Identity: Status

A person’s clothing may provide clues to his or her status in society – real or desired – and is often indicative of the wearer’s wealth. Louis Vuitton handbags and Jimmy Choo shoes serve the same purpose today as a fur coat did in the 1950s. An expensive couture dress like this example from designer Arnold Scaasi would have been worn by upper-class women or successful show-business figures in the 1980s.