Phrase of the week: Stealth wealth

"The rich really are different. Unlike those who aspire to look luxe, the truly moneyed signal their taste subtly. Or that’s the idea underlying “stealth wealth,” the muted 2023 fashion trend exemplified by the wardrobes of “Succession.” There are no logos, flashy designs or bright colors, no cries for attention — just seemingly simple neutral and navy items, exorbitantly priced, ostensibly for the high-quality materials and craftsmanship.

If you can’t guess the designer of a $500 baseball cap or a $5,000 suit — and wouldn’t think to, frankly, because they’re plain — the wearer’s mission is accomplished. And if you can spot “quiet luxury,” as it’s also called, you’re discerning, part of the inner circle, a fraction of the tastefully fashionable few who can spot a needle in a haystack or $1,500 ballet flats by their resemblance to socks.

Presumably, you’re too cool to make the mistake of one interloper on the show, carrying a “ludicrously capacious” bag that was pricey but accidentally highlighted her outsider status with its bold Burberry trademark check and size. The stealthily wealthy may be burdened by their fortunes, but they appear to travel light, swathed in beiges, blacks and grays by designers like Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Hermes, the Row and Max Mara."