I've never been concerned with my outwardly appearance until recently. As a little kid, it was unimportant, but now that I'm older I realize that people associate appearance with competence. If a dress like a slob, I will be perceived as such.
The instances in which I care about what others think of me, (strangers, not friends/relatives) are usually reputation-oriented. I strive to be intelligent and useful, I am on this never ending journey to reach self-perfection. Therefore, I want to be perceived as intelligent and useful.
Due to my Introverted Sensing, I could care less about other people's idea of right and wrong. I know that sounds sort of mean, but the standards I place on myself are almost always higher than everyone else's. Even now, as a teenager, I use silence and fancy words to appear smarter than I actually am. (Although I do exceed almost all of my peers in terms of both "book smarts" and "common sense".)
Another thing that I see as important is trust. Honesty is very important to me, and I think it's important that others see that in me. Because I hold myself to a high level of this honesty, I expect it out of others. I am pessimistic, and I realize that a lot of people out there are dishonest, and this bothers me.
In short, I am slow to trust others, but I expect them to trust me immediately. Rather hypocritical, isn't it...?
I also have to agree with TheChosenOne.
Yeah, I definitely do care. Like others have said, I set high standards for myself, and this means that I should be appreciated along with succeeding. Basically if others have a good opinion of me, it somehow helps my self-image, and that's ultimately what's important to me. That's why one of the greatest things for me is achievement. When I achieve something, I feel so good about myself. The more, the merrier.
Amen, brother. : )