Bosses to workers: lose the flip-flops.

• Position: Your Life - Workplace dress

Most American employers feel employees should make changes in their workplace wardrobe choices. "No jeans" topped the list of responses when bosses were asked to identify one thing they would change concerning their workers' attire. The Wirthlin Worldwide survey was posed to 150 senior executives and CEOs among the nation's top 500 manufacturing and service firms.

Other preferences included shoes (vs. sandals or flip-flops); dress more formally; no tight or revealing clothing; wear suit jackets; and no sweats, shorts, or capri pants. In addition, more than 70% of executives surveyed concur that workplace attire affects an employee's state of mind or behavior and, therefore, his or her productivity in a place of business. Employees who wear more professional attire advance faster in their careers, according to 63% of executives.

"Given lingering high unemployment rates, employees may want to hang up the flip-flops, not just for the summer season, but for good," advises author and workplace expert Jeffrey Magee. "What these findings strongly suggest to employees is, even though your company dress code may be business casual, how you dress sends a message to your employer about your level of professionalism and productivity, and that it can impact your career path."

The survey also queried the American public about their views on workplace dress, and a surprising majority (69%) indicate they would react favorably if their companies adopted more professional dress codes, even though as many as 85% of executives believed they would not. Even more people (75%) would be willing to give up casual wear in the workplace if it helped...