How Does Fitzgerald Use Clothing In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby remains relevant in the modern cultural landscape and continues to be widely read. When F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote this captivating story, he could not have predicted the impact it would have on society, and he certainly could not have predicted its popularity one hundred years later. One reason this book remains relevant is its use of symbolism as people continue to interpret the story and create new meanings. For example, Fitzgerald utilizes clothing in the novel to give the readers an insight into the characters’ personalities as well as to illustrate class differences. Throughout The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses clothing to develop characters and to allow the reader to have a glimpse into their personality. This is exemplified

In this scene, Gatsby uses his clothes as a status symbol. Gatsby wants to show off his wealth to Daisy, and expensive clothes are the perfect way to achieve this. We see how he brags about having someone in England to pick out his clothes, and how everything is made of expensive fabric. Fitzgerald also uses clothing as a way to differentiate between new money and old money. The reader sees as Tom scoffs at the idea that Gatsby went to Oxford saying, “Like hell he is! He wears a pink suit,” (Fitzgerald 129). Here, Gasby wearing a colorful suit indicates that he is from new money and is something to be laughed at by Tom. On the other hand, the people who come from old money are much more understated in their clothing choices, repeatedly wearing neutral colors like white. Daisy and Jordan are described as, “as cool as their white dresses,” (Fitzgerald 17). When Jordan describes that Daisy was the most popular girl in Louisville, she mentions that “she dressed in white and had a little white roadster,” (Fitzgerald 79). White is associated with class, popularity, and old