Open house attire/conspicuous consumption

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what open houses have already happened that OP would have attended. Sidwell? NCS? There's some money there but actually not a whole lot of flashy people. STA's is happening this weekend and that might be the wealthiest school in the DMV. However we are there as two feds and my kid fits in just fine. The wealthiest families we know at the school (I'm thinking of a dozen with HHI of $10+ million or even $20+ million) are not flashy at all. There is absolutely, 100% truth that it's new money or those around $1 million in HHI that spend the most on brand names things.

I was at STA's this weekend and did a few last year. I didn't notice what anyone was wearing, other than noting a lot of khakis (men and prospective students) and black (women). I am a fed with a non-logo purse and minimalist/monochromatic non-designer clothing and non-logo shoes, and drive a 12 year old car. I didn't feel out of place. However, I also went to several of the schools mentioned in this thread so generally feel comfortable at events like this, even though I live in a much lower income bracket than most everyone else (both now and when I was a student). I would likely feel differently if these open houses were my first introduction to the DMV school scene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what open houses have already happened that OP would have attended. Sidwell? NCS? There's some money there but actually not a whole lot of flashy people. STA's is happening this weekend and that might be the wealthiest school in the DMV. However we are there as two feds and my kid fits in just fine. The wealthiest families we know at the school (I'm thinking of a dozen with HHI of $10+ million or even $20+ million) are not flashy at all. There is absolutely, 100% truth that it's new money or those around $1 million in HHI that spend the most on brand names things.

I was at STA's this weekend and did a few last year. I didn't notice what anyone was wearing, other than noting a lot of khakis (men and prospective students) and black (women). I am a fed with a non-logo purse and minimalist/monochromatic non-designer clothing and non-logo shoes, and drive a 12 year old car. I didn't feel out of place. However, I also went to several of the schools mentioned in this thread so generally feel comfortable at events like this, even though I live in a much lower income bracket than most everyone else (both now and when I was a student). I would likely feel differently if these open houses were my first introduction to the DMV school scene.

Your bragging about being above it all is just that, bragging... Also, please get a new car because your 12 year old car is destroying our environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what open houses have already happened that OP would have attended. Sidwell? NCS? There's some money there but actually not a whole lot of flashy people. STA's is happening this weekend and that might be the wealthiest school in the DMV. However we are there as two feds and my kid fits in just fine. The wealthiest families we know at the school (I'm thinking of a dozen with HHI of $10+ million or even $20+ million) are not flashy at all. There is absolutely, 100% truth that it's new money or those around $1 million in HHI that spend the most on brand names things.

I was at STA's this weekend and did a few last year. I didn't notice what anyone was wearing, other than noting a lot of khakis (men and prospective students) and black (women). I am a fed with a non-logo purse and minimalist/monochromatic non-designer clothing and non-logo shoes, and drive a 12 year old car. I didn't feel out of place. However, I also went to several of the schools mentioned in this thread so generally feel comfortable at events like this, even though I live in a much lower income bracket than most everyone else (both now and when I was a student). I would likely feel differently if these open houses were my first introduction to the DMV school scene.

Your bragging about being above it all is just that, bragging... Also, please get a new car because your 12 year old car is destroying our environment.

Not PP but my 12 year old car gets about 30mpg. Continuing to use these relatively fuel-efficient vehicles is much better for the environment than the carbon pollution involved in manufacturing an entirely new car, especially one with a large battery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what open houses have already happened that OP would have attended. Sidwell? NCS? There's some money there but actually not a whole lot of flashy people. STA's is happening this weekend and that might be the wealthiest school in the DMV. However we are there as two feds and my kid fits in just fine. The wealthiest families we know at the school (I'm thinking of a dozen with HHI of $10+ million or even $20+ million) are not flashy at all. There is absolutely, 100% truth that it's new money or those around $1 million in HHI that spend the most on brand names things.

I was at STA's this weekend and did a few last year. I didn't notice what anyone was wearing, other than noting a lot of khakis (men and prospective students) and black (women). I am a fed with a non-logo purse and minimalist/monochromatic non-designer clothing and non-logo shoes, and drive a 12 year old car. I didn't feel out of place. However, I also went to several of the schools mentioned in this thread so generally feel comfortable at events like this, even though I live in a much lower income bracket than most everyone else (both now and when I was a student). I would likely feel differently if these open houses were my first introduction to the DMV school scene.

Your bragging about being above it all is just that, bragging... Also, please get a new car because your 12 year old car is destroying our environment.

Not PP but my 12 year old car gets about 30mpg. Continuing to use these relatively fuel-efficient vehicles is much better for the environment than the carbon pollution involved in manufacturing an entirely new car, especially one with a large battery.

Okay.

[Anonymous]

So the Potomac walk in the woods is this weekend. Should I pull out my gucci sneakers for the event?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the Potomac walk in the woods is this weekend. Should I pull out my gucci sneakers for the event?

Yes, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea what open houses have already happened that OP would have attended. Sidwell? NCS? There's some money there but actually not a whole lot of flashy people. STA's is happening this weekend and that might be the wealthiest school in the DMV. However we are there as two feds and my kid fits in just fine. The wealthiest families we know at the school (I'm thinking of a dozen with HHI of $10+ million or even $20+ million) are not flashy at all. There is absolutely, 100% truth that it's new money or those around $1 million in HHI that spend the most on brand names things.

I was at STA's this weekend and did a few last year. I didn't notice what anyone was wearing, other than noting a lot of khakis (men and prospective students) and black (women). I am a fed with a non-logo purse and minimalist/monochromatic non-designer clothing and non-logo shoes, and drive a 12 year old car. I didn't feel out of place. However, I also went to several of the schools mentioned in this thread so generally feel comfortable at events like this, even though I live in a much lower income bracket than most everyone else (both now and when I was a student). I would likely feel differently if these open houses were my first introduction to the DMV school scene.

I’m sure you have no idea if they’re wearing non logoed J Crew or The Row give me a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve always volunteered at my DC’s open house/admissions events - fascinating exercise in the human condition and posturing.

I hate to generalize but often times (not every time) the logo-NASCAR outfits (aka I’m going to wear every piece of branded luxury item I have) align with cold, standoffish behavior towards a fellow parent (me) or the administrator both of whom are just trying to be of help, tour them around a school and have pleasant conversation.

Which I always think is a weird play when you’re trying to get your child into a highly competitive school but ok :shrug:

+1
I could have written this! I also always laugh at the standoffish people attending open houses who are cold and rude to the parents (who have been asked to help at these events) and then turn on the fake charm as soon as they see an administrator or admissions person! Don’t they realize everyone talks and the school is smart enough to see right through this?
If you want a true feeling for what actual families are like, attend some sporting events, the fall festival, musical, etc.

[Anonymous]

The suburban privates are more nouveau riche and label conscious. STA and the urban schools are less showy and more down to earth.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t this just women showing off for other women? Like who the hell else cares? I see the men checking out who has been working out and not who has a Cartier stack. And that can get you a lot farther.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Potomac walk in the woods is this weekend. Should I pull out my gucci sneakers for the event?

Yes, please.

I’m going with Alexander McQueen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are very few fat people among the prospective parents.

This is absolutely true. My husband and I couldn't believe how healthy everyone (parents and children) looked. It was refreshing.

Is this a joke?

Umm,no. The fat people are spending all of their money on food - no extra money for tuition.

Signed,

A fluffy person

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our Big 3, some of the wealthiest parents are the most understated. After all, “New money screams, old money whispers”

Yep.

“Some of” being a key descriptor here.

DCUM desperately wants this to be universally true but it simply isn’t. Lots of very wealthy people, including old money people, wear things that make their wealth recognizable.

Old money that I know are some of the cheapest when it comes to things like cars and clothes. They spend money on real estate, including decorators and very expensive furniture and art; vacations/activities; and for toys it’s sometimes a boat/plane but those aren’t a where the real $$ is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went to one Open House years ago and scratched the school off our list because Infelt like we had nothing in common with anyone due to this situation

Strange mixture of insecure and judgmental. If you don't speak to people, you have no idea. Basing it on how someone dresses is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also half of it is probably fake. Bought just for this purpose. There are some incredibly close dupes out there that take a very close look at to figure out what’s real.

Lol seriously? I’d be surprised if these people are buying fakes. Especially knowingly…

I can easily afford the real thing, but buy fakes of some (not all). Depends on whether i think I'll use/wear something long term. Thing is, when you have the money and look like you do, nobody thinks some of the items are knock offs.