What Is Stealth Wealth?
The days of the over-the-top and "in your face" styles of being rich (think Donald Trump) are numbered it seems, as the trends of wealth and luxury are leaning ever more toward quiet, discreet, and as invisible as possible. A team from Newsweek has done some research and exploration of this latest move toward ultra-exclusive living, with their findings published in the July 2-9 edition of Newsweek (available on newsstands now). Getting a glimpse at some of what goes on is truly a treat, as everything from building and real estate architecture to the names and addresses of exclusive bars and clubs are going so understated as to be nearly invisible. And worn and used by the superrich? Obscure brand names, often without labels and logos, that are only known by those who can afford to know and appreciate their quality.As fun as it is to witness some of the ridiculous extravagance some celebrities are so open about, I think this trend is definitely a good one as far as taste and class go.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Another Black Season Jul 3rd 2007 9:17AM
Good, I'll fit right in, I'm broke.
dqm2 Jul 4th 2007 2:33PM
It's about time. With so many wearing what appears to be wealth on their sleeves it's time to step back and get a grip on this obscene flaunting of supposed wealth. We have everything from Trump Towers to Trump Tenaments. Something that fits into everybodys budget. Slapping a name or label on something doesn't mean it's good. Where did the days of quality and craftsmanship go? I understand there's even off the rack couture. Now that's something. Why not save up and get something of quality rather than settling for second and third rate things.
mediapusher Jul 2nd 2007 8:56PM
The only thing that comes to mind with flaunty wealth is the bling bling craze, otherwise as far as I'm concerned there have always been people that have flaunted their wealth no matter what decade we were living in. The ill fated Marie Antoinette and Henry the VIII were a prime example of this and so was Elvis Presley and Jane Mansfield.
felicia Jul 2nd 2007 9:12PM
thats the way it shoiuld be. i went to one oif the most expensives colleges, with all very wealthy people, i grew up in a wealthy town and i believe in understated. its the people who have money and dont brag that have class. money and material things do not buy class and sophioctication. look at parot hilton, she has so much money, but she has no cklass or brains, so she is basically trailor trash with money.
nathan Jul 2nd 2007 9:20PM
You are asking the slime D Trump to be silent about
HIS wealth is like telling North Korea to stop beeing
a communistic country. Good Luck people.
The Donald is a rich American low class man with the behavior to match.
The once that shut their mouth about wealth are the smart and classy once. We are all the same in this world just not as rich as other's. D Trump STINKS
Raffaele Zuccaro Jul 2nd 2007 9:56PM
People like Trump, Heffner, Larry King, Geraldo Rivera and the group of Wealthy Sickos who run Hollywood and the Entertainment industry- Its their MONEY that keeps them marrying a new WHORE every other year- All have many children by several of "exS"-- Who respects these users of women and money???
Claudia Jul 3rd 2007 1:36AM
I only have one thing to say. At least Donald Trump is a self made millionaire and worked for what he has now and did not inherit a dime. Whereas Hilton and many others didnt have to work for their millions at all. So I give him credit. He made the American dream come true for himself. I admire him for that.
William C. Lindsay Jul 2nd 2007 11:48PM
Why all the commotion concerning D. Trump. It's to my understanding that D. Trump is not wealthy because the banks own all of his posessions. He's not rich by a "long shot", but the public is fooled that he is rich.
EvelynO. Jul 2nd 2007 11:39PM
Say, Felicia - please don't tell which "expensive college" you attended, they may rescind your degree. Your spelling is atrocious!
david Jul 3rd 2007 12:39AM
we are all equal in this world.whether you have money or not,you are still important in this world,just make sure that you have some intelligence to go with all the money in your bank account.you will go a lot farther in life that way.
Steve Jul 3rd 2007 12:02AM
Ohhhh sounds like such Jealousy out there. Get over it, they made it and you didn't.
Eddie Jul 3rd 2007 12:17AM
Bad news for rappers.
Rappers are the most insophisticated, unclassy people I've ever met. They throw their "wealth" around like there's no tomorrow. What's worse is that rap "music" spurs a group of posers who think they're rich, just because they drive a certain car or wear a certain clothing label. People, that is NOT being classy. People who are quiet and modest about their wealth are.
Gladys Jul 3rd 2007 12:31AM
Who cares about those mother fckrs!if when they died don't take any of their fckng luxuries with them,and under-ground they're just dust.Bstrds,they should be using their fckng brains to rise money to help poor childrens,and also to discover a new cure for so many illness!.
MU guy Jul 4th 2007 3:04AM
it seems as though everyone thinks that they themselves would not act in the same manner if they were in the same situation.... And I'm not at all saying that i wouldn't act in the same fashion...but in the end we all arrive at the same conclusion that we each would like to be able to have they money that they have..
JEFF Jul 3rd 2007 12:57AM
I always love to read how the rich should be classly and not flaunt it , blah blah, well those comments come from the children of self made millionaires , or the grandchildren of them. If you come from nothing (like Mr trump) then flaunt it, why not?
I gurantee you with each Trump decendant comes a more private life. Let the 1st ones have their day in the son, they are changing family history. As far as the Paris Hiltons of the world, thank god for her, without her we would have to look at our own pathetic lives everyday. give me more Paris and Lindsey
and less foreclosures on the rise, families losing everything, teenagers killing themselves. Without the queens of L.A. what would you get to hate? yourself people.
JEFF Jul 3rd 2007 1:01AM
David, reality check . We are all not equal. Some of us work real hard to seperate themselves from people who think like you do. equal in whose eyes? maybe yours and perhaps gods, but while we are on this earth I prefer to be more equal then you, that way maybe my children wont have to work 20 hours a day to afford college for their kids. "All created equal"
jeez.
JEFF Jul 3rd 2007 1:04AM
Gladys
do you have any idea how much the Trump and Hilton families donated to hospitals and medical research last year? How much Trump Corp has donated for low income housing? plese do some research before you spout off like a bitter idiot, see folks? Galdys needs to watch more Paris, look how much she hates herself!
Anaga Ojo Jul 3rd 2007 1:08AM
A culture of stealth wealth might even reduce crime rate in the long run. Some would indulge in crime in order to be able to impress others by the gigs they own. Now, if what is important is who you are and not what you own, just maybe the level of crime and get-rich-quick schemes will reduce.
Dahlia Jul 3rd 2007 1:12AM
Yah, I enjoy reading about rich people but the rich ones I really admire, look up to and wish I were like them then I could also do what they are doing -- like helping the poor and underprivileged -- are Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and others. They share and help the less fortunate and thank God that we have them. May we have more of them in this world.
stephanie pope Jul 3rd 2007 1:15AM
comment # 10 is right on target! You rock with your keen mind. People, take a few minutes and go to the History Channel and check out and order mysteries on Secret Socities and this tells all from beginning of our goverment to the present. You will be amazed at what is going on outside the box. Do something now before we lose our freedom that our forefather's fought and shed their blood for our freedom that we have for now, but how long will this continue? Hey we are facing to be the next 3rd world country. Wake up America!!!!!!!!! Snooze and u lose! Order the cd today off the History channel. May be the best 30 minute information u will ever need to save our Country. Come on and make a difference!