Is food a status symbol now? On food, class, & quiet luxury

In a week of PLT rebranding cementing the emphasis on ‘quiet luxury’, let’s discuss how food becomes part of this conversation. Amid our current economic climate, access to food, time, and resources is increasingly becoming harder, and with that, displays of food are becoming increasingly aspirational. Think: fridge restocks, fresh grocery hauls, come-shop-with-me content. We’re seeing this shift across fashion, art, and the social media sphere as food is positioned as more of a ‘luxury’ and symbolise both wealth and time. I discuss this from multiple lenses, including class, quiet luxury, and fashion. If you enjoyed the bus version, you’ll love this deep dive. Sources mentioned:Book: Bad Taste, Natalie Olah Creators: @kfesteryga / @janinejellars (tiktok) Nylon article: "Errand-Core" And The Rise of The High-Fashion Paper Bag Journal: When is food a luxury? DOl: 10.1080/0043824021000026422