What is the Best Banker Hairstyle? HELP!

I'm a first year analyst and I have been feeling uncomfortable in my group. I need some advice for overcoming my sloppy hairstyle anxiety. Should I get a haircut? And if so, what style should I go for?

Investment banking haircut

There is one sentence that covers all fashion and personal style for finance. Keep it conservative. Why conservative? Simple, you want to stand out for your performance and not your looks. Nothing long and nothing messy. This is especially true for interviews.

Some of the most common styles are the crew cut, comb-over, and the classic side part. Long hair can be acceptable in very limited cases. Chiefly religious reasons or tribal reasons for Native Americans. If you do have long hair just keep it neatly together.

from certified user @thebrofessor"

go with whatever suits your taste, face, and height as long as it's conservative. John molloy wrote a lot about this in dress for success, I'm a big fan of keeping your hair short enough so that you can see your eyebrows, top of your shirt collar, and top of your ears.

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Best Response

Go to the Vidal Sassoon salon. Ask for a male stylist as no female has a touch quite like theirs. When they ask what you want, just tell them "you can have your way with me." They'll probably give you some fruit cake hairstyle and then slather your butt hole with pomade and ram you with their meat stick, but its a small price to pay for such a valuable lesson: get a fucking personality, get your haircut however you like, if you dont know/care, just walk into any decent hair cutting place and tell them what your problem is and that you want them to fix it. Jesus.

 

brooklyn fade/blowout. just make sure you always have a large enough supply of gel at all times. i like to keep a bottle at my desk, as well as a travel size in my bag.

i know what you're thinking, a bottle of hair gel on your desk makes you look like a complete d-bag. so what i like to do is empty out the gel into a purell hand sanitizer bottle. except once my MD took some and was wondering why the stuff wasn't rubbing off into his skin...that was awkward.

 

I've always hated my hair and since high school have been attacking it all over with a number 1 guard. Just make sure your head is somewhat symetrical or it won't work. I've never had any complaints about it, but then again I've never had to style it or do anything else with it in many years so even if people hated it a) it's mine and they can go eff themselves and b) I never have to worry about taking time to do anything with it.

 

Monkeyman, do this. Go to work tomorrow and create a spreadsheet with all the different categories of hairstyles across the sheet at the top. Tally the hairstyle of each person that works in the office, and then create a pie chart that shows the hairstyle percentages of the total number of people in the office. You should choose whatever style has the biggest piece o' pie.

This spreadsheet will also work for suit styles and brands, shirts, ties, certainly shoes, even socks.

 
BigFatPanda:
Monkeyman, do this. Go to work tomorrow and create a spreadsheet with all the different categories of hairstyles across the sheet at the top. Tally the hairstyle of each person that works in the office, and then create a pie chart that shows the hairstyle percentages of the total number of people in the office. You should choose whatever style has the biggest piece o' pie.

This spreadsheet will also work for suit styles and brands, shirts, ties, certainly shoes, even socks.

I like this advice. You can spread some comps on all the different kinds of hairstyles you've seen other analysts at your bank have. Get some multiples based on price of haircut, current bonus, etc...then apply multiples to yourself to find target price of haircut you should be looking for. This, combined with some other multiples, should make it easy to narrow down.

 

Hi guys. I am a prospective first year analyst at a bank, and I am concerned that when I show up, I will have an uncomfortable feeling in my group and then get poked fun at by random people on the internet for asking what hairstyle to wear. Can anyone give me advice about not getting trolled when I post a question on WSO?

In all seriousness, go with a style that's 1/2 inch longer than what you need to be able to comb your hair and a 2-3 on the sides.

 

Whats everyone think about the pushed back in the front/ hockey mullet type in the back.... like the dude from the hangover. That's what I'm rocking these days and I dont want to cut it when i start...

 
apple1634:
Whats everyone think about the pushed back in the front/ hockey mullet type in the back.... like the dude from the hangover. That's what I'm rocking these days and I dont want to cut it when i start...

I'd think that's too casual. I'd have someone shape it up a bit, and part it. Something like this:

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/92305462.jpg

 

how long is your hair? It matters more if you go in with a certain style in your head. It makes more sense to shell out big bucks if you have enough hair to look GQ. (yeah, GQ's a good start, or men's vogue)

When my hair was shorter, I frequently got 60 dollar haircuts. Painly cut with sissors and no razers, for as long as fourty minutes. Personally, they didn't look that much better than a 20 dollar haircut, because, frankly, there wasn't that much hair to work with.

 

Most of the guys in GQ have short hair.

On another note - you should just buzz it yourself (about 1/4 or 1/8 inch). That's the way to go if you have a good hairline.

Then just have a cute girl edge the back and sides.

+Hammy

 
GreekGod:
anybody knows some good (don't mind if pricey, I'd be willing to pay up to 80-100$ for a haircut) hairstyle salons in manhattan?(for men...)

GreekGod, When I was in Manhattan last summer, I went to Hair Kuwayama in the East Village and I thought they did an amazing job. I forgot the stylist name but I remember giving her a $10 tip because it was amazing. The hair cut was $50 but it was well worth it. There are a bunch of Japanese hair salon in the East Village so you will have to do a lil research to find out which one suits you the best. Good luck :-)

 

It is very close to NYU. You get off at Astor Place and walk 3 blocks east and you'll find Hair Kuwayama. Can't wait to go back this summer... it sucks that other than Manhattan, San Fran and LA, you don't see trendy japanese salons at all. I am travelling right now and I can't trust any of the hair designers...rather grow my hair out and wear a hat, haha

 

hm....my hair is a bit long/trendy style...(I even remember a trader from JPM at the pre-career fair presentation commenting on my cute haircut..yes, she was female:P:P:P)...i've seen some nice haircuts on japanese people (medium-long hair), so I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to try a japanese salon....

 

hm...it's a bit too classic...and my hair is not "absolutely" straight..it gets a bit wild some times..:) but the length is nice (similar to mine)!

 
stockone50:
this is an awful and disgraceful post. instead of talking about more important things, you are talking about haircuts. if you like haircuts so much, go to the forums of GQ or vogue or even hang out at your local salon

Maybe that is why this forum is Monkeying Around...Duh

 
Philosopher:
Does a buzz cut make you look stupid/young/unprofessional (keep in mind I mean a conservative buzz cut- none of those fades or "boxy" front hairline)

How about keeping longer hair and gelling it back (slicked back). Does that make you look untrustworthy/poseur-ish?

With a buzz cut, it depends. Some people can rock the buzz cut while looking professional, some can not. I rock a buzz cut during the summer months. I have been told that it looks professional and that I look like I am in the military.
 

i once came in the office with a brooklyn fade. i had to be escorted out by security. although it might have been because i accidentally stabbed someone with my pointy aldo shoes.

 

this reminds me of a time I got a haircut during my analyst stint. needless to say it was WAY too short on the sides...basically bald. not squared off or anything in the front but still a complete disaster. barber got very creative.

luckily my hair grows out fast but it didn't help when this huge, notoriously loud-mouth associate saw me from 50 feet away in the bullpen and screamed across the entire floor, "PRINTER!!!! (my nickname BC I was always in the office), you can't get away with that!"

Half joking, I said I got it so short so I would never have to leave the office (I was already bitter and this was only 1 year in). He laughed and left me alone after that...I actually thought it was hilarious and nobody else really said anything even though I looked like an idiot.

i learned my lesson fast and made sure I was careful explaining my haircut the next time I went.

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oh please that is tame. The guys on my desk were going to pay me 700 to shave my head. I was holding out for 1000 but the next week they dropped their bid to 600 I decided to go with it while I still had the chance. hey scalped me down to like a 0 right on the trading floor but left a little mohawk strip in place.

Desk head was all nervous and came over to me and was like "you are ok with this right" im like yeah yeah it will be fun. For the rest of the summer I was known as private pyle.

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 

Did that shit for free in a buddy's garage when I lost a football bet. His 14 year old son shaved my head bald with a fucking flowbee.

Two lessons here: 1) When you make bank for the firm nobody says shit to you. 2) Fat guys should never rock the bald look. I kept it up for a few weeks, even took a Bic razor to my head every morning. I scared children when I left the house.


The WSO Guide to Understanding TARP

 

Who needs bets to shave a head? Bic'ed a friends head once in high school just because we were bored and thought it would get a rise out of people at school. Closest Ive ever come was a #2 all over about 3 summers ago. Right now I rock the 1 inch all over. Not too short, but still requires very little maintenance. Also works well in this 100+ degree heat

 

According to few article I read, your hair cut will totally depend on your face shape. If you are eager to get the best look maybe you can visit machohairstyles. com for different suggestions about the best haircut that will suit on your face shape.

 

I have a crew cut with a "messy" (but still neat) comb over on the top. As I have 0 offers, I would recommend not doing this.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 
BTbanker:
http://pozasalon.com/images/uploads/Charlotte_salon_poza,medium_mens_cu…"

This is about how my hair looks currently.... and that is where any physical comparison with me and that picture ends haha

I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
 

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Did you get the job yet? If so, just use the one that you hand when you interviewed.

[quote=Matrick][in reply to Tony Snark"]Why aren't you blogging for WSO and become the date doctor for WSO? There seems to be demand. [/quote] [quote=BatMasterson][in reply to Tony Snark's dating tip] Sensible advice.[/quote]
 

80 degree part with frosted tips, middle parts are going the way of the blackberry. You still see them but you cringe.

In all seriousness, go with whatever suits your taste, face, and height as long as it's conservative. John molloy wrote a lot about this in dress for success, I'm a big fan of keeping your hair short enough so that you can see your eyebrows, top of your shirt collar, and top of your ears.

 

As long as you keep it clean, cut and not overly flippant you should be okay. The brad pitt pic is what I would consider exactly the line not to cross. Also don't dye it.

As long as you don't look like this you'll be okay:

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

I'm assuming by your name that you are looking for finance jobs so to be honest, yes, it will look weird and negatively affect you at interviews. Remember that you'll probably be interviewing with people older than you, and if you've been working at the same office for 7 years you're at least knocking on 30's door so I'm assuming you'd be interviewing for non-entry level positions and therefore your interviewers will be late 30's or older. And they'll be much more conservative than you. Just stand outside any financial firm in the morning as people are going in and you'll see everyone with more or less the same look with regard to dress and hair. If they look different they're probably in the graphic design department.

I'm not arguing the merits of conformity, fashion or anything like that, but you should change your hairstyle for interviewing.

 

I work in IB and have this hairstyle and it's fine (at least, no one has raised any issues about it) - it's definitely a pretty common hairstyle for guys now. That being said, only one other guy in my team has the same haircut so it's not common in finance. I didn't have it while I was interviewing and I definitely think it could be negatively perceived (by some) - for interviews I had the same but with more "normal" hair on the sides, just grow it out for interviews (should only take 2-3 weeks if it's not super short) and have the current top if you're concerned. To be honest not something I'd personally risk - I know people who have worn quite long hair to interviews (none I know have gotten an offer, but no way to say that's exactly why) and who say they wouldn't want to work for a place that won't let them "be them" etc., but if you really want the job changing your hair for a little while is not a big sacrifice. You can look very well-groomed (probably even more so) with conservative hair

 

I mean my faux hawk is not exaggerated like if I was in a rock band. Mine is a bit tone down like David Beckham, and I currently work in Commercial Banking as a Credit Analyst. Everybody is older than me in my group my boss doesn't seem to care because I get shit done in an effective and timely manner. But since I'm looking to move into IB I don't want to be frowned upon because of that. Don't get me wrong I'm a very mature and professional person for my age.Also when it starts getting too long I use the comb over which "conservative".

 

Hair styles depends on person style and It's look.Hairstyle makeover our body,It is essential to build up our image and attractiveness. It is critical to understand the annotation of different appealing hairstyles before you could choose the one which is suitable for yourself in different occasions. It introduces the latest appealing hair styles which could assist you to choose the most suitable hair style to project your own unique attributes .

 

Wouldn't do fashion forward anything when interviewing. If you have been working at the same place for 7 years and have done a good job, you can get away with quite a lot. When you have 5 seconds to make a first impression you have to be conservative.

SophiaManna:

Hair styles depends on person style and It's look.Hairstyle makeover our body,It is essential to build up our image and attractiveness. It is critical to understand the annotation of different appealing hairstyles before you could choose the one which is suitable for yourself in different occasions. It introduces the latest appealing hair styles which could assist you to choose the most suitable hair style to project your own unique attributes .

What the heck?

 
Origin:

I've been studying the hairstyles of many top CEOs, executives, bankers, consultants, and entrepreneurs, and I'm looking for a particular pattern in the way they style their hair.

Apart from going bald, you might also want to consider getting a girlfriend or smth to kill some free time

 

It seems that most have agreed that a man bun is most appropriate:

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/is-a-man-bun-appropriate-for-ib

LOL!

But in all seriousness, I actually had quite long hair, but had to get a cut for this recruiting season. I've never really had short hair (even when I was young), so it was new to me, but I just asked the barber for a short cut that was low maintenance, and something I could easily/quickly style by just combing it over.

 

The best thing about this kind of post is the responses.

Just tell your barber, "Make it neat," or something like that. Barbers know their strength, that's why they cut hairs and not trade commodities. You should find yours too. Good luck!

Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
 

Get the vladimir putin.

Did you know that men who have low-shaved heads are 35% more likely to be viewed as having strong leadership skills than men with a conventional haircut?

 
Origin:
I've been studying the hairstyles of many top CEOs, executives, bankers, consultants, and entrepreneurs, and I'm looking for a particular pattern in the way they style their hair.

Good stuff OP. There are patterns everywhere. Nothing is random. I forget what it's called but there's actually a whole branch of social science dedicated to understanding the psychological effects of the individual minutiae of physical appearances. Obviously hair is a major area of study here. Keep searching, the answer is out there.

 

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[quote=mbavsmfin]I don't wear watches bro. Because it's always MBA BALLER time! [/quote]
 

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