In modern society, being a super-rich individual is not an easy task. On one hand, they increasingly emphasize “Quiet Wealth,” aiming to hide their gilded world from the 99.9% of the population and avoid excessive external attention.
They reduce flaunting their wealth in public settings and instead opt for private purchases of luxury homes, artworks, and classic cars. According to a recent report by Sotheby’s, their core earnings have plunged by 88%, and auction sales have dropped by 25%, while Christie’s saw a 22% decline in auction sales compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, sales from private auction transactions have been on the rise.
However, on the other hand, affluent individuals also need to showcase their wealth to the community of the rich, demonstrating that they are “one of them,” and they need to understand their hierarchy in the world of wealth.
As a result, they need more subtle ways to display their wealth to be understood by the “insiders.”
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the simplest symbol of wealth is a watch. A Wall Street businessman explained, “If you see a yellow gold Rolex Daytona, that’s one thing; but when you see a Patek Philippe, you know, the person is on a different level.”
For women, jewelry is of utmost importance. Today’s affluent women want to showcase the weight of gold, and they enjoy wearing heavy gold necklaces. The large pendant gold necklaces from Foundrae are specially designed to hang various symbols on the collarbone, showing individuality and are highly favored by socialites and heiresses.
“Limited edition items” also have a significant influence, as “you want something that only has 10 pieces in the world.” Fashion journalist, novelist, and socialite Plum Sykes said.
Traveling by private jet is also a clear symbol of wealth. The affluent class has even coined a new term for it: “We’ve been NetJetted.” And they will find excuses, saying, “We had to take a private jet because we had to bring the dog.”
At the same time, everything depends on attitude. Super-rich individuals must act as if nothing in life is a big deal. When flying on a private jet, they act familiar and comfortable, perhaps barefoot or casually leaning back, then order a glass of Diet Coke or beer, eating some salt and pepper chips.
There are also super-rich individuals who are keen on wearing an “invisible cloak,” completely concealing their wealth. Recently, James J. Sexton, a New York lawyer specializing in divorce and family cases for the super-rich, revealed that many of them live modestly on the surface. They may drive a domestic SUV, wear ordinary t-shirts, and even appear less conspicuous than the average office worker.
These affluent individuals do not pursue outward luxury but focus more on internal reflection and spiritual elevation. They understand that humility and low-key profiles ensure long-term prosperity, allowing them to concentrate on career development and personal growth. Many in the affluent class are passionate about charity work and participate in donations, contributing to social welfare with their efforts.