I know a guy who wears the same outfit everyday. He wears the same STYLE of t-shirt, underwear and socks, but his jeans and shoes are the EXACT same pair. He is not poor, dirty, smelly nor does his work require him to dress this way. He showers often and cares about his appearance/fashion as the products/clothing he owns are designer labels.
I once suggested he wear something other than his "uniform" to a party we were going and he was highly objective. When shopping, he gets VERY ANGRY & FRUSTRATED and finds something wrong with everything he tries on--despite him being the perfect size for clothes.
What is all this about? Please explain in detail, I have two Psych degrees and I really want to understand this.
2006-09-06 07:14:59 · 13 answers · asked by LUCKY3 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
THIS IS 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR A YEAR NOW!!!!
2006-09-06 07:30:21 · update #1
So when he shops for clothes, he really hates all of the clothes that aren't just like his clothes.
He is used to the stuff that he wears, and finds anything else upsetting -- because they don't feel right, because they change his visual field in an alien and disconcerting way.
Clothes are a second skin -- they cover you, are in contact with a lot of your surface area, and change your visual field (filling a portion of it with their color and pattern). For these reasons, they are kind of a big deal.
I, myself, am sensitive to a LOT of fabrics -- I shop first by touch, as there are a lot of clothes that feel like nettles to me.
A few months ago I stumbled on a documentary on PBS that was a How To for parents of kids who hate anything new. They talked about clothes being one of the problems (the kids throw tantrums when asked to wear new clothes -- but then they resist any new anything).
Seeing this (which I've thought about a lot since) is what made me "unpack" that tidbit of information about the shopping and his general resistance as I did.
The main thing I'd say to you, however, is to leave him alone and stop bugging him about it. (Did you mean to say, when you suggested he change for the party, that he was "objective"? What did he say?)
You might try searching for info (or on PBS to see materials related to that show I came in on and don't know the name of) on "the timid child."
If I'm reading your friend right, he's one of these. It's genetic, some people react with aversion to the new.
All of the above is just guesswork, mind.
2006-09-06 10:21:13 · answer #1 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Identity, Every human being on the face of this earth searches for that one item, in order to find their niche in this world. Some time that Identity can be associated with a school, some use basket ball shirts, some use base ball shirts, some just use appeal. and many used make-up. all to have their own unique identity. Police use their uniforms. There are many oh so many things that people use to id themselves. All to say I belong...... Why? one reason is because of the way we are educated, others are because the government you live under wants to force separation between the racists in order to prevent the racists from presenting an united front. And believe me they would bomb cities and kill millions in order to prevent that from happening. Some people do it because they simply don't wish to change period....................... I have a Ph.D. In The Philosophy Of Psychology. (With Degree in Clinical Psychology Both are Majors)
2006-09-06 07:48:54 · answer #2 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I really feel comfortable in Danskin, and Land's End clothing and will buy a couple pairs of pants in different colors.
You suggested he wear something different at a party....were you trying to push his buttons? or just being a friend, and if you were a friend, I would still be a good friend regardless of his clothing style.
2006-09-06 07:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Born Valentine's Day 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The clothes are his image, he may have some low self-esteem and may have some perfectionist traits.
I wear the exact same pair of jeans or shorts and shoes sometimes depending on my situation the next day but I'm not stuck on them.
2006-09-06 07:26:38 · answer #4 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he feels that by not changing his jeans and shoes, that it's something he can say is constant. No matter what comes or goes, his jeans and shoes will always be the same until he dies.
Other than that, I have no idea. No degrees either. Also dido that guy above me, why don't you ask him?
2006-09-06 07:21:37 · answer #5 · answered by craftykid22 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Every outfit envokes an emotion.. so whatever emotion this outfit envokes is the emotion this individual probably identifies with the most.
2006-09-07 03:06:32 · answer #6 · answered by ME 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you find something you like, you gotta stick with it. Think about it. He's happy enough with these items that he doesent need to change them daily. I think deep down you actually very jealous of this man. He's content with his apperance, when you on the other hand have to shop regularly and still havent found the happiness he has. Also, you want him.... :dodgy:
2006-09-06 07:19:55 · answer #7 · answered by dc2gary 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He's found a style of clothing he feels comfortable in and thinks he looks good in. Leave him alone or you spend your money and buy him a new wardrobe.
2006-09-06 07:20:56 · answer #8 · answered by Melius 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
How do you know he's wearing different underwear every day? I'm not judging, just don't think anyone else noticed that...
2006-09-06 07:34:15 · answer #9 · answered by megpavlikova 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
a) if you have two psych degrees, and you're looking for answers HERE, you need to rethink your gameplan.
b) why are you asking US why someone else does what they do? try asking HIM.
2006-09-06 07:21:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋