I just noticed that no one has mentioned this, but I know personally, I can't afford a suit.
Some of these people that dress "down" or "casual" might wear a suit and maybe the financial standing, especially in today's economy doesn't allow them to afford a suit.
I know suits can be had for 100 dollars but that is a lot of money for clothes that will rarely get worn. Yes, once a month to a stated meeting is rare to me.
Also, the church thing has been brought up and since becoming a Christian, it is a belief that I hold deeply that it does not matter what you wear, but who you are or who you are trying to become, and the clothes in no such way "make the man", his actions and the way he carries himself "make him". If Jesus would eat with prostitutes and tax collectors, because he saw they needed the most help, you really think he would care how someone comes to worship.
I was in the Navy for 10 years and had to wear a uniform everyday, I think that is another thing that has influenced my attitude on this subject. I had sailors that couldn't pour piss from a boot but could make a uniform sharp, but yet my smartest sailors were only passable. Well in the Navy, that guy with the sharp uniform that couldn't perform his job got better ratings, than the person excellent at his job, but couldn't iron right. What is the sense in that?
Here is another thing, my entire arm left arm and most of my right arm is tattooed, if I wear a short sleeve polo, do I suddenly become worse in your eyes than if I wore a long sleeve collared shirt? You didn't know about those tattoos but now that you do, am I a different man? Will I disgrace the craft by showing my tattoo covered arms in a meeting?
sorry, but this really gets under my skin, I will end my rant and apologize if I upset anyone.