Attire Question - Business Casual?

Quick question I was hoping some monkeys could help me with. I have an interview for an internship program ran by the New York Society Security Analysts. The recommended attire is "Business Casual (suits not required, but please look neat and professional)".

What would people recommend for this. Personally I believe strongly in dress to impress and am comfortable wearing a suit. Would wearing a suit be bad if they are not required or is it better to over dress since I can bet some kids may likely wear a suit?

Thanks for the input

 

Wear nice pants with a nice shirt, but no jacket and no tie (wear a nice cashmere sweater instead). Do not wear a suit, it shows you can follow directions (probably every one else will freak and wear a suit, btw...but this is good because you'll stand out as the candidate that can follow directions - this exact same thing happened to me and I got the offer - obviously, you still have to interview well, etc.)

 

^^^ You realize that hurts you if they're asking for b-cazsh, right? I always ask them what THEY'LL be wearing if they don't tell me the dress code explicitly, and just follow their lead.

On sweater-vests, I work in a cold building and am wearing one today. I've even gotten a couple of compliments from a few ladies in sales on it. Just take my advice with a grain of salt as us quants can get away with a few more fashion faux-pas than the general population on the trading floor. Frankly, I really don't care how it looks- better to wear something warm and look like a flashback from the '70s than be cold.

 

Nothing against sweater vests, just argyle sweater vests =)

If its an event thats business casual I would find it awkward if I showed up in a full suit, however if its an interview I would find it best to wear my best, even though most times the interviewers are not dressed up. Considering it says please look neat and appropriate, I would be much more comfortable wearing a white shirt, blue tie, gray suit rather than risking it if my sweater/shirt/khaki combo may look weird. (I've seen bright yellow sweaters with peppermint green shirts at career fairs myself).

I think they are trying to convey that business casual is okay, in case you don't own a suit, and would not want anyone to go out and buy one just for this occasion.

Then again, I haven't been in the real world like you have so that's just my thought

 

In general, Business Casual should be the same as professional dress, minus the tie/jacket. The inclusion of more button-down collars, specifically OCBD shirts, would be advisable.

 
Whitmeyer:

In general, Business Casual should be the same as professional dress, minus the tie/jacket. The inclusion of more button-down collars, specifically OCBD shirts, would be advisable.

This; however, even with a tie it can be considered business casual. I'll also echo what many have said about it being situationally dependent.

 

Usually, business casual consists of slacks, a shirt and nice shoes. Business professional then adds in a tie and jacket, I'd say that generally just wear a suit that will take care of business professional. I always tend to believe that you should be overdressed and any suit can become 'business casual' with the removal of the tie and jacket.

 

As others have said, it really depends on the business and where it is. In my business in the northeast, business casual means a suit or pressed dress slacks (not chinos), shirt and sportscoat simply without a tie. My brother works in advertising in the northeast and business casual means jeans and a tshirt and basically look as hipster as you can because they're all creative. If he wore a suit it would probably mean someone in the office died and they're going to their funeral. Casual Friday in my business would be more formal than my brother's everyday business casual.

When I first started doing business in Miami a while ago, I was coming from London where everone wore a suit with cufflinks and the whole regalia everyday, but in Miami we started meeting with the C-level guys of an F500 and it was chino style pants and golf shirts, even the CEO. They thought we looked like undertakers in our suits. That same business in the northeast in a major urban area would mean those same guys would be in suits, or the business casual that I mentioned I would wear. In the tech world in the Bay Area, it would lean more towards the Miami dress.

As others have said, it's rarely bad to be overdressed in a suit and tie if this is a question for interview purposes. If you feel really overdressed you can take the tie off quickly.

 

For some reason, to the majority of America it means a short sleeve dress shirt, pleated front khakis and Bostonian dress shoes. Cell phone belt holster optional.

If you don't want to look like a schmuck, I'd suggest properly fitting flat front dress pants, a fitted dress shirt, nice shoes (oxfords or high quality derbies) and a nice belt. Details like stiff collar stays and not wearing ridiculous socks make a huge difference as well.

 

Jeans - are you serious? You can not add denim and call it business anything. You should have tapered trousers - non flared at the heel and slim fitting, unless you are a walking burger of some kind.

A button down shirt is acceptable for business casual - blazer should be checked or English country wear a la Barbour

 
Best Response

Dress to how the rest of the office dresses. You'll look weird if you wear a suit and tie everyday to a workplace where everyone else wears chinos and polos. If it's a pressed slacks and dress shirt environment you can wear a nice sports coat to the office but I still wouldn't put on a suit because you'll look weird.

And as a senior person who's worked in non-business formal workplaces, the reason I wear a suit and tie is because I have external meetings that necessitate a suit and tie that day. If I'm just going to be in the office or have less formal outside meetings, I'm most likely not wearing a suit and tie (actually I typically wear a suit and no tie and just have them in the office in case I need to go out).

 

Yeah, no senior is impressed by the junior guy wearing a tie. Additionally, it doesn't score you any points with the other junior guys. It's more important to look good by wearing appropriate fitting, quality, and clean clothes, e.g. no see through button-downs with a full sail on the back with corduroy pants and square toe pilgrim shoes.

 

I won't do that. Keeping one on my desk for when I'm meeting clients, though.

That being said, I never wear it once (because nobody in my office is doing that). But, Just in case.

Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
 

Wearing a blazer/jacket/sportcoat is cool if it's business casual. If it's pressed slacks and shirts, then focus on getting quality and fitted items.

Never EVER wear a tie without a jacket on. You'll look like a used car salesman, period.

Mr.Mathie | Ideas are nothing without execution - Jeux de Commerce Central
 

I've seen people do it. Its not very common, but honestly the whole shit about wearing loafers and Hugo Boss 24/7 is a stereotype that is greatly exaggerated on this forum.

If you look presentable and are confident in what youre wearing, you'll be fine. People might fuck around with you in a good natured way for the more casual look, but the bottom line is whether or not you do your job well. Get a feel for the group youre in, and most likely than not, rocking tan slacks isn't going to rub anyone the wrong way.

 

It's like business but a little more laid back. But really, you could get away with khakis and a polo in business casual. No tennis shoes, flip flops, common sense.

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 
DBCooper:

It shouldn't exist, because while it sounds good in theory...many people are retards and don't know how to dress and hence, abuse it.

Agreed, but that makes it even better for those who DO know how to dress.

 

I am not really sure how hard it is to comprehend business casual. You could explain it to a five year old. Its a shirt and dress pants. This is the standard and regarding polos, this depends entirely on each company.

Array
 

"Every organization has a different definition of business casual. Some require suits without ties; others permit flip-flops. While no hard and fast rules exist, the following should be considered: Business casual includes the word “business” and implies that work is not the playground. It is always safer to lean toward dressy instead of casual. Business casual is sometimes defined as conservative sportswear, such as dress pants, skirts, collared sport shirts, loafers, etc. Tuck in shirts, do not reveal too much skin, and always iron your clothes. Business casual does not include T-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans of any color, shorts, or sneakers. It is unacceptable at work to look sloppy. Always overdress for the first day of work. Look at your colleagues on the first day and decide how casual you can be for the next day. It may be good to buy the majority of your wardrobe after your first day of work. You will see what is accepted and fashion consistent at the office. Your clothing purchases will then be items that you will want to wear at work. If you look in the mirror and say, “I can get by with this,” it is time to rethink your outfit. Your clothing makes a very lasting impression. Always ask, 'What message am I sending by my choice of dress?'" -BYU Marriott School of Management

"Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not. I like to be liked. I enjoy being liked. I have to be liked. But it's not like a compulsive need to be liked. Like my need to be praised."
 

No, don't risk polos if you're at an investment bank. You are junior... or else you wouldn't be asking this. Wear a solid blue, white, or subtly stripe shirt and dark dress pants or khakis. Wer socks with your shoes. Nothing else is acceptable... I don't care wtf others are wearing. Be professional.

 

People use and abuse the term "business casual"

In every place I've worked the definition and parameters of "business casual" have all been different. When given the opportunity, the majority of people will dress down as low as possible. It's a sad fact but the majority of our society DO NOT care what they look like...

With being said, always over dress no matter the occassion.

 

those sperrys may be a bit too casual.

look along the lines of loafers or even more conservative drivers

i personally like these, from the sperry line http://www.sperrytopsider.com/en/wave-driver-penny-loafer/11436M.html?d…

you also could go the more expensive loafer route, like ferragamo (which a lot of people on this site have a hard-on for) http://www.ferragamo.com/shop/en/usa/men/shoes-1/slip-ons-1/penny-loafe…

personally not a fan of ferragamo, as i think their too flashy overall. but to each their own i guess.

hope this helps.

"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
 

Hey I ran into one of these interviews and went suit no tie. I got the internship so take that for w.e its worth. I don't think the tie is a great idea as you may some off as not being able to follow directions.

 

i just did a lot of research about this

typically you never wear a tie without a jacket. so dress shirt(blue/white stripes or checks), wool pants, no tie. I have not yet figured out proper shoes. Some say black shoes are too formal. no black trousers/suits ever. charcoal or navy. suit pants are fine. also button down collars are always worn without ties and spread or narrow collars are to be worn with or without ties. be sure to get your shirt and pants tailored by the best tailor you can find. a proper fit is much more important than quality of the material

i am sure no one actually cares though

 
  1. Uniqlo has a great deal of chinos right now $20 each (usually $40) About 5 diff colors. Regular dress pants are $30-$50 and are good for the $$$
  2. Uniqlo also has a great deal on dress shirts right now $20 each (usually $30) About 8-10 diff colors.
  3. Look up the Charles Tyrwhitt deal going on ($40 a shirt) + free tie (not bus casual but nice to have) - Better quality than uniqlo
  4. Only shop at Banana Republic / J Crew when they have the 30%/40% sales, not worth it otherwise.
  5. H&M, if you have a shorter/lean build you can go here and almost not tailor anything. Dress pants are decent here for the price ~$30, and you can throw them away after a year. Would go to uniqlo first.
 

Brooks, bro.

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." - Oscar Wilde "Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes." - RagnarDanneskjold
 
Hooah1988:
I ordered 8 shirts, was I supposed to get 8 ties from CT? I chose one... lol

The deal is 1 free tie and you can order anywhere from 1 to 5 shirts. I don't think they will let you order 8 for $40 each

 

MY advice (and I don't know about GC specifically) is go out at get a couple pairs of pants - black, a charcoal, grey, pinstripe, whatever.  Also make sure you have a decent amount of dress shirts (white, different blues, other light colors typically work).

That should start you off fine and then you can observe what everyone else in the office is wearing and get more clothes if necessary.  However, the clothes I recommended are always a necessity.

If you will ever be meeting with clients, you will probably need a suit.  I'd probably wait on that if you're not sure.

 

if you decide to take lotus6's advice and get charles tyrwhitt shirts (which are fine for someone who's just starting in the industry and in a business casual environment), wait till they go on sale...same w/ brooks brothers, thomas pink, etc. they always are having sales for random reasons so no need to pay list price for them

​* http://www.linkedin.com/in/numicareerconsulting
 

This is easy....

Get nice black shoes, some nice black/gray dress pants (maybe 5) and get 10 or so decent light colored dress shirts - I'd go mostly blue and white with minimal patterns.

This is definitely a good start and then you can get a feel for the office. After a month if you notice that khakis are acceptable go pick up a few pairs and brown shoes. When it gets cold again maybe a sweater or two to layer over your collared shirts.

If you start with the basics that are accepted everywhere you can't go wrong. It won't take you too long to see what works with your office, just make sure you don't make your decisions based on what the sloppy guy gets away with - dress at least on par with the average dressers in your office.

As to where to go - it really depends upon location and budget. Macy's will have everything I listed here at an ok quality and be relatively inexpensive. Outlet Malls and places like Nordstrom Rack can also be good options but they also depend upon location and budget.

More specifically places that I tend to like (I'm fairly budget friendly, but always professional when it comes to my wardrobe): Shirts - Brooks Brothers outlet pants - I really got lucky at Nordstrom Rack, they even tailored for free since I bought 5 pairs about a month ago otherwise maybe MAcy's shoes - I usually hit up Johnston & Murphy's or Ecco at the outlet mall. Spend the extra $25 on a pair of shoes - you will wear them a lot and spending a little extra here can go a long way. casual khakis and shirts for the office - Macy's seems to work well for me.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

Thanks! Any ideas on comfortable shoes? Most dress shoes are uncomfortable and since I'm taking the bus, I'll be doing a bit of walking. On the other hand, they have to actually look nice, so I can't just get some comfortable shoes with a rubber sole.

 

bostonians have worked well for me - depending on how much walking you do you might have to get them re-soled every now and then (~$20), but they were plenty comfortable for me when i had to hike around the city for a little while, and they looked fine too - maybe get a $7 polish kit to touch them up every few weeks.

each pair should run you $60-$70 if you buy the right way - macy's sales/coupons, syms, other discounters

 

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