Watch/Suits/Shoes $ Range for IB summer Asso
Hi all,
I’m about to start as a Summer Asso at one of the BBs. I’m in my late 20s and come from a very different professional background (family office etc.). I wanted to get a sense of what’s considered appropriate attire for the office as I don’t want to come off the wrong way.
Watches
- $100–300K range: I have a few dress watches in this bracket, nothing flashy like RM or FPJ, but pieces like PP perpetual calendars, VC tourbillon, Franck Muller tourbillon, and a Cartier Exoskeleton Tourbillon. All are on black or brown leather straps, so unless you look closely at the dial, they don’t stand out too much.
- $30–100K range: I also own a number from VC, Franck Muller, Rolex, Piaget, Cartier, etc. These are mostly steel, gold, some are sports models (think rubber straps) and also a few less complicated dress pieces plus a full diamond dress watch (Thin vintage watch from the 1990s)
- $20–25K: I have a simple VC dress watch in this range that has a simple dial.
Which of these would be considered appropriate for daily wear in the office? Or would it be better to just go buy an apple watch?
Suits
For interviews and coffee chats, I’ve been wearing suits from Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Caruso, and Hermès. Should I pick up a few more modest options from places like SuitSupply or stick to what I have?
Shoes
I currently wear black and brown leather shoes from Hermès, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Tod’s. Any suggestions for other comfortable, professional options?
Ties
As long as it is not flashy it is fine?
Appreciate any advice.
if you've had the type of income to afford those types of watches, why are you doing a summer associate stint for IB lol
I was born with those, but I wanted to work and improve myself lol
Respectable. Challenge yourself to only wear watches or clothes that you can afford from income you've earned yourself then.
Honestly it's fine no one cares.
If you have that much money you should get high end tailored suits from Savile Row and shoes from actual shoemakers like Edward Green, G&G, Fukuda, Meccariello etc. instead of fashion brand shit.
Good advice, I'll look into those when I finish my summer. The Hermes is for my fiancé's bag quota lol
Suit-wise wise if it is within your budget, you can totally consider bespoke. Top tailors from London's Savile Row (e.g., Dege & Skinner) visit major American cities a few times per year, and those suits might last you a lifetime if you take good care of them.
Bespoke shirts can also be a very good investment. One of the best shirtmakers in the world, Turnbull and Asser, has a storefront in NYC, and their bespoke shirt starts from 560 USD per shirt (last check Feb. 2025). Bespoke shoes can also be a very good option! Shoes wrinkle around the vamp? No anymore! Top bespoke shoemakers like John Lobb and Nicholas Templeman visit NYC regularly.
I've done quite a bit of research on bespoke suits, shirts, and shoes. Happy to open a post about bespoke if there's anyone interested.
Just avoid the watches. I know some MDs will notice them and feel a type of way about you having a nicer watch than them.
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