To not really get why people don’t like clothes?

Obviously you can tell some things about people based on clothes. Probably social class and disposable income, maybe their job, whether they follow fashion, if they’re ‘into’ clothes, whether they are in a particular subculture, perhaps whether they like to show a bit of flesh or dress modestly, and much less often something more specific. I guess if you’re also into fashion, or a particular subculture, then there are clothing shibboleths you can clock.

But I don’t particularly want to know any of that about a stranger, and it’s all pretty irrelevant to whether or not I want to be friends with someone too, and to what I value about my friends. The things I’m interested in knowing about people are easy to get from brief interactions - are they friendly and funny, what are their jobs and interests, what have they read recently, what do they think about politics… unless they were kitted out head to toe in slogan tees and statement pins then none of that is observable from clothes choice.

but, as, given this thread, most people aren't deliberately making any statement with their clothes, and therefore almost definitely don't understand what statement other people who do care are making with theirs, how do you know that anyone is correctly interpreting anybody else's clothing?

e.g. you could wear a smart business suit that you think says 'I'm a successful professional.'
You're hoping that other people look at you and interpret that 'correctly' - that you are someone who is intelligent, hard working, well dressed, successful, stylish etc. But you have absolutely no control over whether they do!

A pervy guy might look at you and just think 'She's wearing that tight skirt and heels to show off, she wants everyone to stare at her arse.'
A 20 y/o student might look at you and go 'Wow I wouldn't be seen dead in that outfit, it's so dated. She clearly doesn't care about being fashionable or looking good.'
Someone who doesn't earn much might think 'That looks like a really expensive outfit - doesn't she have anything better to spend her money on?' Or 'She must be very stuck up and rigid.'
Someone who wouldn't be seen dead in anything off the rack might think 'What a cheap outfit - she can't be very successful/want to be taken seriously wearing high street trousers and an old blazer in a cut that went out of style 3 years ago. And heels, who wears heels to work these days?'
Someone who likes wearing bright colours and statement jewellery might think 'Oh her outfit is very dull, she's probably depressed,' or 'she must be shy and not want to draw attention to herself.'
Someone who is countercultural might think 'Oh, she's wearing that to indicate she is a corporate drone, with no mind of her own.'

Because I don't like my body and I don't think any clothes on me.

Clothes shops are overwhelming, far too much choice and unless you're a cookie cutter size, nothing fits properly or looks as expected when it's on. I don't like being seen as out there so tend to wait until the trend is so established it's basically over then I think well what's the point now. Social anxiety and the fear of being perceived sadly freezes my wardrobe in a very boring state.

How do you know that what your interpretation of what someone is saying through their clothes is what they're actually trying to portray? Social cues like this are subtle, hugely subjective and very easy to misconstrue.

Because it’s easier to sum up by clothes. They say more than other things. I can usually sum up people by what they are wearing pretty quickly with a couple of glances.

Its not judging l just can’t help it.

Curious as to what statement that you want to make? What's your style?

If you worked in the eye of the public, and the public was polled on what impression you give, what would you hope that they would say?

I have zero interest in clothes. I wear what fits me, is affordable, and clean.

I'll openly admit to not quite understanding what you mean when you say, "Here I am and this is my statement".

Does that go for casual outfits, or is it just for a dressed up look?

You’re clearly not understanding that if I walked by you and the street I’d know nothing about you apart from a judgment based ln how you decide to present yourself?

I find this really depressing: people judging complete strangers by the clothes they wear.

How about judging people by their manners? Or their pleasant expression ? Or the way they are interacting with the people they are with?

It matters to YOU.

Please do tell me your today outfit??

I have a lot of clothes but I don’t particularly like them…or not on me. I buy things because they look nice on the hanger (or on the model) or because I like the fabric but then I put them on and they look awful on me. I love buying clothes and I have a particular style but it probably just doesn’t suit me.

I have a dd who’s 21 who has absolutely not interest in clothes other than then being comfortable.

I've no interest in fashion. Currently it's all about baggy trousers and dark brown - both of which I hate so why would I buy them?

I absolutely hate online clothes shopping. Every store has different sizings and I've better things to do with my time than faffing about waiting in for and returning parcels.

This whole thing is about aesthetics v functionality.

Some people are interested in colour, shape, fabric etc and some are interested in dressing for protection and function.

Both are fine. And both mean different things.

That was my immediate thought when I read that post, it takes just as long to put on nice clothes as shit ones, but it’s very telling rhe poster wanted to think horrible things about someone who they thought looked good.

That's OK then. I suspect my clothes say fuck off and leave me alone.

Which suits me perfectly.

Bet they’re judging you like mad though😂

You’re clearly not understanding that if I walked by you and the street I’d know nothing about you apart from a judgment based ln how you decide to present yourself?

Yeah we get that. You're clearly not understanding that some people really don't dress for others or give a damn what passersby think of them. Other people are not in my head when I get dressed in the morning, or even when I'm walking past them in the street. Other than not bumping into them.

😁

Love clothes, always have. I am never ever going to set foot outside my house in public view without thinking about my clothes. Many of you will think this makes me terminally superficial, and you might be right. But for me it is an enormous pleasure to know that I have composed my appearance knowingly. And I am nearly 70, I still care. I'm not personally vain, but I would have to have fled a fire that destroyed my wardrobe before I would go out in another person's choices.

that forum will never cease to amaze me 😂

If nothing else, you know it takes exactly the same time to put on clothes that look , I don't know intentional, stylish, or like there's some thought behind it, than it takes to put something randomly grabbed from your wardrobe?

But you will be doing so unconsciously.

It's great if that's how you choose to express yourself. Other people may choose a different way or not really give a shit what other people think, and that's also great.

I don't want to express myself with clothing.

I was brought up in poverty and never had many new clothes. Most were hand me downs and in my teens pretty much the only new things I had were school uniform.

I learned that clothes do not make the woman nor express me and that I had far more worth than just my clothes.

I also learned to view the bullies who picked up on my lack of fashion as mindless morons with more money than sense… and further, people entirely at the mercy of whatever some equally mindless backroom guy or so called celebrity thinks he can impose on women this year. I often think of them as chortling in the back rooms laughing about who and how many they can make look ridiculous now.

Now l do that with every single person l meet. Shoes can be a big teller.