I haven’t piped up in a long while, but I’m back now. Interesting topic.
Neville makes some good points, much of it is quite accurate. I think our Levush isn’t “B’shittah” at all, rather the Shitta is specifically not to focus on Levush or Chitzoniyus in general, therefore our Levush sort of just grew out of the circumstances and dress of the time. In Russia, the Chassidim would wear a jacket, normally a long one, and a simple Kasket. Nobody, other than Rabbonim wore hats. And Shtreimelach were reserved for the Rebbeim. The Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek (2nd and 3rd Rebbeim) wore a triangular pointed hat, referred to as a “Kolpik” by some Polish and Galician Chassidim.
Today we wear what was the traditional dress code of the regular American when the Chassidim first arrived ashore in New York, a jacket and fedora, not always a black one, brown and grey were common too. The Rebbe as well wore such a Levush precisely because he wasn’t yet the Rebbe until 1951, and wanted to be regarded as a regular Chassid, nobody special. What the Rebbe did change upon accepting the mantle of Nessius was that he began to wear a Kapote instead of a regular jacket.
There were certain Chassidim who arrived from Russia in the 70s and 80s, who changed their Kastet for a fedora, and the Rebbe instructed them to switch back to the Kasket. (Possibly the famed Chassid and Mashpia Reb Mendel Futerfas, among others).
What ChabadShlucha wrote:
“Some of our boys serving as bochurim shluchim in yeshivos and thus are role models for the bochurim will prefer the not tucked in shirt to convey that bochurim should not obsess with their appearance.”
As a former Bochur Shliach, I can attest that I have never heard of such a thing. Ironically, the year of Shlichus (usually around 21) I often when Bochurim start to dress in a more mesudar manner, usually tucking their shirts in. I personally was lazy with tucking in my shirt, and really only began to pay attention to it during my year of Shlichus. Almost all Yungerlait and older Bochurim will be usually tucked in.
I have more to add, but for now, Ah Gut Shabbos to all!