> Dress code for interviews, by the way, is
always formal, for any profession other than
mine*,

Actually, I believe the standards for my
profession (graphic design/arts) may be
coming down as well.

> I usually wear a shirt and tie, but no coat, as
a sort of compromise, and even then I
occasionally get comments about how I'm way
dressed up and how they should have told me
I could show up in casual clothing.

When I interviewed for this job, I was told the
same thing. I wore a suit for my first interview,
and the interviewer made an offhand
comment about my not having to dress up. I
went ahead and wore the suit again for the
second interview, which was with someone
higher-up (she is now my boss) and she said
the same thing.

I wonder if companies are being forced to
lower their expectations because nowadays,
most job candidates haven't been trained
about what is (or was) considered proper
attire. Many (most?) recent college graduates
may not even own a coat and tie.