It all depends on your audience. Sounds like you work with a group that is involved in operations or marketing or some such. Imposing anything like this on a technology group or IT department is a recipe for disaster.

One company I worked for imposed a code for suits for meeting external customers, and long sleeve shirts, ties, pressed slacks and shined shoes for all other employees. Within a week, the CTO, the CIO, the entire software engineering team, the database management team, the network engineering team, and the desktop support team quit, leaving only the helpdesk. Each and everyone who quit was working for another company with a much less restrictive dress code within 2 weeks. Several years later, the company is still in business, but it's only a shadow of it's former market leading self.

It's an article of faith that just about every serious IT person has quit at least one job over dress codes. Often, it's seen as an attempt to dictate productivity and exert control over a process that really doesn't lend itself to authoritative methods of management. It's also seen as a sign that the company has lost control of its market and is attempting to exert control over what it can. Not a good message to send to employees.

Finally, let's face it. The "suits" have always been regarded with suspicion by us IT folk, and for very good reasons. Can you say "PHB"?

Frugality and dressing well and caring about one's appearance seem at odds with one another in some people's minds. I, however, couldn't disagree more.

I remember even in fifth grade, analyzing a short story in English class, and when the teacher wanted to know why the woman cleaned up the little boy and his appearance after he'd tried to steal from her, we students realized that it was because looking good, neat, and taking pride in your appearance sets the stage for feeling good about yourself–as well as for being viewed in a positive way by others.

Sure, the priciest items of clothing aren't required for a neat, respectiable appearance, but spending money on high quality, attractive clothes does not have to be a waste of money, and in many ways is actually an investment in yourself. As paying attention to your appearance reflects that you take pride in how you present yourself and treat yourself.

It also allows you to dress the part you are playing. PJs are for lounging, more dressy clothes are for more serious efforts.

Confidence and motivation are not found in clothing, obviously, but taking the time to care about how you present and treat yourself does help to spark the confidence and motivation you already have inside.

It also sends the message to others that you care about details and care how you treat yourself. Because if you don't care about how you take care of yourself and present yourself, how can others feel confident that you will care about how you take care of them and present them to the world?

There are so many reasons why appearance does matter (not your natural looks per se that you can't do anything about, but your "look," which you are in control of); the ones you, I, and other commenters mentioned are only some of them.

Great post!

Remember that quote from Seinfeld about people who wear sweatpants outside the house except for working out? Jerry said they've given up. Joke or not, it was true for me, and returned me to my classic(?) prepped-out khakis and button downs. It works for me!