Business attire and conduct has changed significantly over the years, especially in the last 20 years. Too many people have forgotten why proper business attire is important.
Some companies prefer to allow and even encourage employees to dress freely or casually for comfort. This tends to work well in more creative work environments.
However, other companies will typically encourage and/or require a more defined and professional dress code and code of conduct to maintain a professional image of themselves and the business, where employees routinely interact on a daily basis with prospects, clients and business partners, even those who interact online and especially those who operate from client site.
Conflicts arise when employees prefer to dress or behave comfortably or in the most recent styles rather than realize the importance for themselves in a more professional or conservative manner.
The reason why dressing in proper business attire is important for every business professional is because it presents a visual image and sends a message that the employees are professional. Another reason why dressing in proper business attire is important in the business world is because you never know when you will be required to meet with someone from outside your company.
Your image to this outsider will be the image remembered of your company. In business dealings this image and message needs to be professional. In reality, that image could indirectly mean the difference between securing a new deal, contract or sale or losing the opportunity to make that deal.
The importance of  dress code for professionalism varies somewhat by industry. However, the correlation between the two is generally strong.
Appearance ranked second only to communication skills when respondents named qualities most often associated with professionalism, according to a 2010 national poll conducted by the Centre for Professional Excellence at York College, Pennsylvania.
Most importantly, how an individual dresses for work can be a powerful extension of his/her Personal Brand. Clothes, Accessories, Footwear and even the Hair an employee chooses to wear/keep help to reinforce or diminish his skills and qualities in the eyes of his employer, co-workers and clients.
Although, a one-size-fits-all or universal dress code may not be achievable or realistic, some universal guidelines are possible and could include the following:
Be modest: It is most important to get attention for great work rather than gaining attention for wearing the latest fashion or fad or inappropriate leisure wear or sportswear found outside the office at a sports event, party or beach.

Beware of casual Fridays: Casual Fridays have the potential to turn into real fashion disasters. It is important to remember that the workweek has not ended on Thursday; and that the images and messages sent on Friday must be consistent with each of the previous days of the week.

Be comfortable: This applies to the fit of your attire and the comfort of the shoes you wear. Comfort needs to trump fashion in the choices made.

Be Mindful: Be mindful that basic etiquette must accompany appropriate attire. Appropriate attire must be combined with basic business and professional etiquette. The two are intertwined and integrated when presenting a professional image of yourself and your company. Impressions and overall judgments’ about people are formed by the way they dress. Since the way someone dresses affects the perception of a company’s customers or business partners, it is important to maintain a standard of dress that creates a positive impression.

Achieve a Balance: Be sure to strive to achieve an appropriate balance of employer rights and individual freedom. Some employers experience resistance from employees who believe they have the right to groom themselves and dress in a way that suits their personality. Basically, this is true in the context of what they do outside of the employers operation. While individuals have a right to express themselves, so businesses has a similar right in the workplace, since the way employees dress definitely sends intended or unintended messages to clients, customers and prospects. A commitment to strive to achieve an appropriate balance is very important.
Proper grooming and professional appearance are important to gain not just positive impression but also respect in the workplace.
In the workplace, especially, business etiquette includes working professionally, maintain proper manners, in oral, written and non verbal communication, presence online and offline, in the elevator, cafeteria, etc and engage with co-workers in a spirit of cooperation and respect.
Of all that we think, about dressing and presenting for success, we need to remind ourselves that impressions are everything, and we only get one chance to make a positive lasting image on another’s mind.
Some specific consultations can be carried out for those corporate honchos who wish to determine their professional presence and be known for the same.

Various workshops conducted by Distingue Image Management:
Executive Workshops: This workshop is custom designed for your mid-to-top level executives. We will get them ready for the next level of success. They will leave clear about what it takes to have a presence when they enter a room, conduct a meeting or press conference, or meet with a client. This workshop would also take them through various professional etiquette and basic grooming.

Staff Workshops: This workshop is designed to work with your staff to best represent your company’s image and create a positive and lasting impression. We will work directly with you to customize a workshop for your staff. The outcome is to have them represent your company well in the public eye, increase productivity and confidence, create pride in the company and boost morale. They will leave with a clear understanding on the importance of their image. We will use photos as well as physical examples.

Individual and Group Coaching: Want to make a profound difference with an individual in your corporation or a team of people? We will work either one-on-one or with a small group to provide even more of an impact. This includes answering questions that they have about how to present themselves in the workplace and how to create a positive impression.