Each to his own. I wore a tie bar and some nice ties as an intern, as well as striped shirts others here would say to avoid etc. I was the only person in my group to receive a FT offer at the end of my internship. Moral of the story: (most) people don't care how you dress as much as WSO will lead you to believe.

That being said, it only takes one person to take offence so no harm in toeing the line.

 

I completely agree with that. Your hustle and your work will get you noticed more quickly and will have a bigger impact on hiring than a shirt somebody didn't like. Just don't get too wild with your clothes, do strong work, and you'll be fine.

 

What you need to be aware of, and this is in a very general sense, is avoiding being 'that' guy. That covers obnoxiously shiny expensive Italian suits, obviously branded Italian loafers (see a trend here?) or fashion forward type color combinations.

I think the goal is to be put together and professional. Period. A suit that fits you well, conservative shirt and tie colors, lace up shoes and a decent haircut. All things that shouldn't surprise anyone. What I will say is that it is amazing how 'stylish' people can think conservative colors and suits are when they are tailored well.

 
Addinator:

What you need to be aware of, and this is in a very general sense, is avoiding being 'that' guy. That covers obnoxiously shiny expensive Italian suits, obviously branded Italian loafers (see a trend here?)

You don't like Italians?
Competition is a sin. -John D. Rockefeller
 

Brilliant.

I'd just like to make a point using the old Hermes tie/belt combo. If you wear that as an analyst - you look lame, if you wear it as someone with years of experience, you still look lame. This may upset a few people but the fact is Hermes belts are bloody awful - they are big in the finance world (and the world of badly dressed people) but they are ugly and garish.

Most people look best in a simple/clean/understated, look. In the same way a plain white t-shirt that is cut and fits well is probably the best item of clothing you could ever have.

 

Just look sharp and presentable...every group and bank has the slob dresser and the sharp metro-border line dresser....you don't want to be either of those and somewhere in the middle

 

I'm amazed at how many times this question comes up on WSO. It's not as big of deal that people make it out to be here but like @"Addinator" wrote, just don't be "that" guy, on both the super fashionisto or the slob end of things. You can wear nice stuff but nothing shiny. Don't wear cufflinks at first. Basically go into a Brooks Brothers store and hit the suit section. Just about any style of anything there is good. You don't have to buy everything at BB but just look at the styles of suits, shirts and ties and you can pretty much get away with anything they sell there (avoid the crazy colored shirts, but stripes are ok but I'd avoid, for example, a pink shirt and I wear pink, and avoid the "playful" ties at first).

 

Theres nothing wrong with wearing pink...just gotta be able to pull it off...honestly as long as you get your work done and don't cause trouble you can dress almost anyway you like aside from a complete clown and be fine

 
TXenergyIB:

Theres nothing wrong with wearing pink...just gotta be able to pull it off...honestly as long as you get your work done and don't cause trouble you can dress almost anyway you like aside from a complete clown and be fine

I wear pink, purple, have every sort of striped shirt known to man (in pinks, purples, yellows and the standard colors) but I'm old. I'd stay away from it if it's an internship or when you first start out but after a few months it's fine. And I'm talking NYC/the northeast or London. Texas is probably different.

 

I think those people are referring to analysts buying Ferragamo, Hermes, Gucci and the like.

Go for something timeless, fits well, good haircut and hygiene and you'll be fine. It's kind of funny to me when I read these threads and analysts are dropping 2-3k on their suits, but will more than likely gain 20 pounds in their first year (if not more).

 

Do what your group wears. First time at a BB and I'm realizing half the the stuff on this board is written by people who have never been there. I am an SA who wears french cuffs and nicer clothes, why? BECAUSE ITS WHAT THE GROUP WEARS. Just copy what ever the group wears, clothes don't really matter - your work should speak for itself.

"The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets." -John D. Rockefeller
 
Best Response
carlfox:

Do what your group wears. First time at a BB and I'm realizing half the the stuff on this board is written by people who have never been there. I am an SA who wears french cuffs and nicer clothes, why? BECAUSE ITS WHAT THE GROUP WEARS. Just copy what ever the group wears, clothes don't really matter - your work should speak for itself.

This is probably the best advice. But until you know how your group or firm dresses, go conservative. And for an eight week gig don't buy too many pieces of clothes. It's eight weeks. For your first full time gig don't go out and buy 2-3 years worth of clothes, just buy enough to get you through your first couple of months.

Earlier in my career, and coming from the US, we generally didn't do French cuffs or things like that. I moved to London for a deal and the subsequent three years, but they made fun of us because we had shirt pockets. We couldn't figure it out-shirt pockets are actually helpful. In the UK people who have pockets on their shirts are plumbers (nothing against plumbers, very necessary aspect of life) or as we were told "people who do things for you" so we all went out the next day and bought a bunch of new shirts sans pockets. Dress conservatively thenfigure out how it works out where you are.

 

We have an unpaid intern here that's from China and he wears fairly cheap (but fit to him) suits every day, and hermes tie and belt combo every day as well.

Nobody here has worn a even a jacket on a day to basis since I've been here, not even the owners of the firm.

He always sticks out as we are extremely laid back when it comes to what we wear.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

For someone that is not client facing (i.e. Analyst) should not be blowing a ton of money on expensive clothes. I would definitely echo the sentiment of not being "that guy" but other than that there is absolutely no need for expensive suits, watches, etc. I would just mirror your group but also to an extent as you obviously wont be wearing what the MDs/Directors/VPs are.

 

You should dress like this

Disclaimer for the Kids: Any forward-looking statements are solely for informational purposes and cannot be taken as investment advice. Consult your moms before deciding where to invest.
 

You can definitely be fashion forward but I think to a point where you stick with the classics.

I've seen many analysts wear Gucci loafers, Hermes ties...I think getting your work done is a lot more of a concern for your managers than what you wear to work

 

Why does every single person think there is a fucking formula to everything in IB? I go conservative on suits and shirts (navy/charcoal suits, blue/white shirts) but accessorize with with a nice watch and relatively loud socks. I also wear cologne every day. Just do what you want, be confident about it, and people won't give a fuck.

 

It's 90% the work you, the attitude you have while doing it, and the effort you put in while doing it. Nothing wrong with looking good. There's a way to dress extremely well and not rub it in everyone's faces.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

Everytime I see a thread like this, I think of this ibankingoasis post back from 2007:

there's an old banking tale, reportedly about Lazard: analyst walks into an MD's office wearing a Hermes tie. MD says "come over here," takes out a scissor from his desk drawer and proceeds to cut the tie in half while it's still around the neck of the analyst. MD takes out a $100 bill from his wallet and says, "now go buy 5 analyst ties."

Honestly, in my experience (which has been echoed by other posters in this thread): - It's better to err on the side of conservatism. Solid suits (navy/charcol) and simple ties (stripes, solids, pin dots etc), until you at least prove yourself on a few deals/projects, or until post-bonus. At my bank, there was some tool first year who rocked a hermes 'H' belt and hermes tie the first day of training. Needless to say, I dont think he lasted very long...dont be "that" guy -It's also very group dependent. Some groups really make an effort to dress well (MDs down to AN1) and it's fine for analysts to wear flashy stuff (e.g. you'll see all the male analysts rocking ferragamo loafers and ties and the female analysts rocking the louboutins etc.) Other groups are a lot more toned-down -Whatever you do, try not to outdress your senior bankers (VP+)

 

Who cares?! Wear what you want to within reason (read: no plaid/tan/pink pinstripe suits). No one will hire/fire you because you didn't/did wear something colorful.

Far better things to concentrate on. Get in, get shit done, get out.

Array
 

These threads are similar to the "when should I send a thank you for an interview/informational?".

Are you people fucking serious?! Don't be a social retard is the advice here. If your group doesn't dress like models, go to BB and stock up. If your group dresses like models, don't go to Marshalls and stock up. Basically, fit in.

I really question the intelligence and most importantly workplace claims when I see these ridiculous threads.

 

According to the grandmaster chimps, not only are you supposed to intentionally dress worse than your superiors, you also can't spend more than them at lunches, coffee, or special events. If your manager gets a $20 meal, you better not order a $50 meal. If you manager orders cheap domestic beer, you better not get a top shelf long island or martini.

If a superior orders something from the dollar menu, match that or go outside and beg for scraps.

If women start hitting on you, you are supposed to direct them to your boss unless the women he is talking to is at least three time as good looking as yours.

Don't even think about wearing an expensive watch, car, or tie.

 

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