Self-presentation fails when small stylistic details betray an intended identity

Evidence

In applying his or her coding knowledge to self, then, there is always the possibility for error. Thus, a male struggling to appear every inch the upper-middle class businessman may destroy the impression by wearing white socks. — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 618

Categorization

• CANDY: The white socks gaffe is a light, tellable anecdote about class signaling.
• XREF: connects to: Style as self-foregrounding language is a modern historical category, not a universal one — Fredric Jameson, Marxism and Form, 680; Deliberate small flaws make a persona read as more authentic — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 271; Interpretive presentations fail through excess, not just deficiency of content — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 485 (+2 more)