What bags do you consider to be "stealth wealth"?

[BleuSaphir]

My opinion definitely has change. I can’t look at majority of Hermes bags as stealth wealth when it now recognized as an ultra expensive luxury brand.

I would opt as say other brands that are not strong in recognition that are small and not known to be expensive purchases.

 

[peachylv]

I like having quality but not obnoxious logos (and not the same thing everyone and their brother has). I have bags from Smythson and the Row that are pretty stealth. The Row bag is even designed that the tiny embossed lettering is supposed to be held against your body, not facing out. Most of my collection is pretty stealth and you’d really have to be in the know — Mansur Gavriel, Mulberry Bayswater, Saint Laurent Sac Du Jour.

I get compliments because people have no idea what it is (people tend not to compliment “louder” designer bags because they know what it is). The only bag I have that is king of loud and ubiquitous is my Gucci soho disco. I keep wanting to buy something more ostentatious and recognizable but stealth is what grabs my attention as far as bags.

The great thing about the Soho Disco is that is has a plain side too. Although mine is red, so there is nothing stealthy about it.

 

[Mirus’ Dream]

This is so gorgeous!

 

[papertiger]

The problem with buying what many may consider 'stealth wealth' (now often termed 'quiet luxury') is that it's a style or set of signed coordinates that still advertises "I'm wealthy" and therefore, it's not not signifying personal taste it's just buying into there's (expensive) good and bad taste and wanting to advertise good taste.

There are people who look at another's UTR models from many of the top luxury brands and think, "they couldn't get their quota/Ltd Ed/classic bag". So long as people think/believe their is a hierarchy of brands (nothing to do with well-made/not well-made) or a hierarchy of styles within a brand there is only fashion, and fashion is about caring what (other) people think. The only true stealth/quiet luxury is understanding and expressing yourself regardless of what others are wearing/thinking.

 

[kristeabon]

I love Ferragamo shoes and bags - especially Sofia and Suzanna. I have many of these - very comfortable, craftsmanship is beautiful. Also Armani. But both both these brands really loosing their value after purchase (they are relatively expensive when new, but you can get great deals on preloved) like SF suzanna with alligator handle and strap I purchased for 400$.

 

[Alienza]

Hermes Marwari and Masai. The H stamp is inside the bag so its really unnoticeable. I have the marwari and really like the easy style, slouchiness and the big outer pocket. Still debating whether i should get Massai too.

 

[Mirus’ Dream]

Hermes’ can be considered stealth wealth 20 years ago, but not anymore now.

I think a factor to consider if a brand is stealth wealth is the location. I would like to include moynat, delvaux and valextra as stealth wealth because they are still unheard of in some countries but are very well known brands and sell really well in some Asian countries especially delvaux and valextra.

Perhaps stealth wealth in a global sense are the new brands that are not widely known YET but good quality and expensive like Joseph Duclos snd bespoke bags by Peter Nitz or Mila Jito. I’m sure there are a lot more bag designers who does customization that I am just not aware of.

I feel that with the internet and social media, no brand will stay stealth for very long.

 

[leechiyong]

The problem with buying what many may consider 'stealth wealth' (now often termed 'quiet luxury') is that it's a style or set of signed coordinates that still advertises "I'm wealthy" and therefore, it's not not signifying personal taste it's just buying into there's (expensive) good and bad taste and wanting to advertise good taste.

There are people who look at another's UTR models from many of the top luxury brands and think, "they couldn't get their quota/Ltd Ed/classic bag". So long as people think/believe their is a hierarchy of brands (nothing to do with well-made/not well-made) or a hierarchy of styles within a brand there is only fashion, and fashion is about caring what (other) people think. The only true stealth/quiet luxury is understanding and expressing yourself regardless of what others are wearing/thinking.

Far more eloquent than I ever could have put it.

I can’t help but think stealth wealth is an oxymoron. Trying to signify anything surrounding one’s financial status is the opposite of stealth to me.

Wealth is the abundance of valuable possessions and money, but valuable to whom? This trend (like most others) places focus on perceived value when that‘s merely one component of what makes something valuable to the individual. The truly wealthy understand what is valuable to them. It’s not that they don’t care for logos or that they do; it’s that what they bought suits their needs, preferences, and tastes.

 

[cerler]

Delvaux, The Row, Valextra, Moynat.

 

[Gimmethebag]

People are so obsessed with the most expensive non-logo item they can get their hands onto, as if they are signifying “I’m wealthy but trying to be stealthy about it.”

From my experience, truly wealthy people wear what they want because they know what they have.

 

[Swanky]

People are so obsessed with the most expensive non-logo item they can get their hands onto, as if they are signifying “I’m wealthy but trying to be stealthy about it.”

From my experience, truly wealthy people wear what they want because they know what they have.

Like what?
As pertaining to the thread title. It’s interesting to hear which bags others consider to be stealth wealth.

 

[Gimmethebag]

Like what?
As pertaining to the thread title. It’s interesting to hear which bags others consider to be stealth wealth.

TikTok and the Sofia Richie obsession have kind of ruined it because people are going out of their way to purchase the Loro Piana pouch bag and anything from The Row.

At this point on social media, everyone and their mother know what the BKC and the BV cassette bag look like. They don't have blatant logos on them, but they kinda do IYKWIM?

While the online conversation is hyper-fixated on quiet luxury at the moment, I don't think the top echelon of customers cares that much. The Chanel and Dior customers will still buy what they like as the designer logo is front and center. Even multi-millionaires and billionaires can't resist that nylon crossbody bag at Lululemon.

 

[saligator]

It might be that it isn't about a stealth wealth bag these days, but whether or not one can own a very expensive bag and "afford" it to look very used and ratty. Jane Birkin's Birkin comes to mind. She may have had different reasons, but the "not pristine" (e.g., "beat up") prestige bag seems to indicate a laissez faire attitude towards "needing" to keep a bag nice for financial reasons (e.g., can't be replaced easily). For rich folk, they can. See also that Olsen twin's Kelly.

 

[Diamondbirdie]

I think it depends where you live, too. Here in Scotland, the people carrying identifiable bags, like LV, Dior etc, seem to be the young and flashy. The wealthy hide the fact that they have money and won’t carry fancy bags. You might spot a vintage Rolex, or a beautiful heirloom ring (not diamond, more likely sapphire or emerald), but they’ll be carrying a black, unlabelled, tatty bag! It’s very, very understated.

 

[papertiger]

It might be that it isn't about a stealth wealth bag these days, but whether or not one can own a very expensive bag and "afford" it to look very used and ratty. Jane Birkin's Birkin comes to mind. She may have had different reasons, but the "not pristine" (e.g., "beat up") prestige bag seems to indicate a laissez faire attitude towards "needing" to keep a bag nice for financial reasons (e.g., can't be replaced easily). For rich folk, they can. See also that Olsen twin's Kelly.

ITA. Brands are one thing, logos are another, and the age and usage of bags is another (linked) discussion. There are differences in cultures globally. Even within micro-cultures. I totally agree with @Diamondbirdie that in Scotland that (apart from 'trendy Wendys') a good quality, well-loved bag is a sign you chose well. Fashion trends are seen as frippery and something for the 'wean'.

In terms of longevity (new V old) I think it shows a firstly a deep appreciation of bag if someone is carrying it long after the dictates of fashion. It means "I liked this so I bought it" rather than "I like this because others liked it".