One is judged somewhat by his dress, but largely by the way he conducts himself. Always be clean and trim in appearance. Avoid overdressing: fussy clothes and accessories make one look like a museum piece! Clothe yourself simply and neatly, and as befits your personality. But first of all learn good behaviour. Once you have developed your mind and cultivated appealing inner virtues, dress becomes less important.
Mahatma Gandhi has proved that clothes alone do not “make the man.” He wears only a loincloth, by way of identifying himself with the simple masses of India. There he once arrived thus clad for a party that was being given by an English governor. The servants would not let him in. He returned home and sent a package by messenger to the governor. It contained a suit. The governor called him at his home and asked the meaning of the package. The great man replied: ” I was invited to your party, but I wasn’t allowed entrance because of my dress; therefore I have sent my suit instead.” The governor of course insisted that he come. Even in London Gandhi went to call on the King and Queen of England clad only in his loincloth. He had transcended the clothes personality. Now I am not recommending this mode of dress! Gandhi has a mission to fulfill, and this is a part of his role. If one becomes as great as Gandhi, he also may do as he sees fit.
The point is, one should not think all the time about the body; not should he be careless of it. To give the body too little or too much attention makes one become unbalanced, fanatical. Look after the body in a reasonable way, and remember always what is most important- your mentality, your behaviour. Give more attention to the mind, the springboard of your behaviour, for that is what most persons respond to.
Extract from the book “Man’s Eternal Quest” By Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.