The return of David (now Lord) Cameron to the Cabinet may or may not herald the return of the posh boys to politics, but it is certainly part of a general new trend. Because posh is back, after years in the wilderness in which anything that was even a touch posh was no longer considered to be in keeping with the spirit of the times.
For several years, most films, books and television shows (with the exception of The Crown) have focused on topics such as social diversity, mental health and sexual abuse. The backdrops of stately homes were hidden.
But somewhat strangely, something subtle has crept in again in what seem to be the final days of a Tory government.
While period luxury has always had a following, with the success of “Downton Abbey,” “Bridgerton,” “The Gilded Age” and now with the television series “The Buccaneers” (about a group of rich American girls in the 1870s who during to find an aristocratic husband during the debutante season in London), contemporary luxury had been put under dust sheets.
No longer.
Moss: Posh people like to act like they don’t care what’s posh, but they just love lists like Haslam’s, especially when they can claim a bit of common ground, according to Shulman, who Kate Moss to the Lace sets her noble list
Break Away: What’s chic these days? Is it still dog hair on the sofa, dirty food and tiaras? Read on to find out who and what qualifies… Apparently, country travel is a strong contender
Emerald Fennell’s acclaimed new film Saltburn (although not exactly contemporary as it is set in 2006 and tells the same story as Brideshead Revisited and Alan Hollinghurst’s 1980s-set novel The Line Of Beauty) explores infatuation of a young man in his friend’s noble, privileged family. Rosamund Pike is the perfect matriarch, a faded beauty who probably would have been a Tatler cover girl once. The atmosphere is extremely authentic – no wonder, because Fennell, the daughter of the popular social couple, the jeweler Theo and the author Louise Fennell, would be an insider of this world.
On the book front, no doubt hoping to capture the huge global audience that loved Lady Anne Glenconner’s memoir Lady In Waiting, the same publisher released The Unlikely Duke, a chronicle of the memoirs of the Duke of Beaufort, Harry (Bunter). Worcester about its irreverent but undeniable history of genteel life.
Fittingly, last week the lavish opening party with Samantha (now Lady) Cameron took place at the Turf Club, tie and suit required.
Designer Nicky Haslam, no stranger to the world of luxury, has released his annual tea towel list, spotlighting Aperol Spritz and the blue-clad Cambridges.
Of course, listing such concerns is itself a noble activity.
Posh people like to pretend they don’t care what’s posh, but they just love lists like Haslam’s, especially when they can claim a bit of common ground.
When I left Vogue, my successor announced that he was getting rid of all the posh girls he thought were working for the magazine. This was somewhat to my surprise, as I would not have thought that the almost entirely middle class staff would be considered remotely posh. In my opinion most really posh people don’t have office jobs and are unfamiliar with PAYE.
But as posh people definitely don’t say… whatever.
Exotic: Kenya takes a spot on Shulman’s ultimate Nobel list as she reflects on the definition of Nobel today compared to six years ago
Breakfast: Apparently ordering ketchup with your eggs is also a chic thing these days
Sweet tooth: According to Shulman, posh people also like to have a bowl of jelly for dessert
It’s been six years since I left this job, and when I assume that the supposedly posh crew includes myself, I undoubtedly feel a brief moment of posh acceptance and ownership of every nobility I claim to have can.
What’s fashionable these days? Is it still dog hair on the sofa, dirty food and tiaras? Read on to find out who and what qualifies…
Your club or mine?
Robin Birley’s private members’ clubs – Oswald’s and 5 Hertford Street – are definitely some of the classiest places I know in London. Lord Cameron and Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell were recently seen huddled there, planning much of the Tory leadership fandangos of the past year from one of the beautifully upholstered corner chairs. During her short tenure, Liz Truss was rarely away from home.
Question: Who pays the bill?
As beautiful as these places are, they are extraordinarily expensive. While there are always stories about MPs getting subsidized food and wine in the House of Commons, every meal in Parliament is a bargain compared to eating at Birley’s and footing the bill for their taxpayer-paid expenses.
Be seen, not heard
No one could accuse Nadine Dorries or Suella Braverman of being posh – not that I can imagine they would aspire to that state.
Posh people tend to keep their mouths shut, especially in public, which is clearly an attitude neither woman shares. Compare her, for example, to Lady Susan Hussey, who was kicked out of the royal circle in a nanosecond for unintentionally insulting a guest at a charity event at Buckingham Palace.
Did she immediately find a publisher for an account of life as a loyal companion to the late queen? Did she send a termination letter for unfair treatment?
She did not. And guess what: she’s right back there, nestled in the fold of the family.
Creaky old joints
Getting upset about noise is another sign that you are not noble.
Last week, London businessman Sergey Grazhdankin and his wife Maria won a court case over the “unbearable” noise their upstairs neighbors were making on their creaking floorboards.
Heaven! Posh people always live in these big old houses with creaky floorboards and usually poor internet because the walls are too thick for the WiFi signal.
Alexandra’s Nobel list
- Kate Moss
- I hate your days at Eton (but send your son there anyway because everything is different now)
- There were always only white towels in the bathroom
- Holidays in the Outer Hebrides
- Use light switches without a dimmer
- Allow smoking in the house
- Booming voices
- Advice on Ordnance Survey maps
- jelly
- If you buy your child a house in Peckham, south London – apparently where Denmark Hill is above ground – you’ll be able to get to Victoria in no time
- Subaru cars
- Ask for ketchup with your eggs
- Never stay in hotels
- Kenya
- I apologize for everything without being remotely sorry
- Bidets
- Bookshelves full of books
- Pubs – never cocktail bars
- “Are we rocking it for Martin’s party?” – Should I get the jewels from the bank for the party?
- Stocking up on light bulbs
- Claim you don’t know what label you carry
- Eat everything
- Mick Jagger
- Shepherd’s cake on Meissen porcelain
- Anonymous handbags – sorry Louis Vuitton