Happiness is the same price as red-bottoms
Fancy, expensive clothing, usually to show off the wealth of either those wearing the clothes or who bought the clothes for them, because looking cool and/or pretty isn't cheap.
Sometimes these outfits are fancy enough to be Costume Porn, which can range between outfits that are elegantly simple, to outfits so overdone they become Impossibly Tacky Clothes (and some fancy clothes of the past can seem that way).
Or they can range from higher quality versions of normal clothes, to an Impractically Fancy Outfit.
Heck, in the past, even certain colors could make clothing opulent due to the rarity of natural dyes.
Note that some of these clothing listed below isn't inherently a sign of wealth — jewelry, for example — but "the really good stuff" is still opulent.
Compare Big Fancy Castle, Big Fancy House, Cool Car.
Tropes (where at least a majority of the examples are opulent clothes)
- Battle Ballgown
No matter the ratio of armor to frills, it will still cost a pretty penny. - Billionaire Wristband
A man uses his absurdly expensive watch to tell you about himself. - Bling of War
For when the military often put the aristocracy in the highest ranks, so they had to make their station clear. - Cool Crown
Most examples are made of expensive materials. - Costume Porn
All those details take time, effort, and materials, which add up quickly. - Enormous Engagement Ring
Ads used to say a suitor should spend two months' salary on one, at least. - Ermine Cape Effect
Even though the regalia is expensive, it doesn't make it not suitable for everyday wear. - Everything's Sparkly with Jewelry
In most cases, it has little function than looking pretty, so this is showing wealth for the sake of showing it. - Fairytale Wedding Dress
Want to be a princess on your wedding day? Then the dress will cost a king's ransom. - Fashion Magazine
Most will show off designer clothes. - Fashion Show
To show clothes for high end clientele. - Fluffy Fashion Feathers
The more plumes, and the more exotic bird, the higher the cost of wearing these clothes. - Gem-Encrusted
Cost of the jewels + cost of the fabric + cost of inserting the jewels on the fabric = pure sybaritic fashion. - Going Fur a Swim
Not that one's going to get their fur coat wet, but it's still showing wealth to wear one over your swimsuit. - Gold Makes Everything Shiny
Gold lame is another sybaritic material. - Happy Holidays Dress
Christmas-themed frills are still going to cost a lot of milk and cookies to make. - Hereditary Wedding Dress
Wedding dresses that run in the family. - High-Class Fan
Decorated hand fan, often taught to ladies as a part of their Lessons in Sophistication. - High-Class Glass
Monocles won't fit one properly unless one puts up a lot of cash. - High-Class Gloves
You can have the fanciest dress, but it won't be as sophisticated without a pair of stylish gloves. - Impractically Fancy Outfit
It may not be easy to move in, but it fills the job of making it clear you could afford it. - It's Fake Fur, It's Fine
Opulence without certain issues. - Kicking Ass in All Her Finery
Whatever the fancy outfit, she can fight in it. - Naked in Mink
Even if it's the only thing you wear, a fur coat still costs a lot. - Ominous Opera Cape
Even for villains, it's a fancy accessory. - Pimp Duds
They may have gotten their money for these clothes through shady means, but they still earned it. - Pimped-Out Cape
All those decorations will just jack up the cost of that cape. - Pimped-Out Dress
All those decorations will just jack up the cost of that dress. - Pretty in Mink
Even the low cost furs can still cost a considerable amount. - Regal Ruff
It wasn't cheap to make all those yards of fabric form that shape. - Requisite Royal Regalia
The cost of these items are fit for a king. - Sharp-Dressed Man
A tailored suit takes a lot more time and work than an off-the-rack one. - Simple, yet Opulent
Since many examples are clothing. - Stylish Protection Gear
Even if the standard protection gear can cost a lot.
