Do Clothes Really Make the Man?

via Faded and Blurred

In an age where commercialism and marketability are key in the fashion world, I always wondered if the old, familiar saying, 'clothes make the man' still holds true today.


I was looking on the Internet and came across a series of photographs by the German photographer, Herlinde Koelbl, from a recent collection of the past year. The project, entitled Kleider Machen Leute,-‘Clothes Make The Man’ in German- explores how people are perceived based on the clothes they wear or the uniform they don for eight hours a day, five days a week, in the average profession's case.

In the first side-by-side, a man is photographed in his work clothes (priest) and in his everyday clothes. When I first see him in his regal red robes and red biretta hat, I think of a person of not only stature, but also one of discipline, strong faith and a dedication to tradition. When pictured on the right, I think if I were to ever see this man on the street I would not look twice at him in his track jacket and running shoes. I wonder if clergyman desire to fit in on the street and struggle with having two personas all their life.

via Faded and Blurred

In the second side by side, a military man is the subject. Similarly to the first set, when I first see this man in his uniform, I think of someone who has a brave and courageous persona, especially since he is clearly displaying his medals and honor pins. However when the man is dressed down and in more comfortable and relaxing clothing, I assume right away that he serves in military man at all. To me, he seems just like a cultured and calm man on the town.

What do you think about the saying, 'clothes make the man'? How do you think clothing affects what a person thinks of themselves?