Do clothes make the man?

We hear that a lot, and I admit, most men should never take off their clothes or wear skimpy swimming trunks...

Anyway, I'm a sloppy dresser. Mostly just T-shirts and jeans and sneakers, etc. I own like three pairs of shoes, and that's all, and I find myself wearing the same things over and over again (especially pants) because I think I look good in them. I'm in good shape but I tend to hide behind sloppy clothes unless I'm trying to impress someone.

But every time I wear a jacket or a button-down shirt or something (even casually), people always say, "What's the occasion? What do you dress up for?" I often just blank out -- huh? Oh, it's the jacket. But somehow, people find me more "presentable," if you will. Perhaps because I tend to wear sloppily that they notice?

But if clothes make the man, why aren't we men care more about fashion? And why does men's fashion seem to stay about the same -- just a lot of recycling? Why we men don't care much about how we look when simply putting on a sport jacket would work like a charm?

Ray, writing at Starbucks in a gray T-shirt and jeans

quickWit said:

I do care how I look.

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You look cuddly.

writerterri said:

We should make this Ray day.

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Lordy. It's not about me. It's about quickwit and his ivory.

TurkeyLurkey said:

Of course... wearing nothing is a great option!

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Come to the locker room at my gym and you may change your mind.

Alina Bradford said:

I think a guy's clothing choice says more about his psyche than his station in life.

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What are you saying? That I'm a slop?

regdog said:

I don't get the whole men eyebrow waxing, having manicures and pedicures, etc. I'm a woman and I never get a manicure or pedicure but I guess if that's what they like

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I think it has to do with confidence, and also a competitive edge. When I was working/living in New York, I noticed that men get manicures all the time, especially the suits. I guess they constantly have to project this confident, savvy business image that they can't afford to have ugly, unkept nails. They have to shake the hands of CEOs and celebrities. Plus, hey, I like a nice spa treatment and feel pampered, too. I think it's about time men get to enjoy the luxury with their hard-earned money. A nice sports massage followed by a manicure. Yup, that's good life.

And Ed, I agree. Sometimes it's about self-confidence and how we carry ourselves. I know when I'm all dressed up, I project myself different. I don't slouch as much and I feel good about how I look. And self-confidence is contagious; people gravitate toward you. It's a good feeling (unless, of course, you don't want the attention at all).... Perhaps that's why I am sloppy most of the time -- I want to be anonymous, inconspicuous.