Contrasting Collar Dress Shirts

So I'm headed up to New York for the rest of the week to meet with some alumni and network. I just wanted to hear what the general consensus was on shirts with a white collars while the rest of the shirt is a different color (AKA the Gekko Shirt). Just wanted to know if it was still alright to wear.

24 Comments
 
Best Response

It can be done, it just depends on if you can pull it off. On some people who are thinner and not bulky it can come off as a little effete. Just make sure not to wear a "power tie" (ie anything with an exotic or clashing color). You should go with a tie that is on the other end of the color wheel as your shirt. Some colors are always classic such as white and pretty much anything, or blue shirt and red tie. Avoid patterns if you can as it is generally very easy to clash, but if you must never striped shirt and striped tie, and never any other stripes if your suit is.

Also, and this is something a lot of people forget,

  1. Breath mints, deodorize etc.

  2. Polish those shoes! Do once dry and once a LITTLE wet to give it that extra shine.

  3. No suspenders for the love of god. That WILL make you look like a pretentious tool.

  4. In the morning of the interview you gotta play a theme song and hulk out a bit. Personally I like Eye of The Tiger. Born to Be Wild and Welcome to the Jungle are also popular. It sounds silly but it will make you feel awesome.

That is all.

 

only wear it if you're a tool and don't want a job.

------------------------------------------------------------------ "I just want to be a monkey of average intelligence who wears a suit. I'll go to business school!"
 

The way I think about it:

If you have to ask, don't do it.

I personally don't think it's a big deal, but there are people out there who do. If your interviewer is one of them, it could hurt you.

From my point of view, as a junior banker, being well-dressed means that nobody really notices what you're wearing -- just be conservative.

 
fratling...From my point of view, as a junior banker, being well-dressed means that nobody really notices what you're wearing -- just be conservative.

This.

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 

don't wear a contrast collar. seriously.

people will be judging you and they will wonder if you are a fun guy to work with. they will wonder if you are a douchebag. the contrast collar may send a signal that you don't intend. nobody will be impressed with your collar. stick with the script and wear a white or sky blue shirt.

its the type of look that will get you laughed at. "look at that kid wearing his gekko collar. he already thinks he's a baller but he's barely 20, no job, and he can't even afford the cab ride home."

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

No contrast collars as an analyst. I don't like them regardless of level actually, but if you wear them as an analyst, you run the risk of people judging you. Especially if you gel your hair - we had an intern one summer that wore a contrast collar shirt w/ greased hair on his first day. Everyone called him Gordon for the entire summer.

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

In my opinion I think you should be more concerned with how you approach your networking/meetings/informational interviews...... Put more effort into your presentation of why they should consider hiring you...

Like said above if you have to ask then the answer is usually no.... I do have one shirt like that and wear it when it rains because it is a shirt that I don't care about getting wet....

 

Does anyone actually wear contrast collars ever? I always think people under 30 who wear them look like they're trying way too hard, or are complete douches.

Hi, Eric Stratton, rush chairman, damn glad to meet you.
 

Funny Story:

In college, I was a little naive, and wore a power tie and cufflinks during an analyst interview with BOA. I thought it would set me apart for some reason. From when we met, I could tell he was just staring at my cufflinks and my entire outfit. He was obviously judging me based on my attire from the start. The worst part was that my cufflinks had my initials etched into them (got them as a bar mitzvah gift). After I came home, my roommates started cracking up after they saw me. Needless to say, I learned my lesson and didn't get the job. Now I only wear my french cuffs and cufflinks on high holidays...

 
MeNeverSleepsi'd wear it inside out and backwards, that will leave a real impression

Kris Kross make you...

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 
krakenit's hard to pull a contrast collar shirt if you re under 40 ... I would only do it to very formal situations ... but if you like em, wear them ...

It's hard to pull at work if you're still junior, but contrast collar w/no tie is great for going out at night.

---------------------- Custom Dress Shirts
 

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The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

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