How to Appear Wealthy (with Pictures) (2024)

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Co-authored byPaul Julch, MAand Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: December 16, 2021References

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   Pamper your skin so it looks glowing and healthy. Even if you can't afford expensive skin treatments, you can still have healthy, beautiful skin. Follow a regular skincare routine that's tailored to your skin type—wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, moisturize after you wash, and exfoliate once every 1-2 weeks.^[1]

   • Be sure to drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.
   • Visit a beauty counter and ask the salesperson to help you find serums, masks, and other skin-friendly treatments to help you get that dewy, "woke-up-like-this" look. To take it to the next level, see an aesthetician or dermatologist for procedures like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel to help your skin look its very best.
   • Wear sunscreen that's at least SPF 15 on your face, arms, and chest every time you go outside to protect your skin from sun damage.^[2]
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   Keep your teeth clean and white. Not all rich people have perfect teeth, but they can afford to get expensive dental procedures to keep their teeth white if they want to. You can help your smile look its best with whitening toothpaste, gel strips, or at-home whitening systems.^[3]

   • You can also see a dentist for professional tooth-whitening procedures. They may do a procedure in the office, like laser whitening, or they may fit you with a custom tray that you'll fill with bleaching gel to use at home.^[4]
   • Of course, taking care of your teeth at home is important, too. Brush twice a day, use mouthwash so your breath is always minty fresh, and floss daily—you won't pass as rich if you have yesterday's spinach stuck in your back teeth!
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   Get regular trims and use at-home treatments for healthy hair. You might not be able to splurge on a gold-foil hair mask or a caviar-based conditioner, but you can still get glossy, bouncy hair that looks like money! Use a quality, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that's designed for your hair type, and once every couple of weeks, use a deep conditioning mask or a hot oil treatment to nourish your hair and keep it shiny and soft.

   • Visit your hairstylist every 6 weeks or so for a trim so you don't get split ends—straggly hair is so not hot right now.
   • If you dye your hair, get regular touch-ups so your roots don't show and the color doesn't fade.
   • Take some time to style your hair every morning when you get dressed. That can be as simple as slicking down your cowlick with some water or tousling your hair into a deliberately messy style, or it could be as involved as giving yourself a full blow-out and setting your hair in rollers—that's up to you and the style you're going for.
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   Wear subtle makeup to give off wealthy vibes. If you have a lot of money, chances are you already have great skin, so you don't have to worry about piling on thick makeup to make a good impression. Channel that energy when you're doing your makeup each day. Focus more on getting glowy complexion, then, keep the rest simple—something like neutral eyeshadow, a glowy blush, lip gloss, and a coat of mascara is really all you need.^[5]

   • That's not to say you can never go full glam, but that might be best saved for special occasions. For an everyday look, something understated is more convincing.
   • Try watching makeup tutorials for ideas on how you can get the best look for your face shape and skin type!
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   Keep your nails clean and neatly trimmed. You might be surprised, but the way your nails look can really have an impact on your overall appearance. Use a small brush to wash around and under your nails each day, and keep your nails trimmed and neatly filed. If you want to paint them, stick to clear or very light polishes for the most part—for instance, a pale blush on your nails is always perfectly pretty and appropriate, and you can never go wrong with a French manicure.^[6]

   • If you want to wear a bolder color, stick to a classic like red. Bright, bold colors like blue and purple can tend to look cheap.
   • If your nails tend to break easily, it's best to wear them shorter so they'll always look uniform.

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   Learn what the wealthy like. The best way to imitate the wealthy is to learn what they like to do and buy. You don't have to actually buy high-end items, but being able to recognize them and reference them is essential!^[7]

   • Watch reality shows about the wealthy. Many of the actors on these shows discuss their favorite brands, restaurants, vacation destinations, and beauty treatments. Learn from them!
   • Read fashion magazines like Vogue to learn what the hottest luxury items are. In addition, browse entertainment magazines to see what your favorite A-listers, rock stars, and supermodels are wearing.
   • Go to the mall and look at what's on display in the nicest stores. Department stores are great for this—try Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, or Macy's.
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   See Also

   23 U.S. cities where you can earn $150,000 and still be considered middle classBecome a Millionaire One Small Step at a Time (Rutgers NJAES)9.3C: The Upper Middle ClassWealthy vs. Rich: The Main Differences & Future Planning

   Order healthy foods when you're out. Rich people can afford to eat the freshest foods, so avoid eating fast food or processed foods when you want to seem wealthy. It's okay if you still eat that stuff at home, but when you're trying to impress, order salads, smoothies, and anything described as “local” or “sustainable.”^[8]

   • If an entree is too expensive, just order an appetizer or side dish!
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   Use the latest phones and electronics. Once you've learned about what the hottest cell phone or tablet is, either get it yourself or get a subtle cover for your own device. The latest Apple products are always popular, and you can also look into getting wearable technology. Many cell phone providers offer free devices with a new contract, and if you go to a university, they often rent tablets or laptops to students. If this isn't an option, get the most subtle case you can find for your own device—a dark color or fake wood finish is best.

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   Shop the clearance racks for designer clothes. High-end things don't necessarily have to be expensive. It's better to buy from the clearance rack at a nice store than to buy regular price at a cheaper one. Classic, tailored styles are most often associated with being wealthy, but you can give off a rich look by dressing in a boho or street style as well—remember, there's no one way to look like you have money!^[9]

   • Lean towards clean, simple, and well-made clothes rather than loud clothes with flashy, in-your-face logos.^[10]
   • Shop at secondhand stores for designer bargains. Thrift stores, online consignment shops, and pawn shops can get you designer clothes or high-end electronics for much cheaper than retail.
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   Focus on quality over quantity when you shop. Follow the one-third rule: buy one-third as many things as you used to, but spend three times as much on each thing. Instead of buying six $10 shirts at a cheaper store, buy two $30 shirts at a fancier store.

   • As a bonus, high-quality clothing tends to last longer, so you're actually getting a better value for your money!
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   Ask for free samples. Some makeup and perfume stores will give you samples of their products without having to buy anything—just ask what their policy is!

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   Choose simple clothes and accessories. Buying flashy clothes can backfire--if you wear the same pair of gold pants every time you go out, people will know that it's your only nice pair. Buy simple, understated clothes and wear them repeatedly.^[11]

   • Choose very simple black bags and shoes. It is much easier to blend in with a basic pair of black heels than it is to blend in with a flashy pair of shoes.
   • If you wear jewelry, go with small, delicate pieces that are clean and simple.^[12]
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   Buy clothes that fit you well. Cheap clothes that fit correctly will look better than expensive clothes that don't. Try on everything before you buy it, and don't buy anything that doesn't fit. If you find something truly amazing that doesn't fit you, have it tailored before you wear it. Also, make sure your clothes are always clean and pressed—wrinkles don't look rich.^[13]

   • Shirts, jackets, and coats should fit you closely at the shoulders. If you can pinch more than a centimeter of extra fabric at the tip of your shoulders, it's too big. If you can't move your arms freely, it's too small.
   • Blouses and dresses should fit comfortably around your bust. If your outfit has buttons, there should never be a gap between the two sides of the buttons.
   • Pants should sit securely on your waist or hips, depending on the style. There should be no flesh bulging around the top of the pants, and you should not need to wear a belt to keep them on.
   • A fitted bra can drastically improve your appearance. If your bra is uncomfortable in any way, have yourself fitted at a department store or lingerie store.
   • Make sure the shoes you wear are in good condition. An expensive pair of dirty, scuffed, worn down shoes won't look expensive but a cheap pair of well-taken care of shoes can.^[14]

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   Go where the rich go. If you can, start visiting the places where the wealthy in your community hang out. Visit high-end stores, fancy restaurants, and trendy coffee shops. If you live near a ski area or equestrian club, visit those too.^[15]

   • Find out what the hottest clubs and bars are in your area. Go just to be seen. If people know you hang out there, they'll think you're rich too.
   • You don't have to regularly spend money at these places. Order a basic coffee, juice, or an appetizer at restaurants. If you're at a store, you can always say you're just browsing today.
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   Read up on current events. Most wealthy people are college-educated and up-to-date on current events. Read the news and arts sections of your local paper to learn what the wealthy are talking about in your area. If someone makes a reference you don't understand, look it up online later.

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   Behave politely when you're around others. The wealthy are typically expected to have good manners, so you should too. Don't say rude or insulting things to people, say please and thank you, and introduce yourself to new people. If you are hosting others, open doors, offer them a seat, and bring them refreshments yourself.

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   Act reserved to come across as classy. Don't yell at anyone for any reason, even if you're just having fun. Don't share overly personal information with people you've just met, and don't refer to embarrassing or personal things in conversation. A good rule of thumb is to avoid pushing information onto other people--let them pull it out of you.^[16]

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   Avoid looking impressed or awed by nice things. Remember, if you're acting rich, you want to give the impression that you see nice things all the time. Don't gush over expensive clothes or accessories, and don't act like you're afraid to try new things. On the other hand, you shouldn't be dismissive or rude either—act interested, but not amazed.

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