According a poll done on Workplace Attire by Reuters/Ipsos, dressing appropriately for work really can make the different between failure and success on the job. Here are a few of the statistics:

• 66% of employees say senior managers should always be more dressed up then their employees.
• 55% think someone prescribed attire is more productive.
• 37% think casually dressed workers will never make it to a senior management position.

The interesting thing about these findings is that I hear this all the time from my corporate clients. Employers really do care how their employees represent their company and feel it does impact their productivity and chances for advancement.  They feel that appropriate dress is important and they know their clients feel the same way.

To learn more about this poll and findings: http://www.ipsos-na.com/download/pr.aspx?id=9809