Status Tag

For generations, societies have embraced clothing, gold jewelry and other material possessions as symbols of wealth, power and standing. These coveted items — like most status symbols throughout history — are expensive, desired, and, importantly, highly visible. Wearing a Rolex or driving a Porsche convertible sends a transparent message of sophistication position. But over the past decade, the symbols of status have began to evolve. As society responds to the pressures of a changing climate and difficult social problems, celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rihanna are modeling old clothing for magazine covers and calling for sustainability, while billionaires like Elon Musk are letting go of their expensive homes. The changing trends in luxury and fashion are painting a recent picture of what...