Shoes for first year analyst IB

Hi, I was wondering what style of shoes are acceptable for a first year analyst up till associate. Im currently finishing up college and own mostly driving loafers and boots that i used through out college etc. What would be appropriate?

60 Comments
 

Get started with a pair of black Oxford if you're new to the game. Nordstrom is having an Anniversary Sale so you can get the staple Allen Edmonds Park Avenue at like $275, which is a real steal.

 
Best Response

I used to work in a shoe store while I did my undergrad, so I'm coming at this more from a retailer's POV than a banker's, but my one piece of advice would be: don't be afraid to spend a bit more than you otherwise would. Get a pair of plain cap-toe oxfords/balmorals but- and this is the crucial bit- make sure you get a pair that are goodyear welted.

In terms of brands, Allen Edmonds are pretty good, but if you want to push the boat out then go for Crockett and Jones or Alden. They'll run to maybe $480-600 (I'm in the UK, you'll pay £360-450 for that level here). The quality of leather is better, which means they don't look ratty after you've worn them for a few months if you polish them regularly, and the goodyear welted construction means you can get them repaired over and over again. They'll last much longer than a cheaper blake-stitched or glued-sole pair, and they also (IMO) look nicer. On a cost-per-wear basis, they come out cheaper.

Oh yeah, and use shoe trees. It's the one simplest thing you can do to make them last longer. Seriously. There was a reason I always upsold them in my job at the shoe place, and it's not (only) because I was on commission. Although I was on commission.

 

Harvard needs to create a course "Sh*t that normal people wear", otherwise all ivy league kids keep coming here asking for advice on what color their socks should be.

You killed the Greece spread goes up, spread goes down, from Wall Street they all play like a freak, Goldman Sachs 'o beat.
 

Get over to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and grab AE Park Aves. You can also go into an AE store and while a student can get Park Aves / Strands / McAllister + matching belt + shoe tree for $350! This isn't a short time sale either, been doing it for about a year.

Depending on your office you will want some loafers as well (if you are not wearing a tie). Nordy has some on sale right now too.

 

First year analyst. I own 3 pairs of shoes: - Dark Brown Weltline Loafers from Rancourt - Black Plain Captoe Oxfords from Kent Wang (Same price as Allen Edmonds, but with a little better construction and more modern shape) - Dark Brown Allen Edmonds boots that I wear on casual Fridays

 

I don't normally chime in on fashion posts but those loafers are not appropriate for suits unless you work in the fashion industry. The first and last shoes are good, I may actually pick up a pair of those last ones myself.

I'm not the end all and be all of fashion by any means, but when it comes to loafers and suits I like these http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/santoni-tristan-penny-loafer-men/3794215?cm… and that general loafer style for suits.

 

Agree w/ the above posters. Maybe the last pair are passable, but the rest are too much like drivers. You need either a laceless Alden type loafer in black, or the Gucci horsebit type loafers as the riskiest. Otherwise you can always go safe with black lace ups.

If you want brown lace ups, I'd go with Allen Edmonds for the cheapest of the nicer/acceptable types. After that you're looking at John Lobb, Church's etc. & it doesn't sound like you're looking to spend that much.

Full disclosure: I don't work on Wall Street but have spent enough time around the culture to pick up on these things.

Black lace ups are the safest all around.

"Where is Knight?"
 

I would never pay that much for a shoe with a rubber sole. Not to get off topic but in general nobody is going to care what brands your wearing as long as your in dress code and get your job done.

 

Depends on what you'll be using them for. If for the office: never buy loafers, only laces will do, and square-toed shoes don't look good.

If not for the office, these shoes still suck. They have rubber soles and priced WAY too high. Considering you could pick up a pair of Allen Edmonds for ~$200+ and end up with a pair that's 1000000x better, I wouldn't get these.

 

I just took a raging loafer and I will sell it to you for a lot less than that.

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 

Atque voluptatum consequatur quidem laboriosam consequatur excepturi. Ratione ea esse voluptas nobis architecto at. Illo veritatis fugiat deserunt laborum non. Eaque est quod doloremque excepturi.

Quia labore harum iste sit consequuntur non qui possimus. Voluptas sed doloribus eos et nihil aliquam. Et assumenda et odio neque est optio perferendis.

Ut delectus facere accusamus temporibus officiis. Quia dolore aliquid voluptate delectus.

Et excepturi ut voluptate est ut dolorem. Qui deleniti ut debitis aperiam laboriosam dolores numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”