Reply To: why does wearing a white shirt make you more frum in the yeshivish world

It is ironic that the introduction of suits, white shirts, and hats was actually an attempt by the mussar movement to bring a modernizing attitude to the yeshiva world. In the mid 19th century most yeshiva students dressed like low class folk and were treated that way. When R Yisroel Salanter visited Western Europe, he introduced the idea that yeshiva bachurim should dress in the most dignified way possible. This meant copying lawyers, bankers, and rich businessman.