i concur with yaah. look good, feel good. not to mention it establishes a tone of professionalism that might otherwise not be there, and the group suffers as a result. dressing "for work" helps to remind you and others whose time you're on, and it defines boundaries between what is and is not appropriate in the work place - and unfortunately, there are plenty of people who can use the help in figuring this kind of thing out (otherwise they will learn it the hard, awkward, and embarrassing way that is annoying for everyone).
this is a lame argument. whoever says this in this debate has no ability to appreciate the reality that image matters, and dressing in a respectful way demonstrates that you are someone who takes their job seriously, and you are respectful to your co-workers (at least, that is the image i glean upon first glance. obviously looks can be deceiving). first impressions matter in almost all arenas of life. so dressing like a goon, be it scrubs and a t-shirt or wearing black leather pants and skin-tight lycra, will not be in your best interest as a professional. no, clothes do not make the difference in one's ability per se, but they can make all the difference in the environment in which one works, and their interactions/relationships with other clinicians or business networks.
if you were called into court to testify - as a pathologist - you would wear a tie (as a gent). why the hell is the legal system so much more worthy of respectful attire than the hospital where you work, and people's lives are saved? riddle me this . . . .
