iPads and smartphones top modern status symbol list

As well as the car you drive and the house you live in, modern status symbols include diamond jewellery, designer watches and a foreign holiday home.

Researchers revealed the eclectic mix of items in a poll of 2,000 adults to find out how we judge success and wealth today.

Holidays to far-flung destinations such as the Maldives or the Caribbean also made the list, while people who do their weekly shop at upmarket Waitrose or Marks and Spencer are also seen as more successful.

Andy Oldham, managing director of the retail cashback website Quidco, which commissioned the research, said: “There was a time when people judged success solely on your home or job, but it seems like there are many more modern items that help give a certain impression of you.

“Technology has improved massively over the last few years and this is reflected in the list with items such as 3D TVs, iPads and smartphones all featuring.

“Even the supermarket you go to for your weekly shop can give others an idea of how successful you are.

“Material items go such a long way to showing you are successful that it seems many are buying these status symbols, even if they can’t really afford them.”

A home worth £578,000 is also among the list of modern-day status symbols, as well as a car – complete with a personal number plate – with Aston Martin, Ferraris, Mercedes Benz and Porsche models the most popular makes to display success.

A 50in smart or 3D TV, a home with electric gates and a cleaner, nanny or even gardener on the pay roll also emerged as signs of achievement.

And when it comes to holidays, for it to really show off your success, it needs to be a luxury holiday on a remote Indian Ocean resort or in a private Caribbean villa costing around £5,000 per break.

Designer brands are also a must-have status symbol with items including a top of the range watch such as a Rolex, or Tag as well as a Prada or Mulberry handbag, Louis Vuitton luggage and a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes.

Looking after your appearance is also important if you want to appear successful with having a personal trainer featured in the list, alongside attending an exclusive gym and having regular manicures.

Futurologist William Higham, who advises major companies on future trends, said: “Time is increasingly important these days so it has become more important to have people who will take things off your hands like cleaning.

“It used to be that gadgets were all about the boys, but now they are increasingly important to women as well. And grooming and relaxation are becoming more important to men as well as women.”

Other modern day status symbols include owning more than one home, flying or travelling in first class and being part of a member’s only club.

Drinking champagne, having a good knowledge of wine and travelling in taxis instead of taking public transport also made the list. The survey illuminatingly reveals that 14 per cent of consumers in the UK have bought a particular thing or brand just to appear more well off than they really are.

One in four also admitted they used a credit card to make the extravagant purchase, while more than one in 20 took out a loan.

Fewer than a half used money they had diligently saved.