Dress should observe modesty, cleanliness, suitability, and freedom from arrogance. Unusual clothing does not always signify vanity; it may reflect culture, climate, or necessity. The wearer’s inward motive cannot be known from appearance alone.
Example 1: A person chooses expensive clothing mainly to make others feel inferior; this risks ostentation.
Example 2: Wearing attractive and appropriate clothes for a wedding does not, by itself, establish the condemned intention.
Example 3: Even plain clothing may become a source of vanity if someone wears it chiefly to receive praise for appearing humble.
The central question in ثَوْبَ شُهْرَةٍ is “for what purpose?”, not simply “what style?”