[1L]

This juvenile game of "it doesn't matter how I look as long as I do my job" is ending. The adults are back in charge, kiddies!

I think you have a point, and that's where I'm torn. On the one hand, you have people that probably need to be dressed up -- White House staff, some executives, etc. On the other hand, one can define professional dress as meaning something other than a dark suit, white shirt, and tie for men. Bush shouldn't come on TV without his suit, and I wouldn't dare go in front of a jury without one, but the typical office job doesn't necessarily require it.

[Redleg Duke]

There is another subtle effect as well. When I was in Engineering School at the UW, I used to wear a tie for almost all of my exams. It reminded me that this was serious. It helped focus me. I think that is what business dress does as opposed to casual.