6 month internship: how many suits/shirts/pants/ties/....? (help)

I did a 6 month internship at UBS and can tell you people don't wear suits. Senior managers do, but as an intern you will look ridiculous. I think you should be golden with 5 suits (your coworkers are not fashion oriented trust me). But I should note that I interned in NY/Stamford and the culture was extremely lax, I can't speak on Zurich, but I'm assuming it will be the same. To play safe, wear a suit, but keep your jacket on your chair, you can always through it on if need be.

no suits please.

.... and a BO internship for 6 months?

wow.

WallStreetGirl08:

I did a 6 month internship at UBS and can tell you people don't wear suits. Senior managers do, but as an intern you will look ridiculous. I think you should be golden with 5 suits (your coworkers are not fashion oriented trust me). But I should note that I interned in NY/Stamford and the culture was extremely lax, I can't speak on Zurich, but I'm assuming it will be the same. To play safe, wear a suit, but keep your jacket on your chair, you can always through it on if need be.

Thanks, yeah I also noticed that when I went to the IB building in Zurich, must have seen 3-4 dudes in suits, otherwise everyone was wearing dress pants and shirts.

Are you suggesting I buy 5 suits?? I can't afford that.

Or do you mean 5 pairs of dress pants and 5 shirts?

3 suits (You can always wear the trousers without the jacket)

6 shirts (Make sure you find a good cleaners that is convenient)

8-10 pairs of socks

2 good pairs of shoes

FormerHornetDriver:

3 suits (You can always wear the trousers without the jacket)

6 shirts (Make sure you find a good cleaners that is convenient)

8-10 pairs of socks

2 good pairs of shoes

Thanks man!

Instead of the suits, couldn't I buy 3 dress pants instead? I don't think I can afford 2 more suits right now.

About the colors, I'm guessing charcoal for the suits/pants

White and perhaps light blue for the shirts, nothing too crazy.

Thanks a lot!

Yeah this is what I think I'll get, at least for the first couple of weeks, then if I decide to change it up a little I'll buy something else (plus the salary kicks in at the end of the month so that'll be two weeks in)

I'm planning on taking with me:

• 1 suit (have it)
• 3 dress pants ----> only charcoal?
• 5-6 shirts (have 2) ----> white, light blue (anything else?)
• 8-10 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of shoes (have 1) ----> only black I'm guessing
• 1 belt (have it, need for more than 1 belt?) ----> only black?

For the suits I would get Navy, Charcoal and then something with a pattern (but still conservative). If you're thinking stripes, a good rule of thumb to follow is that the stripes should not be discernible unless you are up close (i.e., your Navy pinstripe suit should appear to be just plain Navy from across the room).

I Have 4 suits total (1 black, 2 charcoal, 1 navy), 7 white shirts 3 light blue, countless ties, 2 shoes and 2 belts (brown and black each)

I feel for a minimum you need:

3 suits (Black, Charcoal, Navy) 7 shirts (white and light blue) 3 ties (basic colors like blues and blacks) 2 belts and 2 shoes

grat125:

I Have 4 suits total (1 black, 2 charcoal, 1 navy), 7 white shirts 3 light blue, countless ties, 2 shoes and 2 belts (brown and black each)

I feel for a minimum you need:

3 suits (Black, Charcoal, Navy)
7 shirts (white and light blue)
3 ties (basic colors like blues and blacks)
2 belts and 2 shoes

I can't afford to buy more suits right now, I might be able in a few months when I get my salary.

Could 3 dress pants do the trick instead of 3 full blown suits? If so, what color dress pants? My wso/">suit is charcoal so that's already 1 pair of charcoal dress pants. I could use my wso/">suit jacket whenever I need a top but that means I could only wear it with charcoal pants.

Also, I thought black suits were "forbidden" and that they are only for funerals...

I won't be wearing any ties but I'll definitely get 1-2 to have at least 5 ties in my collection. Should I get a red one since I'll be working with UBS?

As for the belts, always black?

What about the shoes? also black?

Ok, you are making this way to hard. You can buy more clothes as you go along and are seeing how people dress

-Start with your 1 suit. Buy 2 more pairs of pants in navy and grey. -Buy 3 more shirts -- whites, light blues and subtle light patterns -Bunch of socks to match your pants

If you notice everyone is wearing a suit and tie everyday once you get a paycheck pick up 2 new wso/">suits and a few ties.

Once you get some more money add a second pair of shoes

Also, save black for funerals and formal events...not work

swissstud:

grat125:

I Have 4 suits total (1 black, 2 charcoal, 1 navy), 7 white shirts 3 light blue, countless ties, 2 shoes and 2 belts (brown and black each)

I feel for a minimum you need:

3 suits (Black, Charcoal, Navy)
7 shirts (white and light blue)
3 ties (basic colors like blues and blacks)
2 belts and 2 shoes

I can't afford to buy more suits right now, I might be able in a few months when I get my salary.

Could 3 dress pants do the trick instead of 3 full blown suits? If so, what color dress pants? My suit is charcoal so that's already 1 pair of charcoal dress pants. I could use my suit jacket whenever I need a top but that means I could only wear it with charcoal pants.

Also, I thought black suits were "forbidden" and that they are only for funerals...

I won't be wearing any ties but I'll definitely get 1-2 to have at least 5 ties in my collection. Should I get a red one since I'll be working with UBS?

As for the belts, always black?

What about the shoes? also black?

I'm not sure where you get your suits, but some stores sell pants and jacket separately. You can buy the suit pants now and the jacket later, to "complete" the suit. (If you're buying off-the-rack, get them tailored too) You might even find that, after a month, you don't need a 2nd suit.

Belt should match shoes. I'm guessing if you currently own a leather belt that should do. Belts are pretty cheap anyway. Get a reversible brown/black belt if you really need to save. Brown shoes tend to go better with navy pants, but black is still acceptable. If going with brown, try to stick with dark brown, it's more versatile.

That's what I meant. Don't buy them all at once. Piece by piece to save some money. Really you could wear the same pants every day, as long as you're clean no one will notice or even care.

Bobb:

Ok, you are making this way to hard. You can buy more clothes as you go along and are seeing how people dress

-Start with your 1 suit. Buy 2 more pairs of pants in navy and grey.
-Buy 3 more shirts -- whites, light blues and subtle light patterns
-Bunch of socks to match your pants

If you notice everyone is wearing a suit and tie everyday once you get a paycheck pick up 2 new wso/">suits and a few ties.

Once you get some more money add a second pair of shoes

Also, save black for funerals and formal events...not work

Good advice, thanks.

grat125:

That's what I meant. Don't buy them all at once. Piece by piece to save some money. Really you could wear the same pants every day, as long as you're clean no one will notice or even care.

Same pants every day?!

I heard you should never do that, it ruins the pants. You should alternate everyday at least between 2 pairs. Ideal is 3 IMO for me to start.