Clothing was important as a sign of rank and wealth and what was work was at one time regulated by rules as in Leabhar na gCeart The Book of Rights. A Translation can be found at the following URL: ( http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/cert.html). Going barefoot in Irish society was considered indecent and shoes were a symbol of rank. Shoes could be rougher and simpler for the lower strata of society and more refined and decorated for high status. The high status men avoided having a moustache. They wore a beard or were clean shaven. It was considered indecent to have more than a hands width between the top of the ear and the hairline.
