You're implying that there are only two options: strict dress code and a bunch of smelly guys wearing torn jeans/old tshirts.
>Clothes are communication.
Bingo. But what is dress code if not an attempt at killing communication?
So what do you have when you have all employees dressed in slacks and shirts and suits? Isn't it an attempt at supressing communication? An attempt at supressing individuality and instead forcing a corporate culture of obedience, brainwashing, mindless loyalty and mediocrity?
Fuck that! I will not be forced to be dressed in a suit. I might choose to wear a suit if I want to communicate obedience and professionalism. I might choose to wear a turtleneck sweater and jeans. I might choose to wear a ripped tshirt and shorts. I might choose to wear a robe or pajamas. See where I'm going with this?
You are asking for communication yet asking me to lie? You want respect? Fuck respect, fuck professionalism, and fuck all these things that make life sour, dead, and joyless.
You say respect and seriousness. Since when did respect became better than honesty and truthfulness? Since when did "seriousness" became more important that joyful curiousity, aesthetics, and playfulness? Since when banality became better than destructive creativity?
I will die, I know that. And I will not spend my short life dressed up and living like some fucking corporate schmuck wants me to because it's "professional" or "serious".
Yeah, programmers aren't special. I'm not arguing that programmers should be exceptions to dress code. I'm arguing that dress code in itself should be placed on the shelf with slavery, religion, and all those other retarded mores.