My success as an architect or senior dev or supervising senior dev or practice lead (all hats I've worn just like the knit beanie I wear every day) all depend on a senior management team above me that remains relaxed, open to new ideas, and collaborative. I need them to view me as a flexible resource that works just as hard to understand their needs and concerns as I do to understand those of the engineers at the firm.

That's why I wear jeans and a tshirt when I'm meeting with internal teams and I put on a suit and tie (or at least a cashmere sweater and slacks) when I meet with clients or mostly senior management teams.

I need openness and collaboration between peers who frequently and stubbornly misunderstand each other and by signaling that I'm not explicitly playing for either team I foster that openness and collaboration.

Often managers smirk or chuckle at my casual attire and engineers are wary and look askance at my Tie Bar wool ties and designer shoes when I am attending a workshop.

I dress for the audience, not for me. Stubbornly adhering to any other standard is dumb.