It seems important to you that others understand you are strictly utilitarian, that you're not like the others that busy themselves with frivolities like jewelry and designer sneakers. You dress yourself in a way that clearly communicates that. Some items are off limits because they don't fit the look. Flip flops? Not even as shower shoes, because you're a grown man.
I find it interesting when people try to redefine words to have the opposite meaning. We now have someone saying `utility` choices are actually `fashion/vanity` choices. lol. They're just transparently playing word games, on purpose, but it's still amusing.
Like I just told the other insult comic on this thread: "Bro it took me 6 years to even notice I was the only one still wearing white socks". Kinda shoots down your theory.
Deep irony here.