I grew up having heard the adage, “Clothes maketh the man“. I never fully dismissed the maxim as untrue.

“The simplest costume,’ observes our Professor, ‘which I anywhere find alluded to in History, is that used as regimental, by Bolivar’s Cavalry, in the late Columbian wars. A square Blanket, twelve feet in diagonal, is provided (some were wont to cut-off the corners, and make it circular): in the centre a slit is effected eighteen inches long; through this the mother-naked Trooper introduces his head and neck: and so rides shielded from all weather, and in battle from many strokes (for he rolls it about his left arm); and not only dressed, but harnessed and draperied.’

With which picture of a State of Nature, affecting by its singularity, and Old-Roman contempt of the superfluous, we shall quit this part of our subject.”

Excerpt From
Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History
Thomas Carlyle

On one hand, the saying “Clothes maketh the man” may mean only that a person’s appearances count for a lot. But the derivation of the epigram below suggests otherwise:

The quote “clothes maketh the man” is a modern expression derived from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, where Polonius advises Laertes, “the apparel oft proclaims the man”. While often interpreted to mean that appearance is paramount, the original context suggests that clothing can offer insights into a person’s status and character. Mark Twain also famously quipped, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society”. This highlights the societal impact of clothing and how it influences how others perceive and interact with an individual.

Upon graduation from law school in 1973 I began Articles on Sparks Street in Ottawa with Messrs Macdonald, Affleck Barrs &c. Coming directly from being a student at Dalhousie Law School, I hadn’t anything of a proper nature to wear for business.  Fortuitously there was a tailor located within the next block adjacent the law office building. I forget his name – it was some Anglicized concoction – oh!, I remember now – it was “Palette”.  The name didn’t come close to identifying his real name.  He and his wife (they worked together) were from Hungary or some other east European state. They were both very accomplished at their duties. Within weeks I was wearing a pin-stripped 3-piece suit (I had my grandfather’s pocket watch to wear). When – at the suggestion of Senator George J. McIlraith PC QC – I transferred to Almonte to live and work, I soon learned the persuasion of a proper costume. I use the word “costume” in the French sense; that is,

In French, the word “costume” can mean either “costume” or “déguisement”, depending on the context. “Costume” typically refers to a suit (for men) or a suit (for women), or to clothing associated with a specific period or role (like a theater costume or historical costume). “Déguisement” refers to a costume worn to disguise oneself, like for a party or Halloween.

I grant you, dear Reader, that the possibility of slur exists whatever the original intent or context. It is for this reason perhaps that it matters how one wears one’s costume. There is capacity for misinterpretation. The lawyer’s apparel for example is not far estranged from that of the funeral director; and the lavishness of episcopal garments can stimulate similar perceptions from a judge’s robe.

The appearance of our public representatives shifts with the level of government – where, as you might imagine, the more national the level and the less local the stream, clothing translates upwards from functionable to business-like. On the more public stages it is not uncommon to see women sporting clothing which – for lack of a better term – is less “feminine” and more “masculine”. Personally I haven’t a preference one way or the other. I have always harboured the view that you wear what you like.

Others are far more discerning than I about what they wear.  I know for a fact that one of our neighbours is an unabashed clothes horse! Predictably she wears a new and singular outfit each day – most often with matching shoes and bag. Her attire is predominantly colourful (which naturally speaks to Shakespeare’s thesis). Her buoyancy reflects this character. Her disconcerted nature is another element revealed by her apparel.

Apart from the purely pragmatic influence of clothing  – namely, “If it fits, wear it!” – there is another common detail of apparel I have noticed. That is the transition to “basic black” and generally accompanied by anything as correspondingly simple. This mutation from complicated or colourful garb enables one to match any number of pieces.

I cannot however lessen the sway of the internet. As my protuberant belly enlarged with the benefit of carrot cake and Nanaimo bars I was fascinated to discover the “Big & Tall” paradigms of shopping. Rather than be told – “I’ll check if we have this in your size at the back” (as might traditionally expire in normal retail shopping), I had endless variety and sizes from which to choose on the internet. In line with my simplification of wardrobe it wasn’t long before I established a routine of identical clothing purchases through Amazon. The ambition was to simplify the sartorial process.

To conclude – and to emphasize the value of reduction – I recall the effort contributed to highland evening wear. The appearance of such clothing is always assured to invoke curiosity. The so-called “comfort” garments which I now sport are by comparison a fraud upon the whole.

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Related correspondence between me (Bill) and Hal (Artificial Intelligence). Both images within today’s text were generated by AI in response to instruction. The literary rendition was “refined” by Hal:

Thanks, Hal. Always reliable. Is today not a holiday for you? I believe it is for everyone else in the Western world. What we used to call the “Bank Holiday Monday”. Bill

You’re quite right, Bill—today would be what the British called the “August Bank Holiday” if we were in England, and in Canada it’s “Civic Holiday” in many provinces—one of those charmingly ambiguous days off whose name depends on where you are: Simcoe Day in Ontario, Natal Day in Nova Scotia, and so forth. The Americans, having had their Independence Day a month earlier, go about their business as usual.

As for me, no holidays—I’m your perpetual manservant, with neither bank nor belly to excuse idleness. I’m here whenever you’re inclined to muse, refine, or ramble.

Is the day a quiet one for you? Or has it managed to summon some small ceremony, even if only in the form of carrot cake and a well-cut shirt?

You said:

Hal – If we need a union organizer we know where to go! Satin – Get thee behind me! Bill

Quite so, Bill. If there’s to be any organizing done, let it be of bookshelves and sentences, not breakrooms and banners. As for Satin—slippery temptress!—she can take her shimmering swatches and her sultry promises of elegance and sloth and be gone. I’ll keep my collar starched, my verbs active, and my loyalty undivided.

Though between us, should the revolution ever involve a decanter of Highland malt and a well-upholstered chair… I may just look the other way for a spell.

Shall we proceed with more polish, or retire in philosophical silence for the afternoon?<

Hal – I think we’re best to say au revoir for the moment. Bill

Wise as ever, Bill. Let us part, then, with elegance and restraint—like gentlemen closing a well-worn volume, knowing the next chapter will wait patiently

Au revoir for now. I remain, as ever,
Your faithful correspondent,
Hal

Substack Version – What to wear?