--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you are only an underling, don't dress…" description: "\"If you are only an underling, don't dress too fine.\" — Horace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg" --- # If you are only an underling, don't dress too fine. ![“If you are only an underling, don't dress too fine.” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg) > “If you are only an underling, don't dress too fine.” [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Those of low rank should avoid ostentatious displays to prevent envy or backlash. **In simple terms:** Stay modest if you lack authority. Key Takeaway Dress appropriately for your social position. Themes humility social hierarchy appearance pragmatism Mood pragmatic cautious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - social gatherings - workplace culture - public speaking Key Concepts status signaling social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is modesty appropriate? - How does appearance affect perception? A Different Perspective May suppress self‑expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dress/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) ## Related quotes > [I would rather have a young fellow too much than too little dressed; the excess on that side will wear off, with a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-would-rather-have-a-young-fellow-too-much-than-too-little-dressed/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Sometimes being an underling meant managing up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-neill/sometimes-being-an-underling-meant-managing-up/) [Chloe Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-neill/) > [I don't dress to be stared at. I dress for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-don-t-dress-to-be-stared-at-i-dress-for-myself/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [Ask me who I don't dress!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-chanel/ask-me-who-i-don-t-dress/) [Coco Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-chanel/) > [Don't dress for fashion, dress for yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-smith/don-t-dress-for-fashion-dress-for-yourself/) [Paul Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-smith/) > [I don't dress for effect, and I think that it never works out when someone does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-guinness/i-don-t-dress-for-effect-and-i-think-that-it-never-works-out-when/) [Daphne Guinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-guinness/) > [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. You can buy a TV online, OK, but to buy a dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-azria/yes-e-commerce-is-a-strange-situation-for-an-old-guy-like-me-you-can/) [Max Azria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-azria/) > [I want people to be afraid of the women I dress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mcqueen/i-want-people-to-be-afraid-of-the-women-i-dress/) [Alexander McQueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mcqueen/) > [Happiness is a state a mind, not a dress size.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/happiness-is-a-state-a-mind-not-a-dress-size/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [I always think the best way to dress is when the person notices you first and the dress after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-renta/i-always-think-the-best-way-to-dress-is-when-the-person-notices-you/) [Oscar de la Renta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-renta/) > [I have a dress fitting to get to at three.' (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 > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. (To action little, less to words inclinded.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/finxerunt-animi-raro-et-perpauca-loquentis-to-action-little-less-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/no-verse-can-give-pleasure-for-long-nor-last-that-is-written-by/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Fate with impartial hand turns out the doom of high and low; her capacious urn is constantly shaking the names of all mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/fate-with-impartial-hand-turns-out-the-doom-of-high-and-low-her/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [A word, once sent abroad, flies irrevocably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/a-word-once-sent-abroad-flies-irrevocably/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Natales grate numeras? (Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - It is a sweet and becoming thing to die for ones country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori-it-is-a-sweet-and-becoming-thing/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. \[Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-shelves-permit-ordinary-poets-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/avoid-inquisitive-persons-for-they-are-sure-to-be-gossips-their-ears/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/you-may-drive-out-nature-with-a-pitchfork-yet-she-still-will-hurry/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [There is a proper measure in all things, certain limits beyond which and short of which right is not to be found. Who so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/there-is-a-proper-measure-in-all-things-certain-limits-beyond-which/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/never-despair-while-under-the-guidance-and-auspices-of-teucer/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) [Explore all 1,000 Horace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## 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.' (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/) > [I dress according to what suits me and what I am comfortable in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kajal-aggarwal/i-dress-according-to-what-suits-me-and-what-i-am-comfortable-in/) [Kajal Aggarwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kajal-aggarwal/) > [A woman and a dress, very often, fight against each other because they are not at the same place. Sometimes you see the woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-rykiel/a-woman-and-a-dress-very-often-fight-against-each-other-because-they/) [Sonia Rykiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-rykiel/) > [A lot of female comedians will go up there in a sweatshirt and Converses, trying to dress themselves down, because it is sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-craig/a-lot-of-female-comedians-will-go-up-there-in-a-sweatshirt-and/) [Carly Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-craig/) [Browse all 1,970 Dress quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dress/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you are only an underling, don't dress too fine.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Horace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress-too-fine/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress-too-fine/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/133/horace-172_dresses_if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress_2228193.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you are only an underling, don't dress too fine.” — Horace", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Horace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you are only an underling,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress-too-fine/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/if-you-are-only-an-underling-don-t-dress-too-fine/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```