I have a weird question about clothes

[ChrisFL]

It might be really weird, but I like to study human nature.

If you look at some rich and famous people...only a few that I know of...Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, George Lucas, Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)...they all wear basically the same style outfit daily.

Now they're in a position where they can pretty much get away with it and no one questions it.

So I wonder things like, when did it become normal or expected for the rest of us to wear different style of clothing every day. Obviously I'm referring to non-uniformed areas.

Clearly, if someone wears the same clothing every day and they aren't known as being rich, it could be perceived as they're too poor, or unkempt to wear other clothing.

I wonder when this started though. I've heard that in the late 1800's to early 1900's, taking a bath daily was practically unheard-of in the U.S. and some European countries. Was it only after that, and the industrial revolution where we could buy clothes much more cheaply?

If we're expected by society to look good, how many outfits should we own, minimum, and does that change between men and women?

Any thoughts?

 

[lizabu]

I wear pretty much the same types of clothes every day. TShirt and yoga pants at home. Jeans and TShirt when I leave the house. I add a hoodie if it's cold. That's my "uniform". Occasionally I wear something else like if we're going to a nice restaurant or something but if I could wear my yoga pants an TShirt everywhere I would.

 

[disneychrista]

I wear pretty much the same style outfit everyday.

Jeans, ladies style t-shirt, tennis shoes.

 

[scrapquitler]

It might be really weird, but I like to study human nature.

If you look at some rich and famous people...only a few that I know of...Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, George Lucas, Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)...they all wear basically the same style outfit daily.

Now they're in a position where they can pretty much get away with it and no one questions it.

So I wonder things like, when did it become normal or expected for the rest of us to wear different style of clothing every day. Obviously I'm referring to non-uniformed areas.

Clearly, if someone wears the same clothing every day and they aren't known as being rich, it could be perceived as they're too poor, or unkempt to wear other clothing.

I wonder when this started though. I've heard that in the late 1800's to early 1900's, taking a bath daily was practically unheard-of in the U.S. and some European countries. Was it only after that, and the industrial revolution where we could buy clothes much more cheaply?

If we're expected by society to look good, how many outfits should we own, minimum, and does that change between men and women?

Any thoughts?

I'm not sure where you are getting that we are expected to wear different styles of clothing every day? I think the vast majority of people wear a similar style of clothing day to day, whether that means jeans and a t-shirt and a hoodie or a three piece suit with a tie, or khakis and a polo shirt, or a skirt and a blouse. Most people have a style and pretty much stick with their style as appropriate for the situation.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm not sure where you are getting that we are expected to wear different styles of clothing every day? I think the vast majority of people wear a similar style of clothing day to day, whether that means jeans and a t-shirt and a hoodie or a three piece suit with a tie, or khakis and a polo shirt, or a skirt and a blouse. Most people have a style and pretty much stick with their style as appropriate for the situation.

I don't necessarily mean different styles. The examples I mentioned were famous people who wear the EXACT same outfit daily, as far as type, color, etc. They might have a dozen outfits, but they wear the same exact kind daily.

That's what I mean. Obviously there's people who wear different colors, similar styles daily, but most people don't wear the exact same thing.

 

[Poohforyou]

Do you know for a fact that they wear the same outfit everyday or is it that they're photographed in the same outfit? For example, I know Steve Jobs wore jeans and a black turtleneck when at press conferences but I don't know that he wore that the 300+ days he wasn't in the news.

I don't wear the same thing every day but most of my clothes come from only a handful of stores. I think in general we're creatures of habit and gravitate towards things we're comfortable and familiar with.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Clearly, if someone wears the same clothing every day and they aren't known as being rich, it could be perceived as they're too poor, or unkempt to wear other clothing.

I've worked in a casino in Las Vegas for over a decade and clothing is a terrible indicator of who does and doesn't have money.

Generally most high rollers with million dollar bankrolls wear t-shirts, tennis shoes, and jeans, partly because it's comfortable but mostly because most of them don't want to draw any attention to themselves. In my experience most people wearing lots of "bling", wearing flashy clothing, and flashing cash are usually poor to middle class and in debt up to their eyeballs.

There are always exceptions though so it's best just to treat everyone the same because you never know if you're talking to a bum or CEO. I've had a few occasions where I'd have bet my house I was dealing with a homeless person only to have a host come up and tell them their penthouse was ready.

 

[LimeCordial]

It might be really weird, but I like to study human nature.

If you look at some rich and famous people...only a few that I know of...Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, George Lucas, Jamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)...they all wear basically the same style outfit daily.

Now they're in a position where they can pretty much get away with it and no one questions it.

So I wonder things like, when did it become normal or expected.

Clearly, if someone wears the same clothing every day and they aren't known as being rich, it could be perceived as they're too poor, or unkempt to wear other clothing.

I wonder when this started though. I've heard that in the late 1800's to early 1900's, taking a bath daily was practically unheard-of in the U.S. and some European countries. Was it only after that, and the industrial revolution where we could buy clothes much more cheaply?

If we're expected by society to look good, how many outfits should we own, minimum, and does that change between men and women?

Any thoughts?

I'm not entirely sure where you're going with this but I do think you've shared some interesting points.

An average person wears the same outfit day in, day out, they might be viewed as "weird", "poor" or "oddball" whereas when a rich and famous person does this, it's sort of viewed as "quirky" or "charming".

Using your examples above, I wonder if it's a comfort/confidence thing or that these uber smarties just don't have the time to be fussing around with frivolity like the rest of us mere mortals .

Clothing has long been a status symbol (well before 1800's). I'm sure outfits were changed and not necessarily washed and if so, probably only as often as baths occurred (ew). So, yes, in part, as the average became wealthier and more clothing was produced, it was (and still is in my opinion), a luxury item and status symbol. The only reason it is "expected", or "the norm", is because media tells us it is.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm not entirely sure where you're going with this but I do think you've shared some interesting points.

An average person wears the same outfit day in, day out, they might be viewed as "weird", "poor" or "oddball" whereas when a rich and famous person does this, it's sort of viewed as "quirky" or "charming".

Using your examples above, I wonder if it's a comfort/confidence thing or that these uber smarties just don't have the time to be fussing around with frivolity like the rest of us mere mortals .

Clothing has long been a status symbol (well before 1800's). I'm sure outfits were changed and not necessarily washed and if so, probably only as often as baths occurred (ew). So, yes, in part, as the average became wealthier and more clothing was produced, it was (and still is in my opinion), a luxury item and status symbol. The only reason it is "expected", or "the norm", is because media tells us it is.

Yes, I think you understood basically what I mean.

Edit: I guess I could have also asked the question "what would your opinion be if a co-worker, for example, seemed to wear the same exact outfit daily...even though it seems to be clean each day?"

 

[dyna]

I guess I look poor like I am because I wear the same style same brand of jeans every day......once I found jeans I liked I bought 20 pair that was maybe 15 yrs ago an about time for more jeans an guess what when I find jeans I like I'll buy 20 more pairs alike.

Shirts are more varied now that I'm incognito most of the time. Used to all be black now I can wear a few colors at least.

 

[barkley]

[QUOTE=Poohforyou;49838600]Do you know for a fact that they wear the same outfit everyday or is it that they're photographed in the same outfit? For example, I know Steve Jobs wore jeans and a black turtleneck when at press conferences but I don't know that he wore that the 300+ days he wasn't in the news.

I don't wear the same thing every day but most of my clothes come from only a handful of stores. I think in general we're creatures of habit and gravitate towards things we're comfortable and familiar with.[/QUOTE]


excellent point.


many individuals who by virtue of their careers/businesses are known/observed in the public have the knowledge or have paid to have research done (to advise them) in exactly how they wish to be perceived, and how to accomplish this through at bare minimum their clothing. if the company/product they are invested in capitalizes on/markets to a certain community then how they appear in public is often carefully crafted to appeal to, or at the very least not offend that audience. in other cases, some indivdiauls you mention (and this is just from personal experience) have strong roots in northern California and the silicon valley-both of which seem to encourage and applaud (when an individual has reached a certain level of success/notoriety) abandonment of corporate attire in favor of a laid back "i'm one of the regular folks" attire

 

[barkley]

Yes, I think you understood basically what I mean.

Edit: I guess I could have also asked the question "what would your opinion be if a co-worker, for example, seemed to wear the same exact outfit daily...even though it seems to be clean each day?"

when I worked in social service it would have been applauded.


as we were trained-it would have said to the clientele that the employee did not hold themselves at a level different (read higher) than those they served. that, despite having a limited wardrobe they managed to present themselves in a well kept manner such that they could gain and successfully maintain employment.

 

[NHdisneylover]

One thing I notice is that everyone you mention is someone whose career indicates a very technical type of personality--one that often goes with more of a tendency to not care as much about fashion and to be more comfortable with routines in some areas (such as clothing).
I think for that type of personality--most people do not expect big or changing fashion statements, no matter how much or little money you make.

I know my dad is far from rich. He wears kahki slacks and a white Ralph Lauren Oxford shirt 95% of the time. I am aware of exactly what it is, because for years when he lived in Mexico and I lived in the US, I would watch for sales and pick up new shirts/slacks for him when they went to a good price and take them down on my next visit. Otherwise, I doubt I would have thought twice about him wearing the same thing over and over, and so far as I know no one else does either. I certainly o not think it has made any difference to his career or friends, etc.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yes, I think you understood basically what I mean.

Edit: I guess I could have also asked the question "what would your opinion be if a co-worker, for example, seemed to wear the same exact outfit daily...even though it seems to be clean each day?"

I doubt I would notice. If I did, I would probably think they had some minor autism like tendency to like the same feel/look daily and or not be confronted with the need to make a choice every morning, and then not think anything more of it.

It would not strike as weird or bad or wrong in any way.

 

[lizabu]

If you're talking about celebrities I once read that if a celebrity doesn't want the Paparazzi bothering them one trick is to wear the same outfit whenever you leave the house, a magazine is only going to buy so many photos of Jennifer Aniston wearing the same exact outfit. It makes it seem like all the photos were taken on the same day. If the photos are worthless the photographers won't take them and they leave the celebrity alone.

 

[RitaE]

Here - your post reminded me of an article I read once so I found it for you

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquel...dressed-exactly-the-same-heres-who-else-does/

 

[joviroxx]

I dont really have an opinion one way or the other but I can say what can happen to celebrities. One might go out with a pair or jeans and a black tshirt, the next day, designers and retailers are sending them black tshirts and jeans for them to wear for free publicity. They get boxes of free stuff . I personally know one celebrity this happens to. So he figures, why buy stuff when I get all this for free. He gets black tshirts by the dozens , from different designers, free all the time.

 

[mom2rtk]

Honestly, I think the people who make it big have a single minded determination about what they do. Being concerned with a new look every day tends to take time and mental energy. I really think they reserve their mental energy for their business.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Honestly, I think the people who make it big have a single minded determination about what they do. Being concerned with a new look every day tends to take time and mental energy. I really think they reserve their mental energy for their business.

I'm pretty sure Michael Kors said something to this effect. He basically where's the same type of outfit every day...jeans, black t, blazer. It's one less decision he needs to make in the day.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I think there's also a big difference between choice and necessity. When someone is rich, we know they could have access to designer clothes and a personal stylist; they choose to wear the same thing, and thus it can be considered quirky or amusing. When someone is poor, we tend to assume that they wear the same thing all the time because they have no other options, and thus it can be considered a symbol of their poverty.