SA Best Dressing Practices
Incoming SA at a BB in NYC this summer, trying to get my fit figured out before I show up day one. Curious what people actually wear vs. what gets you clowned.
Looking for thoughts on pretty much everything:
- Suits — any go-to brands for someone just starting out? Worth doing MTM or is off-the-rack totally fine to begin with?
- Shirts — what do people actually wear? Do they need to be straight cotton or does something like &Collar (those performance/stretch ones) work fine? Trying to avoid ironing every morning if I can help it
- Shoes — what holds up and doesn't look try-hard? Oxfords vs derbies, color, brands, all of it
- Watch — what's the move for a summer? Don't wanna over- or underdo it
- Glasses — any frames that look right vs ones to stay away from?
Basically just wanna look put together and blend in without dropping a paycheck I haven't earned yet. Any info helps!
Suits - Pick up something from Suitsupply for around $600. The value is incredible for what you pay (high quality suit for under $1k), and it’s really all you need for the summer. You can get two if you want, and they’ll tailor them for free. Dark navy.
Shirts - Use the Charles Tyrwhitt multi-shirt deal. If you want a slight upgrade, Thomas Pink and Eton are awesome too, but you’ll probably need 7-10 shirts for the summer depending on how often you dry clean. Because of that, I’d recommend staying with something cheaper like Charles Tyrwhitt. No need to spend thousands on shirts. White and blue colors only.
Shoes - Loafers are fine in most offices. Just avoid crazy colors, excessive metal, or anything too flashy. Meermin is a good option.
Overall, don’t worry too much about fashion or trying to ball out on clothes or watches for your SA stint. The goal is not to stand out - either by being underdressed or overdressed.
Focus on getting the return offer first. Once you get that, then you can go on a shopping spree and upgrade the wardrobe.
For sure. Appreciate it! Curious your thoughts on like &Collar Shirts (Have a # of them) - they're more of a performance/synthetic shirt, should I be wearing more cotton or are they perfectly appropriate?
I don't know. But why risk it? Buy one or two of the standard CT shirts or any of the previously mentioned brands and feel out the office. You don’t want to be the one summer analyst in an athletic shirt if that’s not the norm. But maybe it is. Idk man, with your personality type, you might not be cut out for high finance. These are pretty simple questions that you should be able to answer yourself.
I second Suit Supply they have great options across multiple price points. Tailoring isn't free though but it is much cheaper vs. tailoring outside (subsidized by the suit)
Best Dressing Practices are the same whether you are a SA or an MD. Only nuances are on what you can afford and toning it down on the fashion-forward stuff (don't wear sockless penny loafers like you are in holiday in Puglia)
Suits: Off the rack, but tailor it. Follow classical menswear convention on business wear fit re: sleeve length, hem length, lapels etc. MTM is a bit expensive for a SA
Echoing what other user said about Charlie T shirts. All you ever need really, and you probably don't want to spend 100 bucks a pop. Keep to classic collar instead of cutaway collars, but never undo more than 1 buttons.
Maybe the Brit in me, but I prefer people to be wearing cap-toe oxfords instead of loafers with suits, but understand US is a bit less conservative with dress code.
Glasses - get some that suit your face, don't try force the horn-rimmed acetate frames if you do not have the facial shape for it.
Appreciate the input! Did not realize loafers were that acceptable (also always thought oxfords). With the shirts, I have a number of &Collar (Sport/Performance/Dri-Fit) shirts, are those acceptable or is pure cotton the norm?
If my team doesn't really ever wear suits, how important is it for me to buy a really nice suit? I'm not sure I see the point in buying a nice one for just 2 days (day 1 and presentation day).
The benefit from saving the $xyz amount by skipping a suit is poor. What are you going to do when you get some random client meeting or conference you have to attend? At minimum you'll have something to fall back on for events.
I've compiled a diagram showing suit and shoe color combinations, making it easy to see what works and what to avoid.
I'm new here so I have to break url. But I think you smart enough to assemble it yourself
https:// www. calzaturemarche. com /freebie/dress-shoe-color-cheat-sheet/
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