In the book the Outsiders, what is a example of Ponyboy being observant?

In Chapter 2, Ponyboy tells the story to Cherry about how Johnny was jumped by a gang of Socs and beaten badly by a Soc who was wearing a fistful of rings. In the next chapter, Ponyboy, Johnny, and Two-Bit are walking with Cherry and Marcia when a blue Mustang pulls up beside them. Ponyboy observantly notices the Socs' attire and mentions that one is wearing a clean white shirt with a madras ski jacket while the other Soc is wearing a yellow shirt with a wine-colored sweater. Ponyboy suddenly becomes ashamed of his own attire after comparing his clothes to what the Socs are wearing. Then, Ponyboy looks at Bob Sheldon's hand and notices that he is wearing three heavy rings. Ponyboy immediately looks at Johnny and makes the connection that Johnny was badly beaten by a Soc wearing numerous rings. During the scene in Chapter 3, Ponyboy observantly notices the Socs' attire and the rings on the hand of Bob Sheldon.