material

[unpakwon]

What does "materials" mean in the following? A textile fabric?

... the idea that one could position and package oneself like a bar of soap was compelling. You're not just the accountant, you're the accountant who never makes a mistake. ... Add to that a makeover to your whole "look"---how you dress, your materials, and so on---and you're the bar of soap, baby. I don't know about you, but I don't really want to be a bar of soap. I don't even want to be the bar of soap.

And does "the" in the above mean "the special and unique bar of soap"?

Thank you.

[JohnParis]

Given the context you have provided, I’d say that “materials” refers to not only the fabrics that you wear (cashmere versus cotton) but could also refer to things like the grade of leather of your purse (calf’s leather versus ostrich), your jewellery (gold versus silver) and maybe even the personal electronic gadgets you carry (iPad versus Tablet).

And does "the" in the above mean "the special and unique bar of soap"? I’d say yes – the N°1 bar of soap out of all the bars of soap.

[unpakwon]

I see.

Thank you for the help.