How do you like your 'professionals' to dress?

I'm with Flexible Friend on this one - as long as I am treated with care and respect and the person knows what they are doing, I couldn't care less what they are wearing or whether they have tattoos etc.

My male GP wears shorts in summer albeit smart knee length ones with a 'proper' short sleeved shirt.
The primary school where I worked didn't allow teachers to wear jeans. Trainers were only permitted if you were taking a PE lesson that day, in which case you could wear trackie bottoms to school.
I think smart casual is fine. Suits are unnecessary for male or female professionals these days IMO

I have absolute trust in my DR
He is head of the medical practice and his wife was the head nurse at the practise although she has been retired for a few years now.
Unfortunatly he is also due for retire quite soon.

He wears trousers and a shirt in his surgery and also jacket when doing home visits.

What endeared him to me was that he always stood and shook my fathers hand.
When my father was eventually frail and bedbound he still shook his hand and spoke to my father directly.

I can't put it into words very well, but the fact that the Dr was dressed professionally and stood to shake my fathers hand was dignified and showed respect towards elderly man

My father always put a suit and tie on to visit the Dr or bank manager

I like to see a professional dressed in a professional manner. However the only consultant that managed to sort my hubands elbow out, was a 'geography teacher' look alike, cord jacket with elbow patches

I’m concerned by the number of healthcare workers who wear their uniforms on public transport, and must pick up loads of germs! Friends who are healthcare workers assure me that the tunics, trousers, and trainers are more practical, but I think there was something about the old style nurses’ uniforms which would instill confidence in patients.
As for other professionals, I like them to look the part!

I think how someone dresses is a real clue to their personality if a doctor can’t be arsed to wear some clean and tidy clothing and look fresh and professional I imagine that’s how their mind works, slovenly I don’t expect suit and ties but not trainers and a tracksuit and that goes for teachers too some of them are so scruffy you want to put them in the bath

I would like to know that a GP or other hands on professional washed their hands between patients (GPs dont seem to do this) and wore some regularly laundered clothing. I am a former Infection Control Nurse so I would say that wouldnt I?

I want my GP to be competent and to listen I really couldn't care less how they dress or if they were covered in tattoos and piercings.

One of my dds is a medical student. She has to abide by a fairly strict dress code, called clinical wear, when meeting patients. I suppose a qualified doctor can wear what they want, though!

I did once complain about a student medic who looked as though she'd just got out of bed and could do with a good wash. It's all very well stating that the way you're treated is the thing but it can also be a form of disrespect in that it could be interpreted as your patients aren't worth five minutes effort to look half way decent.

That's right shysal knock 'em into shape. I do think professionals in any walk of life should look the part.
Some of the old fashioned nurses uniform served no useful purpose apart from denoting rank. We had summer and winter uniforms with short sleeves and soft cuffs for the summer and long sleeves with starched cuffs in the winter. I think its better to have scrubs or similar which are easily laundered and comfortable. Name and job title badges will help patients and visitors differentiate.

The dermatologist I see wears scruffy cords and crumpled polo shirt. Last time I was there I had to suggest that he did up his fly! I do think it looks more professional if they make a bit of effort.

I know it’s old fashioned but I really dislike visible tattoos.
I’m always surprised when I meet a professional with tattoos.

I think appearances are very important in building trust especially for professional people, and regret the current trend to 'dress down' all the time. I always make an effort and expect others to do likewise. I'm afraid if my GP wore a T shirt and jeans I would find another one.

The person I saw was a gp and introduced herself to me

I don’t think I regret the disappearance of starched nurses’s uniforms, but agree with Alexa that clothes Do matter when medical staff are working face to face with patients. Dress is can be taken to indicate attitude when we have no other guide.
I also find it very irritating not to be able to tell uniforms apart - who is a nurse, who a ‘healthcare assistant’, or a physiotherapist.

I had a recent visit to an excellent young (yes they all look teenagers to me too) doctor. She was in the hijab and usual full length dress which took me aback. She was brilliant and I realised that it’s knowledge I am seeking and clothes should be irrelevant.

Doctors never dressed uniformly, however in hospital settings they should be easily recognisable by patients AS doctors and not look as if they might be e.g. actors or students . Nurses should wear only easily recognisable uniforms and I regret that the Victorian derivative uniforms with white caps and starched aprons was abandoned in favour of utility garb. Patients need reassurance that the people in whose hands they place their lives are seen to be set apart as the specialists that they are.