When things are lax, you can wear jeans and sandals. That doesn't make you look professional.
Designer isnt a big issue, fit and style is. Cheap suits fit like cheap suits. Even when tailored.
Yes, chicks do know what you are wearing. Just like they know what you drive. It is in their nature.
They pay attention to ties, but don't know how to pick one out--"yes, my husband wears this, I'll get this type", I've helped several women out at Banks and Brooks Bros and Macy's picking out ties (and got a few numbers). Just as women pick things for the type of meeting, conference, date, work, etc, many women don't think men take that in account.
Women dress for other women, men dress for other men AND women.
BTW, I didn't mean THAT lax...