Jothar, I think there is more to be said with other non-verbal communication than clothing. I learnt this lesson at a chess tournament. This gangsta-hood looking guy asked me to play a game. Over the game, I discovered he was a master and smart and funny…he just looked like you would find him in the middle of Harlem dealing drugs…that was a big lesson to me.
Now, not all clothing queues should be ignored. I was once on the A train and had to switch at 145th St. It was summer and everyone was dressed in light clothing. Except for a big black guy wearing a winter coat. I was terrified of what was under his coat, and at some point I saw a glint of metal when he moved. I jumped on the next train even though it wasn’t the one I needed. There was NO need for me to risk being in a shootout of some kind. Or his next victim.