I would, however, rate the senior manager more favorably when her style of dress was more provocative.

I posted the study because while I don't yet have the full study and methodology - it does appear that minor quality differences in fit and finish can make a difference to people's perception.

These are not people who care or know what the differences were. It does appear that the study was controlled for colour and fabric and eye popping things like ties etc. It was also controlled for faces - they were pixelated out. They do describe it as the difference between bespoke and RTW but from their description it was MTM rather than bespoke. There seems to have been no effort to make the RTW ill fitting.

So it would appear that superior fit and finish - which is presumably all that MTM/Bespoke offers as difference, in this study, can be ascertained - unconsciously - in the subject. The viewers appear to be just "normal" untrained people.

My first reaction is, well, "duh".

But don't take that to mean I'm not interested, I certainly am, I find it fascinating when these things are set out academically.

I agree as well. There's a reason bright flashing lights are used to attract attention to emergency vehicles.