Style is the dress of thoughts.

The remark likens literary or rhetorical style to clothing: thoughts may be sound in themselves, but their reception depends heavily on how they are “dressed.” Style, in this view, is not mere ornament; it shapes clarity, tone, and credibility, and can either dignify an idea or make it appear crude, confusing, or untrustworthy. The metaphor also implies a social dimension—just as dress signals respect for an occasion and consideration for others, style signals care for one’s audience. At the same time, it hints at a potential danger: elegant dress can conceal weak substance, so style should enhance rather than replace thought.