TThe internet never stops talking about “quiet luxury” and “stealth wealth.” These are a trendy new expression of a type of expensive minimalism that has long been associated with a certain brand of old money. Thanks to TikTok, inheritance, and Gwyneth Paltrow's courtroom aims to establish and expand trends, making it important to convey wealth through discreet, luxurious clothing and accessories. But while some may associate this concept with high-end tailoring, a rejection of logomania, or wax cashmere sweaters that cost upwards of $1,000, he's a symbol of stealth wealth that's secretly on trend. Yes, and technically it could be adopted by millions of people right away. It's a strip. Remove the smartphone case.
It's so commonplace that it's easy to overlook it, but the evidence is everywhere.From Daphne, played by Megan Fahey, the wife and girlfriend of a wealthy housewife in season 2. white lotusto the obscenely privileged children of Roy. inheritance and the traders billions of, The rich people you see on TV don't care about smartphone cases. And in real life, the ultra-wealthy have been seen carrying unprotected cell phones. Over the years, billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Jay-Z have all been photographed holding iPhones without cases.
The message here is clear. No problem if you don't have a case. Because you can afford to replace it. But the cost of a smartphone is nothing to sneeze at. The latest iPhone model, the iPhone 14, starts at $829 and goes up to $1,200.according to CNET, iPhone prices have risen 15% over the past six years, the steepest price increase since Apple launched the device. Meanwhile, the desire for protective cases seems to be increasing. Verified Market Research, a research and consulting firm, predicts that the global market for mobile phone cases will grow to $35.81 billion by 2028 (from $21.61 billion in 2020). increase).
For Rocio Martinez, a 31-year-old talent director in Boston, cases and screen protectors are non-negotiables, a conclusion she came to after damaging multiple devices. “You don't know the value of your phone until you have to buy a new one for $1,000,” she says. “Sometimes I don't want to use the case, but I feel like it makes me anxious.”
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However, some consider the risk of damage worth the aesthetic reward. Thomai Serdari, director of New York University's Fashion & Luxury MBA program, says not using a phone case can convey both class and values. At the most superficial level, she believes that carrying a smartphone without a case speaks to an appreciation for design and beauty. “Why put it in a case when it's so beautiful on its own?” Serdari compares smartphones to designer watches, suggesting that both can signal preference. “The cases are often house-branded or from fashion brands and have very flashy elements,” she says. “It goes against the understated aesthetic.”
Los Angeles accountant Melissa Cepeda, 31, has broken screens many times, but still chooses not to file a case. “She’s just totally sophisticated,” she says. “As bags are getting smaller, it's natural for me to take my cell phone out more often. She just bought a wallet that's big enough to hold her ID, keys, and credit cards.” are willing to put their phones at risk. Because, in her words, she “thick cases just clash with my aesthetic.”
Many smartphone cases double as wallets, including expensive designer cases from brands like Prada, but the ultra-wealthy are simply not in the habit of carrying wads of money. Those who have their own driver don't need a handy little slot to store their public transport passes. Similarly, people who live in luxury buildings with doormen likely don't have to carry around a handful of keys, so they're less worried about damaging their phones in their pockets or purses, Serdari said. Point out.
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“When you reach that level of wealth, you don't need to carry anything with you except the phone itself and electronic payments and whatever that means,” Serdari said.
She also points out that many white-collar professionals, especially those who wear suits to work, may shy away from bulky cases because they are difficult to conceal. “There's the question of where to keep it. Should I put it in my back pocket or in my jacket pocket?” she says. “How can we maintain the slim profile of our smartphones without adding inconvenience to our lives?”
And while some people believe that forgoing telephone advice constitutes privileged negligence, Serdari cautions against equating having more disposable income with being careless.
“You can't make a blanket argument that this is how the super-rich behave,” she says. “Rather, they are people who are very careful about their things.” Instead, she believes it's all a matter of priorities. For a person who can buy whatever he wants, intangibles such as time and convenience can be far more valuable than the monetary price of a new cell phone, and the fact that he can use one without a case , making your life easier. Cases are bulky and dirt collects in crevices that are difficult to clean, making your stylish mini wallet unusable. “It's the whole idea of comfort,” says Serdari. “Minimalist things contribute to a comfortable life.”
