--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In dress, seek the middle between foppery…" description: "\"In dress, seek the middle between foppery and shabbiness.\" — Horace Mann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/horace-mann-2022_dress_in-dress-seek-the-middle-between-foppery_458282.png" --- # In dress, seek the middle between foppery and shabbiness. ![“In dress, seek the middle between foppery and shabbiness.” quote by Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/horace-mann-2022_dress_in-dress-seek-the-middle-between-foppery_458282.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/horace-mann-2022_dress_in-dress-seek-the-middle-between-foppery_458282.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/horace-mann-2022_dress_in-dress-seek-the-middle-between-foppery_458282.png) > “In dress, seek the middle between foppery and shabbiness.” [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates balanced modesty, avoiding both flamboyance and neglect in appearance. **In simple terms:** Dress moderately, avoid extremes. Key Takeaway Choose a middle ground in style. Themes modesty balance self‑presentation Mood thoughtful practical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - job interviews - daily wear - public speaking - social events Key Concepts social norms personal branding Questions to Reflect On - How does your clothing reflect your values? - Can modesty be mistaken for indifference? A Different Perspective May be perceived as lacking confidence or individuality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dress/) [Dress Seek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dress-seek-3985139/) [Dresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dresses/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Foppery Shabbiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foppery-shabbiness-3985138/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) [Middle Foppery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-foppery-3985140/) [Shabbiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shabbiness-1040197/) ## Related quotes > [When you are Real, shabbiness doesn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margery-williams/when-you-are-real-shabbiness-doesn-t-matter/) [Margery Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margery-williams/) > [He didn't mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real shabbiness doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-didn-t-mind-how-he-looked-to-other-people-because-the-nursery/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Channel a bohemian state of mind with an effortless dress paired with a must have embroidered moto jacket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lubov-azria/channel-a-bohemian-state-of-mind-with-an-effortless-dress-paired-with/) [Lubov Azria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lubov-azria/) > [It’s not about the dress you wear, but it’s about the life you lead in the dress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-vreeland/it-s-not-about-the-dress-you-wear-but-it-s-about-the-life-you-lead-in/) [Diana Vreeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-vreeland/) > [I'm not one of those stars that goes out and literally dresses to be photographed. I'm kind of a 'what you see is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hathaway/i-m-not-one-of-those-stars-that-goes-out-and-literally-dresses-to-be/) [Anne Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hathaway/) > [Originally, back in 1992, DKNY started because I couldn't find a pair of jeans. I also wanted to dress my teenage daughter Gabby. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/originally-back-in-1992-dkny-started-because-i-couldn-t-find-a-pair/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [There is only one proper way to wear a beautiful dress: to forget you are wearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-de-girardin/there-is-only-one-proper-way-to-wear-a-beautiful-dress-to-forget-you/) [Delphine de Girardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delphine-de-girardin/) > [Yes, e-commerce is a strange situation for an old guy like me. 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(Simon) 'Cool,' said Kyle, slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder and heading for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-have-a-dress-fitting-to-get-to-at-three-simon-cool-said-kyle/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If I see something that inspires me, I'll dress like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/if-i-see-something-that-inspires-me-i-ll-dress-like-it/) [Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/) > [Get up, dress up, and show up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-von-tobel/get-up-dress-up-and-show-up/) [Alexa Von Tobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-von-tobel/) > [Why do you do what you do? Why do you dress the way you dress?Why do you do what you do with your time?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/why-do-you-do-what-you-do-why-do-you-dress-the-way-you-dress-why-do/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) ## More by Horace Mann > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The earth endured Christ's ministry only three years;--not three weeks after his real character and purposes were generally known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-earth-endured-christ-s-ministry-only-three-years-not-three-weeks/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [If evil is inevitable, how are the wicked accountable? Nay, why do we call men wicked at all? Evil is inevitable, but is also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/if-evil-is-inevitable-how-are-the-wicked-accountable-nay-why-do-we/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The soul of the truly benevolent man does not seem to reside much in his own body. Its life, to a great extent, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-soul-of-the-truly-benevolent-man-does-not-seem-to-reside-much-in/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The pulpit only "teaches" to be honest; the market-place "trains" to overreaching and fraud; and teaching has not a tithe of the efficiency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-pulpit-only-teaches-to-be-honest-the-market-place-trains-to/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [On entering this world our starting-point is ignorance. None, however, but idiots remain there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/on-entering-this-world-our-starting-point-is-ignorance-none-however/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [So, in the infinitely nobler battle in which you are engaged against error and wrong, if ever repulsed or stricken down, may you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/so-in-the-infinitely-nobler-battle-in-which-you-are-engaged-against/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [We conceive of immortality as having a beginning, but no end; but we conceive of eternity as having neither beginning nor end. Hence it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/we-conceive-of-immortality-as-having-a-beginning-but-no-end-but-we/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [In our country and in our times no man is worthy the honored name of statesman who does not include the highest practicable education…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/in-our-country-and-in-our-times-no-man-is-worthy-the-honored-name-of/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Genius may conceive but patient labor must consummate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/genius-may-conceive-but-patient-labor-must-consummate/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Even the choicest literature should be taken as the condiment, and not as the sustenance of life. It should be neither the warp nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/even-the-choicest-literature-should-be-taken-as-the-condiment-and-not/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Of all "rights" which command attention at the present time among us, woman's rights seem to take precedence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/of-all-rights-which-command-attention-at-the-present-time-among-us/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [After a child has arrived at the legal age for attending school,-whether he be the child of noble or of peasant,-the only two absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/after-a-child-has-arrived-at-the-legal-age-for-attending-school/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Let the Common School be expanded to its capabilities, let it be worked with the efficiency of which it is susceptible, and nine tenths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/let-the-common-school-be-expanded-to-its-capabilities-let-it-be/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Resistance to improvement contradicts the noblest instincts of the race. It begets its opposite. The fanaticism of reform is only the raging of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/resistance-to-improvement-contradicts-the-noblest-instincts-of-the/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Explore all 191 Horace Mann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) ## More Dress quotes > [I think all children love to dress up and play make believe. It's just that I never stopped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-bonnar/i-think-all-children-love-to-dress-up-and-play-make-believe-it-s-just/) [Mark Bonnar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-bonnar/) > [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [If you're going for an interview, you will dress smartly and look the part, that is absolutely fine, but it's just the level to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-swinson/if-you-re-going-for-an-interview-you-will-dress-smartly-and-look-the/) [Jo Swinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-swinson/) > [I want to be happy. We all want to be happy. I want to be treated like a normal human being, but I also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-alaina/i-want-to-be-happy-we-all-want-to-be-happy-i-want-to-be-treated-like/) [Lauren Alaina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-alaina/) > [Why do you do what you do? Why do you dress the way you dress?Why do you do what you do with your time?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/why-do-you-do-what-you-do-why-do-you-dress-the-way-you-dress-why-do/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [Get up, dress up, and show up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-von-tobel/get-up-dress-up-and-show-up/) [Alexa Von Tobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-von-tobel/) > [The best holiday I went on as a kid was to Disney World. I wore the same Minnie Mouse dress for 5 days straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-delevingne/the-best-holiday-i-went-on-as-a-kid-was-to-disney-world-i-wore-the/) [Poppy Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-delevingne/) > [If I see something that inspires me, I'll dress like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/if-i-see-something-that-inspires-me-i-ll-dress-like-it/) [Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/) > [When I saw 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' and Audrey Hepburn was standing in front of Tiffany's in this Givenchy dress, or when I saw 'All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-whitfield/when-i-saw-breakfast-at-tiffany-s-and-audrey-hepburn-was-standing-in/) [Lynn Whitfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-whitfield/) > [I have no idea how to dress for the winter. I tend to end up wearing tracksuits and a beanie most of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-hawley-weld/i-have-no-idea-how-to-dress-for-the-winter-i-tend-to-end-up-wearing/) [Sophie Hawley-Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-hawley-weld/) > [My dad's idea of punishment was to dress me up in all green to disguise me as grass, and then throw me in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-callen/my-dad-s-idea-of-punishment-was-to-dress-me-up-in-all-green-to/) [Bryan Callen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-callen/) > [I have a dress fitting to get to at three.' 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