The first two considerations apply to members of non-Western nations wearing their national dress. An Indian is at once indicated by a turban or sari, an African by a 'mammy-cloth', a Polynesian by his head-dress. Very often, subtle distinctions in national costume, will give to fellow-nationals a precise indication of caste, social standing or origin, facts of which an outsider would not be aware. It is a curious fact that as a result of Westernization, some non-Europeans nationals have become ashamed of their own costume. The European, who is tired of his own dull, standardized dress. would generally prefer to see them as they used to be, but both sides agree that a mixture of the two styles is deplorable. Bare feet, a cloth and bracelets do not show at their best when surmounted by a cloth cap battered terribly. In deed, styles of dress have become so mixed in places like West Africa or Egypt that dress no longer serves as a sure guide to nationality even though, it will generally give the spectator a good idea.
Non-European dress can often, however, indicate religion. Nobody could fail to recognize the dress of a Muslim, or the special robe of those Muslims who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca. Turbans have many fine shades of meaning.
All this is true of members of "non-Western" countries, but to the Western world, clothes have no significance whatever, in respect of religion. In regard to nationality, differences of style may offer clue. A Briton would recognize British shoes, the Italian cut of a suit, the Parisian style of a lady's dress, or an American 'tee-shirt'.
There are, however, various other deductions open to the shrewd observer of European dress. Firstly, that of income-level. Good clothes cost money, and the poor man would sooner economize on clothes rather than food or fuel. A noticeable factor, however, is the great increase in the number of well-dressed people, due to the leveling up of incomes in the West.
We can, of course, differentiate the 'good taste' (or its absence) between individuals of even the same income level, and we are, therefore, given a clue as to whether the individual concerned is educated and 'guided' in his or her choice or not; such guidance goes with a home of high standards.
Clothes may be expensive and in a good taste, but they may either be fashionable or not, and they may be old or new. Again, the shrewd observer will instantly make a mental note that the person wearing them is either 'conservative' or 'progressive' in outlook, or, if the clothes are good but old, had recently come on hard times.
Clothes which are clean, tidy and well-pressed, always give a favorable impression of the wearer's character. They indicate a tidy mind in the wearer, as well as respect for the company, a fact which candidates going up for an interview remember. the fact that a polished pair of shoes is an old pair, or that an old shirt is well-darned, is not criticism; it may well be a commendation. Poverty is no disgrace; dirt is.
Bad manners can, of course, be attributed to those who deliberately wear the wrong dress on a social occasion. Those who, in doubt, tend to 'over-dress' show more consideration tot heir host or hostess, than those who assume informality on the least pretext.
To the Easterner, Western dress, in its monotony, gives very little indication of status or character, unless the dress in question happens to be uniform of some kind of a special dress proper to a certain occupation or trade. Tot he Westerner himself, it is full of deceptions and pitfalls; there is so much that can be detected by observation, that the wisest observer will reflect that he can really detect nothing. this is especially true in Britain, where the bank clerk dresses like a Prime Minister, and a duke like a gardener.
At least, dress can indicate only so much, and what it does indicate may be doubtful; one thing is certain -- as far as the real essentials of character are concerned, dress reveals absolutely nothing.
Non-European dress can often, however, indicate religion. Nobody could fail to recognize the dress of a Muslim, or the special robe of those Muslims who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca. Turbans have many fine shades of meaning.
All this is true of members of "non-Western" countries, but to the Western world, clothes have no significance whatever, in respect of religion. In regard to nationality, differences of style may offer clue. A Briton would recognize British shoes, the Italian cut of a suit, the Parisian style of a lady's dress, or an American 'tee-shirt'.
There are, however, various other deductions open to the shrewd observer of European dress. Firstly, that of income-level. Good clothes cost money, and the poor man would sooner economize on clothes rather than food or fuel. A noticeable factor, however, is the great increase in the number of well-dressed people, due to the leveling up of incomes in the West.
We can, of course, differentiate the 'good taste' (or its absence) between individuals of even the same income level, and we are, therefore, given a clue as to whether the individual concerned is educated and 'guided' in his or her choice or not; such guidance goes with a home of high standards.
Clothes may be expensive and in a good taste, but they may either be fashionable or not, and they may be old or new. Again, the shrewd observer will instantly make a mental note that the person wearing them is either 'conservative' or 'progressive' in outlook, or, if the clothes are good but old, had recently come on hard times.
Clothes which are clean, tidy and well-pressed, always give a favorable impression of the wearer's character. They indicate a tidy mind in the wearer, as well as respect for the company, a fact which candidates going up for an interview remember. the fact that a polished pair of shoes is an old pair, or that an old shirt is well-darned, is not criticism; it may well be a commendation. Poverty is no disgrace; dirt is.
Bad manners can, of course, be attributed to those who deliberately wear the wrong dress on a social occasion. Those who, in doubt, tend to 'over-dress' show more consideration tot heir host or hostess, than those who assume informality on the least pretext.
To the Easterner, Western dress, in its monotony, gives very little indication of status or character, unless the dress in question happens to be uniform of some kind of a special dress proper to a certain occupation or trade. Tot he Westerner himself, it is full of deceptions and pitfalls; there is so much that can be detected by observation, that the wisest observer will reflect that he can really detect nothing. this is especially true in Britain, where the bank clerk dresses like a Prime Minister, and a duke like a gardener.
At least, dress can indicate only so much, and what it does indicate may be doubtful; one thing is certain -- as far as the real essentials of character are concerned, dress reveals absolutely nothing.
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