Attire?

In today's world I think people are a little more relaxed and easy going with the clothing the pick out for any occasion.  But what does it really mean?  Does it mean people are accepting to jeans in the business work place or is it that people are pushing it that way?

I was one to always wear slacks and button up shirts to work just to give off the professional image.  I wanted to represent my company I worked for well as long as myself as being a professional.  For serving in the Marine Corps for 8 years the need to have my uniform squared away (perfect) was a necessity.  One day I had to run in the office real quick and was in seriously a T-Shirt and Shorts.  I had an agent call and say they had some buyers on their way over to my office.   So I was stuck didn't have a choice but to meet the people coming to see me.  Obviously after introducing myself I gave an apology for being dressed the way I was.  They were fine with it and we proceeded with getting business taken care of.  After they called the agent and told them they really liked me and the fact of knowing I was down to earth person.

How many people do you scare off with the way you present yourself?  Now I have seen some folks in the industry both Real Estate Agents and Loan Officers that looked like they pulled their shirts out of the clothes hamper.  As we know our surrounding dictate what we are going to wear.  But there has to be a happy medium.  I had referred a client (friend) to a real estate agent one time and they asked me to meet with them as they were going to a house.   The agent had completely looked like a bag of wrinkles and personally I was horrified that my friends/clients were subjected to this as my referral.  My referral to me stands for my reputation. 

What is your take on it all? 

Is this the next step? (and no this isn't me or my shirt)