I understand that very wealthy people prefer designer clothing and wouldn’t dream of buying anything less. I do wonder, though, is it common for them to greet one another by commenting on such? Such as “is that Lily Pulitzer you are wearing dear? It’s smashing.”
Really rich people wouldn’t really be wearing Lily Pulitzer. If they were, it wouldn’t be worth commenting.
I am not rich, but if I notice my friend wearing something recognizable, I would make a comment.
Those who in the past would have been called “nouveax riche” might. Those who come from “old money” never would.
The thing about clothing is that you would recognize what someone else was wearing.
I remember years ago being at a PTO meeting and one of the ladies wore a St. John’s suit. I personally had no idea and did not know it was a St. John but enough people did that it was commented on.
If someone had a Lilly dress on, the people who were fans know the prints and know that it is a Lilly.
Funny, I went to my nieces graduation from her expensive private day school. One of the graduates had Louboutin shoes on, you knew that was what they were because they have a red sole. Of course those who know, knew what she had. I thought it was overkill. But I was told that her dad was the ceo of a big company in town.
I like to shop so I probably would know more than some what people are wearing. I don’t usually comment thought especially if it’s about conspicuous consumption. I might comment to that person about what they are wearing if I have something like that.
For instance if I saw MOWC, I might comment on her nuumuu dress because I love mine but that’s not something most people would notice. Not that they should and it’s not an expensive thing either
I’m not rich, but I don’t think recognizing a designer is a good thing. That might indicate it is common. I think commenting on how much you like it or how great it looks on the person wearing it is a compliment.
I’ve never understood why they ask this at the Oscars, other than to make conversation, or maybe to find out about a NEW designer.
We’re rich but made our money working hard as physicians and we are hopelessly middle class and not stylish. You can’t generalize about people based on their net worth. Some people overspend their income to live expensively while others (us) live ordinary lives and buy things not just because we can afford them but because the item is worth its price to us. I wouldn’t recognize designer labels unless they were right in my face.
You need to sort out which wealthy group you are thinking about. Those who think expensive clothes make the man and those who couldn’t care less.
Rich people are just like anyone else. Some care about fashion, some don’t. I know plenty of wealthy people who are as clueless about fashion as I am. And I know people much poorer than me who would recognize designers I’ve never heard of (which, admittedly, isn’t that hard) even though they can’t afford them.
@wis75 I’m still thinking about you wearing shorts to your meetings/luncheons from another thread. You do have laid back lifestyle.
There are wealthy people who could careless about fashion, but it would be hard for poor people to truly recognize designers unless they spend much of their time studying it. I would think most poor people are too busy doing other things to study latest designer fashion.
Your entire premise is wrong. Wealthy people are like anyone else in that some care about fashion and clothing and others don’t.
Moreover liking nice clothing doesn’t mean that every single piece of clothing you own is “designer.” I’ve got both a Chanel bag and sweatpants from Sam’s Club in my closet.
For some reason, I can’t seem to be able to edit my post. I wanted to add that I was poor, and I know I spent most of time just trying to make my ends meet.
Additionally some designers have easily recognizable logos or patterns. Others don’t at all. Those who aren’t particularly clued in often mistake “designer” for “has visible logos from across the room,” which isn’t the case at all.
My broke niece has a book “How to Look Expensive.” Amazing how she pulls it off.
The question is a bit like whether people care about who is taller. Men between 5’10 ish and 6’1 ish can be obsessed about whether someone is taller than someone else. Those who are above 6’2 or so don’t care how tall you are…they’re taller than everyone else. 
Speaking of the wealthy, it reminds me of a (obviously made-up) story of a young suitor who wanted to impress a very wealthy young lady on their first date. He rented a Roll-Royce to pick her up. As they drove off, she was effusive in her admiration for his car. After a while he couldn’t resist, and said “Haven’t you ever been in a Rolls before?”. The reply came: “Well yes…but never in the front seat.”
Some people can recognize a car by the sound of it. I can “name that handbag” with a glance and without recognizable logs.
I am going to bypass the part of the question of “who is rich?”. If someone is “comfortable” financially and/or comfortable in their own skin, who care? I love shopping and I love clothes. I love sale shopping and browsing. I have several pairs of Chanel, Ferragamo, and Loubitan shoes. My current favorites for daily use? Aerosoles and Banana Republic. I have been wearing St. John (yellow label) for daily wear and Gap.
The people I know wouldn’t say a word (unless you had a rip or in newborn baby stains. No one cares.
I’m not rich.
I’ve sort of decided in most circumstances not to comment on anything someone is wearing, but rather just say, “you look lovely” if I feel the need to comment. Same with weight loss. New hairdos. Possible cosmetic work.
For some reason this thread made me think of what life would be like if everyone had to walk the red carpet to get through the day. “Who are you wearing?” “Ooooh, Talbot’s!”
Nevermind.
Right. I personally would spend on clothing before I’d spend on expensive furniture, fine wine, gourmet food. Others feel differently. C’est la vie.