[chajin]

In my parents' day, a man who was not wealthy was called "a cheap suit," indicating that a suit was normative clothing for anyone not in a uniform, or a tradesman--and those men would wear suits when they were not working. Even rock-and-rollers were suited; cf. the Jerry Lewis parody here.

People who dress well act differently, which would change the ambience of public society if it were implemented. Convincing most people to dress up, particularly those segments of society who are the least mannered publicly, would be impossible, however; it would have to be imposed.

[T.B. Yoits]

Even rock-and-rollers were suited...

Yeah, clothing makes the musician.