When Swiss bank UBS (UBS news) decided to issue a dress code, it wanted to be thorough. The written code came in at 43 pages. The bank never thought it would generate so much excitement. But the code--which was leaked--has become something of a sensation, a very sought after item on the Internet, according to the Source.

The dress code is part of the bank's response to some bad PR recently and a desire to rebuild its customer service brand.

The new rules advise female employees to do such things as wear buttons fastened when standing, unbuttoned when sitting, avoid short skirts and showy accessories, avoid nail art, avoid heavy makeup, though light makeup can work wonders. Colorful lingerie is a no-no, of course.

As for men, stubble is bad, underwear should be comfortable and easy to wash (interesting), earrings and bracelets are out, but watches are okay. Men should also avoid hair dye, so as to avoid making too big of a contrast between hair color and obvious age. Male employees should also get a hair cut every four weeks.

It's all quite detailed. But in the end, it makes a lot of sense. It may seem old-fashioned but first impressions really do matter. The old saw is that first impression are made in the first five seconds. So, you want to make them count.

UBS says it doesn't want to make too much of this, but if the bank deliberately released the code, it was a brilliant PR idea.

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