You're probably familiar with the concept of Stealth Wealth in fashion. It's pretty simple: it's expensive, minimal clothing that's not flash or ostentatious, but looks luxurious and quietly understatedly stylish. There have been many times when advertising your designer logos was the done thing, but the Stealth Wealth (SW) or the 'quiet luxury' aesthetic has taken root over the past couple of years, and now it's a look that runs in tandem with fashion, barely affected by seasons or trends.

Thanks to the designer Phoebe Philo –arguably the godmother of SW – and The Row, a label famous for beautifully cut, plain clothes, and similarly to the character Shiv Roy in Succession, whose wardrobe was a major talking point, and to Gwyneth Paltrow's Utah trial in 2023 (her courtroom wardrobe of coats from The Row, Celine boots and Loro Piana cashmere put SW on the map for millions), SW is familiar and aspirational and we know the basic rules.

It doesn't deal in bright colours or patterns, pencil skirts or sheath dresses or limousine heels. It's a grey, relaxed-fit, cashmere sweater and a leather tote; a thick, link-chain, gold necklace and a trench coat you'll have for life, and everything is 'if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it' expensive. These clothes signal timeless luxury and make you look like your other house is in The Hamptons. Because it is.

All of this emphasis on quality makes it tricky for us civilians to fake. But there are always ways if you know where to look, what to avoid and what will deliver the most wears for your money. So, here's your cheat's guide on how to do Stealth Wealth, without the wealth. You can't go wrong with a high-cut, ballerina-style, flat shoe like these shoes, £110, cos.com. You can't go wrong with a high-cut, ballerina-style, flat shoe (square toe is best) like Cos's. Or M&S does a good, open-weave, black, square-toed pump (£45) – great for later in the year and smart with everything (though don't wear them with tights).

Otherwise, a beige, suede loafer from M&S is everyday SW (£55), or M&S has a good, backless black loafer (£49.50, marksandspencer.com), which is the height of SW for reasons of practicality. Slides and flip flops will come into their own when the weather picks up. The Row's leather flip flops were a big success last summer and they're back (as I said, Stealth Wealth transcends trends) as are the label's flatform slides. Try Fitflops' Gracie leather flip flops instead (£70, fitflop.com) or the plain, black slides in the sale (£66). Worth the money for the support.

Belted faux fur coat, £139, zara.com. Camel trench, £79, marksandspencer.com. Yes it's spring but so what. Philo has a belted, fur coat – brown and double-breasted with a tie belt – in her latest collection. Zara's doesn't have the lapels, but a collarless, buttonless, brown faux fur is equally chic (£139) and wearing rich-looking fabrics whatever the season is very SW: who knows where you'll end up and First Class can get chilly.

If the Zara one has sold out (it's going fast), Arket's long, double-breasted, cream, faux shearling coat with black piping is half price in the sale (£112, arket.com). Or how about a buff, longline trench from Marks and Spencer? The first rule of SW is classics realised in their most luxurious form, so a pale trench and the wide-leg trousers to go with it (£69.99) works. Otherwise, a buff trench coat is the spring go-to for slinging on over neutrals.

Leather tote bag, £89, johnlewis.com. £45 marksandspencer.com quilted bag. If your clothes are minimal, your bag and shoes need to look smart and glossy and expensive. The king of SW bags is the XL tote – big, soft, in luxey leather (or faux-leather), the kind of bag you use for travelling between your second and third home, or for carrying your gym kit and a sandwich. The most SW options come in chocolate brown or tan (£89; £130) and if you don't fancy a tote, a brown, maxi, bucket bag has a similar vibe (£35.99, zara.com).

Woven leather, the signature of luxury label Bottega Veneta, is arguably the SW calling card. M&S's woven, black tote is a steal (£45), but my money is on its fab, oversize, quilted shoulder bag (£45). Branch out and get it in camel. It'll make everything look expensive. Tailored wool waistcoat, £115, cos.com. This is a new entry (£115 from Cos), but worth considering as a Stealth Wealth means of smartening up trousers. Wear it bare armed in the evening in summer.

Wool blend jacket, £169, massimodutti.com. The iconic camel coat is hard to carry off, but a wool blend camel jacket, double breasted with a wide notch lapel collar and cropped on the hip, also at Massimo Dutti is much easier and the SW extra chic alternative to the navy pea coat. Wear with crisp white wide-leg jeans and a cream sweater. Cashmere blend jumper H&M, £119.99, hm.com. This is an SW staple or, as we're now calling them, an 'elevated essential'. Try Cos's soft merino crew neck in grey melange (£85) or its cashmere cardigan (£155) and matching T-shirt (£125) – the SW twinset. Or a grey cashmere turtleneck from Autograph at M&S (£95). An SW building block.