Women love to shop...it's like a law of nature or something. But it's no secret that lately the economy has been slowing down and the luxury market has been taking a hit -- high-income women may still love shopping but they're doing it a lot less. So how do luxury retailers plan to weather this storm? By making their products so compelling and irresistible that other purchases are put on hold to make room. High-end shoppers on a budget are not likely to trade down and start shopping at cheaper retailers, but instead they just become choosier with what they buy. In other words they may be buying less, but they're not stopping completely. So that awesome new handbag may have to yell a little louder to get attention, but it can still call your name like it always did.

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.