Do the clothes make the man, or does the man make the clothes?

I am a Business Coach to a team of marketing students in their senior year at one of our State Universities. The students are working on several projects contracted by various private enterprises. While preparing the students for a first meeting with their respective clients the issue of appropriate dress came into play.

I was quite surprised when there rose a general uproar in the classroom at the mention of coats and ties for the men and the women should “dress like ladies”. Even after discussions centered a round first impressions...

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression"    Will Rogers

and, showing respect for the client/professionalism/competent image and a whole host of other reasons why the students needed to depart from their flip flop and holey jeans look when visiting the offices of the organizations that had hired them; there was still a lack of understanding why? They were saying; “What does how I look like have to do with the job I am about to perform? In other words; Isn’t it about the content?” This statement is coming from a generation that has been raised to embrace diversity and individual uniqueness, both admirable traits. And they are right about the fact the “content is king”.

So here is the question. Is it the old school approach of “Dress for Success” and “When in Rome do as the Romans do?” Or, is it as the students believe; “It does not matter what I wear, what is important is if I deliver the goods or not?”

Let’s hear from you on this issue. Which approach do you use in your business?

BTW: For you old schoolers:

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”    Mark Twain