I know a young woman who's changed her image from that of a girl of fairly modest means to that of a very high class, well-off lady. I know how modest because we were roommates my first year of college, and I know how well off because we had the same high-ish paying job our first year out of college. I know how methodical she is about everything, and absolutely no one could doubt that her image is not funded by some rich parents, as is the case for people our age. But she's done it herself. I have zero doubt that she will marry rich because I doubt that certain people will approach her if they feel they cannot help her maintain or probably upgrade her lifestyle.
We studied the same thing in college, actually, and after our first year we kept in touch sporadically. Our subject of choice taught us a few things about observing groups. There's something called "signaling." You 'signal' to others certain values without having to say anything. I think she espoused that well.
A few things she's done... while the rest of us were shopping at TJMaxx
nono
or Banana Republic for our banking suits, she stuck to a very simple and limited wardrobe from places such as Brooks Brothers. She said she decided to invest in a few $90+ button downs that she dry cleans regularly. Invested in an expensive trench. I think from there too... My Banana trench, which I loved dearly, paled in comparison to hers. Hers always looked so CRISP!
She would frequently wear the same outfits to work, in various combinations, but she looked far more put-together than the many others, myself included, whose wardrobes were probably cracking under the weight of unimpressive clothing. She said she had a dry cleaning budget that she always stuck to, and that seemed to make a huge difference in her presentation.
She really didn't skimp when it comes to that (presentation). Her gym bag, for example, cost a couple hundred. You know, while the rest of us brought canvas or mesh bags from Nike. I don't know if she sought out sales (probably), but she got herself Fendi bags, wallets, and when we met up for drinks 2 months ago, she was rocking a very vibrant blue Prada, I think.
Having studied in Italy and spent time in various countries of Europe (study abroad), she was particular about brands and partial to the Italian. An LV bag is common in the US, but you won't see any random person in a Fendi, would you?
One day, she saw me in a shift dress and said: where is that from? You look fresh out of an Yves St Laurent magazine
I am pretty sure my entire outfit was from Banana. But hey, if it looks like YSL, then okay!
My senior year, she invited me and a friend to take a wine class with her in Cambridge. Turns out that she found out this new wine store was opening, called it up, and set up organized this wine-tasting/learning session. She obviously took it very seriously. She asked a lot of question, while one of my BFFs and I were more concerned about drinking the samples and eating the accompanying appetizers
She managed to find a reduced price apartment (I don't know how!) a block away from the most expensive street in Boston. It was to the point that she would see the global head of our division on his jog in the morning, or while he would be walking his dog. He even mentioned it out loud in a group setting once, and I'm sure jealousy and confusion raged in many hearts in the room.
She's artistically inclined and took up painting as a serious hobby. I don't know if she got around to selling her work, but they were abstract and contemporary and quite interesting enough that she could get thousands for each. I remember being annoyed, when we were 18, at all the charcoal on our dorm room floor from her sketching, but that paid off
She also speaks several languages, as do I, but I think some people are especially interested in fluency in romantic languages, for good or bad reasons. She's used that to her advantage professionally, as at only 25, she's been asked to lead a small group abroad (she just left for Europe this week). No doubt that being a 6-foot tall blond has helped. She's been despised by people at work, but there is no doubt in my mind that other senior women like her, and older white men who might be attracted to her are interested in pulling her up the ladder.
With that said, the girl is not a floozy. I admire her for her dedication. We were part of a group of a handful who graduated with Latin Honors in our department, I did some interview prep with her and she got the position without previous experience, and once in, she really focused on excelling. I personally think that the work and that company are bullish!t, and I was not a good fit at ALL for sales, but she found a niche where her personality, her language skills, and her ability to talk intelligently about things could take her far, and she has excelled there.
Basically, she has put in the work and invested thousands into her image, both from the looks perspective but also, and especially, from the CULTURAL representation of wealth. Those who do not know that will certainly assume that she comes from wealth (many have inquired).
I wondered why this woman was so pressed to be my friend. She gave me so many compliments that I began to feel uncomfortable. She was an older woman in my grad program.
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we both started out in banking. I guess I could have afforded living somewhere more expensive too if I didn't care so much about saving as much as possible, which I proudly did that year. 
