Anything that's part of a daily ritual is important.

Why, then, do so many people dismiss fashion as superficial or inconsequential?

Perhaps because they don't understand its power and pervasiveness or what it tells about yourself.

A spur-of-the-moment experiment with a collection of Pittsburgh middle school students last week brought that message home.

I was at a career day at Sterrett Classical Academy in Point Breeze to talk about journalism, trends in the news industry and my job as a fashion editor. To hold the attention of the seventh- and eighth-graders, I decided to play a game. As volunteers stood before classmates, I suggested what their appearances revealed about them. (No, I wasn't mean like Simon Cowell or Janice Dickinson.)

In the third class, about 16 boys and girls eagerly volunteered to be analyzed. For the next 20 minutes, I described aspects of their personalities, their tastes and preferences in fashion, and specific contents of their wardrobes.

We learned that one has unusually high self-esteem.

Another dislikes conflict and has several close friends.

Another owns no pink clothing.

Another owns more shorts than trousers.

Another spends more time on her hair than on what to wear.

Another prefers dark neutrals and is reserved but not an introvert.

Another has the artistic ability to draw, wants to be in a band, and cares little about what others think of his appearance.

I made four or five observations about each student. To everyone's amazement, nearly every observation was correct. Based primarily on how they were dressed, I was able to tell them truths about themselves that I could not have known because I had never met them.

I didn't need the students to tell me with words what they were showing me through fashion. Colors, prints, tailoring, accessories, shoes, even hair styles and body language -- all were pieces of a puzzle that fit together in a self-portrait more illuminating than the wearers realized.

You tell your story the same way. A big part of who you are is revealed in your appearance.

Although apparel usually changes from day to day, you have established -- whether intentionally or not -- a master narrative.

Aside from life-changing events that can alter your script, you don't deviate far from your personal norm. You're a book that tells a unique story, and you're judged by your cover before you're judged by your content.

Nobody likes to be judged. But much in life is competition, and every competition has judges.

So the question becomes, "Are you in it to win it?"

Most people will say yes. But the edge goes to those who understand the pervasiveness and power of fashion.