Henoch 123

It is ironic that the introduction of suits, white shirts, and hats was actually an attempt by the mussar movement to bring a modernizing attitude to the yeshiva world. In the mid 19th century most yeshiva students dressed like low class folk and were treated that way. When R Yisroel Salanter visited Western Europe, he introduced the idea that yeshiva bachurim should dress in the most dignified way possible. This meant copying lawyers, bankers, and rich businessman.