Oh, I agree with the communication aspect. I love the communication inherent in clothing ... but with the proviso not to put too much stock in it. After all, you never know who didn't bother to think what they were saying when they got dressed that morning (though there are many who are obviously trying to tell you something with their fashion de jeur).
I also get it about visuals, but I don't get too distracted by clothing (unless you've got Charlize Theron's Oscar bow about to eat your head from its perch on your shoulder). The biggest visual will always be someone's actual looks, their physical self, their facely visage. No degree of fashion can overcome that for the influence it has on others.
Fashion can accentuate, it can sometimes even compensate ... but it will never do as much -or
say as much- as a pretty face, a warm smile, a perky pair, or some packed long johns.
