'I'd rather have Chanel than split the bill' - meet the women 'up dating'

ok.co.uk:

Fancy ditching a disappointingly unchilled white wine at the pub for champagne on a yacht? “Dating up” is a growing trend in the UK that sees desirable young women dating rich men.

A poll of British singletons found 70% are looking for a relationship that elevates their lifestyles – and Seeking, an online dating agency boasting more than 40 million on its books globally, pledges to match attractive women with successful men. “There’s currently a definite cultural shift towards women demanding more from their romantic lives,” says dating expert Emma Hathorn. “Instead of boring dinners, these women want luxury.” Like Jemima, 26, from London. “I discovered the concept of ‘dating up’ from an older gentleman I met at a party,” she says. “He arrived on our date in a fancy car clutching a huge bouquet.

He then introduced me to Seeking and I saw there were so many good-looking, mature, sophisticated men on the site. I’m ambitious and love intellectual conversations.

One man I dated helped set up my business. Once you date up, it’s difficult to look back. Why have an off-brand bag or split a bill when you can have Chanel and be treated well?” Many people might point out that as well as being a materialistic approach to forming relationships, it’s also terribly sexist – the idea that young women are judged by their looks, while the men, often older, are rated on the size of their wallets.