I never get robbed or jumped or evn threatened much.. I wonder if it is because I dress like ALL the arrestees I see on Cops? Jeans and tee shirt, right.. unless it's cold weather, then it's jeans, tee shirt and jacket not heavy enough for the weather it seems.. I dunno, i'm not scaredy because I'm working on fighting skills all the time, not saying i'm a great fighter but after lots of years of working on it, and with joint locking stuff I'm picking up recently, i'm probably going to be fine.. I'm not looking for a tussle either but I welcome one and I have to scare up people to learn new things all the time, that is not a fighting thing however, just choreography. I still think it's the clothes, when I was working and dressed appropriately it seems like I got picked on a bit.. I know, the markets are still paying off, it's fed day, but I'm about through for the day, and have been wondering about this for a long time...
I'd say it is attitude first. clothes 2nd. Regardless of how you dressed, if you carried a concealed weapon your attitude would show. You would feel powerfull. Think I need bling to prove my point to the world or can I prove my point to myself with numbers in bank book? Beleive it or not, a perp can see "victim" or "target" a mile away. ever hear a girl say "Seems like I have 'doormat' tatooed on my forehead?" They do. They walk without confidence, no self esteem, and it reflects in their dress.
I don't know what "hood" you're hangin' around, but I'll bet I can take you to some in the Chicago area where you'll get all the "attention" you can handle. Jeans and a t-shirt ain't gonna' scare anyone round these parts.