There's a raging debate going on at my house about appropriate footwear for an IT interview. I have an interview, on Thursday, for a SQL/C# developer with the Fraud dept. at a large accounting firm. I was planning on wearing what I have pretty much always worn for an interview: a nice suit, white shirt, subdued tie, and a pair of dress cowboy boots. My spouse and daughter both know that my dress code for nearly every professional job I've ever gotten, is pretty much the same -- including the boots -- with what I just described. Now, however, because I've been out of work for an unfortunately long time (my last contract ended 03/09 -- pretty much coincidental with the bottom falling out of the economy). My wife insists that style standards are fundamentally different on the left side of the Mississippi vs. the right side of the river.

My view is that I've always worn "cowboy" boots; since I was old enough to fit into a real pair. I moved East, as an adult, over 30 years ago, but my dress patterns haven't changed. And in all that time, my dress patterns have never changed.

Now I both really want, and really need, this job. But, is that sufficient reason to change a habit 40 years in the making?

I would really appreciate the thoughts ya'all (little West of Ms. colloquialism, there) might have on this matter.

Thanks.

P.S. If this sort of question is inappropriate for this form, I apologize.