Do Clothes Define a person

Hello my name is Lucas Celnik and today I will be answering the question Do Clothes Define a
Person?

In Short The answer would be no Clothes do not define a person and here is why.

To answer this question first we have to understand what it means to define a person.

When researched many sources will say that a “person” is made up of two parts Personality and
Character

Personality is how you act and often the Big Five is used to easily describe personality. The big
five refer to
• Agreeableness
• Extraversion
• Openness
• Conscientiousness
• Neuroticism

While character is generally agreed to be your beliefs, morals, and ethics

Now do clothes accurately represent both Character and Personality allowing us to say they can
be used to define a person?

No they do not

So what do clothes show?

A 2009 study tested how many of 10 personality traits can be accurately assumed based off of a
person’s appearance. When testing purely for clothing they discovered that people can accurately
predict 3 out of 10 personality traits from clothing. This is not a lot especially when you know
how good the human brain is at reading a person which is shown in the same study when they
tested for spontaneous facial expression and pose which allowed for almost all 10 personality
traits to be accurately assumed.

Now people were able to accurately attach personality traits to individuals purely through
clothing so does that mean that clothing can define a person?
No because character

Someone’s character is not as easily discovered. While some clothes can show beliefs or morals
those are pieces of clothing with specific text on the subject and are not what you would see the
average person wearing.

Outside of just personality and character there are more contributors to why clothes not only can
not but should not be used to define a person. Wealth is one such reason for this. Not all people
have the same access to clothes and some people rely on extremely limited amounts of clothing
in their day-to-day life. The attributes that would be used to define wearing the same clothes and
or wearing not clean clothes are all negative aspects which is not an accurate description of the
person only their access to money. Wealth is not the only reason for someone’s limited access or
ability to wear clothes. There are many different body types and not all clothing accommodate
for all body types so people with body types that are not considered the norm do not have access
to the same clothing as those who do

Agreeableness: This trait refers to the degree to which a person is cooperative, kind,
compassionate, and considerate in their interactions with others. Individuals high in
agreeableness tend to be empathetic, helpful, and accommodating, while those low in
agreeableness may be more competitive, skeptical, and less concerned about others' well-being.
Extraversion: Extraversion represents the extent to which an individual is outgoing, sociable,
and energized by social interactions. People high in extraversion typically enjoy being around
others, seek stimulation and excitement, and are often described as talkative and assertive. In
contrast, introverts, who are low in extraversion, tend to prefer solitude or smaller social
gatherings, feel drained by excessive socializing, and may be more reserved or reflective.
Openness: Openness to experience reflects a person's receptiveness to new ideas, experiences,
and perspectives. Individuals high in openness are curious, imaginative, and open-minded, often
embracing novelty and unconventional thinking. They may enjoy exploring different cultures,
engaging in creative pursuits, and challenging traditional beliefs. Conversely, those low in
openness may be more conventional, prefer routine and familiarity, and exhibit skepticism
toward new or unconventional ideas.
Conscientiousness: Conscientiousness refers to the degree of organization, responsibility, and
self-discipline a person demonstrates in their actions and decisions. High conscientious
individuals are typically diligent, reliable, and achievement-oriented, striving for accuracy and
orderliness in their work and personal lives. They tend to set and pursue long-term goals with
persistence and discipline. On the other hand, individuals low in conscientiousness may struggle
with impulsivity, disorganization, and lack of follow-through on commitments.
Neuroticism: Neuroticism, also known as emotional instability, describes the tendency to
experience negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and moodiness. People high in
neuroticism are more prone to feeling stressed, anxious, and vulnerable to emotional
fluctuations. They may react strongly to perceived threats or setbacks and have difficulty coping
with stress. In contrast, individuals low in neuroticism tend to be emotionally stable, resilient,
and less prone to experiencing intense negative emotions, even in challenging situations.