How to Look Rich

Whether you want to impress someone, stand out in the crowd, or move in
powerful circles, this article is for you. It's easy to overdo it; here's how to
master the understated look of the old-money crowd

Steps
• Dress in a classic manner. Private school uniforms are perfect
examples of this look. Use them as inspiration for your daily
wear. Cardigans, plaid, polo shirts, jumpers, skirts, slacks and
shorts. Also, for the "old money" look, more vintage style
classics will work, like a British style 3-button suit, anything
"tweed", etc. Fabrics should be strictly organic: wool, nubby,
relaxed. No polyester, nothing "shiny". Shoes should be
leather, understated, and conservative. Don't overdo it; try to
go for a relaxed look, like you just got back from a week at
the family home in Kennebunkport. Well fitting clothing in
relaxed muted colors and maybe a touch of pastel is very old
money. Pay attention to the fit and fabric when you are
shopping. Buy fewer quality pieces rather than a bunch of
discount items.
• Have good hygiene. Make sure you always brush your teeth
and take a shower. Wash your hair and keep it tidy but
understated. Clean your nails and get manicures at
inexpensive nail salons. Short Tips are really pretty but avoid
long nails with bright colors.
• Keep your face neat and your body well groomed. Men
should have precise haircuts, and well shaven facial hair.
Women should have a "tasteful" cut, color and shine in their
hair. Clear skin, free of acne and well moisturized especially
in women of a certain age. Hair color should look natural and
 highlights and lowlights must be natural as if obtained on a
visit to the beach house.
• Act in a more patrician manner. Drive more slowly. Your car
should be a basic model. That means no bumper stickers, no
loud stereo and no 26" rims. Your car should look as though
it is freshly detailed inside and out: cleaned and waxed, with
shiny tires. Slow down your speech, and lower your voice
volume. Don't be loud or draw attention to yourself. Learn to
play golf, tennis and sail, or to ride (horses), even to play
polo (if you have the stomach for it). Get familiar with
English history. Groom regularly, nails, body, face and hair.
Keep clothing neat in appearance (tuck in shirts, wear
comfortable fitting not very loose clothing). You must think
before you talk, because, as small as this may seem, some
people blurt out things that make them seem as if they didn't,
and it can hurt you and others.
• Change the forecast. For women, strapped sandals in winter
are alright. For men, sweaters and khaki shorts with casual
loafers are okay as long as it's not snowing. The old money
crowd does love to layer, so sweaters, overcoats, and similar
garb is handy for cooler conditions.
• Put on your best face. A wealthy woman's makeup is natural
with neutral colors, except for red lipstick, the only color in
her makeup. Her nail polish is a pale white, pink or beige.
Perfect skin is a rich woman must. Never overtan; natural
skin color looks much better. No sunspots, so keep on
sporting sunscreen, though everyone looks better with a
healthy glow.
• Smell like money. Men and women should wear a small
amount of an expensive scent. (Men- on inner wrist and
underneath the jaw line, Women- on inner wrist inner elbows
and underneath jaw line or behind ears). Do not put too much
 on!
• Remember, diamonds are forever, but be discreet about it.
Jewelry should be minimalistic, classic and inoffensive. If
you can't afford the real thing, keep it classic. In lieu of a
genuine Cartier "tank" watch, do what lots of the wealthy do
and get the cheapest, simplest Timex with a basic black
leather band, small and discreet. Pearls if they are real also
work. Nothing flashy or too big.
• An authentic designer bag or wallet is nice, but go for
something a bit bland or obsolete. Something that is the
"latest fashion" is by definition a trend, which is anathema to
the old money crowd. It must be well made and leather even
if not designer, go for simplistic designs, such as the LL Bean
Boat & Tote or a classic black quilted Chanel. Nothing
avante garde, and nothing that looks like the Balenciaga
Lariat, or the Chloe Paddington. However, if you're
impressing the nouveau riche, "trendy" is pretty much
mandatory.
• Walk in a wealthy person's shoes. Acquire at least one pair of
really decent well made shoes. For men, some very
conservative and understated oxfords or loafers. For women,
a conservative pump, like the classic Chanel pump would be
a good choice.
• One of the most important things is to try and act normal.
People who are not rich, wish they were. People who are rich
don't want anyone to know. Be relaxed and light-hearted.
Wear things that are good quality, but do not advertise. Do
not wear clothing with advertisements or brand names on
them. If someone is truly wealthy, they will be able to tell.
Do not act as though you are above normal activities. Act
rich, walk and speak properly, but when you talk about the
subject of yourself or your life, speak about yourself as
 though you are a normal person. Never accept that you are
rich. If cornered try "My parents are somewhat well off."
Be careful who you talk to, what you do, and where you are all
time. Be aware of your surroundings. One wrong move you
make could change a person's mind negatively. Love
yourself, no matter what.

Tips
• Never look at the tag while "shopping" in expensive stores.
Train yourself not to react to extremely high prices by
educating yourself on the ridiculous pricing for designer
goods. If you react and make a scene, the other shoppers in
the store will think that they are better than/ above you.
• Watch TV or movies about those with a lot of money. Read
Forbes, Barron's, the Wall Street Journal, the New Yorker,
and The Economist. Get familiar with New England history
and locations, and also learn about the British Isles; the well-
to-do in the US are hopeless Anglophiles.
• The Nouveau Riche are a different story. If your wealthy
friends fall into this category, that's like the wild west. Look
at the rather gaudy habits of Hollywood for ideas about how
to blend in with them.
• Go on line, try thrift and consignment stores, as well as mass
discount retailers for items that may cost too much if bought
regularly.
• If you're appealing the old money set, remember that restraint
and Anglophile are their primary traits. Their only absolutes
are that capital is never to be invaded, and a jacket is never to
be omitted. If you're hanging with the Nouveau Riche, well,
 anything goes baby!
• Don't try too hard; subtlety is key. Looking like a newly rich
person is never a good thing to those who have always had
money.
• Flashy does not mean wealth, only poor taste.
• Speak properly; always mind your grammar.
• Use excellent posture, whether you are sitting or standing.
• Know your etiquette. Read books on the proper use.
• Learn how to dine properly and such things as the difference
between creme brulee and flan.
• Bring wine or fresh flowers to a dinner party and always
write thank you cards.
• Having a lot of money or "pretending" to won't make people
like you more.

Warnings
• It is not just the clothes/car that can give away a person's true
breeding. It is an attitude. Do NOT be snobby or rude to
people. Do not wear bling or designer trendy labels that
scream expensive. Women should be very modest=no skin
showing!
• Never talk about money or what toys you have or don't have.
• Don't threaten to sue people if you get angry.
• Don't smoke or do drugs. No chewing gum. No swearing at
least not in public. NEVER be drunk in public.
Pretending to be something you are not can make you a fake.
People that are your friends when you are faking are just
friends of the fake you. Also, your current friends might be
offended and ignore you