The New Status Symbols of 2026: Why Designer Bags And Supercars Don’t Impress Anymore
While I’m working on my tan on a tropical island today, and reflecting on human psychology and consumer behaviour, I’ve come up with the following (very deep, lol) thought: designer items and supercars are no longer true status symbols.
With all the extremely well-made fakes available these days - and supercars you can rent by the hour - it’s become too easy for someone to fake that they’ve “made it”. Just scroll through Instagram or visit cities like Dubai and Miami, where everyone dresses, accessorises, and drives like a billionaire.
In my prediction, the top status symbols in 2026 will be:
1. Luxury Travel - The Real Kind
Yes, it’s true - you can book business or first class and certain hotels with points. But I’m talking about the kind of luxury travel experiences that can’t be booked with loyalty schemes.
This is the kind of travel where exclusivity isn’t about the price tag, but access - privacy, spontaneity, and once-in-a-lifetime places that aren’t marketed to the masses. (If you know what I mean, get in touch - we probably share interests).
2. Big Families in Big Cities
In an era ruled by convenience and single living, having a large family is the ultimate display of real wealth. Especially in big cities, having a big family while maintaining a certain kind of lifestyle is so expensive that you can’t imagine it until you live it (I’m not there yet, haha).
Big houses, private schools for about 20 years per child, and far more staff members than you ever imagined are required… unless you want to lose your mental sanity, which is expensive too.
3. A Fit, Toned and Athletic Body
Anyone can look skinny: you can look that way because you don’t have enough money to eat, because you choose to starve yourself, because that’s naturally your body type, because of a health condition (sending you love!), or because of the new make-me-skinny drugs.
And yes, you can get body enhancements: for women, rock-hard boobs that start at your neck; a huge bum that looks like you constantly have a nappy on; or any procedure you can imagine. And yes, I’m aware that both men and women can even get surgical “abs” - I’ve seen them in person once. One of the worst procedures I’ve ever seen.
Cosmetic surgery used to be a status symbol about 15–18 years ago, when I was a teenager. Back then, it was costly and only available through a handful of specialists in major cities. Now, cosmetic surgeons are everywhere - along with a bunch of shady people injecting customers’ bums in their basements with no licence.
Even for legitimate surgeons, average prices are much more accessible now, simply because there’s far more supply and a need to stay competitive. Many countries even market cosmetic surgery as a holiday in an affordable package (see Turkey, for example).
However, a fit and toned body can’t be faked past a certain point. It requires healthy, nutritious eating (if anyone else in London eats three meals out a day while trying to stay healthy, you’ll know that three average paychecks are needed just to cover that) plus a personal trainer, gym memberships, or home gym, and - most importantly - the luxury of time to dedicate to training.
It’s no longer about the bag you carry or the watch you wear, it’s about the routine you can afford to sustain. It’s having the money, time, and systems to consistently invest in your future health.
That’s it, that’s my TED Talk for the month. Logging off now and running back to the beach!
Did my random thoughts thrown into this’ blog article’ intrigue you? Want to chat about this or any other topic - perhaps while we work on our health and fitness (or “longevity”, as everyone likes to call it now) at Surrenne, or escape to the latest Aman opening for some R&R? Get in touch :)