As in Ragged Dick, clothes are a very important aspect of The Hunger Games, though they accomplish different things in each novel. In Ragged Dick, similarly to The Hunger Games, the main character is given a used set of nicer clothing on a significant day. For Dick, he is gifted a new suit after showing his new friend around the city, and the day is significant, because after this day he aspires to become a great man and works toward that. For Katniss, her mother gives her “one of her own lovely dresses” (15), “[a] soft blue thing with matching shoes” (15), for reaping day, where Prim is chosen for the games, and Katniss volunteers.

In each novel, new clothes seem to appear during each significant event. In Ragged Dick, the clothes are significant of gaining enough money, and performing good deeds such as when Dick saves the boy from drowning, however in The Hunger Games, clothes are given for significant events. The emphasis on clothes starts on reaping day, but becomes even more significant throughout the novel. Especially as Katniss enters the capitol and gains a stylist, more emphasis is put on clothing and what their clothing symbolizes. “For the opening ceremonies, you’re supposed to wear something that suggests your district’s principal industry” (66), Katniss says, revealing the first instance of clothing as outright symbolism. The interviews then reveal even more of the significance clothing holds in the book. As the tributes have very little to be judged upon in order to recruit sponsors, their interviews are curated to make them appeal in a certain way, and clothing holds a definite role in determining the tribute’s appeal. This is clear when the girl from District 1 steps out “looking provocative in a see-through gold gown” (125). Katniss thinks, “With that flowing blonde hair, emerald green eyes, her body tall and lush… she’s sexy all the way” (125), impressing how easily tributes are judged by their presentation.

Presentation becomes very important for Katniss later in the novel, after the games when she has challenged the Capitol’s power. “This is a very calculated look” (355), remarks Katniss evaluating her simple look for the second interview. Cinna has made her look “[i]nnocent” and “[h]armless” to counteract the Capitol’s suspected malice. Though less calculated perhaps, Dick wears his suit when he is going to rent his room for the first time, in order to seem respectable.

Clothes are used to signify wealth and social standing in each novel. In Ragged Dick, Dick is judged by Mickey when he is seen wearing his suit, as Mickey believes Dick is putting on airs. When Mickey sees Dick go to collect his letter in his rags, Mickey asks if Dick has,” …given up being a swell” (114). The boot blacks also determine their customers by their clothing, as only wealthier men will pay for their services. While in District 12 most people know who is wealthy and who is not, clothing still holds significance. When Katniss and Gale see Madge on the reaping day, Gale is set off by Madge’s clothes. Katniss notices the pin she is wearing that “could keep a family in bread for months”. This emphasis on clothing serves to make the gap in wealth much more obvious, and the underlying social commentary of the novel hold more weight.