Fashion Quote by Robert Rowland Smith
““Clothes exist to hide the pubic from the public and therefore make you socially acceptable. The irony is that, precisely because they are a prerequisite for social inclusion, wearing clothes has become almost more natural than being naked ... To that established irony, we can add a more subtle one. As anyone who has been on a date well knows, clothes aren't just about covering you up: while you need them to hide your sex, you want them to show your sexuality.””
About This Quote
Clothing simultaneously conceals sexuality for social acceptance and signals it for attraction, creating a paradox where garments both hide and reveal desire.
In simple terms: Clothes mask and display sexuality at once.
Key Takeaway
Fashion is a dual tool for concealment and signaling.
Themes
fashion
sexuality
social norms
identity
paradox
Mood
reflective
wry
Type
philosophical
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- dating scenarios
- professional dress codes
- media advertising
Key Concepts
cultural semiotics
body politics
Practical Applications
- choose attire that aligns with desired social message
Questions to Reflect On
- How does clothing influence first‑impression judgments?
- Can fashion ever fully detach from sexual signaling?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on appearance can reinforce superficial judgments.
![“[Roland] Barthes turned the thable on the author, saying no only the a book needs a reader to wake it into life, but that in so doing the reader becomes nothing less that the author, who reveals in the book's hermeneutic possibilities, releases them and so becomes its own creator.” quote by Robert Rowland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9c6/robert-rowland-smith-40187_book_roland-barthes-turned-the-thable-on-the_1304707.jpg)
