Pocket square?

um, no. you'd look like a tool.

if you don't know the dress code, and it's an ibank (and not say a tech firm like google), suit and tie is never a wrong choice.

Along with that pocket tie I recommend going in with a bow tie, button down collar shirt and square toe brown loafers.

Yeah, just make sure it matches your fedora.

I would skip the pocket square. I only rock a pocket square for black tie events with my tux. When you are unsure you should always err on the conservative side

why don't you throw some suspenders, a monogrammed shirt and cufflinks in there too? Just kidding. Definitely skip the pocket square. And avoid the square toe shoes...they're just terrible.

Add some nerd cliches and nerd cliches and nerd nerd nerd cliche!

I understand his dilemma. I faced this myself a few years ago.

No pocket squares, those are reserved for the parties. Is goldman still having their holiday party this year?

Anyway, the proper accessories you are looking for are solid gold cufflinks (gold plated is fine, they know you're in college and it is internal audit afterall), and some gold teef.

Save the platinum and diamonds for banking interviews or full time opps.

Good luck!

We're about to enter a Great Depression. Don't you want a president who's already dressed for it?

All you need is a cheapo suit, cheapo tie, and cheapo shoes. I think my entire outfit cost under $200. Thats what I wore to my front office GS interview and apparently they liked it just fine. Just look nice and don't look like a dick.

lol front office. in my opinion, the days of the 'lehman handshake' are coming to an end

I don't think I'd wear one to an interview as an undergrad or MBA student, but I do often wear a white linen pocket square in the presidential fold with my suits. I think it adds a touch of class and shows a little extra effort in looking good.

what's lehman handshake?

I don't wear pocket squares to ordinary business occasions, but I do wear them to cocktail hours and social mixers. I think they are a great touch, and people (especially women) do notice the details. I think a colored, lightly patterned pocket square can really enliven an ensemble. At a minimum, I think most people that have occasions to wear suits should own at least a white linen square. It's a very versatile and traditional square, and can go with any outfit (be it a blazer, suit, or dinner jacket).

For an interview nothing to flashy. A puff or folded pocket square would be fine. However white cotton or linen would be best.

yes

Frankly, a pocket square is completely unecessary, even foppish. You will look like you pay too much attention to your clothing.

Focus on content, not clothing

less about matching color. more about complimenting. That said, materials should match (satin w/satin, cotton w/cotton). Do not go for a very similar color, as it might seem a little 'matchy matchy'.

Spice it up a little with a patterned red, purple, yellow (not ideal if you're very pale), pink (if you can pull it off). hope this helps.

a rainbow coloured one would be perfection

No. Just No.

Pocket squares are for people who were old enough to wear a fedora to work when it was part of the uniform. They're typically white.

They are also for high school kids going to prom without a boutineer (typically to match the tie).

If you are not going to prom without a date, and if you are not a 60 year old, please don't wear one.

IlliniProgrammer

No. Just No.

eh... IlliniProgrammer you consistently have great posts about banks, culture and the broader state of finance. Further, I agree that, nobody from my generation (young 20's) should wear a pocket square to work.

As a fairly well dressed individual however, I disagree regarding the appropriateness of a subtle pocket square at a party or social gathering.

I would not recommend something like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=pocket+square&espv=210&es_sm=91&source=…

but this: https://www.google.com/search?q=pocket+square&espv=210&es_sm=91&source=…

is hardly a fashion fuax pas every for a 20 year old and when done right can go a long way.

depends on the person id say

Pocket squares are for expressing individuality, and there are almost no rules when it comes to 'em. Match your tie, match your socks, match the rainbow colours you dyed your pubic hair for all anyone cares. Just don't do anything too obviously out-of-place (like a pink-and-purple pocket square at a funeral) and you'll be fine. Pocket squares aren't just for old people and hipsters.

Harvey Spector=pocket square, wide tie. Mike Ross=no pocket square, skinny tie. Boss/employee. But thats on the job.

For a party wear a friggin matching tie, pocket square, socks, and kippah.

Don't wear one.

silver

You can pull this off before you reach 60, it just "works" if you're the right type. Never match with your tie, rather add colour to your outfit.

Some awesome posts here already I would like to second.. @nontargetPSD92 said, "less about matching color. more about complimenting." and "fashion is an implicitly personal thing. " I'd really like to echo those comments as well.

Just my opinions: I believe pocket squares are one of those items that separate gentlemen from boys. But I personally wouldn't make it a regular thing. I agree that pocket squares isn't like a belt, where matching is critical. It's for an extra boost to bring your entire look that much more "formal".

I have 4 pocket squares: a white silk square, and 3 cotton with different white/gray-based patterns. I think silk is clearly more formal. I only wear it for very special/formal events, I probably could wear it more often, but I go for the cotton by default.

And here you go: http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201305/the-gq-guide-to-pocket-squar…

Pocket "squares" (I rarely have them in simply square) are for people with a sense of fashion and style. Never match your tie to your square.

I'd get some white linen/cotton for the day to day. Then maybe some colored/patterned ones.

http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201305/the-gq-guide-to-pocket-squar…

I wear them all the time, with suits and blazers. Same thing with patterned socks. IMO, if you are looking for a rule or a guide on what to wear and how to wear it, don't wear it. Develop your own sense of fashion and you will be fine.

you should totally have pocket squares. and replace the tie with a bowtie.

I like them but people would probably think you're a douche

plain white pocket square would look especially douchey- that's for a tux. at least put some effort into it if you're gonna wear one. probably not the best thing to wear to an interview and probably not the best thing to do as an analyst.

Yeah, kind of what I was expecting haha.

I wouldn't include a pocket square as part of your business attire. They are fine in otherwise though, imo

They go great with a monocle, handlebar moustache, and a top hat.

well if you are worried about looking too heterosexual, they are a good way to go

Don't wear it to an interview or just while you're monkeying around but if you have the right amount of swag a pocket square is a nice accessory.

Don't match a pocket square pattern to your tie either.

You must wear it. It's very sexy and MDs will think of you of the "analyst who has a sharp eye on fashion". You should also try out double-monk shoes with nice cuff-links.

outside of work, i am all for pocket squares. inside the office, its a simple no.