That's right. If you want to show up to give an estimate wearing no pants and a pink tutu and silver ballerina slippers, it will have no effect on whether or not you get the job. Hell, wear a funny clown hat, just to round out the wardrobe.
There always has been, and always will be, a level of expectation from consumers as to what manner of dress, etc. reflects professionalism. Depending on the industry and social norms at the time, there is going to be a lot of variance. Nobody expects the garbage man's helper to wear a three piece suit, but they don't expect their attorney to look like he's in a heavy metal band. Most people can stand before a mirror and figure out for themselves whether or not some minor changes in appearance might help them look more like a representative of their industry. Expecting your entire customer base to come around to your own ideas about what constitutes professionalism (i.e. look at my work, not my "fuck yo' mama" T-shirt) is unrealistic, somewhat akin to expecting a mountain to get out of your way because it's inconveniencing you in your travels. Most of us are better off finding some middle ground... ok, clean t-shirt today and maybe long sleeves if the tats are a little offensive... whatever it takes to soften an image you may realize needs to be toned down a bit as your life's goals change with time.
Don't get me wrong. Judging people solely on their appearance isn't something I find admirable. It is, however, a part of human nature that deserves some consideration if you're dealing directly with your customers on a regular basis. Sometimes, toning down the image a bit will buy you that extra few minutes to convince your customer that you are a professional.
