Funny story...
When I started my present job (three companies ago...) I decided, as a sort of joke, to come in the first day in a full three piece suit. I was going to tone it down a little each day, until after a week, would be in tee and shorts...
However, on that first day, the company was having its annual meeting. Since I was new, and didn't have any other duties, the boss invited me along.
Now, usual dress here was jeans/slacks and company polo or tee, so suits were quite unusual. So, as we walked into the meeting, my boss got asked (very quietly...) who the 'suit' was! They expected I was a banker or other finance guy!
Now, I was just a lowly engineer, but I somehow suspect that the 'respect' I got from everyone stemmed, in part, to that 'first impression' that I MUST be a manager or other muckety muck! 8-)
That, and when I solved a customer problem (after only being there a week) that three other guys had been unable to solve to two months...
Charlie