Can You Look At People And Distinguish What Class They Belong To.........?

Question

based on what they are wearing?

What makes someone look like they are from the lower class?

Middle class?

Upper Class?

Or can you really not tell?

An example........you see an attractive young women, about 22-25, she got nicely styled hair, a few small pieces of jewerly, nice finger nails, nicely put on makeup, but she's wearing a college sweatshirt and some jeans. Nothing ragged......but nothing special either.

What class would you deem her.

This is for a academic reasons, so be helpful.

Answer 1

There are many people who think that they can tell what social class a person belongs to just by looking at them and taking into account what they're wearing and how they're groomed, etc. Most of the time, the consensus is correct. Upper class people tend to have their nails and hair done, wear designer clothes, shoes and handbags. Poor people tend to wear a mishmash of styles and go au naturale with their hair and nails. But even these things aren't proof-positive of social class.

Many years ago, my grandfather (who worked all his life in a cement mill--by the time he retired, he was a foreman) went to buy a diamond tennis bracelet for my grandmother. He arrived in the jewelry shop after getting off work, dressed in his blue overalls which were covered in cement dust and sweat. Although he was the only one in the store, it took a half an hour for him to get waited on. It was a new, inexperienced saleswoman that got drafted to wait on him. (He laughed when he told us about how they were arguing over who had to go over there and waste their time on him.) The one that waited on him ended up getting a whopping commission when he bought a bracelet that cost three grand. As he walked out of the store, he smiled at the people who refused to wait on him and said, "You assumed that because I'm blue collar, it means I don't have money. That mistake cost you $300."

On another occasion, my father and I were spending our Saturday walking around downtown. I'd been cramming for midterms, so I had my backpack and schoolbooks with me. (Gotta squeeze in every minute of studytime...) It was a hot day and we had both been sweating a lot. Around lunchtime, my dad decided to go to a church and say hello to a preacher friend of his. When we got there, the church secretary frowned at us and said, "Soup kitchen's not open yet. Come back at five." Dad tried to explain to her that the preacher was a friend of his and could we wait for him inside? She slammed the door in our faces. (FYI, she was relieved of her secretarial position when my dad called his friend later on.)

Several years later, I did an experiment on my own. I went to the mall to go window shopping, but I took along two sets of clothing. The first part of the shopping trip, I was dressed "down" in ragged jeans, a stained T-shirt, tennis shoes, unbrushed hair and rough nails. People ignored me when I walked into stores, especially stores that rewarded sales by giving employees commissions. After a while, I went into the restroom and changed into a nice skirt, stockings, heels and a blouse. I brushed my hair, filed my nails, put on some lotion and lip gloss and then went to the same stores where I'd been ignored a bit earlier. I couldn't get them to quit pestering me.

There has been a point to these anecdotes. The point is that while one would assume that all upper class people would want to flaunt it, not all do. And it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that all lower class people would wear cheap clothes and neglect personal hygiene, but that's not true, either. Some of the most fastidious people I've ever known have been below the poverty line. And everyone gets dirty from time to time, but it doesn't mean they're destitute.

When it comes down to it, the old adage is true: You can't judge a book by its cover.

Answer 2

Occasionally clothing gives clues to class but it is usually not a good indicator. I also feel this way because money doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with class. Take Britney Spears for instance - she's got a lot of money and is still a low class person without many social graces. Your example, on the surface, gives no class indication. Once the young woman began to speak, I think that it would be much easier to tell what her social status was. I don't really consider myself to be one social class or another. I'd rather be thought of as a happy, gentle and kind human who gives much and expects little.

Answer 3

I don't think so. The first time I met an M.D. friend of mine (at a social occasion) he had just changed the oil in his car and wiped his han across the t-shirt he was wearing and then went out to dinner. This guy lives in a $2 million house and the car was a top of the line Mercedes. I know another guy, a Ph.D. with something named after him and who charges an astronomical amount of money for his services. He lives in one of the most expensive suburbs in the U.S., but if you saw him on the street you would think he was a homeless person. And what about all the yuppie bikers you see out on the road every weekend and at every bike week? And my best buddy comes from OLD money he drives an old, modest car,lives in a nice but not palatial house and dresses in t-shirts and jeans or polos and dockers. On the other hand, if you had met my grandfather (turn of the 20th Century immigrant, 5th grade drop-out, welder) you would have thought he was very well-educated (he was very smart and very well-read) and well-off (always owned a car, even during WWII, always paid cash, paid cash for all his homes, had a home in the city and a beach house). You just never know with people.

Answer 4

I'd say she was a college student. Most young women regardless of what "class" they are in are going to take good care of themselves and what their appearance is. Now a days society has such a high standard on women and what they should look like. Lots of pressure. So unless you are to extremes, you're not going to tell what class they are in. Example...if I see someone wearing Prada, then yes I'm going to assume they are at least in the upper middle to upper class...because no one that lives paycheck to paycheck is going to waste money on name brand crap like that when they can get something just as nice at a department store. Most people are middle class.

Answer 5

No, you can't distinguish their class on that criteria. There are other reasons a person dresses the way they do.

Comfort and taste (or lack of taste) are huge factors. Also, I've known some not so well off people who dress to make people think they have more money.

And frugal-ness could play a part. Someone might have the money to spend on fancy designer clothes, but choose to shop at Walmart.

Answer 6

People missjudge my husband and I frequently and it costs them our business! We had a mixed marriage totally 5 kids from 8years old to 2 years old. Stores judged us by that. Now they judge us by how we dress, me formal/casual and my hubby just plain comfy, he wears a beard and has dark perscription glasses. Most of the people would judge your girl as a wanna be, she is probably of upper middle class or upper class. She takes care of herself but likes to be comfy.
The class system has many flaws in it if you use clothing to judge people. Look at the way they walk and talk and how they eat. That will tell you more.

Answer 7

I tend to assume that someone is "higher class" by how well maintained and groomed they are. Not really by clothing jewelry, but if they look like they have lots of free time and money to spend on vacations ( tan), spas ( nice hair, nails), and look fit and trim ( health or country club members). People with money tend to look like they dont HAVE to impress anyone but they tend to look happier, more relaxed etc. ( and they should) lol. imho.

Answer 8

honestly you cannot. think "you cannot judge a book by its cover."

I think it all depends on priorities- for some it is appearance, for others it is travel, for a few it is material belongings and finally a few who like to give back what they have been given.

There is no true status symbol anymore as everything is all relative.

Answer 9

NO... the wealthiest person I have EVER met looked like a beggar and some of the poorest people I have ever known look like a million dollars.

Answer 10

I would deem her to be Middle class. If she's upper class, you won't be seeing her. She would be somewhere middle class people seldom get to go.