Top Business schools with no dress code or casual dress?

"Click OK to Continue" lol WHAT?!

Is there no dress code or recommended wear at these schools?

Enlighten me, brother.

"the HBS student body has finalized its sartorial transformation into the peculiar combination of waterproof boots and Burberry scarves that can only be described as “British peasant farmer couture”. As this transition takes place, it becomes clearer and clearer that despite the changing of the seasons and the passing of time, a unifying MBA dress code does exist on this campus – and understanding it is critical to your success, both within the classroom and without."

http://www.harbus.org/2013/the-mba-dress-code/

"Frank Slaughtery" HBS is black tie mandatory at all classes

Perfect. I have something in mind...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01KYMLQ0Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=15…

"Tycho Brahe" ...and GSB is black turtleneck or hooded sweatshirt mandatory at all classes.

ok cool - hoodies are chill

GSB may not have invented the turtleneck, but they were the first to realize it's potential as a tactical garment.

Choked on my coffee laughing. SB

"San Ford" I frequent the gym, and I never wear (nor do I own) cutoff t-shirts. I suggest you do the same, at whichever graduate school you choose to attend, for the sake of your networking/social life.

lol ok

"San Ford" I frequent the gym, and I never wear (nor do I own) cutoff t-shirts. I suggest you do the same, at whichever graduate school you choose to attend, for the sake of your networking/social life.

I used to do financial consulting in an A-top and skate on my Sector 9 longboard over to the company in the mornings in east village nyc in my yellow laced yellow soled vans half cabs. I was hired to design a financial model for his business, not do a fashion show for upcoming stuffy attire in the life of a businessman. My girlfriend at the time was working for the owner and I would stop by and see her in whatever kind of hippie/skater/punk attire, as I worked from home for years in NYC in the East Village for a consultancy. But anyway, one day I was visiting my girlfriend and had my computer on me and was working on a financial model and her boss saw me and asked for help. He was in PE, but these were his side businesses. I think he wanted his son to take over these businesses and sent him to Baruch or Fordham for an MBA. I can't remember which one it was, but the guy couldn't create a financial model for these businesses and I was put in an odd situation where this person who just graduated with an MBA couldn't map out a business, piece by piece, row by row. Maybe it was Baruch.

Not everyone is a pin-striped wearing banker. In fact, I had one interview where I actually didn't get the position because I dressed too formal. CFO role for tech company in silicon alley NYC. CEO said I was over dressed on 1st interview. He said I looked like a 'banker'. He used to be in banking. People were wearing 'cutoffs' in the office. They had a foosball table in the lobby and a beer keg / fridge / tap in the large room. Culture.

The thing about any company or individual, is that in order to achieve true excellence, all barriers must be broken down. I'm not saying that in order for CEOs to progress they need to meet in their underwear, but rather that clothing is an extension of ourselves, much like our skin or hair. The healthy coat of a dog or

Then, there is the question of the brand and purpose of the company. If the company is known for wearing suits, its very hard to change. The reputation of the company stands to lose if someone does not adhere to company culture. Branch bankers usually dress up in the US. I live by the beach and they even dress up where I live.

So then we now are at trust. Do I trust this branch banker to handle my money? Well, they look professional, the business name is reputable, I will give them my business. But, if a single person was wearing a hawaiian shirt and happened to be my teller, and seemed a bit drunk, would I be comfortable depositing five crisp benjamins? Maybe not. If they were all wearing hawaiian shirts and luau music was playing and some smiley dude was playing the ukulele in the corner? Man, I would think it was Hawaii Tuesday at the bank or something, I would smile and it would have made my day.

See the difference? All industries are not designed to wear cutoffs and the like. But, it is not necessary in many situations.

So think of a startup. Do they have the ability have an open dress code? Well, that depends on the business/industry. But, if you were to have one it needs to start in the initial stages of the business. Company culture is highly overlooked in the beginnings of a business and can be the invisible force that tears a business apart.

So where are you your own brand and are establishing a new track?

B-School.

For those wanting to go into IB or something suit-wearing etc, maybe dressing up might make sense, but for me, in general I have a priority system of looking for positions where it is as casual as possible.

Last year though, I did work in a position where I had to wear a tie everyday and pretty much did it for the money and felt like a dirty hooker to my cause, but everyone has a price.

"Monozilla" Are you choosing a school based on its dress code just because you can attend a class right after gym without changing?

No.

Have to get one of those bodybuilding.com shirts to let him know you came to dominate class discussion.

French cuffs? Are you f**king serious??!! Unless he's in the executive program, french cuffs is a bad idea!

"chloeface007" I dress as Velma. You know orange turtleneck, skirt & I'm prone to losing my glasses.

Chloe gets it.

It's not ground and pound if you only throw one elbow

I have been surfing around the web, and I have gotten the impression that oxford shoes are a bit too formal for college wear. Should I go for oxfords + chinos/dress pants, or go for a less formal shoe?

I personally think that you're overanalyzing everything.

You are going to look super awkward. Go get some JCrew, Bonobos, etc. casual shirt/jeans and at most wear loafers/driving shoes.

In my experience at B-School, people dressed up for the first week or two. After that, most people went pretty casual, though will however encounter a few individuals who dress quite nice most days. I echo abacab's comment to stick with casual shirts/jeans and comfortable shoes. The only time in class you will need to dress up is for presentations.

Good luck at school! Enjoy it, the two years will fly by!

It's business school not fashion school.

I'd wear t shirts, flip flops, and jeans for as long as I possibly could. you'll be in dress clothes 24/7 soon enough. the only exception would be if I had a career fair, networking event with seniors, or important meeting/presentation. otherwise, I'd go college casual. so long as the boys at MBB see you in a suit, who gives a fuck what you wear during an accounting exam?

edit: I'd also rock Hawaiian shirts and tank tops, can't get away with those after b school.

casual but not sloppy. i think i wore jeans + polos or button downs most days, except obvi during recruiting season. remember that at good schools a lot of the profs will have connections to industry, and sometimes will refer you to senior bankers/consultants/PMs/etc. if you look like a king of the hill character they're likely to overlook you.

Allen Edmonds Cap Toe Oxford or an eccentrically colored dress shoe made from exotic skin from stingray, crocodile, elephant, etc.

Get three piece and double breasted suits made for you with your name on the inside, with functional sleeves, contrasting last button, pocket squares, cufflinks, retractable bo-staff, and mirrored sunglasses.

No belt loops. Suspenders only.

Don't forget the suspenders.

Unless dressing up is truly who you are, I wouldn't waste/spend the effort, except for presentations or situations that really call for it. An elevated casual is more than fine--you're still in school, take advantage of that!