Air line pilots flew airplanes for nearly three quarters of century while wearing blazers and hats, and they did just fine. In fact, they made a bunch of money, got lots of time off, and were respected by their passengers. They didn't seem to have a problem with "functionality." Sure would be a shame to go back to the good old days.
The next time you're launching off of the deck of the Hornet to bomb Tokyo, throw on a leather jacket. That's where it belongs. Air line pilots have always worn blazers and hats, since way back when Pan Am instituted them on the flying boats.
Think about this: when Captain Prater and Mr. Skiles went to talk to Congress to get that legislation approved that you wanted so badly, did they throw on a leather jacket, or did they put on their pressed blazer? Why do you think that was? Maybe, just maybe, it's true that people judge us a bit by how we dress.
And yet, thousands upon thousands of pilots wore them for decades, and they were respected professionals rather than being viewed as glorified bus drivers. I'm not sure why the new generation of pilots feels the need to throw out all of the traditions that made this profession what it once was, but it certainly isn't helping us to regain our professional image and to restore our chosen profession.