Do a lot of bankers use men's fragrances/ deodorants/cologne?

In case you are wondering, I smell clean and nice, but I am just wondering whether it's common for male analysts/associates to use fragrances? Any brands to recommend?

35 Comments
 

i don't suggest wearing cologne to work, as most of the people you'll be working with are male anyway and i think fragrances are a distraction in the workplace. four out of five doctors recommend showering instead.

​* http://www.linkedin.com/in/numicareerconsulting
 

i hope you wear deodorant, but personally i dont wear cologne to work, usually just a few sprays of axe phoenix for me

outside of work however i am partial to acqua di gio and polo double black

 

Very impressive. I was almost certain I would see a few monkeys on here forcing some old-man brit slang and insisting that spending $280 per 10ml made to order French cologne with aged willow bark extract was the only way to go for an elegant gentleman.

Personally, I usually wear cologne... just out of habit. Plus the subway smells like shit, so its refuge from the urine/fecal matter/vomit.

Agreed. 1 spray max. Unless you're rocking a blowout, orange lobster tan, wife beater.

 

I'm surprised at the relatively positive responses given by posters currently in the industry. When I initially read thread title I was envisioning posts like, "No, all analysts/associates prefer to smell like shit - use your fucking head."

Anyway, going by nothing more than common sense, I'd hope to god you plan on wearing at least deodorant. Other than that, I don't think it really matters. Just like in the interviews, you want to be known for the quality of work you do/overall talents, not by something unimportant like how you dress or smell.

 

Well as you can see from the posts above from guys in the industry, some don't use anything, so I'd hope to God that you engage your fucking head before you engage your fucking tongue.

Further I actually shower every day so even if I don't use deodorants, I don't "smell like shit". Maybe it's different for you though so you should definitely use lots of cologne and deodorant to musk the otherwise revolting odor. You know, your supervisors will be so turned off by your odor that they won't even bother about the "quality of your work".

 

Well apparently it's not friday wherever you're located.

Seriously buddy, calm down. The first part of my post wasn't a knock against you - I was expecting a verbal onslaught from some people on the board and was simply commenting on how surprisingly different the responses turned out.

Further, I don't doubt that you frequently cleanse yourself lol, I was just stating the obvious that deodorant is an absolute must and anything further (like a few had iterated) probably doesn't matter.

 
IBDilo26386 Further, I don't doubt that you frequently cleanse yourself lol, I was just stating the obvious that deodorant is an absolute must and anything further (like a few had iterated) probably doesn't matter.

Actually, the word around Wall Street is that the original poster NEVER bathes himself.

​* http://www.linkedin.com/in/numicareerconsulting
 

...my opinion of course.

Now, I'm not saying I don't wear cologne. In fact, I wear it every day. I am saying if you're going to wear it though, I recommend perfecting the click pressure of a one-half spray.

Subtle is so underrated.

And if you don't own a bottle of Eternity, do yourself a favor and make that purchase.

 

That doesn't matter. The quality of my work is so good that my VP hovers close around me all the time even though he's clearly suffocating.

 

"I'd assume traders would have to wear cologne, after all I'm sure all that stress would induce sweat."

Indian-banker, cologne is NOT the answer to sweat. Nothing more disgusting than someone trying to cover up BO with an overload of cologne...

"It is a fine thing to be out on the hills alone. A man can hardly be a beast or a fool alone on a great mountain." - Francis Kilvert (1840-1879)

"Ce serait bien plus beau si je pouvais le dire à quelqu'un." - Samivel

-------------------- "It is a fine thing to be out on the hills alone. A man can hardly be a beast or a fool alone on a great mountain." - Francis Kilvert (1840-1879) "Ce serait bien plus beau si je pouvais le dire à quelqu'un." - Samivel
 

Just steer clear of Ron Burgundy's sex panther cologne and you should be fine. Smelling nice is always a plus, this really has nothing to do with trying to get laid at the office. Oh wait... an MD might judge you because you don't smell like shit.

Wake up people, people tend to like you if you're easy to get along with... wear cologne, do whatever you want if it helps you enjoy life.

PLEASE DONT CHANGE EXCEL SHORTCUTS!!!
 

Don't wear it in professional settings. Think about it like this: even if only 1 person out of a group of 10 that you're interviewing with, senior people you're working with, pitching a deal to, negotiating with or whatever doesn't like cologne it will affect your chances of a yes. Not many people are going to be like "f that kid, he wears cologne" (unless you've been bathing in it, then most people will outwardly say it) but you could create the slightest nearly subconscious negative perception of you.

 

not that it is weird, just not something i think about in the morning.

i could see it being "weird" depending on the scent and the amount worn, however.

just my 2 cents.

 

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