Guide: How to Dress (Men) and Common Faux Pas
Nowadays, dress codes vary across industry, across levels of seniority and across borders. Every office (and even team) has their own faux pas when it comes to attire, so I am not here to tell you which items to choose, but how to style items already chosen. Many will disagree with some of these OPINIONS, I’m sure.
Ties: A dying breed, but if one chooses to wear one, don’t tie a (double) windsor knot. This is probably controversial, but I believe they look rather seedy and have a lack of class that is more expected of a spivvy car salesman than someone working in finance.
Shoes: Being from London, I advise that ‘no brown in town’ should be followed like the bible. Additionally, steer clear of Monk straps, brogues or any shoe that isn’t either a loafer or Oxford - and when I say loafers work, don’t go and buy some Gucci horsebit ones, this isn’t the Wolf of Wall Street. Recommended shops: Church’s, Loake and Crockett and Jones (£££), but Charles Tyrwhitt, Suit Supply or Hawes and Curtis (££) would also work if the budget must. It would be better to have M&S Oxfords than Loake Monk Straps IMO.
Suit styles: Absolutely no double-breasted or black suits. While I am prone to a double-breasted blazer at a restaurant or something similar, we are not trying to stand out and get dinged on the first day of an internship. Though important, the aforementioned criteria are basically pre-requisites and if we’re even considering doing either, an office job may not be for you. More common suit disasters include tiny lapels, ridiculously short trousers and even sleeves that almost reach the knuckles. If you are a perpetrator of any of these, walk along to Jermyn Street or Savile Row and look in a shop window to see how a suit should fit.
Never done a ‘write-up’ before so forgive any errors. This is all a matter of opinion and much of it is slightly sarcastic so don’t worry if you have committed one of these heinous crimes already. Would love to hear any more opinions in the comments, and any questions anyone may have. Happy styling!
What would you prefer instead of a Windsor knot? I thought that was a pretty standard knot
It is widely done and it will not be looked down on by any means. That being said, the simple knot just looks more classic.
I thought a Windsor knot was the simple knot? It’s the only knot I know how to do and I’ve been doing it everyday since I was 4 for school
Half Windsor or a four in hand. Full Windsor is a big knot.
Half Windsor
Also, please God, have the end of your tie located roughly at the same height as the top of your trousers. It needn’t be exact, but you can look a fool if your tie hardly reaches your navel.
Apparently you’re not supposed to pull your pants and undies all the way down at the urinal?? You just use the zipper in the front of the pants…
Never heard about that one? Don’t be a clown, drop them down.
Ok then HR can shove that complaint where the sun don’t shine
You don't pee thru the pant legs?
Non target activities...
Probably a faux pas but I legit bought shoes from Clarks, so much more comfortable than Jones...
'Bootmakers since 1857' they're torturers, sadistic students of suffering.
Better to buy decent looking shoes that are comfortable than buy some fancy ones that don’t fit properly… been there, unfortunately. If they fit and look good, absolutely fine. Only thing is they will wear out more quickly 100% but if your happy to buy a new pair every coup years, then it’s no problem I guess.
And, yes, Jones shoes are a the most uncomfortable things my feet have ever had the displeasure of wearing. Bought some very casual beach loafers there just before a holiday and the blisters were ridiculous.
Disagree on brown shoes (especially if darker) but maybe that's a London thing.
I would say legitimately 85%+ of VP and higher bankers I have seen wear loafers of some kind. Oxfords are much more common with analysts/associates. Probably somewhat intentional since Ferragamos or 1953s can come off as a little flashy.
But agree overall with the advice
Thanks for the US perspective - v interesting. Interesting trend with the seniors wearing more loafers and juniors wearing more Oxfords, I guess the UK probably has a similar trend now I come to think of it. Where it diverges is probably that in the UK 1953s and alike are a lot rarer, and people usually pick those shown below, or something similar.
I get that this post is partly in jest but for anyone looking at the industry, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds where your options might be more limited, I'd add:
I've worked in this industry >10 years (always in IB and excluding any internships, etc.) and have literally never been involved in or overheard a discussion about what someone is wearing. And I do speak with MDs, staffers, etc. in "non-formal" settings about juniors, but it's about their performance, commitment, etc. In fact, I guess it did happen once when in my first year my senior analyst took me aside to tell me my shirt was really creased (which it was and there was a stupid reason).
I've no idea what style my shoes are except that they have laces, look formal, and are black or brown. Never heard of "no brown in town" but maybe I network in the wrong circles.
Almost all my suits (well, like the 3 of them) are from the same tailor who I met when I was much younger in Thailand - I kept his number and message him whenever I need a new one and it still costs like £250 for a 2-piece.
I like the post but just a few points to bring the topic down to earth - don't over-worry the topic and certainly don't let it be a barrier (M&S is more than fine and a few of my shirts are from there).
Yeah I absolutely hate these posts and really glad you replied with this or I would've.
All this obsession over faux pas is complete hogwash. I assure you, no one gives a fuck, just look presentable.
Half the bankers these days wear sneakers to work...
A lot of it is sarcastic - are you from the US?
The tie knot type, as the width of the lapels, should be chosen depending on your body type.
Agree to a certain extent, but I don’t think anyone should wear those really skinny ones, even if you have a very wide build.
On shoes, for daily wear get the cheap penny loafers (with a rubber sole) from DSW or Amazon or wherever. Then have a pair of nice shoes under the desk for whatever occasion (client meeting etc) that you think you need nice shoes for. In truth you never need nice shoes. But if you're going to have them, keep them indoors and use rubber soles for most things. Not just cheaper, more comfortable too.
the real rules:
no white collared shirts...some folks missed the memo this isn't the 80s anymore
no monk straps
don't mix/match belt/shoe colors
no black suits
no lululemon pants to a meeting (if you're wearing them i probably won't invite you, client dependent)
By the top comment do you mean Windsor shirts eg white collar and blue for the rest? If so, I second that unequivocally.
Reading this and laughing bc everyone wears crumpled up shirts w new balances/hokas to work. I cannot remember the last time someone on my floor wore a tie or a jacket. Soon people are gonna stop wearing belts and come in polos. I guess it’s a good thing because people are more measured on their output instead of how they dress, but it’s also crazy how much the standard has changed since COVID.
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