I know we have people in all of the different niches of CRE. What's everyone's office culture like, as far as dress code? Does anyone do strictly made to measure or does off the rack suffice in your office? Interested to see the different cultures of the office environments we have out there.
I'm fairly tall so for me made to measure is my only option from shirts to suits. With that said, I'm currently looking to fill an Analyst position and don't want to seem like that guy coming in trying to compete with the execs.
I'm a student, but as someone who is 6'5" I feel your pain when shopping for clothes. Since it's literally impossible to find something OTR to fit me properly, MTM is the way to go. Personally, Charles Tyrwhitt shirts fit me well and I can actually get a sleeve length that is appropriate without having a giant billowy chest area. Even if you go full custom (which you can do pretty cheaply in places like Bangkok) I don't think you're crossing any lines- it's more of a name-dropping issue, where if you walk in with a full-on tailored outfit straight from Savile Row you might draw some eyes.
This isn't rocket science. Wear a suit to any interview unless you're told to do otherwise. While interviewing (in the office), take note of what your interviewers wear. Wear something similar when you start working.
No one will notice that you got your suits/shirts cut to fit you, they'll just notice that you're freakishly tall and your clothing fits. That's good. You don't want to be noticed for your clothing as a junior hire, except for people to think that you know how to dress yourself appropriately.
Basically this. I would say that how dressy RE offices are varies significantly though, so I'd wait to land a job and figure out what the dress code is before you go out and buy 5 new suits
.
Is this a joke?
Also, I can't remember the last time I wore a suit and wasn't interviewing
In San Diego you'll never see a suit wore on the regular. In fact dark jeans a v-neck T is probably more the norm.
Am I the only one bitter about the demise of West Coast suit culture? I prefer wearing suit and tie everyday. Unfortunately I break the number one rule, "do not be remembered for your clothes."
But I digress.
Not sure where you are working, but not only is every market different, but the companies within those markets are different as well.
Sell side shops will be more formal than Buy side shops.
BB firms more formal than MM and Boutique, follow me?
Here in SF CRE you can get away with any of the following:
Suit and dress shirt (no-tie) Slacks, dress shirt nice jeans and dress shirt everyone also rocks outerwear vests/jackets (patagonia, arc'teryx, columbia, etc)
But I think you're all scrubs!!!
That was my reason for asking. A buddy of mine is VP at a reputable REPE firm and he's suited daily(was never sure if it was personal pref. or standard at his firm). You guys present good points on it varying market to market which I had not thought of. I figured some may prefer suit & tie vs. laid back attire and vice versa, but was curious how we all went about forming our own office style based on pref. without over stepping boundaries.
World-domination do you still opt for your suit & tie preference even though it doesn't seem to be the "norm" in your market?
I mean, I'm in a large Southern market and I wear a suit pretty much every day. If I'm not suited I'm in a dress shirt and slacks. I get shit for being overdressed regularly, but I don't really care. For me it's a mindset issue. I wake up, I put on my suit, I go to work and make shit happen. If I wore a tshirt and jeans I'd feel much less like someone worth a shit, and if there's any kind of sales/mindfuckery in your role, that matters. Plus I was a baseball player so I'm superstitious as shit, and I've always had good results wearing a suit. The few times I've dressed down to say, nice jeans and a polo, shit just doesn't seem to go right. Again, probably a mindset issue, but if it's a mindset issue that doubles my numbers? Suit all day every day.
I do not wear a tie because none of the C-suite wear ties. Don't want to look like too much of a gunner.
BB IBanking or S&T : fleece vests are mandatory
Legit though ahah My first day on the trading floor I had a company provided vest waiting for me. not joking.
General rule of thumb for NYC: Big and corporate = suits Selling shit = suits Raising capital = suits "Boutique" but really just small and talk a big game = suits Boutique/smaller shops = business casual Principal capital = business casual Family office = business casual Interviews = suits
This is actually a pretty good summary. Not 100% of the time, but close.
It seems as though our rule of thumb is if you are on the street meeting brokers, City officials or anything like that then suit up. If we are in the office (local team is 2 - 3 guys) then its way more lax. Most days a dress shirt at least but a polo is fine even. But when we fly back to HQ meeting with colleagues its full suit again. Also depends on your role. If you are on acquisition side and seeing more people day to day you would tend to dress up more.
My office is casual - collard shirt, jeans on most days.
CBRE Investments Sales/Capital Markets. Based on the West Coast.
navy suit and horsebit loafers daily. Friday no tie and a sportshirt.
I typically try to fit in and not be noticed by higher ups so I just keep it simple: gucci loafers, bb collared shirt, slacks and a patagonia vest
I've seen some people wear H and gamo belts which is pretty douchey imho
If you do this.... kill yourself hahahah
Lol, not hating on your clothing choice. I dress similarly. But idk if I consider gucci loafers and burberry shirts flying under the radar haha.
Brooks Brothas*
I agree on the idea of suits just being easier. Similar to how SF loves T-shirts and jeans, knowing that the only choices about clothing you need to make in the morning are; white or blue shirt and grey or navy suit makes getting dressed so easy.
Got my black velvet "PLAY HARD" slippers on today, with grey jeans and a sweater. That's about what I wear every day, but it ranges from shorts/running clothes to suiting day to day.
Anyhow, when I worked for a major brokerage firm in a middle market, it was a suit every day. Tie and Jacket not necessarily on in the office, but jackets and ties on standby for any tour or meeting. ...no one cared if the suit was off the rack or not...
When I worked management for a small family ownership group I wore khakis, loafers, a polo or button down in the summer and a button down and fleece vest or sweater in the winter. Maybe a blazer when meeting with the owner. Maybe.
When I worked acquisitions for a REPE firm, I wore khakis, loafers, and a polo or button down again until I got made fun of for wearing khakis all the time so I went out and bought some jeans.
I don't know why khakis get shat on so much, I love them. I hate jeans, too constricting..
star wars socks
The Perkis system does not work with CHEATERS like Jerald Garner
Eye patches and loop earrings
NYC Brokerage/Sales - Suits (conservative) Boutique/buyside, also brokerage analysts and associates- slacks and button down shirts(maybe with a fleece vest)
Notes for junior guys:
For suits, brand does not matter as much as fit. I have had $200 jos.a.bank suits tailored to become my best looking suit. For color, navy blue, charcoal, other blue, maybe pinstripe, do not deviate.
For shirts, I have 8 dress shirts from Charles Thrwitt(sp?) which I have bought during their sales for not more than $35. *Note if you don't have to wear a suit(and hence no tie) then stock up on button collar dress shirts to be safe. Maybe more avant guard and fashion forward can get away with cutaway collars and no ties. Avoid pinpoint dress shirts either with tie or no tie. I am sure I have one or two and nobody might notice. Brooks Brothers makes good shirts as well with some sales, just don't get the old fashioned billowy ones. Look for the Milano(extra slim) and Regent(slim) cut as they should fit best, and no french cuffs for goodness sakes.
Shoes should be black and dark brown oxfords, if you know what you are doing you can opt for a formal brogue. *Note you probably don't know what you are doing. But the good news is that if you don't wear a suit brogues are fine. Here is where it comes to spending the real money. A good pair of shoes should last you 5-10 years so it is worth it to spend(not invest) on a pair of alden's, allen edwards, or a boutique shoe. Jack Irwin comes to mind and so does Paul Evans, they have single-handedly created an affordable dress shoe market made with quality material( as opposed to cole hann or johnston and murphy) just stay away from a wholecut shoe as it is a very formal and stay away from wingtips. You don't want to stand out with men's shoes.
Ties, spend money on ties. Ferragamo( is this out already?), Brooks Brothers, Yves Saint Lauren, Tie Bar. Not too thin, like 3" wide.
This was longer than I intended it to be.
Worked for a REIT now REPE....other than meetings (suit and tie) day to day in the office for both the REIT and Repe firm = dress pants/dress shirt and an occasional jacket. Also...barbour jacket or top coat in the winter.
Repe firm = dress pants/dress shirt and an occasional jacket. Also...barbour jacket or top coat in the winter.
small time east coast developer
street attire: champion hoodie, jeans, sneakers
raising $$ attire: stylish dressy pants, oxford shirt, dope sport jacket, loafers
I personally wear crocs (with the wholes throughout because I'm not some pleb) with jorts. In my area, this ensemble signifies business savvy coupled with a sense of wealth.
We found the Florida real estate guy!
Florida real estate guy here.. Can confirm. Every billionaire I've met with has been wearing something(or everything) ridiculous. Like the guy that showed up to the trade show(Vegas) in a hawaiian shirt, jorts, and crocs. But if you've got that many zeros behind your name, who gives a shit what anybody thinks. People were still trying to pull him out of our meetings just to hand him their business cards though. Fuckers. If you don't warrant a meeting with the guy, piss off and make better deals. =)
Sit non eaque nesciunt reiciendis neque. Culpa dolor fuga similique est. Qui vel architecto voluptatem delectus facere. Autem nemo tempora quibusdam maxime. Totam ut ea et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Voluptas dolor qui ut at facere dolores. Impedit vero harum fuga earum beatae et eos. Sint enim nihil iure. Dolor accusantium incidunt dolorem eius accusamus ea fuga. Maiores corporis qui sint minima consequatur praesentium. Est dolor repellendus commodi voluptas qui.
Numquam vero sit eius non qui. Distinctio quia recusandae neque. Animi sed autem aspernatur nemo est. Iusto ipsum ad dolorem pariatur et. Aut vitae vel error ratione. Illo debitis voluptatem aut nam.