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

No. Thats not what the op is talking about.

The claim the op makes is that everybody chooses their clothes in order to make a statement about themselves, their personality and values.

Which is bollocks.

Also, im not angry. Im taking the piss. I am mocking a ridiculous claim.

Very strange all the passive aggression on this thread. Reverse snobbery gone mad.

We all like different things. Some of us like to dress well and have an appreciation of quality. For some of us it matters. What is this anti-style trend all of a sudden, that none of us are allowed to aspire to more than leggings and a sweatshirt? It is possible to be warm and stylish at the same time 🙄

That’s not what is being said at all.

if you went out for a coffee or drink in those clothes, as opposed to laying on your sofa or walking the dog. Your clothes would likely say a bit skint , maybe not keen on your own appearance, maybe don’t like your face or body, so just don’t want to make an effort past the practical, and depending on what they were, and how else you presented, for whatever you were doing in a social setting, would complete the assumption. The assumption could be totally wrong, but everyone’s appearance in a social setting makes a statement about them.

I understand you’re posting angrily as you hate the idea of people making assumptions about how you present, but no matter how angry you are at the thought of it, how much you lash out and swear, you won’t change it.

Have you considered things the other way around?
That although Madame X is genuinely not concerned about projecting any image whatsoever, preferring (say) utility and comfort, good quality and a harmonious ensemble which satisfies her, it’s entirely up to YOU to own any image you decide is being thrust at you by her private, inward-facing preferences.
You will read it all according to your own assumptions.

Well, exactly. I'm wearing leggings because they're comfy to lie on the sofa in, a jumper because it's November and cold, and thick socks for the same reason

"They’re still using their appearance to project a specific image and reflect their personality and values, no matter how much they like to pretend otherwise."

Ok. So im wearing what im wearing because they are warm and its cold. I bought them because they were cheap and warm.
You're telling me that's not why I bought them or why im wearing them, you are telling me that when choosing them I considered the image I wish to project to others and how they would reflect my personality and values?

So my personality is what? Likes to be warm when its cold out and doesn't want to spend a lot of money?

Can't believe I've got to 52 not knowing that I choose my clothes to shout to the world who I am and what I think.

What do I need to wear to tell people to fuck off and don't even think about bothering me? Thats an outfit i would really like to splash out on.

It's bloody cold and they are high waisted thick stretchy jersey fabric ones . 😁

Im also wearing knee length knitted socks.

Its really very very bloody cold.

What a bizarre way of thinking.

a woman walks in with low quality clothing, a cheap fake handbag, done in primark jeans, an anorak that would make hailey in corrie swoon, a short practical hair cut, no make up, and people make an assumption about that person, low income, dowdy, frumpy a bit dull, but likely approachable. Doesn’t mean it’s accurate, just that’s what it says.

I would assume low income but to assume a person is 'dull but likely approachable' based on their outfit alone feels a stretch.

The examples you've given are all a bit... Cliche. Most days (when I'm not working) you'll find me in straight leg jeans, an unbranded sweatshirt and trainers. What assumptions would you make about me @Wickedlittledancer ?

I have never found friendship with people who make it clear they have zero interest in clothes or any other aspect of aesthetics. Of course when you're doing the gardening, or hiking etc etc, or clearing out the drains, you wear disgusting old things. But people who always dress only for comfort (if they have a choice) - I haven't got any friends like that. This post has made me realise this for the first time, and it is a characteristic I find off-putting in people.

I and most of my friends will buy from charity shops, eBay, markets etc etc as well as actual shops/brands. It's not about wealth-snobbery. But to not give a damn about what you choose to wear...I find that hard to understand.

I love art, architecture, the countryside, home design etc. I see clothing as part of this 'scenery' of life. I love colour and texture and pattern. I wouldn't have much in common with someone to whom all this was just nothing. I've experienced this a few times, actually. When I've been out with a colleague or someone from a hobby group (not a close friend) and I've exclaimed about a building or maybe a colour...and I've got a blank look and a shrug... I to tend to write off people like that.

I also wear leggings under a long dress every day. Mainly for warmth in my case because I've lived in cold houses all my life.
It would be straight leg ones from Marks with an ankle length A line pinafore dress, a long sleeved t shirt and long lace up boots.
Practical and comfortable.

For walking the dogs I wear leggings under my jeans.

I think people are being purposefully obtuse as they don’t like it, of course it isn’t something like if you wear black you look depressed and some universal language. That’s not what making a statement or people making assumptions about you meqns.

Here is another example. Sitting in a coffee shop. People watching.

a woman walks in with low quality clothing, a cheap fake handbag, done in primark jeans, an anorak that would make hailey in corrie swoon, a short practical hair cut, no make up, and people make an assumption about that person, low income, dowdy, frumpy a bit dull, but likely approachable. Doesn’t mean it’s accurate, just that’s what it says.

a different woman walks in after her, she’s wearing cream wool trousers, a silk blouse, carries a clearly expansive leather handbag, has swishy rich coloured well kept hair, subtle make up, a subtle scent that smells expensive. People make a totally different assumption about her. Rich. Pampered. Rich husband or parents, or successful career. Stuck up. Likely not approachable.

another woman walks in, she’s wearing faded jeans, a leather biker jacket, an old band t shirt, doc martin boots, pink hair and heavy eyeliner. people make a very different assumption about her than the other two woman. Edgy, cool. Approachable, maybe, maybe not.

none of these assumptions maybe right but it is just made up examples of how people presenting themselves snd the view strangers may have of them based on their appearance. And what people mean by your clothed making a statement,

People who say they ‘don’t care’ about clothes do care about clothes. Everyone who jumps on to Mumsnet threads about clothes to say ‘I don’t care about clothes, it’s all a lot of silly shallow nonsense, I only wear men’s jeans with plain t-shirts and a fleece from the supermarket, I also cut my own hair and do nothing to my face except wash it’ is taking just as much of a conscious stance to look a certain way as someone who loves clothes and makeup.

They’re still using their appearance to project a specific image and reflect their personality and values, no matter how much they like to pretend otherwise.

• Cost
• If you aren't taller and thin there's shit all out there
• If you're petite there's definitely shit all out there except online shopping where you have the joyous faff of buying all the things, just to have to sort out sending back 95% of it. Huge Faff.
• Current fashions, for example if you're willowy an oversized dress is fine. Short and not willowy, you look like a potato.

My interest extends to being in clean, pressed, not tattered or holey or otherwise damaged clothing, that I like the colour or style of.

Where it comes from, what special brand it is - and most of all - what you or any other random stranger think of it, are not important to me.

I don’t have a masters in the subject, but my uneducated guess would be that the leggings are because it’s freezing today and QueenC would like warm ankles.

It changes according to where you are l think. Black is a passive colour.

My question would be ‘why are you wearing leggings under a long dress and what sort are they?’

I find clothes frustrating because my body is not a standard shape. My boobs are too big. My top is a clothes size bigger than my bottom half, my legs and arms are too short for normal ranges and petite stuff is mostly online. If I had a personal tailor I might love clothes shopping but the reward does not balance the frustration.

My opinion is the One True View and if you disagree it is because you don't understand what I'm saying. Once I explain it to you, you will say oh right now I understand, of course you are right.

I've come across a fair few of these over the years. They genuinely can't believe that anyone could disagree with them so it must be that they don't understand.

Maybe they just have different priorities to you. We're all different after all.
My DH probably doesn't understand why I don't like watching football on tv but I don't lol.

I’m wearing fleece lined leggings and an oversized hoodie. The outfit is saying one thing about me, and one thing only. And that is that I have a massive hangover 🤕

I think that clothes probably do say something about the wearer, but it seems we fall into different camps in respect of deliberately using them to express ourselves, or not.

I know! The arrogance is off the scale! 😂

Oh now this I can get behind! Along with 'that's what faces are for,' and the poster who said they attempt to be appropriately attired for whatever occasion.

I'm not very interested in clothes beyond what's appropriate, comfortable and clean.

This 💯 Baffling. There have been numerous excellent and interesting responses in this thread, but the OP insists we're all "missing the point".