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Thoughts on STEALTH WEALTH?

Get Smart

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as a tangent from Rye's rant a few days ago (hope you don't mind me requoting your rant, which I thought had a lot of good points):

know that this will come across as obnoxious statement and I don't mean for it to, but I like the fact that for approximately $1600 I can wear an outfit that rubs people the wrong way, and to the untrained eye looks like the entire outfit cost $10.
I quite detest the notion that only a suit will buy me respect, is the only uniform for undertaking serious business transactions. I don't retain much respect or interest for traditional modes of business attire, fine tailoring and some will say grammer. I find many posts from the members of the Men's Forum's who post in SW & D to be achingly dull and unoriginal with their sports coats, loose boot-cut jeans and a cashmere knits. It totally dilutes the interest and integrity of the street wear forum, I come here to be inspired, I don't need to look at guys in their 20's and 30's who aspire to dress like my Dad because looking older than your years some how conveys intellect.

I don't conform to traditional modes of dress in the hope that people will take me seriously, treat me like an adult or seat my wife and I at a good restaurant. I think we've had this conversation before about twisting stereotypes. If I can afford to buy what I want my choices will never take into account how I would like others to perceive me.

I'm quite happy being a "Stealth Slob", only the naïve and foolhardy observe dress codes as a gauge of a persons intellect, status and achievements.



I thought we could get some good mental masturbation going, discussing the merits or pitfalls of "stealth wealth" in streetwear.

When I'm out and about I'll look at people and try to see if they're wearing any 'stealth wealth'. Maybe it's a detail that stands out, or the cut, etc. For example, Jet posted a pic of himself a few weeks back where he was wearing some pretty Stealth Wealthy labels, looked good, and was hanging out in Old Towne Pasadena that nite. If I had come across him that evening, not knowing who he was, would I have been able to tell he was wearing Band of Outsiders? Or would I have thought he was just another guy in a shirt, jacket, etc. without the pedigree he was wearing?

Curious to see opinions and where this goes. I always like threads that are more conceptual towards clothes/dressing than threads on actual brands.
 

Get Smart

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Another point from Rye's manifesto.....if we're to accept $1500 in streetwear as equal to the same $ amount in suit/shirt/tie in regards to "respect or the perceived notion of seriousness", does that aid in the "slob-ification" of attire (which is a huge bone of contention on these forums), where everyone at the opera will be wearing jeans and tshirts, albeit $300 jeans, $200 tshirts, and $300 sneakers?
 

SoCal2NYC

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If it is readily available and online just how "stealthy" is it?
 

Garage/Surf Rock

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I thought this was gonna be about getting rich quick.

Stealth wealth? Hmm ... Is this kind of like when a vampire knows he's around another vampire, or Highlander being near another immortal?
 

Get Smart

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Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC
If it is readily available and online just how "stealthy" is it?

I've never thought of Stealth Wealth as being items that are difficult to attain. But more in the sense that to the everyman, a Jil Sander crewneck sweater doesnt appear any different from, say, a Gap sweater. The everyman is used to seeing logos and brandishments that indicate cost/certain level of $ needed to wear it.
 

SoCal2NYC

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Well...we are the Princes of the Universe.
 

Garage/Surf Rock

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Anyway, I've always been against the idea of "upgraded" street or working class wear. T-shirts, jeans, rock concerts - all these things should be affordable for average people. If I'm gonna fork out serious dough, it better be on slacks, shirts, suits, sweaters or a symphony.
 

Get Smart

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Originally Posted by Garage/Surf Rock
Stealth wealth? Hmm ... Is this kind of like when a vampire knows he's around another vampire, or Highlander being near another immortal?

lol, good analogy. Do *we* feel we're among kindred spirits, knowing the guy next to you is wearing _____, but looking like he shops at Banana Republic to the undiscerning eye?
 

ghulkhan

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I think after having experience with many labels one develops a pallette as to tell if one is wearing "stealth wealth" clothing. This maybe a combination of details or cuts..I really do not know but I know that I can easily tell if someone is wearing Band of Outsiders or Margiela. However for labels that I am not too familiar with I can still usually tell if it cost a lot or did not. I think overtime one develops the ability to do so. It cannot be put into words and to try explicitly say why you think you know only means that you do not know what youre talking about. Its kind of like trying to tell people what good wine is. You cant really tell them, they just have to develop a pallete for it. After lots of experience with clothing, you know the good **** and from that I guess you can assume that it might of cost a lot...
 

cldpsu

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That would suck if everyone at the opera was wearing jeans, sneakers, etc.
 

HomerJ

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Originally Posted by Get Smart
Another point from Rye's manifesto.....if we're to accept $1500 in streetwear as equal to the same $ amount in suit/shirt/tie in regards to "respect or the perceived notion of seriousness", does that aid in the "slob-ification" of attire (which is a huge bone of contention on these forums), where everyone at the opera will be wearing jeans and tshirts, albeit $300 jeans, $200 tshirts, and $300 sneakers?

Yes. That's the only possible conclusion.
 

jet

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For me the first thing that comes forward is the overall impression upon first glance consisting of the fit of everything, the uniqueness of the pieces, perhaps the combination of unique shapes/proportions and the attitude of the wearer. It seems there is a huge divide between guys who know what's up and those who don't so they become easy to spot and actually stand out more than one would otherwise think.

If I saw you on the street Jas, I'd notice how well everything fits first and foremost and I would think to myself this dude knows what he's doing. People on the street wouldn't know what band of outsiders is but I think they notice that there is something different about it though they wouldn't be able to put their finger on it I imagine. There's an intangible "it" factor than is apparent with guys like you.

I wore the same thing but with a cardigan and trilby and I was getting stares wherever I went but I have to see it's pretty easy getting into places when you look presentable and put forth a good attitude because people expect you to be a snob.
 

Garage/Surf Rock

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Originally Posted by Garage/Surf Rock
If I'm gonna fork out serious dough, it better be on slacks, shirts, suits, sweaters or a symphony.
I have to justify this by saying that jeans, t-shirts, for the most part, tend to be made of the same materials, even when high end, though the craftsmanship is what people are paying for. To my eye, however, a pair of well-worn 501s is not different enough from a pair of broken-in high end jeans to warrant paying more. A nice sweater, though, made of wool or cashmere and with good craftsmanship and design is obviously different from some cheap, Made in China acrylic sweater from GAP or Old Navy. Design also distinguishes dressier clothes, whereas a pair of 501s is near perfection in terms of jeans, and the same thing will be said by high end denim companies who make selvedge. A plain white t can't be beat by a fancy t-shirt with silly designs all over it and some "designer" patch sewn onto it.
 

Stazy

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I found this after a quick google search.

New money prefers chinos and polo shirts to Savile Row suits, minimalist pads to chandelier-hung mansions, hanging out with pals to white-tie charity do's. New money is fast redefining the parameters of modern luxury: more youthful, more fun and, above all, more subtle. It's not about show and it's not about swank. Stealth wealth, is what it's called. Stealth wealth does not mean a diminution of luxury or quality, merely a recognition of where it truly resides. It isn't about cutting back: it means spending when it really matters, but not bothering when it doesn't. It's about private pleasure as opposed to public swank. It's about wearing the fur on the inside of your coat, and never opting for the brash flash-and-dash of a Versace number. The new rich don't want to show off so much as enjoy their carefully amassed fortunes.

The author seems to be arguing that expensive casual = stealth wealth. I disagree with that. In my opinion, Saville Row is just as much stealth wealth as Rye's fits are.
 

JohnnyLaw

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Stealth wealth is definitely an interesting subject. The kind of topic that makes me want to fling half-baked, poorly organized and worded theories at strangers over the internet.

I think it's very elitist, in part because of the exorbitant cost of the clothing and even more so because most of the people who can afford the pieces don't have the good taste necessary to dress well.

I see it as a way of showing off by people who both need to feed their ego and are disgusted by blatant displays of wealth.

It's a way to be part of a very small group of people who believe that they have the most refined tastes (generally not without reason) and participate in a kind of fashion circle jerk.

In a way it's pretty ridiculous, but when you think about it, all hobbies are to a certain degree. Hobbies are about finding obsessive ways to spend your extra money on unnecessary ****.
 

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