Stealth Wealth & How to Fake It
The "it" items of the moment range from humble sneakers to crocodile notebooks
Stealth wealth is having a moment. We see it in Succession, when the old-moneyed characters give more than a little side eye to the new-money types (like those who wear an oversized plaid Burberry tote to an evening event). And we see it in celebrity pap shots—like when Jacob Elordi was recently snapped wearing shorts, an old sweatshirt, and a $4,900 Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag (with a pair of very-of-the-moment Adidas Gazelles, which are a humble signal of the aforementioned “stealth wealth” vibe.)
But stealth wealth was perhaps most notably front and center in the Gwyneth Paltrow courtroom drama. Take the case itself, which pit the A-list actress-turned-wellness CEO against an optometrist who sued her for allegedly crashing into him at a Utah ski resort and then gliding off. But you can also sense the stealth wealth in Paltrow’s ensembles which I am here to report—without any irony or sense of bias—are perfect.
They are classic. Neutral (in a good way). At once chic and comfortable. And they are all very, very expensive. Labels like Brunello Cucinelli, The Row, Celine, and of course G. Label (Goop’s in-house line) are all represented. Even the Smythson notebook she’s been toting with her costs a reported $250.
I think the popularity of her courtroom drip, and the fact that everything cool these days seems to be moneyed-but-not-in-your-face-about-it, signals a turn—not toward all things beige, but toward the classic. Because stealth wealth—the idea of wearing things that are quietly expensive, rather than wrapped in designer logos and in-your-face about cost—is nothing new.
Stealth wealth doesn’t necessarily equate to a members-only sticker to the country club. It could be a quietly luxurious vintage cashmere sweater. A perfectly-lived-in-baseball-cap that isn’t expensive, but still screams wealthy. In other words, pieces that will stand the test of time.
Let’s be honest: a lot of this stuff—even the designer versions—is just hanging around at your local Goodwill. A couple of weeks ago, I found a 1989 poster from the Hamptons Classic at a thrift store in North Carolina. Hanging that on your wall is a stealth wealth flex. But there are quieter ways to scream “luxury,” too—like with a pair of Adidas Gazelles, which are having a moment (and which I’ve included in previous newsletters, if you’ve been following for a while). Or with a vintage watch that looks it was passed down through your family for decades (no one needs to know it came from an estate sale).
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite pieces that offer stealth wealth vibes in spades—and some of my favorite sources of inspiration for the vibe—below. I’ve divided the list into little luxuries (the pieces that won’t break the bank) and items that are more of an investment.
PS. It’s this little newsletter’s one-year anniversary! This is a passion project for me, to be sure—a way for me to share the little bits and bobs that inspire me and update friends and followers on all the goings-on with by book, Big Thrift Energy. It’s been such a fun year. I hope you’ll keep following along.
Stealth wealth dripping down the frame of every Nancy Meyers film, which always include interiors that are comfortable, inviting, and, look like a million dollars.
I’ve included Dior’s magic balm in previous newsletters and with good reason: it’s a perfect quiet luxury that actually works and is packaged so beautifully that it gives you a sense of satisfaction every time you remove it from your purse/pocket/nightstand drawer.
Ah, the aforementioned Gazelles. These are having such a moment for men and women alike. The shape is great, there’s no platform (though the company makes versions with a little more height), and they’re just plain easy to wear. Incidentally, they look great with everything from jeans-and-a-tee to an off-white suit.
If you watch Succession, you know a great baseball cap can be a signature power move. Kendall Roy’s is unadorned but this Prince x Sporty & Rich number feels very much like it came from your local tennis club, but with no membership dues required.
Gwyneth Paltrow wore this belted cardigan during her ski crash trial. It’s expensive, yes, but in terms of price-per-wear, I actually think it’s a great investment. You will get so much mileage out of a black cardigan and the belt makes this one hug the body perfectly.
Gone are the days when La Mer was the singular skincare line to signify stealth wealth. These days, it’s al about clean beauty and Vintner’s Daughter has cornered the market when it comes to cult-followed-beauty-oil. The Active Botanical Serum is granola-meets-Gucci in the best way.
Everything The Row does is a stealth wealth power move. The clothes, bags, and shoes this very upscale, Olsen twins-founded line turns out are all classic, well-made and perfectly tailored. I purchased these boots three years ago and they are still my most-worn shoe. They truly look good with everything—under wide-legged jeans, over tights—and never seem to fade from the fashion zeitgeist.
And if we’re talking about The Row, we can’t fail to mention this perfect oversized clutch bag which is drop-dead-gorgeous and at the top of my wish list.
Everyone knows about Cartier and Tiffany but only the really cool girls rock Spinelli Kilcollin. The gorgeous, mixed-metal galaxy rings by this brand come pre-stacked—but you can also de-connect the bands and wear them across multiple fingers.
And if you really want to pull a stealth wealth move: take this navy croc notebook out of your briefcase the next time you’re on trial for allegedly running into someone on your skis.
And I’ll leave you with this…