not come across that trend

[@cocteautwin]

watch me jinx myself now lol

[@luna1r]

every time I read something like this I feel blessed that I don't use Tiktok 😂

[@mareb7946]

Yes! My boarding school days were hell and it makes me laugh to see people romanticize it

[@gingersal8052]

@@luna1r same XD too many trends, too little time.

[@rahafarhadnejad1680]

As stupid as it may sound, It's interesting how this 'look expensive' trend tries to disregard the style diversity within the rich.

[@safiabah4832]

It’s not stupid at all! You’re absolutely right to say it.

[@safiabah4832]

I think the disregard of the styles probably has to do with the fact that it’s harder to find on a budget and maybe now a days, you’d have to be pretty into the fashion world to be able to see what you’re even trying to emulate. In my honest opinion, the emulation of a style is a lot easier than finding your own style and doing the self discovery that comes with that and that is also kinda pricy and if not pricy, then it’s something that takes time. I think that’s when people look the most “expensive” when they’ve been allowed to express themselves in that way, it comes naturally to them.

[@naurrr]

EXACTLY this is a great point!!!

[@LitttleMisssSmidge]

I've loved this aesthetic for a while now and have tried incorporating it in my life as much as possible but I had no idea how much of a *thing* it is! I think the reasoning behind why I like it is that I'm a 25 year old woman who still looks like a teenager. When I dress very smart, people are much more likely to take me seriously. I've actually had compliments on how I look put together all the time!

[@shaikya]

dress how you want lmao everyone is just sensitive and cry about anything

[@ItsJustFashion]

I named my channel "it's just fashion" literally because people underestimate how big of an impact fashion has on the way we navigate through social interactions (sociology mayor here). Love this discourse!

[@XxstardropzdreammxX]

@It's Just Fashion I was a soc major too! I love finding other soc people in the world & I'm totally gonna check out your channel!

[@ItsJustFashion]

@@XxstardropzdreammxX thank you so much!! I love finding other social studies enthusiasts as well! ❤

[@e_velog]

Can I just say that about a month ago I got a straight perm to get rid of all my frizzes and I genuinely look put together 100% of the time, no matter what... even when the wind blows it in whatever random direction, it just falls back into place. The kicker? It cost me $300 and 3 hours. Is it worth it? yes. But this experience has literally taught me that $$$$$ is the only way to look "effortlessly chic"

[@abbya1707]

Would you mind explaining what a straight perm is

[@okairo-9658]

@@abbya1707 a chemical treatment that alters the structure of your hair, in this case to look striaght. No wave, no frizz, no curl, no kink. It's ecpensive, requires semi-monthly salon visits for maintnance, and most of these chemicals are considered carcinogens. On the other hand many people opt for it because of practical reasons and or also social pressure fit striaght-hair beauty standard. In the case of many black women, it goes further than social pressure. There has for a long time been structural dsicrimination in place that forced them to "choose" striaght perms, with natural hair styles and kinky/coily textured being considered 'unprofessional' and leading to people receiving diciplinary action at work or even just not getting hired at all unless they wore a straight perm or wig. --Striaght hair is very pretty, and i do know of many women of color and also white women who genuinly feel it's more practical for them to wear their hair straight, and because of that get a striaght perm, at the same time there are many people who feel it's not a choice or don't have the knowledge and or tools to even take care of their natural textures. The obvious example is black women in america, but another interesting one is that many women in asia who are born with curly/wavy hair get it permed very young to match the 'striaght hair' look we associate with asian beauty, if one of them for some reason decides to keep their hair with curls and coils when they go to a store they'll struggle to find products ment for curly hair and even just knowledge about how to mantain it.

[@erynflynn8467]

My big issue with looking "expensive" or "presentable" is how it affects people's ability to take others (especially women) seriously. The immediate judgement of your capability being decided by your clothes is horrible. For example, me wearing a hoodie and pajama pants to university wasn't because I wasn't smart or not taking my studies seriously, it was because I was so tired from studying all the time and working at the same time that I couldn't be bothered to change into something less comfortable. I always hated tv shows like What Not To Wear because they took away people's individual styles and what made them happy so that they better fit the norm, aka boring. Also, why is most "presentable" clothing so uncomfortable?? Everything is tight and stiff and rough feeling.

[@punchdrunkassassin]

I agree so much! My shoe size is 13 women's, I have such a difficult time finding nice women's shoes that it has had a prominent effect on my overall style. Can't wear a cute dress and Chuck's, or men's boots, and look "nice", professional, respectable, or expensive. I dress more androgenously as a result, so I can get away with things like ankle boots, and have no choice but to wear hiking boots with a dress sometimes. It's always been kind of a vibe for me, thankfully "indie" and thrift store aesthetic was a hot thing when I was in my 20s. But my new job requires me looking more "expensive", and it gives me constant anxiety that I'm not held in as high regard. I can't wear that super nice pair of fancy designer shoes, because they don't exist for me (and I'm in Canada where we have even fewer resources for people my size). It just feels bad, and it's so hard to explain.

[@user-tv2ll4mf5q]

That's not true. You can be both presentable and comfortable.

[@Bt2027]

It has to do with putting an effort to be at your said location. Working jobs and studying hard is not an excuse to wear pajamas to school. Plus you can find affordable cotton clothes that are very comfortable and makes your look put together.

[@user-zw8uc4rm1m]

You said it yourself. You couldn't be bothered. That is the difference between presentable and not presentable. Care. Attention to detail. Would you submit an assignment that was not presentable because you couldn't be bothered? The same principle applies with fashion.

[@disaster4550]

@@Bt2027 but what is wrong with pajamas? its just clothes. and its school, not a job interview. aren't you supposed to be focusing on learning and not get distracted by worrying about fashion and wearing uncomfy things? weird

[@loveableweirdo9335]

On the flip side, many wealthy people dress down. I will never forget the time my uncle bought a collection of $500+ shirts that were made to "look modest" to wear to "seem more approachable to his employees." It didn't work.

[@monkiram]

LOOOOOL. How fascinating. Like he could also just buy cheap shirts if he's trying to look cheap, no? Haha

[@LoveAndSnapple]

I really hate that with nearly all kinds of social trends like “looking expensive” and “minimalism” the move always shifts to dead, neutral colors. There’s no room for personality and personal style. Just always a transition to straight lines of black, white, grey, gold, blush pink, and tan. No patterns, no prints, just a fashionable dystopia. Why can’t we dress like the people from the Capitol in The Hunger Games????

[@voidchicken2841]

The concept of "looking expensive" is also incredibly ableist. Many women with disabilities, myself included, have to opt for loose, soft, unstructured, or otherwise "inexpensive" (aka accessible) clothes. Some of us can't wear makeup or struggle to do so. Doing your hair and nails can take time or energy you don't have. Some days putting on leggings and a sweater is all you can manage. To be called lazy for accommodating your disability instead of trying to "look expensive" is dripping with ableism and incredibly harmful.

[@aricarly]

True, I have eczema since I was a baby. Depending on my stress levels, it flares up in the most inconvenient moments. I was raised in an upper middle class community, attending private school with some kids whose parents were CEOs or local politicians, and they always looked at me with disgust whenever I had an eczema flare up. I wore baggy clothes in soft cotton and wore nothing more than sunscreen and lipbalm until I was 22.

[@russianbot8576]

i have sensitivity processing issues (no diagnosis too expensive) and i absolutely need rougher fabrics against my skin. thermal/waffle knit is rougher, so it is tolerable, but things like that sweat-wicking fabric is absolutely intolerable to my skin and makes it crawl off my flesh and hurt eventually. t shirt fabric makes my skin hurt from sensitivity. on legs i prefer, too, heavier and harsher fabric like denim. i don't tolerate sweatpants or pyjama bottoms at all, and i can wear leggings, but only if they're absolute form fitting so they do not shift around across the skin. dress pants are too soft and light and loose and guess what? it makes my skin crawl and hurt. great. the denim i am tolerable of is a narrow window and needs to be woven in some particular ways and of a certain weight and thickness, or i can't stand it. too soft and it's intolerable. i need a looser top as well, over the waffle knit layer, and it needs _weight._ this is easier with sweaters than classy jackets, especially because sleeves ending before midway down my hands... also makes my skin crawl. if the top layer has little thickness/weight, it is intolerable and i am so uncomfortable that i can't think through a headfog of discomfort. this means people take me often as homeless, which would be fine, but then try to pity me and treat me harshly, because i am so picky, that i have few options and wear them to absolute threads. and it means getting jobs is a pain, because uniforms are almost always intolerable and professional attire is either intolerable, or puts a huge target on my back, since i am trans. i hate clothing stigma. i'm really fucking dysfunctional if i am uncomfortable in the clothing i am wearing. why is it like this?? leave me alone, i'm doing my best!! i have hypersomnia and fatigue is a huge issue. i can't be this stimulated by discomfort and noticing my entire skin all fucking day like that and function at all, i can barely stay awake for 6 hours without that as well. yes, i am hot if it is 30C because i must wear these layers and shit, i wish people would stop making the comment 'aren't you hot?' or 'you look like it's winter in july'--i am not foolish and i know it's just a way to say i am dressed 'inappropriate', like i _need_ to be informed it's 35C and 99% humidity in july. trust me, i am aware of the fucking heat, i am aware it stands out and i am aware of all of it. but we just don't hear about sensitivity issues like this, and when we do, it often is the opposite: softer fabric only. please, though, we got to talk about fucking ableism in this culture.

[@Coastpsych_fi99]

Im black and disabled, every day I wear make up and work full time but I have no energy for anything but work.

[@socksnslides7021]

So excited to hear your thoughts on this. This new trend of “looking expensive” has been pushed so much by Tik tok as another way to make everyone insecure.

[@cedoniapeterson9239]

I've fallen down this rabbit hole a few times, most aggressively this summer when I was preparing for my move to London and my first job and I was stressed about "fitting in". I also just really didn't want to look frumpy. I scoured Goodwill almost every day and built a lovely wardrobe full of designer brands, high-quality fabrics, and just all-around elegant pieces. I even made my mom and sister sit while I modelled all my pieces, telling me which ones were flattering so I could get rid of the pieces that didn't actually look high-quality on me. No idea what I was thinking, I'm a software engineer with a young puppy so I wear the same four t-shirts and two pairs of ratty old jeans constantly. I put on my fancy Talbots sweater for a shopping trip last week and my puppy jumped on me and smeared mud all over the side. I still love all my nice clothes, and I do want to look put-together once my dog is older, but it just makes me laugh to think about the expectations vs reality of my first months in my new life.

[@lulzderp3073]

I feel like there are often racist and classist overtones to these ideals. Especially some white supremacist ideals that linger behind certain branches of minimalism and an overall decrease of cultural arts like traditional embroideries or colors in clothing

[@dva5610]

@@tiffany3652 I think it’s more neocolonialism than racist but the two are linked

[@terraclaiborne6150]

Hi Tiffany! longtime subscriber & art historian here. Wearing highly-priced materials to project certain codes of wealth goes back to the renaissance period -- master workshops frequently had highly luxurious textiles and dresses in the studios for middle-class sitters to pose in, or they would just paint them in elegant, layered, opulent clothes that didn't actually exist.

[@KathBorup]

I'm an experienced seamstress and I promise you SHEIN clothes look low quality/cheaply made even in low res videos online 😂🙃

[@bruh-hr1mt]

@@kineybus2473 stylish as in ripped off from small & big designers, yes. none of their garments are original

[@KathBorup]

@@bruh-hr1mt Exactly! Fast fashion brands are always stealing ideas from indie designers and that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their unethical practices.

[@thegardener3650]

Growing up, my mother put a huge emphasis on physical appearance, and I hated it. I hated being judged on appearance - I still do. But ironically, I ended up mixing w/ some groups that where maybe from more privileged backgrounds than my mom and me, and she ended up telling me how she hates having to dress or act to their standards to be accepted. And that’s when I realized that society is gross.

[@brookehenderson5762]

Dapper Dan, Sycamore Style - pioneers of the hip hop fashion culture and the cut and sew, dip dye movement! Forever grateful for their influence. They created NEW and pioneered the expansion of an industry

[@idabergh-smith179]

I wonder if the reason why neutrals look expensive is because of the way attractiveness often is decided by what shows the most privilege. If you have light-colored clothes, you probably have enough money to frequently buy new light-colored clothing, can have it professionally cleaned, or you don't need to go places like school or work where it's very easy to get those types of clothes stained. The same goes with black clothing, as I personally find it's very hard to keep the black clothing from fading a little. I'm thinking also that we often associate colors with stuff. Some people might see bright red and think the Republican party, or see blue and think the Democratic party. When I see red I think of the Norwegian labour party (I'm Norwegian) and of people who have finished high school (it's a tradition in Norway, if you want to know more just search "norwegian russ" ). Neutrals, however, are, well, neutral, which I feel rich people also are. They can afford to not associate with any political parties or causes, and to be basically a blank slate. I don't know, that's just how I've interpreted it, I hope it makes sense?

[@thegillmachine]

Neutral colors looking expensive is because of the material. When it’s neutral , it’s more likely to be assumed it’s a natural material like wool or cashmere bc there are no pink sheep or goats. The light color thing also applies to this as well though!

[@Rhaifha]

Yeah, I think in a way it's a very historical thing of what looks expensive is materials and colors that are harder to get (like silk etc) and/or harder to maintain like white or black clothing.

[@lauraigla6319]

I completely agree with this. I find white looks really good on my skin tone but I struggle to own any because it gets ruined immediately. I've realized looking clean and crisp is extremely hard to do... Especially when you have kids and pets. The wealthy can achieve it, not because they're inherently non-lazy, but because they have other people who manage their cleaning, and they can just buy new stuff any time

[@a.m.7286]

Neutral clothing is considered “expensive” because it caters to Eurocentric standards. In particular high end fashion houses that have been around for awhile. The history of their style typically embodies more classic, minimalist looks. Red and gold in my culture are actually reflections of wealth. Neutrals were for working class. I think both are outdated now and it’s more conducive to buy quality clothes that fit your own unique style and body type

[@a.m.7286]

Your interpretation makes sense though! I read an article aristocrats like old money focus more on investing in property, hobbies, and education etc. I also think maybe neutrals help them be more low key due to privacy/safety reasons (if they’re or their family name is well known).

[@lucasmcinnis5045]

Looking expensive is part of what drives fast fashion, and I hate it. I've argued with people about how it's just a bad practice and I've gotten replies ranging from "you're gatekeeping clothing" to "the planet is doomed anyway how is Shein hurting anything?"

[@thegillmachine]

I don’t know if I believe that. I follow a lot of communities on here that focus on expensive dressing and all of them speak against fast fashion. Slow fashion is part of it and buying as little as possible and making it stretch as long as it can. Natural materials that last and colors that go with everything are a must. Idk where you’re getting your information from.

[@lucasmcinnis5045]

@@thegillmachine Yeah I wasn't as familiar with this group of people as I thought. I'm definitely thinking more of the "shopping haul" type culture that I've seen a lot online. I assumed, incorrectly, that the haul community overlapped with this community. I see now that they do not, and theres more of a focus on quality. However, there's still less emphasis on sustainability than I'd like.

[@thegillmachine]

@@lucasmcinnis5045 maybe check out some of these creators-most of their expensive wardrobe philosophies are built on sustainability. Not Shea Whitney, but Anna Bey and many minimalism you tubers. Anna Bey even gives resources to find ethically produced cashmere which I didn’t even know was an issue.

[@thegillmachine]

@@lucasmcinnis5045 but anyway I think what you were thinking of is the new money logomania vibes because that is a lot more fast fashion based or consumerism based

[@iamsofia3782]

I disagree. Fast fashion is being fed by trendy clothes.

[@fatine]

It’s normal that you don’t really understand where this comes from. You’re white, straight blonde hair, and of course you can wear whatever you want without fear of judgement because your body is in the average range (by that i mean not super thin or thick). You also live in a white majority country and have probably grown up in said country in a decent environment where you must have been subjected to seeing all types of people from different classes. Now try being a person of color with natural hair and loud curves, sometimes actually BEING rich but still having to dress the part, straighten your hair, put jewelry on so that the bank teller or the person interviewing you for a job, or even a potential date can treat you maybe half as decent as they would treat the white girl with a white girl messy bun in leggings and a sweatshirt. No shade to the girl here, society is sadly wired this way and women like Anna Bey are fully aware of that and try to make a coin off their knowledge and priviledege while eventually helping some people in the way. The same people, like coworkers, treat me WIDLY differently based on how i do my hair, natural or chemically straightened, if i’m wearing basic clothes or expensive looking ones. Like literally sometimes i have a bad day because of how i presented so i go home, straighten my hair and hope for a better day.

[@movienovicematt2759]

Interesting point! I feel the “look expensive” influencers are just realists and are trying to give people advice they can use right now. Their critics seem more invested in bucking the system.

[@SunshineJoleen]

This is a very valid and important point.

[@user-zw8uc4rm1m]

Everyone is treated poorly if they don't look polished. It doesn't matter what race you are. If you are overweight, poor or in some way unattractive you will be treated with less respect. White people also have curly hair and they straighten it also. I'm seeing a bunch of problems that people face regardless of race but it's much easier to place blame on others i guess lol.

[@fatine]

@@user-zw8uc4rm1m hello white person, you’re right, white people can be treated poorly if they’re overweight poor or unattractive. The problem is even being attractive doesn’t help people of color. You need to look attractive by rich/european standards. I think I look good and i! » not overweight. But my natural hair is curly, my skin is naturally tan, and i have afro features. That’s enough for people to treat me differently in a corporate environment even though i may be considered hot by « rap videos » standards 😂 Because hey, even people of color can be overweight/poor/ etc. That’s why i spoke about Tiffany in particular who happens to have a « good body » and « good hair », i’m not at all putting everybody in the same range. No blame put here over « others ». Only blaming people who discriminate against people of color for the fact that they’re of color. Have a good day!

[@idontknowmyname.9202]

THIS!!!

[@icyskater25]

I found this video so interesting! My husband would describe my look as "kindergarten art teacher" mixed with "grandma" vibe (lots of bright colors, fun jewelry, heck I had teal hair at one point), but I also work as a researcher at a university. It took me a while to get comfortable with wearing what I wanted to wear to meetings with important people (mayors, commissioners, etc.) because I felt like I wouldn't be taken seriously. But even though I definitely don't dress "professional" by their standards, I still dress in my own, colorful, professional way, and I have learned to assert myself when needed.

[@sabrina.bailarina]

Love this video Tiffany. I once thrifted a genuine Chanel hand bag for $4 and I noticed when I wore it out I would suddenly get the attention of more “affluent people” which felt odd because I am not a person that can afford a new Chanel bag. I would ALWAYS tell people it is thrifted bc I didn’t identify as someone who could afford one… Once I started to be more introspective about this as my uncomfortableness increased and now I never wear it and want to get rid of it. It almost feels gross to me despite all the compliments. Especially since I learned that Coco Chanel was a nazi lol. This topic is very interesting and love how you always provide an intersectional lens!

[@latedala07]

This is totally not the point but I am so impressed you found a brand-name anything secondhand for $4! With the increased visibility of vintage and secondhand over the last few years, that seems impossible now. Absolutely feel that though, anything name-brand I've thrifted I really prefer to avoid specific visible logos for various reasons, but yours as well for sure. Bags are one of those items where its almost impossible to find without a logo

[@thegardener3650]

Sabrina, I’ve had similar experiences. In the teens, I was basically doing what these videos explain how to do. Look expensive on a budget. But the people who suddenly took interest in me and complimented me where not the type that I wanted to surround myself with.

[@annagarnet1232]

Wow! How interesting. Amazing thrift find too 👍

[@a.m.7286]

I find the “affluent” people who notice or care about these things like brand names are usually middle class/upper middle class. The wealthy/super wealthy (at least imo) don’t seem to be so insecure and focus more on other things like their hobbies, education, etc.

[@tamerebel]

There's this amazing Simpsons episode in which Marge thrifts a Chanel costume and suddenly gets access to many places she couldn't before, I highly recommend watching it!

[@eltonego]

oooh a deep dive on the dark academia aesthetic could be really interesting. like the idealism and romanticization of overworking while being effortless as well as the promotion of unhealthy behaviours like smoking, eds, coffee addiction etc. also the underlying racism, sexism, classism etc. no hate to the aesthetic at all btw i personally absolutely love the style, music, and the art and find it incredibly motivating to romantacise school a bit.

[@oggyboggy8692]

Mina Le did one. Haven't watched it though.

[@nicitha]

Rowan Ellis just now released a video on that! She's great

[@nint357]

Through watching Bernadette Banner's roasting video of her knock off gown I learnt some amazing things about stitching which helped me better control what I buy. Honestly, being taught how to better detect good quality of garments saves so much time and money

[@monkiram]

I love Bernadette Banner! It makes me happy to see lots of people know who she is in comments on non-history-related videos.

[@cass4701]

I think Bernadette's videos are such a great contrast to the jet-setter "expensive" types as well, she genuinely cares about clothing and its history, quality, etc., no prescriptive advice or condescension.

[@simplify2751]

I tried an experiment in college a few years ago: I went to high-end stores along a shopping street in my city, places I had gone into only for s#its and giggles before. The first time I went, sales assisstants clocked me immediately (you know the feeling, when they just know you're in there to breathe in the rich air). The second time I went, I "borrowed" the rich person attitude (standoffish, confident, dismissive) but wore my usual clothes (well, my best ones anyway), and I was kind of surprised to see that sales assistants behaved differently. They didn't look me up and down from the corner of their eye anymore like I was there to.. well. You know. So I don't know, there may be something to some of the advice in these videos. Sure, at the end of the day, trying to look expensive in order to get into places you can't afford is unproductive, but trying to look expensive so you're more easily accepted or considered for certain opportunities might be worth your while.

[@mindyxm]

Clothes that we associate with certain groups of people can inspire us into the energy of those groups, such as feeling more wealthy and confident and respected. It's equally as easy to get yourself into this mindset without the clothing by practicing the feeling mentally, it's just that using something physical is often easier for people to achieve this state. The responses you get from others are a reflection of the energy you are giving off, not specifically the clothes, hence your story above :)

[@milly-y1t2d]

“I can’t be bothered” is a vibe though

[@paolaanimator]

I would say there's some truth to this. When I wore "casual clothes", loose clothing just to go out for errands, people didn't care. But one day, when I had to work in an office for short period of time and I dressed up to match the "professional look," meaning a blue suit with nice shoes, suddenly people noticed me and even had conversations with me on the train. I was shocked but also sad some people will only notice you/talk with you if you look a certain way. Nice video!

[@odothedoll2657]

“Tailored fit, classic fit, minimalist design, neutral, monochromatic, (especially all black), dainty jewelry, gold accents, neat hair/nails, clear skin, minimal makeup, effortlessly beautiful and rich.” Instructions unclear I am now a 24 hour Genya Arikado cosplayer. Now I may as well figure out how to become a vampire.

[@naurrr]

LMAOOOOOO

[@JessicaVianaa]

I don’t necessarily agree with associating a certain style with being expensive or otherwise, but I happen to love neutral clothing and it makes it easy for me to mix and match all my clothes without thinking too much, it always goes. Also, it actually saves me money not having to buy the new “trend”. It makes me sad to read comments stating that wearing neutrals is a synonym of having no personality...

[@karinavoggel5741]

As someone who likes colors it would feel like a loss of personality to suddenly just wear neutrals. So as with everything its just personal perception. If you have always worn neutrals and it fits you and your personality then keep doing what you are doing :)

[@erika8456]

I used to be very into the idea of neutrals until I realized that it didn't allow me to fully express myself. That being said, I still stick to a very limited colour palette with my clothing. I also LOVE neutral fashion. I think it's a very cool look but it's not for everybody. I know a small handful of people that have a completely neutral wardrobe and they ROCK it. Every time I see them I wonder if I should dress that way too, but then I remember that it's not for me, haha. One of these people is the most creative and vibrant people I know, and she shows it even with a neutral colour palette! So keep rocking your neutrals and don't let these comments get you down!

[@PinkNintendoDuo87]

There’s nothing wrong with embracing a certain aesthetic that suits you. I just don’t completely agree with the classist implications; colour theory has taught me that it’s all about perception.

[@monkiram]

I feel like most people have very specific fashion tastes that they feel embodies their personality and they feel the most comfortable and most "themselves" in. Fashion is one of the few ways we are able to control how people perceive us visually, which is the first thing people judge us based on. It makes sense that we are so particular about what we wear. I agree with what most people here are saying, that we should wear what we feel comfortable in and what we feel reflects us the best. Personally, I'm a low-key person with social anxiety so I gravitate towards neutrals and muted colours. Cultural and societal norms/expectations definitely also affect what we choose to wear. In western culture, bright colours are sometimes considered gaudy, in other cultures, bright colours are considered beautiful so I think that's why a lot of people are pointing out that to them, neutrals feel boring, but neutrals may not have the same connotation in your culture. And it's also why some people are so uncomfortable with this notion that you should wear neutrals to look wealthy, because this is a very western-centric idea and doesn't consider other cultural norms. In my culture, wearing all black or very dark outfits is considered a sign of mourning. Wearing all black as a stylistic choice isn't really a thing, so I've never felt comfortable wearing all dark colours, and if I wear black I have to pair it with something lighter. We also have different comfort levels about participating in trends. Some people prefer to stand out and be at the forefront of new fashion trends. Some people prefer not to participate in trends at all and like to have a completely unique style from those around them. Personally, I prefer to blend in with more classic styles that incorporate a more established trend or two. So I feel like fashion is a very personal thing and we can't really say somebody's choices have no personality or judge somebody else's fashion choices without being familiar with their culture.

[@phuonganhnguyen8826]

I feel the same. Being older now, I prefer clothes which are neutral, well-cut, high-quality, classic, and of natural materials as they are functional, last long time, and suit my calm, minimal, nature-loving personality. They also suit my career and customer segment. I am used to people saying that I am either bored or try to look European (because I am not), I just do not (or try not to) care about opinions of unimportant people 😉

[@sierra.lynette]

being 1. skinny and 2. white makes looking expensive easy if you are not already wealthy. think of the amt of yt girls that would pair a blazer with a messy bun and still be considered classy and expensive. I LOVE THIS CHOICE OF TOPIC!! 💗

[@luc2631]

In regards to the ¿why neutrals though? question, I immediately went back to Contrapoints' Opulence video (must watch piece of art btw!!!) and found the segment I was looking for. She analyzes what makes "good taste" (as in "old money" good taste), makes fun of scholars shocked to find out that classical marble statues were not that pure elegant white but painted in colors (so gaudy!), and cites an article called _Who decides what's tacky anyways_ : There’s usually some kind of class statement explicitly or subtly included; “tacky” is what is too easily accessible to people either without resources or abusive of the resources they have. Tacky, as a concept, refers to the lack of cultivation or the resistance to taste, and more often than not refers to tastes that are not suitably conservative. [...] *Furthermore, tacky is likely to be feminine, ethnic, queer, deviant; not manly, not practical, not businesslike, not serious.* [...] Tacky, as time has proven by the affection people continue to have for it, is often where the imagination runs free, where the heart is, where the soul is, and where the fun is. Neutrals show a sort of uniformity and proper-ness uncorrupted by the sensuality, excess, pleasure that are colors and shapes and trends. So they can be useful to appear more "put-together", but here they are equated with _expensive_ not literally but as an idea of conservative good-taste, opposed to tacky.