I often tell people (particularly younger ones, college age-ish) that one of the best ways to stand out among their peers is to learn how to dress. You don't have to wear a three piece suit, but wear clothes that are clean, fit your body (and body type), and look nice. This applies regardless of company dress code. If it's jeans, then wear nice jeans that aren't wrinkly or full of holes. Pair it with a nice shirt and shoes, and you'll look better than 90% of the people around you. If your job calls for something dressier, buy the best quality stuff you can afford (it will last longer), and get it tailored so that it fits you.
This seems like a minor thing, but assuming you're not incompetent, someone who knows how to dress themselves will be perceived better by those whose opinions matter.
The key is to match the general attire of the people around you, but do it a bit nicer. If everyone is wearing shorts and jeans, don't wear a suit to work.
Edit: This advice isn't limited to young people, there are plenty of older people that need to learn how to dress themselves. As a general rule, though, the younger generation dresses a lot more casually than I did at their age, and many don't seem to have been taught when an occasion calls for dressing a little nicer.
This seems like a minor thing, but assuming you're not incompetent, someone who knows how to dress themselves will be perceived better by those whose opinions matter.
The key is to match the general attire of the people around you, but do it a bit nicer. If everyone is wearing shorts and jeans, don't wear a suit to work.
Edit: This advice isn't limited to young people, there are plenty of older people that need to learn how to dress themselves. As a general rule, though, the younger generation dresses a lot more casually than I did at their age, and many don't seem to have been taught when an occasion calls for dressing a little nicer.