That statement was made by American author/humorist, Mark Twain.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."
Clothes Make the Man was created on 1915-08-25.
Clothes Make the Man - 1910 was released on: USA: 22 October 1910
Clothes Make the Man - 1915 was released on: USA: 25 August 1915
In Athens, the woman would stay at home and cook, clean and make clothes for the family. The woman would have to do everything that the man said.
man+clothes
The clothes make the man
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars - 1951 Clothes Make the Man - 6.28 was released on: USA: 5 April 1957
I Hate My Job - 2004 Clothes Make the Man 1-1 was released on: USA: 9 November 2004
A brawny man emerges from behind her hanging clothes.
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars - 1951 Clothes Make the Man 6-28 was released on: USA: 5 April 1957
Hangin' with Mr- Cooper - 1992 Clothes Make the Man 3-11 was released on: USA: 2 December 1994
My interpretation of the proverb is to say, for example, if a middle-class person is wearing a $300 outfit, just because their outfit is extraordinary it does not change their character, their life, and/or who they are. (i.e. clothes do not make a man)