Sometimes the term work 24hours non stop means you're even working while you are driving or at home. Sometimes I also kena that kind of question, but that's the true meaning, makan kerja, tidur kerja those kind of mentality. These kind of people is an asset to any company.

Fuh! I respect your boss. Asian boss dare not do that.

In any etiquette classes or training, in work, you are required to wear tie. Also depending on company policy as well. Like In Shell Malaysia, certain departments are allowed to wear casually. Same goes with Microsoft. Most of the wear is shirt and jeans.
Other company would require you to wear formally especially in an interview. Not to the extend of wearing coats, just ties and well ironed shirt will do. It's always the first impression always counts regardless whether you can perform as an employee or not.
So based on your remarks here, I can visualize you as someone with the "tidak apa" attitude in dressing and do not care in what people think of you as long you are right.
Like it or not... it far better than wearing a baju melayu and kain songket right? It's to you to choose the materials of your clothing. Be it Polyester or Cotton. If you are mainly on the go, choose 100%cotton to absorb the sweat. In this I don't see any qualms for dressing smartly with ties to work.

By the way, if you are complaining so much about your company dressing code, then apply to Microsoft.
I think you are the one who needs an EQ test. As mentioned by Jin Yee, they are expecting a presentation done by an advertising company which by common sense needs high quality in taste in fashion and colours. So what her boss did is right.

And refuse to take a cab because he is a smoker? You are giving the wrong examples. What does transportation has to do with health?

If you have lots of money no one is stopping you. But since you are the lowest hierarchy in the coperate world, dress well
I've even seen a nose picking, phleghm spitting chinaman with short pants being chauffeur by a Ah Mat. As long as u have the money why not?

So meaning to say you would take the doctor's advice to quit smoking when you can smell he is a smoker?
So meaning to say you would sign up for a slimming program when some of their staff are overweight?

A man like Gates and Buffet do not need to listen to petty offers as they already have personal assistant to do so. Contracts amounting millions, definitely in every single detail is taken into consideration, regardless the tie colour to socks colour before meeting Mr Gates. Not some low lying hobo presenting on the OHP. By the way, if you guys haven't work in Microsoft before, here's some info, the interview always requires you to dress well including a tie. And once you are working there, it depends which department you are working. Customer service will definitely need you to wear formal even though you have a qualifications as a programmer.