What a Good Appearance Can Do

Let thy attire be comely but not costly.—LIVY.

Let your clothes be attractive but not expensive. LIVY.

I hold that gentleman to be the best dressed whose dress no one observes.—ANTHONY TROLLOPE.

I believe the best-dressed gentleman is the one whose clothes no one notices. ANTHONY TROLLOPE.

As a general thing an individual who is neat in his person is neat in his morals.—H. W. SHAW.

Generally, a person who is neat in appearance is also neat in morals. H. W. SHAW.

There are two chief factors in good appearance; cleanliness of body and comeliness of attire. Usually these go together, neatness of attire indicating a sanitary care of the person, while outward slovenliness suggests a carelessness for appearance that probably goes deeper than the clothes covering the body.

There are two main factors in a good appearance: a clean body and attractive clothing. Usually, these go together. Neat clothing suggests that a person takes care to stay clean. Sloppy clothing suggests a lack of concern for appearance that probably goes deeper than the clothes themselves.

We express ourselves first of all in our bodies. The outer condition of the body is accepted as the symbol of the inner. If it is unlovely, or repulsive, through sheer neglect or indifference, we conclude that the mind corresponds with it. As a rule, the conclusion is a just one. High ideals and strong, clean, wholesome lives and work are incompatible with low standards of personal cleanliness. A young man who neglects his bath will neglect his mind; he will quickly deteriorate in every way. A young woman who ceases to care for her appearance in minutest detail will soon cease to please. She will fall little by little until she degenerates into an ambitionless slattern.

We express ourselves first of all through our bodies. People take the body's outward condition as a sign of what is inside. If the body is unattractive or repulsive through sheer neglect or indifference, we conclude that the mind is the same. As a rule, that conclusion is correct. High ideals and strong, clean, healthy lives and work are incompatible with low standards of personal cleanliness. A young man who neglects to bathe will neglect his mind. He will quickly decline in every way. A young woman who stops caring about every detail of her appearance will soon stop pleasing others. She will decline little by little until she becomes a sloppy woman without ambition.

It is not to be wondered at that the Talmud places cleanliness next to godliness. I should place it nearer still, for I believe that absolute cleanliness is godliness. Cleanliness or purity of soul and body raises man to the highest estate. Without this he is nothing but a brute.

It is no surprise that the Talmud places cleanliness next to godliness. I would place it even closer, because I believe that absolute cleanliness is godliness. Cleanliness or purity of soul and body raises a person to the highest state. Without it, a person is nothing but a brute.

There is a very close connection between a fine, strong, clean physique and a fine, strong, clean character. A man who allows himself to become careless in regard to the one will, in spite of himself, fall away in the other.

There is a close connection between a fine, strong, clean body and a fine, strong, clean character. A man who neglects either one will, despite himself, also let the other decline.

But self-interest clamors as loudly as esthetic or moral considerations for the fulfilment of the laws of cleanliness. Every day we see people receiving "demerits" for failure to live up to them. I can recall instances of capable stenographers who forfeited their positions because they did not keep their finger nails clean. An honest, intelligent man whom I know lost his place in a large publishing firm because he was careless about shaving and brushing his teeth. The other day a lady remarked that she went into a store to buy some ribbons, but when she saw the salesgirl's hands she changed her mind and made her purchase elsewhere. "Dainty ribbons," she said, "could not be handled by such soiled fingers without losing some of their freshness." Of course, it will not be long until that girl's employer will discover that she is not advancing his business, and then,—well, the law will work inexorably.

But self-interest demands that we follow the rules of cleanliness just as strongly as beauty or morality does. Every day, we see people receiving "demerits" for failing to follow them. I remember capable stenographers who lost their jobs because they did not keep their fingernails clean. An honest, intelligent man I know lost his job at a large publishing firm because he neglected to shave and brush his teeth. The other day, a woman said she had gone into a store to buy ribbons. But when she saw the salesgirl's hands, she changed her mind and bought the ribbons elsewhere. "Dainty ribbons," she said, "could not be handled by such dirty fingers without losing some of their freshness." Of course, it will not be long before the girl's employer discovers that she is not helping his business. Then, well, the law will work inexorably.

The first point to be emphasized in the making of a good appearance is the necessity of frequent bathing. A daily bath insures a clean, wholesome condition of the skin, without which health is impossible.

The first essential for a good appearance is frequent bathing. A daily bath keeps the skin clean and healthy. Without healthy skin, good health is impossible.

Next in importance to the bath is the proper care of the hair, the hands, and the teeth. This requires little more than a small amount of time and the use of soap and water.

After bathing, the next most important thing is to care properly for your hair, hands, and teeth. This takes little more than a little time, soap, and water.

The hair, of course, should be combed and brushed regularly every day. If it is naturally oily, it should be washed thoroughly every two weeks with a good reliable scalp soap and warm water, to which a very little ammonia may be added. If the hair is dry or lacking in oily matter, it should not be washed oftener than once a month and the ammonia may be omitted. Manicure sets are so cheap that they are within the reach of almost everyone. If you can not afford to buy a whole set, you can buy a file (you can get one as low as ten cents), and keep your nails smooth and clean. Keeping the teeth in good condition is a very simple matter, yet perhaps more people sin in this particular point of cleanliness than in any other. I know young men, and young women, too, who dress very well and seem to take considerable pride in their personal appearance, yet neglect their teeth. They do not realize that there could hardly be a worse blot on one's appearance than dirty or decaying teeth, or the absence of one or two in front. Nothing can be more offensive in man or woman than a foul breath, and no one can have neglected teeth without reaping this consequence. We all know how disagreeable it is to be anywhere near a person whose breath is bad. It is positively disgusting. No employer wants a clerk, or stenographer, or other employee about him who contaminates the atmosphere. Nor does he, if he is at all particular, want one whose appearance is marred by a lack of one or two front teeth. Many an applicant has been denied the position he sought because of bad teeth.

Of course, you should comb and brush your hair regularly every day. If your hair is naturally oily, wash it thoroughly every two weeks with a good, reliable scalp soap and warm water. You may add a very small amount of ammonia to the water. If your hair is dry or lacks oil, wash it no more than once a month. You may leave out the ammonia. Manicure sets are so cheap that almost everyone can afford one. If you cannot afford a whole set, you can buy a nail file for as little as ten cents. With a file, you can keep your nails smooth and clean. Keeping your teeth in good condition is very simple. Yet perhaps more people fail in this area of cleanliness than in any other. I know young men and women who dress very well and seem to take considerable pride in their appearance, yet neglect their teeth. They do not realize that dirty or decaying teeth, or one or two missing front teeth, could hardly make a worse impression. Nothing can be more offensive in a man or woman than bad breath, and neglected teeth always lead to it. We all know how unpleasant it is to be near someone with bad breath. It is truly disgusting. No employer wants a clerk, stenographer, or other employee around who fills the air with a foul smell. Nor, if the employer is at all particular, does he want an employee whose appearance is spoiled by one or two missing front teeth. Many applicants have been denied the jobs they sought because of bad teeth.

For those who have to make their way in the world, the best counsel on the subject of clothes may be summed up in this short sentence, "Let thy attire be comely, but not costly." Simplicity in dress is its greatest charm, and in these days, when there is such an infinite variety of tasteful but inexpensive fabrics to choose from, the majority can afford to be well dressed. But no one need blush for a shabby suit, if circumstances prevent his having a better one. You will be more respected by yourself and every one else with an old coat on your back that has been paid for than a new one that has not. It is not the shabbiness that is unavoidable, but the slovenliness that is avoidable, that the world frowns upon. No one, no matter how poor he may be, will be excused for wearing a dirty coat, a crumpled collar, or muddy shoes. If you are dressed according to your means, no matter how poorly, you are appropriately dressed. The consciousness of making the best appearance you possibly can, of always being scrupulously neat and clean, and of maintaining your self-respect and integrity at all costs, will sustain you under the most adverse circumstances, and give you a dignity, strength, and magnetic forcefulness that will command the respect and admiration of others.

For those who must make their way in the world, the best advice about clothes is simple: "Dress neatly, but not expensively." Simplicity is the greatest charm in dress. Today, there are so many tasteful, inexpensive fabrics to choose from that most people can afford to dress well. But no one need feel ashamed of a shabby suit if circumstances prevent them from having a better one. You and everyone else will respect you more in an old coat that is paid for than in a new one that is not. The world frowns not on unavoidable shabbiness, but on avoidable untidiness. No one, however poor, will be excused for wearing a dirty coat, a wrinkled collar, or muddy shoes. If you dress according to your means, you are appropriately dressed, however poor your clothes may be. Knowing that you look your best and are always scrupulously neat and clean will sustain you in the hardest circumstances. So will knowing that you maintain your self-respect and integrity at all costs. These things will give you dignity, strength, and a compelling presence that will command the respect and admiration of others.

Herbert H. Vreeland, who rose in a short time from a section hand on the Long Island Railroad to the presidency of all the surface railways in New York City, should be a practical authority on this subject. In the course of an address on how to attain success, he said:—

Herbert H. Vreeland quickly rose from a section hand on the Long Island Railroad to president of all the surface railways in New York City. He should be a practical authority on this subject. In a speech on how to succeed, he said:

"Clothes don't make the man, but good clothes have got many a man a good job. If you have twenty-five dollars, and want a job, it is better to spend twenty dollars for a suit of clothes, four dollars for shoes, and the rest for a shave, a hair-cut, and a clean collar, and walk to the place, than go with the money in the pockets of a dingy suit."

"Clothes don't make the man, but good clothes have helped many men get good jobs. If you have twenty-five dollars and want a job, spend twenty dollars on a suit and four dollars on shoes. Spend the rest on a shave, a haircut, and a clean collar, and walk to the interview. That's better than going with the money in the pockets of a dingy suit."

Most large business houses make it a rule not to employ anyone who looks seedy, or slovenly, or who does not make a good appearance when he applies for a position. The man who hires all the salespeople for one of the largest retail stores in Chicago says:

Most large businesses have a rule against hiring anyone who looks shabby, sloppy, or otherwise does not look presentable when applying. The man who hires all the salespeople for one of Chicago’s largest retail stores says:

"While the routine of application is in every case strictly adhered to, the fact remains that the most important element in an applicant's chance for a trial is his personality."

"The application process is strictly followed in every case. But an applicant's personality is the most important factor in his chance of getting a trial."

It does not matter how much merit or ability an applicant for a position may possess, he can not afford to be careless of his personal appearance. Diamonds in the rough of infinitely greater value than the polished glass of some of those who get positions may, occasionally, be rejected. Applicants whose good appearance helped them to secure a place may often be very superficial in comparison with some who were rejected in their favor and may not have half their merit; but having secured it, they may keep it, though not possessing half the ability of the boy or girl who was turned away.

No matter how much merit or ability a job applicant has, they cannot afford to neglect their appearance. Sometimes, diamonds in the rough are rejected. They may be far more valuable than the polished glass of some people who get jobs. Applicants whose good appearance helped them get a job may often be very superficial compared with those rejected in their favor. They may not have half as much merit. But once they get the job, they may keep it, even though they do not have half the ability of the boy or girl who was turned away.

That the same rule that governs employers in America holds in England, is evidenced by the "London Draper's Record." It says:—

The "London Draper's Record" shows that the same rule governs employers in England and America. It says:

"Wherever a marked personal care is exhibited for the cleanliness of the person and for neatness in dress, there is also almost always found extra carefulness as regards the finish of work done. Work people whose personal habits are slovenly produce slovenly work; those who are careful of their own appearance are equally careful of the looks of the work they turn out. And probably what is true of the workroom is equally true of the region behind the counter. Is it not a fact that the smart saleswoman is usually rather particular about her dress, is averse to wearing dingy collars, frayed cuffs; and faded ties? The truth of the matter seems to be that extra care as regards personal habits and general appearance is, as a rule, indicative of a certain alertness of mind, which shows itself antagonistic to slovenliness of all kinds."

"People who take special care to stay clean and dress neatly almost always take extra care with the finish of their work. Workers with sloppy personal habits produce sloppy work. Those who take care with their appearance are equally careful about how their work looks. And what is true in the workshop is probably just as true behind the counter. Isn't it true that a sharp saleswoman usually takes care with her dress and dislikes wearing dingy collars, frayed cuffs, and faded ties? The truth seems to be that extra care with personal habits and appearance usually indicates an alert mind. That alertness shows itself in an aversion to sloppiness of all kinds."

No young man or woman who wishes to retain that most potent factor of the successful life, self-respect, can afford to be negligent in the matter of dress, for "the character is subdued to what it is clothed in." As the consciousness of being well dressed tends to grace and ease of manner, so shabby, ill-fitting, or soiled attire makes one feel awkward and constrained, lacking in dignity and importance. Our clothes unmistakably affect our feelings, and self respect, as anyone knows who has experienced the sensation—and who has not?—that comes from being attired in new and becoming raiment. Poor, ill-fitting, or soiled garments are detrimental to morals and manners. "The consciousness of clean linen," says Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, "is in and of itself a source of moral strength, second only to that of a clean conscience. A well-ironed collar or a fresh glove has carried many a man through an emergency in which a wrinkle or a rip would have defeated him."

No young man or woman who wishes to keep self-respect can afford to neglect their dress. Self-respect is one of the most powerful factors in a successful life, for "character is shaped by what it wears." Knowing that we are well dressed tends to make us graceful and at ease. Shabby, ill-fitting, or dirty clothes, on the other hand, make us feel awkward and constrained, lacking dignity and importance. Clothes clearly affect our feelings and self-respect. Anyone who has worn new, becoming clothes knows the feeling. And who has not experienced it? Poor, ill-fitting, or dirty clothes harm morals and manners. As Elizabeth Stuart Phelps says, "The knowledge that your linen is clean is itself a source of moral strength. Only a clean conscience gives you more strength. A well-ironed collar or a fresh glove has carried many a man through an emergency. A wrinkle or a rip would have defeated him."

The importance of attending to little details—the perfection of which really constitutes the well-dressed man or woman—is well illustrated by this story of a young woman's failure to secure a desirable position. One of those large-souled women of wealth, in which our generation is rich, had established an industrial school for girls in which they received a good English education and were trained to be self-supporting. She needed the services of a superintendent and teacher, and considered herself fortunate when the trustees of the institution recommended to her a young woman whose tact, knowledge, perfect manners, and general fitness for the position they extolled in the highest terms. The young woman was invited by the founder of the school to call on her at once. Apparently she possessed all the required qualifications; and yet, without assigning any reason, Mrs. V. absolutely refused to give her a trial. Long afterward, when questioned by a friend as to the cause of her seemingly inexplicable conduct in refusing to engage so competent a teacher, she replied: "It was a trifle, but a trifle in which, as in an Egyptian hieroglyphic, lay a volume of meaning. The young woman came to me fashionably and expensively dressed, but with torn and soiled gloves, and half of the buttons off her shoes. A slovenly woman is not a fit guide for any young girl." Probably the applicant never knew why she did not obtain the position, for she was undoubtedly well qualified to fill it in every respect, except in this seemingly unimportant matter of attention to the little details of dress.

Attention to small details is what truly makes a man or woman well dressed. Its importance is illustrated by the story of a young woman who failed to get a desirable position. A generous wealthy woman had established an industrial school for girls. Our generation is fortunate to have many such women. At the school, girls received a good English education and learned to support themselves. The founder needed a superintendent and teacher. She felt fortunate when the school’s trustees recommended a young woman for the position. They praised her tact, knowledge, perfect manners, and overall suitability in the highest terms. The founder invited the young woman to visit her at once. The applicant seemed to have all the necessary qualifications. Yet Mrs. V. refused outright to give her a trial and gave no reason. Much later, a friend asked why she had refused to hire such a competent teacher. Her conduct had seemed impossible to explain. Mrs. V. replied: "It was a small thing, but like an Egyptian hieroglyph, it held a world of meaning. The young woman came to me fashionably and expensively dressed. But her gloves were torn and dirty, and half the buttons were missing from her shoes. A careless woman is not a fit guide for any young girl." The applicant probably never knew why she did not get the position. She was undoubtedly well qualified in every respect except for this seemingly unimportant matter of attention to the small details of dress.

From every point of view it pays well to dress well. The knowledge that we are becomingly clothed acts like a mental tonic. Very few men or women are so strong and so perfectly poised as to be unaffected by their surroundings. If you lie around half-dressed, without making your toilet, and with your room all in disorder, taking it easy because you do not expect or wish to see anybody, you will find yourself very quickly taking on the mood of your attire and environment. Your mind will slip down; it will refuse to exert itself; it will become as slovenly, slipshod, and inactive as your body. On the other hand, if, when you have an attack of the "blues," when you feel half sick and not able to work, instead of lying around the house in your old wrapper or dressing gown, you take a good bath,—a Turkish bath, if you can afford it,—put on your best clothes, and make your toilet as carefully as if you were going to a fashionable reception, you will feel like a new person. Nine times out of ten, before you have finished dressing your "blues" and your half-sick feeling will have vanished like a bad dream, and your whole outlook on life will have changed.

From every point of view, it pays to dress well. Knowing that we are dressed becomingly is like a tonic for the mind. Very few men or women are strong and self-possessed enough to be unaffected by their surroundings. Suppose you lounge around half-dressed, without washing and grooming yourself, while your room is a mess. You take it easy because you do not expect or want to see anyone. You will soon find yourself adopting the mood of your clothes and surroundings. Your mind will grow sluggish and refuse to exert itself. It will become as untidy, careless, and inactive as your body. On the other hand, suppose you have a case of the "blues." You feel a little sick and unable to work. Instead of lying around the house in your old robe, take a good bath. Take a Turkish bath if you can afford it. Put on your best clothes and groom yourself as carefully as if you were going to a fashionable reception. You will feel like a new person. Nine times out of ten, your "blues" and your feeling of sickness will vanish like a bad dream before you finish dressing. Your whole outlook on life will have changed.

By emphasizing the importance of dress I do not mean that you should be like Beau Brummel, the English fop, who spent four thousand dollars a year at his tailor's alone, and who used to take hours to tie his cravat. An undue love of dress is worse than a total disregard of it, and they love dress too much who "go in debt" for it, who make it their chief object in life, to the neglect of their most sacred duty to themselves and others, or who, like Beau Brummel, devote most of their waking hours to its study. But I do claim, in view of its effect on ourselves and on those with whom we come in contact, that it is a duty, as well as the truest economy, to dress as well and becomingly as our position requires and our means will allow.

By emphasizing the importance of dress, I do not mean you should be like Beau Brummel, the English dandy. He spent four thousand dollars a year at his tailor's alone and took hours to tie his cravat. Caring too much about dress is worse than paying no attention to it at all. People care too much about dress when they "go in debt" for it. So do those who make dress their chief aim in life and neglect their most sacred duty to themselves and others. The same is true of those who, like Beau Brummel, spend most of their waking hours studying dress. But dress affects both us and the people we meet. For that reason, I do claim that dressing as well and as becomingly as our position requires and our means allow is both a duty and the wisest use of our money.

Many young men and women make the mistake of thinking that "well dressed" necessarily means being expensively dressed, and, with this erroneous idea in mind, they fall into as great a pitfall as those who think clothes are of no importance. They devote the time that should be given to the culture of head and heart to studying their toilets, and planning how they can buy, out of their limited salaries, this or that expensive hat, or tie or coat, which they see exhibited in some fashionable store. If they can not by any possibility afford the coveted article, they buy some cheap, tawdry imitation, the effect of which is only to make them look ridiculous. Young men of this stamp wear cheap rings, vermilion-tinted ties, and broad checks, and almost invariably they occupy cheap positions. Like the dandy, whom Carlyle describes as "a clothes-wearing man,—a man whose trade, office and existence consists in the wearing of clothes,—every faculty of whose soul, spirit, person and purse is heroically consecrated to this one object," they live to dress, and have no time to devote to self-culture or to fitting themselves for higher positions.

Many young men and women mistakenly believe that being "well dressed" means wearing expensive clothes. This mistaken belief is as much a trap as thinking clothes do not matter. They spend time studying their outfits when they should be cultivating their minds and hearts. They plan how to buy an expensive hat, tie, or coat they have seen in a fashionable store. They do this even though their salaries are limited. If they cannot possibly afford the item they want, they buy a cheap, flashy imitation. This only makes them look ridiculous. Young men of this kind wear cheap rings, bright red ties, and bold checks. They almost always hold low-paying positions. They are like the dandy Carlyle describes as "a man who wears clothes, whose work, role, and very existence consist of wearing clothes. Every part of his soul, spirit, person, and purse is heroically devoted to this one aim." They live to dress, leaving no time for self-improvement or preparation for higher positions.

The overdressed young woman is merely the feminine of the overdressed young man. The manners of both seem to have a subtle connection with their clothes. They are loud, flashy, vulgar. Their style of dress bespeaks a type of character even more objectionable than that of the slovenly, untidily dressed person. The world accepts the truth announced by Shakespeare that "the apparel oft proclaims the man"; and the man and the woman, too, are frequently condemned by the very garb which they think makes them so irresistible. At first sight, it may seem hasty or superficial to judge men or women by their clothes, but experience has proved, again and again, that they do, as a rule, measure the sense and self-respect of the wearer; and aspirants to success should be as careful in choosing their dress as their companions, for the old adage: "Tell me thy company and I will tell thee what thou art," is offset by this wise saying of some philosopher of the commonplace: "Show me all the dresses a woman has worn in the course of her life, and I will write you her biography."

The overdressed young woman is simply the female counterpart of the overdressed young man. The manners of both seem subtly connected to their clothes. They are loud, flashy, and vulgar. Their style of dress suggests a character even more objectionable than that of a sloppy, untidily dressed person. The world accepts the truth Shakespeare expressed: "the apparel oft proclaims the man." Men and women are often judged harshly because of the very clothes they think make them irresistible. At first, judging people by their clothes may seem hasty or superficial. But experience has shown again and again that clothes generally reflect the wearer's good sense and self-respect. Those who hope to succeed should choose their clothes as carefully as their companions. The old saying goes, "Tell me your company and I will tell you what you are." A philosopher of everyday life offered a matching piece of wisdom: "Show me all the dresses a woman has worn in her life, and I will write her biography."

"How exquisitely absurd it is," says Sydney Smith, "to teach a girl that beauty is of no value, dress of no use. Beauty is of value. Her whole prospect and happiness in life may often depend upon a new gown or a becoming bonnet. If she has five grains of common sense, she will find this out. The great thing is to teach her their proper value."

"How wonderfully absurd it is," says Sydney Smith, "to teach a girl that beauty has no value and clothes are useless. Beauty does have value. Her entire future and happiness may often depend on a new dress or a flattering hat. If she has even a little common sense, she will realize this. The important thing is to teach her how much beauty and clothing are really worth."

It is true that clothes do not make the man, but they have a much larger influence on man's life than we are wont to attribute to them. Prentice Mulford declares dress to be one of the avenues for the spiritualization of the race. This is not an extravagant statement, when we remember what an effect clothes have in inciting to personal cleanliness. Let a woman, for instance, don an old soiled or worn wrapper, and it will have the effect of making her indifferent as to whether her hair is frowsy or in curl papers. It does not matter whether her face or hands are clean or not, or what sort of slipshod shoes she wears, for "anything," she argues, "is good enough to go with this old wrapper." Her walk, her manner, the general trend of her feelings, will in some subtle way be dominated by the old wrapper. Suppose she changes,—puts on a dainty muslin garment instead; how different her looks and acts! Her hair must be becomingly arranged, so as not to be at odds with her dress. Her face and hands and finger nails must be spotless as the muslin which surrounds them. The down-at-heel old shoes are exchanged for suitable slippers. Her mind runs along new channels. She has much more respect for the wearer of the new, clean wrapper than for the wearer of the old, soiled one. "Would you change the current of your thoughts? Change your raiment, and you will at once feel the effect." Even so great an authority as Buffon, the naturalist and philosopher, testifies to the influence of dress on thought. He declared himself utterly incapable of thinking to good purpose except in full court dress. This he always put on before entering his study, not even omitting his sword.

It is true that clothes do not make the man. But they have a much greater influence on our lives than we usually give them credit for. Prentice Mulford says that dress is one way to raise humanity to a higher spiritual level. This is not an extravagant claim when we remember how much clothes encourage personal cleanliness. For example, suppose a woman puts on an old, soiled, or worn dressing gown. It will make her indifferent to whether her hair is messy or in curlers. It does not matter whether her face or hands are clean, or what kind of shabby shoes she wears. She reasons that "anything" is "good enough to go with this old dressing gown." In some subtle way, the old gown will shape her walk, her manner, and the general direction of her feelings. Now suppose she changes into a delicate muslin gown. How differently she looks and acts! Her hair must be attractively arranged so it does not clash with her dress. Her face, hands, and fingernails must be as spotless as the muslin around them. She trades her worn-out shoes for suitable slippers. Her mind turns to new thoughts. She has much more respect for herself in the new, clean gown than in the old, soiled one. "Would you change the direction of your thoughts? Change your clothes, and you will feel the effect at once." Even Buffon, the naturalist and philosopher, was a great authority who testified to the influence of dress on thought. He said he was utterly unable to think productively except in full court dress. He always put it on before entering his study, and he did not even leave out his sword.

There is something about ill-fitting, unbecoming, or shabby apparel which not only robs one of self-respect, but also of comfort and power. Good clothes give ease of manner, and make one talk well. The consciousness of being well dressed gives a grace and ease of manner that even religion will not bestow, while inferiority of garb often induces restraint.

Clothes that fit poorly, look unflattering, or are shabby can rob a person of self-respect, comfort, and power. Good clothes make people feel at ease and help them speak well. Knowing you are well dressed gives you a grace and ease that even religion cannot provide. Poor clothing, on the other hand, often makes people hold back.

One can not but feel that God is a lover of appropriate dress. He has put robes of beauty and glory upon all His works. Every flower is dressed in richness; every field blushes beneath a mantle of beauty; every star is veiled in brightness; every bird is clothed in the habiliments of the most exquisite taste. And surely He is pleased when we provide a beautiful setting for the greatest of His handiworks.

We cannot help but feel that God loves appropriate dress. He has clothed all his works in beauty and glory. Every flower is richly dressed. Every field blushes beneath a cloak of beauty. Every star is veiled in brightness. Every bird is clothed with exquisite taste. And surely God is pleased when we provide a beautiful setting for the greatest of his creations.