I usually add a letter after their names to denote what they are working on and then when they are masters I make it a capital letter and add the lower case letter for the next skill.
Once they only need parenting and devotion I change it so that there are only the letters pd after their name.
I find it easier that way - but I like your ideas of the clothing!!!
In some of my earlier VV games I used to change all my esteemed elders into white outfits!!!