Do clothes make a man?

Why are we, Russians, so particular about our clothes? We want to look smart on any occasion, be it an evening party or visiting friends. It seems that for many of us there are no more important things in life than wearing nice, expensive clothes. We may spend a fortune on clothes only not to look worse than others. Is it a kind of competition to show that you are worth anything?

People are not judged by their clothes, are they? They are judged by their character, manners, knowledge, their principles and their success in life.

Why is it different abroad?