Obviously the 'Good Cowboy' look, but could also be seen as an angel figure, or a 'Gandalf The White' style stage of his character.
I have only seen the movie once, am I right in thinking he started wearing it after the scene with the family on the ranch ?
There's also when Cliff Booth is driving around, and comes across the evil hippie girl, at that moment playing in the background in his car, is a radio advertisement for 'Heaven Sent'... like he is the intervening angel
shareYes
After their return from Italy
Brad in white denim, never reaching the end,
Letters he's written, never meaning to send.
Beauty he's always missed with those eyes before.
Just what the truth is, he can't say anymore.
Cause he loves you, yes he loves you, oh how he loves you.
Symbolizes hotness?
shareThe film is a take on a fairy tale (Once Upon A Time..) so makes sense it will be steeped in fairy tale imagery/symbolism/lore if you scratch beneath the surface - Cliff & Rick as sort of angels/knights guarding the fair maiden* Sharon from the evil sorcerer of Manson & his evil minions/cult ..and like all fairy tales it has a happy 'fairy tale' ending - after saving the neighbourhood Rick gets welcomed into the HW elite and presumably goes on to have a big movie career like Eastwood or McQueen, Cliff dosnt die and redeems himself in the eyes of hollywood (wife killer) and presumably continues on as Ricks stuntman (but in the big league), and Sharon lives happily ever after and has a nice film career and eventually ends back with nice guy Emile Hirsch after Roman 'fucks up' . And since there wouldve been no hollywood horror story of the 'Manson murders' then its possible the late 60s feel good Hollywood wouldve gone on longer leading to all kinds of different movies being made (with Rick fuckin Dalton lol)
(* 'fair maiden your chariot awaits' – Stuntman Mike)