I bought my first suit last week and walked around downtown feeling all smug - I wasn't even trying to feel smug and yet when you're the best dressed in the room it goes right to your head.
You described it in very negative terms, but I don't think it's necessarily that way. Humans are social creatures, and can't help it but judge someone they have no other information about based on the clothes.
If you're happy because you're dressed well, it doesn't have to mean you're "smug" - taking care of your looks shows that you care about other people's quality of interaction with you - everybody would rather interact with a person dressed nicely as opposed to if the same person dressed like a bum.
Also, there's something to be said about a confidence boost that you get knowing you're looking well kept. Most geeks will happily ignore all these points, but I think that's a mistake.
I agree that dressing nicely is a good way to communicate that you're serious about interacting with others.
You certainly don't want to come across as unprofessional and it's important to show others that you're putting forth your best effort (including appearance) for the work at hand.
Yup. In fact, this is a benefit to dressing up before a public performance or interview. You don't have to deck yourself out with a full-on suit. But dressing up has been shown to decrease communication apprehension.
I feel the same way when I dress really nicely for work. I type the code, the compiler disagrees with it, and I feel self-confident enough to tell the compiler it's wrong.
No actual product is produced, but at least I look nice while not producing anything.
Think of the suit as an #DEFINE for the programs you are attempting to run on the relatively opaque interpreters that come builtin to the monkey brains we all use to think with.
The parameters you are setting when you wear a suit are the authority and credibility that the person hearing you should grant you. The seriousness with which they should consider your proposal, and the priority of your claim on their time and attention.
I've just started wearing my work boots again (sneakers are falling apart) and they give an incredible sense. The sturdiness of the boot makes every step feel perfect and reassuring; even just walking down the hallway to get a drink becomes a wonderful experience as I take in the sense of confidence and surety that having a good pair of boots gives.
I bought my first suit last week and walked around downtown feeling all smug - I wasn't even trying to feel smug and yet when you're the best dressed in the room it goes right to your head.
Lame...