Good points, Robbin. Sir Walter's comic but narcissistic obsession with his looks and that of others, underlines his general tendency towards valuing appearances rather than real substance.

What! Every comfort of life knocked off! .... To live no longer with the decencies even of a private gentleman! No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such disgraceful terms. Ch. 2
He does not feel disgraced by the fact that he got into so much debt in the first place.

Upon meeting Admiral Croft, his first observation is on the former's looks: Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say, that, if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair, he should not be ashamed of being seen with him any where Ch. 5