>> Steve doesn't understand this modern world well enough to know what kinds of clothing he needs. <<
That may be part of it. However, I think that Steve feels comfortable dressing a certain way. He shouldn't have to change that just to please other people. Tony can be a dick teasing about "old fashioned" clothes but there are in fact people who still dress that way, and it's perfectly okay. Ideally, Steve should have information about modern clothing styles, and a little friendly coaching, so that he can make an informed choice.
>> SHIELD has given him wacky messages. <<
SHIELD has given him a few garments that don't fit and probably zero information. Part of that is barefaced manipulation. Part is because, when you have 70 years of data to catch up, you cover the most critical stuff first and clothing is not it. That's way behind things like "Don't say 'n*gg*r' and don't touch women you don't know, or somebody will mace you."
>> He's figured out men don't wear hats. <<
Most don't. I'm amused that Erik Lehnsherr often wears a hat even when he doesn't have the helmet on. I swear, I wanted to turn the felt one over to see if it was lined with foil.
>> Parsing the communication of clothing without any context; every piece of knowledge he holds may sabotage him. Lots of what we in the 21st century know about men's clothing dates to the Korean War and since. <<
Re: Another key point, though subtle
That may be part of it. However, I think that Steve feels comfortable dressing a certain way. He shouldn't have to change that just to please other people. Tony can be a dick teasing about "old fashioned" clothes but there are in fact people who still dress that way, and it's perfectly okay. Ideally, Steve should have information about modern clothing styles, and a little friendly coaching, so that he can make an informed choice.
>> SHIELD has given him wacky messages. <<
SHIELD has given him a few garments that don't fit and probably zero information. Part of that is barefaced manipulation. Part is because, when you have 70 years of data to catch up, you cover the most critical stuff first and clothing is not it. That's way behind things like "Don't say 'n*gg*r' and don't touch women you don't know, or somebody will mace you."
>> He's figured out men don't wear hats. <<
Most don't. I'm amused that Erik Lehnsherr often wears a hat even when he doesn't have the helmet on. I swear, I wanted to turn the felt one over to see if it was lined with foil.
>> Parsing the communication of clothing without any context; every piece of knowledge he holds may sabotage him. Lots of what we in the 21st century know about men's clothing dates to the Korean War and since. <<
Yes, that's an issue.