It is said that Louis XIV was obsessed with dress codes. He demanded that his court was always appropriately dressed for any occasion. It is also said that this obsession made the noblemen and women play a continuous catch-up game with the latest fashion to assert their position in the court. Those among the chicest, were close to the King. Perhaps King Louis also understood something about politics. While he kept the court busy with concern for dress codes, he felt less worried about conspiracies against him.