It's not just that we are a materialist culture; we are material beings and our physical bodies are not deadweights. They are an important and integral part of our being.
Clothing is a necessity in many cases. Partially because most modern societies mandate modesty, but more importantly because they provide utility. (Try sprinting while buck naked. It actively sucks. It's much easier with clothing.) Utility such as pockets, such as warmth. It's unsurprising that, like any other tool we created for utility (like the written word (accounting and story transcription), tonal systems (distinct, coded communications), weapons (there are some beautiful dances involving weaponry), etc.), it has turned into a medium for self-expression.
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