Agents should dress appropriately for their client base.  If you sell horse properties, a suit and tie would be totally incorrect. Jeans and boots should be your attire for this!  If you are selling luxury high rise commercial properties, a suit and tie is absolutely correct.

The rule of thumb when I started was "Dress one level above your client." 

I wouldn't wear a suit and tie to meet a farmer but I wouldn't look like a farmer to meet an exec.

attire is determined by the type of appointment.... when I'm walking land, it's jeans and construction boots.... in a luxury home, it's business attire.... everything else is casual business attire....

I dress appropriately and accordingly.  I do not dress to impress others. I dress for me.  I am always clean and presentable. 

David, Hawaii is a little different, the only people who wear suit and ties are lawyers, our Mayor on Maui doesn't wear a suit. Now, high-end buyers, I put away the shorts and slippers, for long pants, shoes, and quality Aloha shirt.

Casual has gone beyond acceptable limits in my opinion. While a suit and tie may be a bit much in most areas, business casual has to make a come back!

Those who do stand out.

I only wear a suit and tie to weddings and funerals.

Oddly enough, I've actually had clients tell me that I don't need to "dress up" to show them homes.  You don't want to over or under dress.  Over dressing can make your clients uncomfortable.  Under dressing can make them think you are unqualified.

I think the appropriate attire for the area you find yourself in is what should be worn.

I think it depends on the area.  In my area, suit and ties are rarely worn unless going to a closing and even then I rarely see men dressed up that much.

Yes we do, in a market such as ours (Santa Barbara) the men agenst wear dress pants and dress shirts, and the women were dresses or slacks and blouses.  This is known as casual elegant.  The only ones who wear suits and ties in town are the lawyers and bankers.  In our Los Angeles commercial real estate practice, Ron wore suits and ties, and I dressed up more than they do here...just different marketplace.  A

I don't know about Tee Shirts but ever since Hurricane Katrina I have worn jeans, Dress - Pressed Shirt. 

I think people should wear whatever they deem appropriate. If they are successful in their own target market who are we to judge? -Kasey

Anything office or appointment oriented requires appropriate dress. In FL we can be relatively casual but never jeans and T-shirt.

Casual dress is common in our area. Some agents are far too sloppy with their attire and appearance.

I say dress slightly above or equal to your client base.  You want to look professional but not intimidating.  

David Martin I believe agents should dress professionally and appropriately with business attire. Your appearance will reflect on your business.

I dress professionally - it's my choice though - to each their own!

Its subjective...Certainly the subject is relevant

Is the agents preferred real estate working ranch and farm property?

Is the agents preferred real estate 55+ condo communities?

Is the agents preferred real estate beach property where temperatures average 90 F and RH at 85%?  Does a real estate agent with a sweat drenched suit look professional?

The agent should dress just above what their clients wears. Other agents benefit from being able to distinguish the agent from the rest. Sometimes that only requires a name badge.

In between and neat and clean.

Depends on the situation

In the past:  Suit & tie = nice looking office.

Nowish:  Maybe they look 1/2 way decent 3 days a week. I think a golf shirt & khakis' are ok. Also depends on how hot it is.

I have picked up more listings and engaged in more conversations when I'm in PJ's or jeans and a T-Shirt. Riding my Harley as opposed to driving my luxury car. Walking my dog instead of walking in heels. I think if you're being yourself, you are more approachable. No one wants to do business with a fake person.

Living in Florida and showing beachfront property is a blessing.  I am usually very casual and so are my buyers, even when looking at properties in the millions.  I stopped the nice outfit and heels because it made the buyers uncomfortable and they felt under dressed.  Every city/town is different.  In New York, I am sure I would be dressed to the nines!

Attire should depend on property and location.   A suit and tie would look funny showing waterfront property at 90 degrees.

Lynnea Miller nailed this one!

Depends .

I think it is highly dependent on the market they are serving as well as their clientele. 

David Martin - depending on the relationship and reason for the meeting.

I think agents should dress appropriately for their marketplace and for their clients. I choose to dress just a little dressier than others in the office. I wear a lot of jackets and they dress up almost any outfit. 

Depends on the area and client base.  I'd say no to a suit and tie in this day and age.

Dress for the property and clients.  Cut offs and tank tops are not professional.

Just as everyone else says, it depends on the situation you are presented. I typically stick with jeans & a polo, because I like to climb in things and don't mind getting dirty. 

Dress well for the occasion, and for the situation. 

Dave it depends. If I'm selling horse property you bet I wear my jeans, boots and cowgirl hat. In town it's pretty business casual. I never see anybody wearing a suit (men or women) unles they're attorneys going to court!

It's a local thing, I think. Around here, it's shirt/tie or dress/skirt. 

I'm not much into "shouldas" or "couldas" and "wouldas" either.   So many possible responses that are truly based on the individual person, confidence level, the market where real estate is practiced, local customs and so many other reasons that truly encompass "it depends".

My coat and tie days are mostly over . But I'm usually Business Casua

Business casual or better will be perfect for most situations around here. 

As Lynnea Miller wrote

I think neither of those two extremes; business casual, closer to professional than to casual.

I had shorts on when it was 91 deg F w/o AC. People thought I was owner, or his handyman with a hammer screw driver. I apologized that I did not have time wear for success.  Got 5 offers still.

Yes, one needs to dress more appropriately.