I was raised on a farm where dollars to purchase new clothes were as scarce as hen's teeth. Fashion didn't matter as much as function. New shoes were for church. Store bought or 'new off-the-rack' clothing was almost unheard of.
My mom taught herself to sew on an old treadle Singer sewing machine. We had beautiful clothes, although they were made from old cast-offs from those more affluent than my family. We thought everyone passed clothes on to their siblings as they out-grew them.
It was only when I started high school in the city that I realized that clothes DID matter.
I never had a daughter, just sons. Yesterday I accompanied my sister and her granddaughters who are 10 and 12 years old on a shopping trip for the eldest to pick out something for her birthday. My mouth gaped at the prices of the items they picked out, always had to have 'the label' be the 'right colour' and just like all the other kids had.
When did clothes become important to you?