Old-money vs. New-money

It's not about income, but about values

Grayson Perry: A Mirror to Modern Class

Grayson Perry is a British artist known for his distinctive, often provocative visual style - modern, deeply honest, and refreshingly self-aware. Beyond his artwork, Perry is also the narrator and host of a compelling three-part documentary exploring social class and taste in the UK (particularly England).

Why should this interest us?

Because Perry’s exploration offers one of the most perceptive and nuanced portraits of class in modern British society and the insights go far beyond Britain. The conclusions drawn in the series resonate globally, shedding light on how class, wealth, and cultural codes play out across societies.

In Britain, class has traditionally been divided into three categories: working class, middle class, and upper class. It’s not just about income; your class is also influenced by your parents' profession and social standing. If your parents worked in construction, tailoring, factories, or services? That’s typically working class. If they were doctors, lawyers, or bankers? Middle class. If they held titles and were ambassadors, owned large estates or perhaps some castles, then they likely belonged to the upper class.

But in recent decades, the explosion of wealth in certain sectors has disrupted this old order. Enter the newly rich - financially at the top, but not always equipped with the cultural capital or social polish traditionally associated with the upper class. Of course, this isn’t a new phenomenon. At the end of the 19th century, self-made industrialists, such as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan, Ford, Carnegie, amassed vast fortunes through oil, railroads, and steel. But the European aristocracy of the time still looked down on them. In their eyes, no amount of money could buy true class, whether in terms of elegance or noble lineage.

Today, we see history repeating itself. The children of those once-“newly rich” families now cast a critical eye toward today’s wealth: from China, Russia, India, Eastern Europe especially.

And while Europe’s old dynasties no longer host the grand balls of the past, and noble families rarely know one another in the way they once did, the judgments haven’t disappeared. They’ve simply evolved. Today, people are classified not by their lineage, but by their behaviour, their manners, their speech, and how well they fit a given context. Ancestry may have faded from relevance, but the British talent for quietly assigning class based on social “impression” remains as sharp as ever. Those raised eyebrows have simply found new reasons to rise.

Back to the documentary - over the course of a year, Grayson Perry immerses himself in the lives of people from all three social classes. He visits their homes, listens to their stories, and explores how they spend their weekends, what they spend their money on, what “good taste” means to them, and what defines their day-to-day reality.

Part I focuses on the working class. We meet people with demanding jobs - hairdressers, miners, factory workers. There are tattooed men who drink beer, go to football matches, and invest their spare money in car parts. Women spend on hair extensions, fake tans, flashy jewelry, and cocktails at local bars.

Although this group is often looked down upon by the rest of society, it’s arguably the most authentic. These are people who take each day as it comes, who face challenges with remarkable optimism. They know how to have a good time, genuinely. And while they enjoy life in the moment, they also aspire to more, especially for their children. There's immense pride when a son or daughter earns a university degree. They keep the country’s economy moving and its spirit alive. This class is the foundation - often invisible, often underappreciated - but vital.

Part II turns to the middle class: people with stable incomes who may be self-made or two to three generations into financial stability. These are the people with the latest iPhones, who shop for organic avocados and wear designer labels - subtly, but intentionally. Their kids take piano lessons, and they vacation in far-off destinations.

They are thoughtful consumers, mindful of sustainability, and often deeply invested in ethical choices. But they’re also hyper-aware of how they’re perceived. There's a constant desire to be seen as “good people.” At the same time, they’re exhausted - chasing aspirations, managing appearances, and often hiding behind a polished but fragile veneer. In many ways, they are the class most caught between performance and pressure.

Part III explores the upper class - families with generational wealth, historic estates, art collections, and a very particular type of education. But with privilege comes burden. Maintaining centuries-old properties is incredibly expensive, and many make enormous personal sacrifices just to preserve the monuments they call home. Their homes are full of beautiful, old things - but not always, necessarily in good taste. Some live with moths and cold rooms, surrounded by dusty portraits of stern ancestors, unable (or unwilling) to sell their past. They bear the weight of their names, their lineage, and a deep sense of inherited duty.

This group also includes a new wave of wealth—people who may not struggle to heat their castles, but who do wrestle with renovations, feuds with neighbours, and trying to break into social circles thick with tradition and prejudice. They have money, but not “access.” They can afford to pay £200,000 for their child’s education but that doesn’t guarantee entry into elite schools. Because access, in these circles, is something entirely different. It's not bought but it's bestowed, and often, withheld.

The artist never judges or imposes his own opinions. Instead, he observes, listens, and presents each social group in their own light, with their values, quirks, strengths, and contradictions, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions.

One thing becomes clear: having money doesn’t automatically mean having class. Wealthy individuals from the so-called “upper” class can exhibit habits and attitudes that are crude, tasteless, even vulgar. On the flip side, someone from modest beginnings can carry themselves with extraordinary poise and elegance if they’ve developed that through education, exposure, or self-awareness.

The message is clear: today, movement between social classes is more possible than ever because “having class” is not the same as belonging to a class. Anyone can elevate themselves.

A Few Lessons:

• People with class invest in education, safety, and health, far more than in status symbols. Attending an elite university with renowned professors, having access to the best hospitals, or even being able to fund a helicopter evacuation in a crisis - these are the kinds of investments that truly matter. So let’s stop relying on backdoor favours or calling in “connections” to win weak contracts or bypass proper systems. As the British would say, that’s very low-middle-class behavior.

  
  

• People with class are above brands. The old nobility and even the modern royal family would never chase logos. They don’t wait in line to be granted permission to buy the latest “it” item. A duke, a countess, a prince - they elevate a brand by wearing it, not the other way around. When Princess Diana carried her now-iconic Dior bag, it was Dior that gained prestige - not her. She wore it because it was beautiful, yes, but also because it was a thoughtful gift from the First Lady of France, not a status signifier. Let’s learn something from that. Seek out craftsmen who pass their skills from one generation to the next. Support heritage. Invest with purpose.

  
  

• People with class value experiences over possessions. If you were to attend a private garden party at Buckingham Palace, you’d likely find a sea of modest, well-kept old cars, not the flashiest new Bentley. Classy people don’t replace their cars every year. They’d rather sip rare 300-year-old wines in private vineyards, pour each other tea in antique porcelain, or discuss world affairs over breakfast with minds that matter.

  
  

• Classy people have a well maintained, timeless style. They don’t buy jackets with pre-made “patina” or distressed patches. They care for make alterations on good-quality garments to preserve them over time. Their wardrobes aren’t bursting with every seasonal trend, even though they could afford it. Instead, they dress with restraint and intention, knowing it’s wiser not to invite envy or gossip. They go to great lengths to make sure no one can tell how much their garments or accesories cost.

  
  

• People with class are never aggressive about their opinions. They don’t scold others or evangelize their way of living. They don’t feel the need to prove themselves. They’re generous with what they know, gracious in how they move, and committed to personal growth and the growth of those around them. They encourage others to rise. They don’t cling to resentment or keep others down. They don’t live in a world of comparison or bitterness.

  
  

• People with class communicate gracefully, verbally and physically. It’s not just about refraining from swearing. It’s about expressing ideas clearly and appropriately, offering thoughtful arguments instead of raising their voice. Their posture remains upright, even in hard times. Their words and gestures carry elegance, whether they’re in grand libraries or on the sidewalk at a bus stop.

  
  

• People with class are always appropriately dressed, even on a modest budget. It’s not about having a huge wardrobe. It’s about understanding context and showing respect for others. They dress to honour an occasion, the host, and the setting. If needed, they improvise with taste and intent. Because it’s not about personal comfort - it’s about showing care for the people around them. That sense of responsibility becomes the compass for their choices.

  
  

In the end, having class is a potential we all carry, regardless of where we were born or how much we earn. It’s not inherited. It’s cultivated.

Part I

Part II

Part III