Exclusive breastfeeding/pumping can be a status symbol. Lactation consultants, pump parts, flexible jobs with pump rooms, or SAHM status all play a role.

Sophie the Giraffe.

Anything by Aden + Anais.

Organic baby food.

Good posture - good breeding normally
Well spoken - ditto
Not blowing up or losing temper in case of provocation
Being thin

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny
New cars
New homes

No, those are intentional.

To you

Almost anyone can lease or buy a new car. "New home" is too vague and I don't think people buy 2M homes in Bethesda unintentionally.

Coming back to the idea of simple and unintetional status symbols, I agree with "no make up" but in reality is not strident or exaggerated make up. Also well manicured hands (for women and man) and subtle colors: better if it is a simple gloss but never a french manicure (and don't even mention french pedicure) and long nails NEVER.
A nice simple leather bag, mostly leather shoes unless you are a vegetarian or pro-animal and buy vegan shoes a mooshoes.com. never wear snickers unless you are actually doing any kind of sports.
And the most important,
you speak more than one language.

Anonymous wrote:Competing in triathlons, marathons, etc. It's trickling down a bit, but still largely belongs to upper middle class and up. Although they are show-offy pursuits, it's athletic prowess that's being shown off; I don't think most participants do it to flaunt wealth. Therefore, unintentional status symbols.

+1. Just read about how it costs tens of thousands of dollars to join an expedition to climb Mt. Everest. The Sherpas who risk their lives might make $1k per trip, a small fraction of the $40k-$100k rich Westerners pay outfitters to arrange everything.

Anonymous wrote:Hiring Doody Calls to clean the dog poop in the yard.

WINNER WINNER !!

Has had the same family housekeeper for several decades-overpays her to not clean very well.

Drives old Volvo

Husband wears bowties or seersucker, but not ironically

Regretful family conversations about how over-commercialized Martha's Vineyard has become since the 1970s

Children are named John III (oh, we just call him Trip!), Mary, Anne, William...

Anonymous wrote:Old oil painting of a 19th century great great grandfather/senator hanging in the dining room, framed letter from George Washington to relative hanging in home office...

Buzz kill ruining the fun for the rest of us

Old oil painting of a 19th century great great grandfather/senator hanging in the dining room, framed letter from George Washington to relative hanging in home office...

Hiring Doody Calls to clean the dog poop in the yard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Driving to a store that's less than a mile away.

Paying anything for kindergarten.

Taking medication that makes your eyelashes thicker or injecting toxins to make your forehead smooth.

Waxing parts of your body that no one but your waxer will ever actually look at.

Sorry that I don't want to dodge a mile of traffic in Downtown DC with a double stroller and a baby in a Moby.

Double stroller and baby in a Moby... $$$ right there in those two purchases. Add them to the list.

Having your child reject juice on a play date. "Larla doesn't drink juice."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's the subtle things that signal old money:
A family cottage at a little known summer colony in New England
Multiple generational legacy at an Ivy League/7 sisters school
Passed down China
Grandma or Mom's old, well-made gowns and clothes

These are status symbols to those who can recognize them

Totally agree. Also those who grew up riding, sailing, etc

Unless you are from Boston and learned to sail/hung out at Community Boating.