Dress down days (or what's left of them) could see their days even further numbered, as the majority of financial services workers now want to 'dress to impress' to save their jobs, according to the latest research.

With global uncertainty impacting jobs, dressing to create the right impression with clients, prospects and colleagues is one area where individuals can influence the outcome, according to 94% cent of respondents, and 100% of those working in financial services, in a survey of more than 13,000 workers across the UK from workwear specialists Alexandra.

The outcome of the research shows that casual no longer 'cuts it' in work-related relationship building with many businesses returning to conventional business suits and ties, uniforms and workwear.

The underlying theme of the study suggests that looking and working smarter is the 'attire of adversity' with almost half (46%) of responses saying that a more 'uniform' approach will help them win new business and increase sales in difficult times.

'Austerity is now manifesting itself in our attitude to work and what we expect from our workers in terms of what they look like and how they feel about themselves and their long-term job security', said Nick Acaster, marketing director of Alexandra workwear, who is himself a qualified psychologist.