They say that while style is timeless, fashion fades fast, and this does appear to be the case. Some things that once were considered the ultimate status symbol now look cheap and tacky. Here are 18 things that used to signal status but now look uncool.
Pearls
Nothing used to signal elegance and class like pearls. However, what was once considered a sign of status and demure style now looks outdated and is judged as being old-fashioned.
Pager
For all you Gen Zers out there, bear with us because you likely won’t know what this is. Before mobile phones were “a thing,” executives, doctors, and people who needed to be reached for business carried small electronic boxes that would bleep if someone needed them. In the late 1980s and 90s, a pager was considered a cool gadget that indicated that you were someone who often had to be somewhere at short notice. They gave an illusion of importance and status. However, since the advancement of technology, if you asked anyone now to “page me,” they would either look confused or laugh in your face.
Fur Coats
A few decades ago, real fur was considered a sign of wealth and status. However, it’s now considered a faux pas, as many people feel offended and appalled by the animal cruelty that was once perpetuated by the fur trade. Now, real fur garments attract more stigma than status.
Fax Machines
Fax machines are now considered to be a totally obsolete item of technology. However, not so long ago, they were viewed as a high-tech invention vital for businesses, and they were used by lawyers, doctors, and accountants on a daily basis. However, hearing anyone say, “Fax me” is extremely rare and cringy.”
China Tea Sets
Most households used to keep “special” good china, plates, and cutlery for special occasions, and you knew that you were getting the royal treatment if someone brought out their best China for your visit.
House Phones
Nothing used to signal status quite like an old-style landline house phone. Before mobile phones, this was the only way to ring someone, and landlines used to be a sign of stability, and security as your phone had to be literally wired into your home. However, now most people use mobile phones and it is rare for someone to ask you to call them on their home phone.
CD Collections
People used to take great pride in showing off their massive CD collections, and you used to be able to buy purpose-built display cabinets to showcase every individual artist’s CD. But now, most music is streamed and played on computers or smart TVs, so CD collections are not only outdated but also redundant.
Lots of Make-Up
In the 1980s and early 90s, bright makeup, including pink lipsticks and blue eyeshadow up to the eyebrows, was considered the height of fashion and quite a status symbol. The more dramatic your makeup was, the edgier and cooler you appeared. However, now the opposite is true. Today, less is much, and most social media influencers talk about their ten favorite shades of “nude,” which are basically the same color as a human’s lips anyway.
Plastic Surgery
A little nip and tuck used to be something that was reserved for celebrities or the ultra-wealthy; now, however, you can get a min-facelift on your lunch break. While some plastic surgery used to be considered an elite procedure, it’s now more common than sliced bread; this has diminished its appeal, with many people now preferring a more natural look.
Separate Dining Rooms
Most American households used to have a separate dining room with a large wooden table, and usually some posh cutlery on an expensive-looking side table. This idea is outdated, with many Americans opting for more open-plan home designs and prefer eating at a kitchen island or in their living room while watching TV.
Branded Labels
Not so long ago, it was considered a sign of status to have big, bold clothing labels pasted across your t-shirts, jackets, or jumpers, but now, this is seen as cringy, boastful, and unfashionable. Today, trends are all about muted tones and minimized labels, as people want to show that they care less about branding and more about simple style and comfort.
Carpet
Carpeted homes once signified luxury, comfort, and wealth, but now they are viewed as outdated ways to decorate a house, with wooden floors being much more on-trend. Plus, as society has become more health conscious, carpets are often viewed as less hygienic, as they are harder to clean and trap dust, which can provoke allergies.
Encyclopedias
Before computers, the best way to have a massive amount of knowledge consolidated in one place was to own a set of encyclopedias. These books were often large, heavy, and expensive, and they signal wealth and intelligence. But not anymore. Since the internet arrived on the scene, Google allows us to access all information anywhere at any time, and encyclopedias have become a relic from the past.
Ghetto Blasters
OK, Gen Z, bear with us; this might take some explaining. But once upon a time, specifically in the 80s and 90s, people would carry large portable sound systems, called boom boxes or ghetto blasters, to their local parks and play loud music while people chilled. They often had dance battles. Ghetto blasters were seen as a status symbol that often signaled a street-smart, cool vibe. But not anymore. In 2024, no one owns a ghetto blaster anymore; instead, they use portable Bluetooth speakers, which are small, compact, and stylish.
Rolodexes
Before we could record people’s phone numbers, names, and addresses digitally on phones and computers, Rolodexes were the best way to keep track of all your contacts. They were small leather-bound books with A – Z address cards hinged on metal minders. Rolodexes were a status symbol in the 1980s. They signaled that you were a consummate business professional with so many contacts that you had to organize them all in your Rolodex.
Video Collections
As you might know, before streaming, HBO, MAX, and Netflix, there were DVDs, and before DVDs, there were VHS video tapes, and this is how everyone used to watch movies. Film fanatics used to take great pride in showcasing their extensive video collections, and it was seen as an achievement to collect and display movies in this way. But of course, in 2024, video is a totally obsolete form of technology, viewed as a relic of the past.
Hummer
Driving a high-powered car like a Hummer used to be the ultimate status symbol, both for its size and loud, powerful engine. However, as society’s priorities have evolved, so has what’s considered “cool.” Today, a Hummer is seen as a gas-guzzling monster that is polluting the environment.
Desktop Computers
When home computers first became accessible to the average person, they were large and bulky affairs that usually required an entire space dedicated to them in people’s homes called “the computer room.” But they signaled wealth and status as they were such a new-fangled piece of tech. Now, hardly anyone uses desktop computers, as they are seen as chunky and immobile.
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