On Instagram and TikTok, aspirational lifestyle content is everywhere.
Pages @billionaireharbour, @millionaire.aesthetic and @luxuryworldtraveler post aesthetic photos of Lamborghinis, superyachts and designer handbags. Influencers like Daniel Mac and Becca Bloom have turned wealthy lifestyles into personal brands, and there are entire corners of TikTok dedicated to teaching viewers how to achieve “old money” and “quiet luxury” looks.
In today’s influencer economy, money is an essential part of the aesthetic. The cost is that more young people feel pressure to fake it to fit in ‒ even when it means hurting their finances. A new nationwide study from Credit One Bank found that more than half of Gen Z admit to lying or exaggerating about their financial success online.
More: They’re dating for dinner. And they’re not alone
Gen Z is seeing a stream of content from people posting about living in luxury high rises in big cities, dining at Michelin restaurants, and jetting to expensive destinations. Even from their friends, it feels like social media has become a highlight reel of perfectly placed fallscape stoops, Friendsgiving dinners and foreign vacations.
