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Orlando curtseyed; she complied; she flattered the good…

“Orlando curtseyed; she complied; she flattered the good man's humours as she would not have done had his neat breeches been a woman's skirts, and his braided coat a woman's satin bodice. Thus, there is much to support the view that it is clothes that wear us and not we them' we may make them take…” quote by Virginia Woolf
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““Orlando curtseyed; she complied; she flattered the good man's humours as she would not have done had his neat breeches been a woman's skirts, and his braided coat a woman's satin bodice. Thus, there is much to support the view that it is clothes that wear us and not we them' we may make them take the mould of arm or breast, but they mould our hearts, our brains, our tongues to their liking.””

Virginia Woolf

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Clothing influences identity and behavior more than we realize, shaping thoughts, emotions, and speech.

In simple terms: Clothes shape who we are.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how attire affects mindset.

Themes

identity appearance psychology society

Mood

reflective analytical thought‑provoking

Type

literary philosophical cultural

When to use this quote

  • fashion design
  • personal branding
  • social interactions
  • psychological self‑study

Key Concepts

symbolism gender cultural influence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do your wardrobe choices reflect your inner self?
  • Can you separate style from identity?
A Different Perspective

Clothing cannot fully determine character; personal agency remains.

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