The Scarlet Robe Effect

A fancy robe nearly destroyed a philosopher's life.

In 1765, Denis Diderot's financial means went from meager to extravagant. Soon thereafter, he came to own a fancy scarlet dressing robe.

Diderot liked the status that the fancy robe conferred on him but quickly felt the remainder of his possessions could not compare.

So, in quick succession, he purchased a new leather chair. New shoes. An elaborate wooden desk.

All of which seemed appropriately matched to his lovely scarlet robe.

Or, perhaps more important, appropriately matched to the type of person who wore such a robe.

I call this phenomenon the Scarlet Robe Effect: A single status purchase can create a new identity. Each new purchase chases the identity that the last one created.

In today's piece, I explored the perils of bought status games and shared a simple question you can use to cut through the noise:

Would I buy this thing if I couldn't show or tell anyone about it?

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