I agree.

Although you should see the $700 blazer I got in Vegas.

I think if you combine Kelsey's viewpoint and Tynan's you get a good overall look at what people think and what really matters.

Like Tynan says, people really care who you ARE, not what you LOOK like.

However, as Kelsey said, people still make judgments about who you ARE based on how you ACT and what you LOOK like.

Women tend to notice the details of what you are wearing a lot more than men, from my experience. But, men still make judgments of women (and men) based on what they wear.

Once you actually know who people ARE, that is what most people really care about (at least thats what I care about).

For example, if I see someone wearing skate shoes I will sometimes assume that they like to skate or bike... because I do not actually know them, I can only judge them based on what I see.

If I see a girl wearing FCUK clothing (some french designer, I think) or some other 'designer' clothing I will subconsciously make judgments about them... they like to shop and buy expensive clothing...maybe they are overly materialistic...etc.

It is human nature to make judgments about people, some people judge others more harshly that one people do. Some people pass judgments and think that those judgments are 100% true, and they don't give people a chance.

I make judgments about people I see, but I always give them the chance to show me who they really are..and that is what matters in my mind.

I could go on and in more detail, but I think the majority of you understand what I am saying.

Asia was wearing a black tank top from Urban Outfitters yesterday with a pair of regular wash jeans, and Rainbow flip flops. Carole was wearing a black tank top, black work out pants and black Guess shoes. Taylor was wearing Jesus sandals, light wash jeans, a striped v-neck t-shirt with a cream cardigan over.................but I notice these things......I think that looks matter because it's the first thing that people notice about you...they can't tell your personality by looking at you...unlessssss you portray it through your clothing!

Girls who look like the ones you see on "The Hills" and other MTV shows kind of disgust me. I can't take that "high fashion", celebrity look because it's a good sign that their inner self is ugly (i.e. shallow and materialistic). It's a generalization, sure, but it's consistently right on the money. Of all the impressive women I've met, none of them dress that way. This is not mere chance, there's something to this...

OK Tynan, you motivated me to fill up 2 garbage bags full of clothes that will either be thrown out or donated.

Ravi

@Angell - I have a speedo that I wear when my pants are washing. They don't need to be washed often - maybe once a week unless I've run in them or they've gotten dirty somehow.

@John - I don't think there's anything wrong with dressing well as long as it's not an obsession or priority. It's possible to have a simple, well fitting, stylish wardrobe. I'm not sure I've ever met a man whose time would be best spent shopping, in terms of net attractiveness to women.

I think the point about the guns / gold store is that their customers may be of a certain mindset - that of an apocalyptic future - where society may degenerate to a state where man must show strength through guns and where gold is the then only accepted currency. Anyway, insightful point and the commentary on the clothes is equally insightful.

Here's my personal problem on this though, I agree that a materialistic outlook on life is a sure recipe for unhappiness, and I further agree that a man's inner self is his DEFINING characteristic to the world, but darn it...I LOVE the look of women who clearly are shoppers and who are meticulous with their clothing, shoes, etc. It presses an important button in my reptilian brain...so from that perspective I feel that I need to be dressed up (not necessarily in designer clothes, shopping at Neimans would break me), so I can appeal to the target market that I'm so attracted to. I'm not much into the (somewhat) common Austin female look of wearing sensible shoes etc. Ah well, great post though.

sorry - but what do you when your pants are in the wash - and how often do you wash them???

I have done my own experiment with down-sizing and have had similar experiences.

My effort has not been anywhere near as extreme as yours, but I'm slowly gravitating in that direction.

I've actually noticed that a huge benefit of having less stuff is that choices become much easier. No more deliberating over what to wear, what product to put in your hair, etc.

So Tynan, what is next on your list to down-size? Or do you think you've gotten things pared down as much as you care to?

Ravi in rainy Seattle, WA -USA

Tynan,

At the young age of 27, you have had an epiphany that some people never get - that what really matters is who you are. I'll take substance over style every time. However, there are many people who are still attached to appearances - not only how they look (as in what we wear) but how they make things appear - like at work when the boss does everything to give the impression that he or she "appears" to be on top of things when in reality they have no clue what they are doing.

Dr. John