West Coast Firms where suits aren't frowned upon?

MBA and prospective Associate here who really loves tailoring...

From my research, it appears that suits are more acceptable on the East Coast, and I know most people in SF (techbros especially) wear those stupid looking bro-vests, but I've also read that some Sr. Bankers still wear suits... (thought probably more common in SoCal?)

Are there any West Coast firms where wearing a suit ISN'T frowned upon? (at the Junior/Associate level)

This brings another topic to mind:

To the folks that "dress like everyone else" (the bro-vests, etc...) -- Do you do this because you're afraid of standing out/being an individual? (because you're afraid that your VP or MD will haze you for it)

If not, then why?

6 Comments
 

To your question, I’d imagine most guys dress like everyone else at the office because they don’t give a shit how they dress, so the default inoffensive option is fine. But this is speculation on my part.

I like to look decent but also couldn’t care less about the differences between one suit and another. And not having to wear a suit is definitely a plus in my mind (although I agree Patagonia vests look pretty mid).

 

At a slightly more formal office and there are 1-2 guys who wear suits. People think they are a bit uptight, but if they are well-tailored and you pull them off, you do you. It's out of the norm though and you will just need to own that, not looking down on people who dress in the normal way...?

People "dress like everyone else" because a dress shirt/Lulu pants are more comfortable and practical (cleaning, expense, tailoring) than a full suit. No one is going to haze you for it lmao you just might get some comments thinking you're uptight or silly. 

Some seniors wear suits for meetings but that is for the sake of meeting clients. If they are just coming into the office they will be in casual clothes and sneakers.

 

Facilis similique quasi omnis est tenetur. Pariatur esse sint quidem repellendus. Et quasi minus nostrum porro. Eius facilis pariatur deleniti laborum quia. Animi consequatur voluptatem perspiciatis inventore ipsa qui. Officiis possimus ipsam sed odio odio tempore dolores.

Libero reprehenderit dolor maxime possimus impedit necessitatibus illum. Nihil in non quos laborum necessitatibus mollitia officia. Corrupti blanditiis doloremque neque et.

Similique eum est nisi. Sint accusamus voluptas numquam consequatur culpa officia expedita. Alias reiciendis illo nam laudantium nam facilis. Quia cumque dolores eveniet totam ab et. Libero error sit voluptatem temporibus voluptatem aut est voluptas. Libero facilis distinctio repellat atque provident impedit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”