The school uniform thread got my gears rolling and I ended up here.

Many of today's corporate offices have revised traditional dress codes. Lots of professionals and support staff are now allowed to wear "dress casual" or down right casual in their work places.

A lot of this has been attributed to the "Dot.Com" revolution which saw an emergence of many young entrepenuers willing to set their own standards of office dress.

It's not uncommon to have, or know co-workers who have, tattoos, piercings, funky-colored hair or clothes that definitely weren't bought at Brooks Brothers or Old Navy.

In what ways do you think this effects business and work ethics?

You will find the occasional successful businessman/woman using casual dress, but the really successful ones generally dress quite well. Most in business suits. If nothing else this shows respect to the people to whom he/she is dealing.
Along these lines I am tired of hearing people say Oh well it is all right to dress like a slob to attend church services...at least I go. Well, I wouldn't be caught at a pig wrestle in some of the things they show up in. My philosophy is if I wouldn't wear it to someone house for dinner then it isn't good enough for the Lord's supper.

Some business allow what they call 'office casual'. The clothing may be a bit more comfortable, but the look is every bit as expensive as the traditional business dress.

I absolutely agree with you about church Imogene. I'm glad that pants are acceptable, but that's as far as I go.

As long as I'm on the subject of dress. I hate to see my grands in pants falling off their bodies and beards covering their beautiful faces. I know I have to keep my mouth shut and I do, but it aint easy

I think that what employees wear should be the decision of business owners, but I think that comfort improves an employee's ability to work. Also, when I patronize a business and see the employees dressed comfortably and enjoying themselves, I feel more comfortable as well. Certainly different types of businesses require different dress codes, but in general, I think that casual dress is fine and improves employee moral. Also, as Madtown said, it can look quite classy.

I think dress codes are around in business for one reason only: control. I do not think dress has anything to do with performance (I think dress has plenty to do with self-esteem though.)

I believe it should be up to the company to decide what their employees should wear (well, I actually think that the individual should decide what to wear, but I can respect that the business owner can make up a dress code is he sees fit). I work in one of the most expensive shopping areas in Denver (Cyan can vouch for me), and we do not have a dress code. Its a good thing too, because I work with alot of chemistry that stains clothing, I have opted not to wear anything nice to work. Also, our store is number 2 in the nation, there are hardly ever any complaints about what the employees are wearing, most of our workers are effecient and good at what they do.