It may be that, too, but when I was in Rome, I was amused to see the clergy - including some of our portlier American specimens - running off to the ecclesiastical clothiers that surround the Vatican to get some fine duds! It's a pretty harmless vanity, certainly; and I'd rather have them dressed in a snappy tailored cassock than flopping around in their tee-shirts, as was the fashion not too long ago. I think one of the reasons the Pope dresses well is to emphasize the dignity of the office.
The camauro ("Santa hat") and ermine trimmed mozzetta that Benedict wears in the cooler (no pun intended) weather were, in fact, gifts from a wealthy friend or friends of his.