Hello,

Don't buy a black suit. That's reserved for funerals or if you want to build a career as a waiter at an upscale French restaurant.

Light grey is for weddings, plasticy-polyester blue (a few shades lighter than like a deep blue) is ugly and cheap.

Usually, the convention is either a charcoal grey suit or a navy blue suit. I would invest in one or the other of these two (100% wool, don't get a 50/50 or a polyester).

Yes, I think that your current "fit" is not professional. It just wouldn't fly in interviews or the job, not compared to your peers who will be suited and booted. It's a client-serving industry after all, and some of these CFO's are real old farts - so if you come in like a "Gen Z hippie", not a good look.

 

Polyester stinks when you sweat and it doesn't air out as good in the summer. Wool airs out so even though it's hot, you won't feel like you're dying and you won't stink lol

Have you watched Industry? You know the compliance bloke who talks to Harper in like episode 1 or something... The fit is a bit like that. I mean, look, I think that is fine for like a trader or something, but I don't think that's appropriate for interviews for IB. Once you actually are an analyst I think it's a bit whatever, I've seen people walk around in less

 

That outfit is nowhere near professional enough.

Get a navy suit that fits you well, white shirt and black Oxford shoes.

You can also wear a dark grey (not light grey) suit. Feel free to wear a blue shirt instead of white.

 

Agree with the earlier posts - don't "drip out". This isn't the area to draw attention to yourself. Charcoal and Dark Blue suits are fine - it doesn't need to be tailored or costs £000s. A readymade is absolutely fine; polyester blend is fine (although if you're looking to invest in one for longer term, then for sure spend. Key message is not to feel pressured into spending too much).

Ideally a white shirt, tasteful tie, and clean black or dark brown shoes (no Doc Martins...at least not with the coloured thread).

 

Thank you for being honest.

Do you think long-term suits are worth it (coinciding with the 'boot theory') from a professional point of view, or would I be better off getting a cheaper one for now? I'm just a little concerned about potential body composition changes from bulking/cutting cycles.

https://imgur.com/a/rhqCzj9 was my old fit if you are at all interested.

 
Most Helpful

Honestly it's a hard question because it comes down to personal preference.

I'm not someone who wears expensive suits or watches (I'm VP / Director level in IB at a global bank), mostly because I don't get much personal satisfaction from them, and I'm really bad at taking care of things.

If you like and can afford nice expensive suits, go for it.

But whether you're going for expensive luxury suits, or cheaper options, just know that there's boundaries on both sides. Don't come in dressed shabbily, and don't come in dressed like royalty.

What I've done is gotten tailor-made suits in Thailand / Vietnam when travelling there. The fabric quality isn't as good, but you could buy and bring your own if you really want. So I pay c. $300 for a tailor-made suit. Hong Kong has great tailors too, but more expensive than SEA (nothing like as expensive as New York or London though).

As for body composition, my guy, only you can answer that. I think you'll be fine; 90% of people are (don't quote me on the stats). But if you're prone to junk food and end up in a sweatshop team, well anything could happen.

 
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