CLOTHING CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION Clothes is a language, a nonverbal method of communication that reveals a lot about the wearer to the onlooker through its symbols. Before people ever start a conversation with one another, their clothes sends a message about their sex, age, class, occupation, place of origin, personality, and what they are or what they desire to be at that same moment. One can identify a businessperson by their well-fitted suit. Status in a social group can be suggested or signalled through clothing. High-status groups enjoy remaining "in style" to advertise their status; those who fail to do so within a so-called "style tribe" run the danger of being shunned. Because it frequently costs a lot of money to stay "in style," fashion can be used to flaunt affluence (compare conspicuous consumption). Hence, following fashion trends can serve as a social wealth indicator and a measure of social mobility. The initial mode of delivery for cloth...