I’ve been remote at big 4 since graduation, but soon I’m starting an IB position at a BB requiring me to be in the office 4 days/wk in NYC. I’m used to being in gym clothes and pajamas all day.
I have no idea how to shop for affordable clothes or how I should dress. How many suits do you own? How do you rotate each day?
I didn’t get a sign on bonus and don’t really want to break the bank getting clothes.
Any advice is welcome, thanks.
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You can't have it both ways. You can't say you don't want to spend money and still say you want to look nice for work. You're going to have to adjust one of those.
If you've been working for a while you should have money to buy clothes?
When Charles Tyrwitt does a 4/$200 sale go and get like 8 shirts, blue, white, blue patterns in a variety of formality levels (if you want golf shirts get those too)
Go to Cole Hahn and spend $200-$300 on a pair of shoes, take them to Fossil and get a matching belt for like $40, most of them are brown on one side and black on the other so you only need one
Formality is low right now so get one charcoal or navy suit from Suit Supply, pay for a second set of pants with the suit so it lasts longer ~$600-$750
Get at least three pairs of chinos (navy, light khaki and dark khaki) from J. Crew / Brooks Brothers / Theory / Club Monaco or where ever else for ~$100 each
If you want ties get cheap ones from Nordstrom or used designer ones off eBay and pay $5 to have them dry cleaned
That's an entire work wardrobe for >$2k, it's really not hard for guys.
Agree with above, I would also recommend Allen Edmonds before Cole Haans if you can afford. They’re more comfortable once broken in and will last a long time if you take care of them. They’re having a very good sale going on right now, and their factory seconds are early indistinguishable from the normal.
As an incoming analyst, that is what most of my wardrobe looks like. A few additional comments to include:
1. Pants: I've bought a combo of Lulu's ABC ($128) and Bonobos Weekday Warrior ($119) pants. The Lulu's are super comfortable, but I'm a little worried that they aren't formal enough for some office environments. The Bonobos are much more formal, yet still comfortable.
2. Watch: This is an interest of mine, so this might be a bit overkill, but imo a watch can really help complete one's work outfit. Without getting into the luxury segment, I'd recommend getting one of the following (or similar) with a black/white/silver/navy dial depending on your budget and personal style: Seiko SRPE55 ($275), Seiko SRPD55 ($295), Seiko SPB243 ($750), Seiko SRPE17 ($450), Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical ($575), Orient Bambino ($150), or Timex Marlin ($250). When I was in the office last summer I also saw a fair amount of Apple Watches, so you could wear one of those as well if it's more your style.
3. Undershirts: I personally need help with this section. I have a few light gray Hanes V-neck undershirts that are invisible under my dress shirts, but they are too scratchy and aren't breathable. If anyone has any recommendations please lmk
4. Polos: I'm currently in the market for two or three "nicer" solid color, slimmer fit, pique polos. I'm considering ones from Rhone, Kent Wang, Sunspel, and Peter Millar. I'd appreciate any additional recommendations or suggestions. Thanks
Check out Jockey's v neck undershirts
Side note for CT if you google 3 for 99 you'll see an ad on their website to get 3 shirts for under 100. That "deal" has been going on for years and I never pay more.
I second the above comment - literally just did this and ran up about 3k all in 2 custom suits, 3 brooks shirts, new CH and new belt
Lots of good commentary here. I'll add a few bullets/comments
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