I agree with your point, and don't personally accept the given definition of a "clean image", which is why I quoted it. I am just addressing the fact that decisions can easily ride on the appearance of an individual. To extend the lawyer analogy, imagine you are in court defending yourself from some criminal accusation. If you had to pick your lawyer between two identically skilled individuals, and one had dreads to his waste and the other was a "clean cut" individual, which would you choose?

I have no desire for a corporation able to define anything about my style or individuality, however, it happens regularly. It's one of the many reasons I work for myself.