In reply to summo:
> I bet 99% of the time, a pair of trainers and jeans, cost more than shoes and trousers.
Ummm. Whilst I agree trainers and jeans can be quite expensive, my work shoes and suit cost quite a few multiples more. To be honest, if I didn't dress "up" in a suit, I wouldn't want to bother. I've worn a suit pretty much all the time (other than dress down Fridays) all my working life (almost 30 years now god help me). I like the difference between work dress and casual although I do admit to liking dress down Fridays to mark the end of the week, encourage everyone to head off sharp'ish and go home, to the pub or whatever they want to do. I have also oberved that dressing down leads to some odd effects e.g. some dress like they're on a night out (maybe simply hard to choose what to wear and opt for too smart casual), and people will slowly start to push the boundaries (I've seen mini skirts and ripped jeans in large international firms) and need reminding what is appropriate for work. As said above, most don't mind being reminded about boundaries.
As said, I quite like the formality of suits and ties at work. Puts me in the right mindset (think Steve Coogan looking in the mirror shouting "you're a tiger"), can't go too wrong and feel you've made a mistake, and most clients appreciate it I think. I've only had one client ask me to dress down when I go to see him (at home) and that's fine by me. Most of my clients are either very wealthy and/or own sizeable businesses. Outside of work I'm a bit of a slob, still wearing jeans and t shirts at an embarassing age.
As context, worked at v large accountancy/legal practices for much of my career, but have been a partner in a somewhat smaller business for quite a while now.
I think it's all down to choices - if you want to work in my line of work, I'm afraid you wouldn't get very far if you generally went around too casually dressed. So either accept that when meeting clients and the outside world you will dress appropriately or choose to do something else. However, things have definitely eased up during my career. We were laughing the other night reminding ourselves of the people who used to even wear bow ties to work but all that has gone. I do sometimes wear a shirt and no tie but somehow it doesn't feel right !
Now, who likes black tie....?