I dunno how much this will help, but here's my two cents.

I'm in the marketing department for a web developer. While I have to do the girly-girl thing, our one female programmer laid out what she's discovered from years of being the only IT girl. She said that in order to be taken seriously, she must dress somewhat conservatively (slacks and nice t-shirts or blouses). No skirts, no high heels, no girly-girl clothes. On the flip side, her hair is faux-red and is long enough for her to sit on, she's got a tattoo on her foot and her tongue's pierced. *g* In her slacks and t-shirt, she can climb around under desks, but still look good enough not to worry clients when she joins us in meetings.

I'd'a had the same reaction to a programmer who showed up in nice slacks and a tie. I'd be seriously wondering what could he know. All the programmers that I know who are good have always been on the funky side of the clothing continuum. That and typically their social skills need help. *g*