These are such silly debates. Some people think they need the hat and blazer to look like a professional pilot, while others think you can be professional without a hat and wearing a leather jacket. Fact is, most customers really don't care. What the customers do want is a crew who is pleasant, informative, and driven to providing outstanding customer service.
Personally, I love my leather jacket, and I cannot stand the hat. I think the hat can look professional, but I am glad it is optional because it looks absolutely ridiculous on me. I know that by taking care of my uniform and wearing it properly (starching my shirts, ironing, shining my shoes, etc.), I am doing my part in presenting a professional appearance for our customers. More importantly, I ensure that my actions while in my uniform are professional. That doesn't mean being a stiff, but rather being everything I mentioned above... Pleasant, friendly, informative, and driven to give the customers a safe trip.
I will continue to wear my leather jacket, and I will not be wearing the hat, unless my company choses to make it mandatory once again. I will continue to enjoy music listening to my iPod during my commute, and I will use gel each morning in my hair. I am professional airline pilot, and I try to act like it. However, I am also a 26 year old man, and I'm not going to try and act like I'm 50 simply because someone feels their opinion of what a pilot should look like does not match mine.
Some pilots spend way too much time trying to fit some cookie-cutter version of an airline pilot (usually the 1960's version), rather than putting real effort into what really matters: Serving our customers.
That is just my personal opinion, and you do not have to agree.