Quote Originally Posted by gilmore View Post
Just this evening I drove past the largest Orthodox synagogue in Atlanta, and noticed quite a few people from the surrounding neighborhood walking on their way to it. Though every man I saw wore a white shirt, black pants, black hat or kippah (or both) and most wore a black suit jacket, not one wore a tie.
That I imagine was Sat. (evening) for the block of Mincha (Afternoon Prayer) / Shalosh seudos (the 3rd Shabbat Meal) / Ma'ariv (Evening Prayer) when its a common custom even in communities that wear ties in morning to dress less formally--- after morning services and a main meal (the 2nd Shabbat Meal) many people take a little nap (sleep as ultimate rest).
While that community seems to wear white shirts and black pants and hats there are many orthodox communities around the world that would not wear a black velvet or felt kippa but a knitted one to openly signify a Nationalist Zionist position. Then comes the colours to define one's political affiliation. Size too is political. Even among the "black hats" there are big differences.. and not just fashion.. the size and shape of the brim as well as the folds on the top of what to the untrained eye looks like the same hat model can define one's membership and sympathies.
One, I suggest, needs to think in terms of "uniform". Some parts are quite obvious and some are subtle.