If your Instagram feed consists of a slew of designer handbags, fast cars, and dinner at the most popular restaurants, you may feel like you’ve been accepted into elite circles.
An etiquette expert now reveals which status symbols can make you look sloppy and which marks of sophistication will show you’re truly a member of the upper class.
Debrett’s expert William Hanson spoke to FEMAIL about common social media faux pas, slamming the trend for celebrities and influencers posing in private jets, on fast cars, and alongside A-list chef Salt Bae – who is currently charging as much as £1,450 for one steak at his new Knightsbridge restaurant.
You don’t have to cuddle up to your Labrador on a private jet. A countryside snap with a Labrador will make you feel more sophisticated, and any accessory or attire will look great with them. “Brand logos larger than a thumbnail of a thumbnail are vulgar”
He says that the upper classes believe in practicality, and would only drive ‘earthcoloured’ Land Rovers in rural areas. He also said that heels should not exceed a modest height and that crockery should either be inherited, second-hand, or even mismatched.
Tacky
Salt Bae for Dining
Debrett’s expert William Hanson spoke to FEMAIL about common social media faux pas, slamming those posing alongside A-list chef Saltbae (seen) – whose restaurants charge as much as £1,450 for one steak
The upscale eatery chain is owned by Turkish butcher-turned-chef Nusret Gokce, whose theatrical salt-sprinkling antics have earned him a celebrity following including David Beckham
He serves up steaks covered in edible 24-carat gold leaf and charges £100 for a burger, not to mention £9 for a humble glass of Coca Cola.
With such extortionate prices, celebrity chef Salt Bae has ensured that only those with deep pockets are making reservations at his new Knightsbridge steak house Nusr-Et – where one diner recently racked up a £37,000 bill, including £5,000 service charge.
Celebrities have visited Nusret Gokce’s restaurants all over the world to enjoy the culinary experience. They also hope to snap a picture with the boss, who is famous for his salt-sprinkling antics.
William explained that while a picture of Salt Bae on Instagram might get you more likes, it doesn’t improve your real life status.
He said, “You can forgive Salt Bae if it’s well-priced but if its style is more important than substance, it’s just flashy.”
‘It’s the magpie effect and all that glitters isn’t gold – it just comes across as vulgar and ignorant’.
Posing in a private jet
William denounced the practice, despite everyone (pictured) having posed in a private plane.
The Kardashian-Jenners are the best at flashy private jet photos. They descend on family planes in matching designer tracksuites and monogrammed luggage. Every trip is a private affair.
Even if they do manage to get into first class or a private plane, it is easy to want to capture their excitement. However William says that this is not possible.
According to the etiquette expert sharing an inside look while you sip champagne in your reclined seating position proves it’s a rare treat and you are not of ‘upper classes’.
He stated that only private pilots who fly on a regular basis would post it. If you share it, then it’s probably a novelty and not something you do often.
So strap in, avoid selfies at all costs and look determinedly nonchalant as you throw on the complimentary in-flight pyjamas – if that’s allowed.
Sitting in a supercar
William says that posing in a supercar is one the most disgusting practices. Seen: Khloe Kardashian
You can walk through Knightsbridge, and you’ll see influencers posing alongside gold-wrapped Lamborghinis or crystal-embellished Bentleys.
It’s a shot favoured by many reality stars, and goes back as far as Kim Kardashian posing in pink tracksuit on top of her white Land Rover in 2007.
William says this is one of the most disgusting practices. Questioning those posing on top of cars, he said: ‘Do you have the keys for the car, is it even yours?”
And moving onto those who do own them, he continued: ‘And if it is, then showing off deliberately is always tacky and new rich – the aristocracy are much more practical, especially the older generations.’
Explaining his reasons, William continued: ‘Fast cars are also completely pointless in London as you can’t go faster than 30mph.
“The elite would have a run around like a VW Polo in the city and a Land Rover out in the country.
Flower walls
Kim Kardashian started the flower wall trend after Kanye gifted Kim this assortment of blooms in 2014. William says the trend is over just like the couple’s marriage.
Flower walls and flower arches have never been larger than in the last five years. In fact, who wants a cup if it’s not filled with pink foam and framed in an instagrammable floral display.
Travis Scott, rapper, has been filling his house with flowers worth over $50,000 in recent years. This created a carpet of roses inside her home.
William disagrees. He believes that over-the-top flower displays, especially bright artificial ones, are too garish and tacky.
He said: ‘I detest the fake electric blue and neon pink flower walls. Like the garden of an aristocrat’s garden, flowers should be real and muted.
William explained: ‘Bright colours are garish. The gardens of the Aristocrat are quiet, while those of the Suburuban are vibrant with colours like busy Lizzies.
Large logo designers
William said to FEMAIL, “There’s nothing worse that people who look like they’re a walking advertisement of whichever brand they’re wearing.” Pictured: Nicki Minaj, Louis Vuitton
In 2002, Danniella Westbrook stepped out in Burberry head-to-toe – even her pram was a demonstration of checked coordination – which may have signaled the end of obvious logos.
Brightly patterned Louis Vuitton ensembles with matching Gucci loungewear have made a comeback in recent times, much to William’s horror.
He claims designer labels should not be too obvious and follows the rule that designer label’shouldn’t be larger than one thumbnail’. Or the elite won’t touch them.
‘There’s nothing worse than people who look like a walking advertisement for whichever brand they’re wearing’, William told FEMAIL.
‘Brand logos that are bigger than a thumbnail are vulgar’.
Think modestly priced, low-key and lesser known brands like Emilia Wickstead, Aspinal of London Erdem and even Hobbs.
Elite
Goyard bags
Subtle designer bags are better, William says: Size does not matter – in fact the smaller, the better. The Queen wouldn’t be seen carrying around a bag that is a football pitch in size.
New York-based fashion editor Alicia Banilivy nails the chic look with a clutch bag from luxury brand Goyard, known for its understated pieces
William explains how the elite function. He reveals subtle, practical, and muted as the three key words to joining the upper ranks.
Navigating the complicated world of designer bags, William argues that the £10,000 Hermes Birkin is still acceptable – as long as it’s not too large and flashy.
The Hermes Kelly bag, which is not as common, is considered a favorable option. This brand is loved by the elite and has a subtle logo.
William said: ‘The Hermes Birkin is still acceptable as long as the hardware is not too ostentatious. The hardware should be either brass or muted sterling.
“Size doesn’t matter – in fact, the smaller the bag, the better. You wouldn’t find the Queen carrying a football-sized bag.
Working dogs
FEMAIL was told by William that working dogs are smarter then designer dogs. Think Jack Russells, Terriers and Spaniels, as well as Labradors and Terriers.
People who are thinking of getting a French bulldog, Dachshund or Dachshund might need to reconsider.
No longer are cute Dalmatian puppies or bushy Bichon Frises the perfect accessory for an IT girl. Companion dogs are now available.
Instead, following the ‘practical’ rules, only ‘working dogs’ – those bred to excel in specialist, non-herding jobs – are allowed.
FEMAIL was told by William that working dogs are smarter then designer dogs. Think Labradors, Terriers, Spaniels and Jack Russells.’
Cufflinks
William believes that a cufflink should have the same ‘chain’ variety as the English traditionally wore them.
The average cufflink is not safe. William says that a cufflink should have the same ‘chain’ design as the English traditionally wore.
Anything which is ‘too easy’ and in the shape of a ‘T’ is strictly out of bounds, as a true English gentleman would ‘only wear a cufflink with a chain’
He added: ‘The T-bar ones are American and common, an English gentleman will go for more sophisticated, fiddly chain cufflinks’.
Land Rovers in Earth-Color
William revealed that only the elite drive large cars in the country when practical. Pictured: The Queen in her Land Rover
You could be excused for choosing a cozy 4×4 to transport your little ones to school.
But William also revealed that the elite only drive large cars in the country, where practical – never in the city.
Making an exception for Chelsea, where being a 4×4 mum is de ‘rigueur’, he explained: ‘Aristocrats will only drive Land Rovers in the countryside, and they are always earth coloured – green or brown to blend in.’
He added in horror: ‘They should never be hot pink. They would drive a classless car in the city, perhaps a VW Polo like Diana or a Golf. The younger generations might think about the environment and have an electric Kia.
Missmatched tableware
William believes cutlery and crockery should either be inherited or purchased second-hand.
Matching cutlery and crockery sets is a matter of OCD.
You would be wrong to imagine your perfect Halloween tablescape as having matching tabelware.
‘Crockery and cutlery should be inherited or bought from second-hand shops,’ William told FEMAIL.
‘It doesn’t have to match – and it’s even better if you’ve nipped to your neighbour’s estate and borrowed some for your dinner party. You can buy it from Arthur Price of England if you don’t want to.
Practical heels
The shoe’s heel should be lower than the rest. ‘The aristocracy prefer sensible shoes, think Russell and Bromley, not Louboutin.
You may not be able scroll through Instagram without a red-bottomed shoe pointing in your direction.
Don’t forget your Louboutins and go to dinner in high heels.
Practical heels are best, and if possible, a chunky heel depending on the occasion.
According to the etiquette expert, heels should be at least mid-height.
“The aristocracy prefer a sensible footwear, think Russell and Bromley rather than Louboutin.”
William Hanson’s Keeping up appearancesEvery Wednesday, the Luxury Podcast series 2 is available.