"Project success but don't be flashy"

I got a bunch of meetings coming up, some in a casual setting and some in a more formal setting. I was told to "dress and accessorize appropriately" and when I asked what the fork is that supposed to mean, the response was "project success but don't be flashy". So let me pose this question to the community - what does that mean in your opinion?

 
Most Helpful

Wear something that looks high quality only to people who know what high quality is supposed to look like. Basically dress nice but do not wear a patterned Ferragamo tie and Gucci loafers with a red and green strip going across the shoe.

 

Dress more formal for the formal occasion, and slightly less formal for the casual occasion. Without more context on the meeting type, who it's with, etc., it's hard to help.

This should go without saying, but you can buy nice items that are well made, and people who know/care will know.

Depending on the circumstance I'd just wear the same outfit type for each meeting, and if it's more formal, lose the tie. Keep everything else.

 

Start with the basics of "project success":

Fit: successful people are aware of how things should fit, and make the effort to find the right items.

Not like this https://media.gq.com/photos/58865066812311ff2f97de63/3:2/w_600/sean-spi…" alt="Sean Spicer projects bad fit" title="Sean Spicer projects bad fit" />

Quality fabrics/construction: even if it fits, people can spot a cheap suit with fused lining, or a shirt with thin fabric.

Fits the setting: here's where it's gotten more complicated. Back in the '80s, you could show up in a navy/charcoal suit, white shirt, conservative tie and be just fine. Dress like that at for a meeting with Peter Thiel and you will definitely leave without the deal.

My rule of thumb is to be "client + 1:" if their business casual means khakis and a buttoned-down, match that but throw on a jacket (which you can always take off.) It's on you to find out how the clients will be dressed.

Flashy: you paid top dollar for the item because your officemates would admire the size of your.... budget. Leave this stuff at home for your upcoming meetings.

 

Apparently, there are clothing consultants for aspiring hedgies :I I'd say it's funny if it was not so ridiculous.

I have a friend who lives in the country, and it's supposed to be an hour from 42nd Street. A lie! The only thing that's an hour from 42nd Street is 43rd Street!
 

I think there are a few things that we can all agree on:

  1. Get rid of the backpacks and get a briefcase instead. I know some MDs like to wear it at the office but you shouldn't do that.

  2. Get rid of tactical watches (like G-shock), and go for a clean formal dress watch with black leather straps. Don't need to be expensive but keep it formal.

  3. Get rid of sneakers even in your casual wears; instead of sneakers you can get loafer, monkstrap, espadrilles, boat shoes as your casual wear.

  4. Get rid of bulky belts with huge logos; keep it simple and clean.

  5. Get rid of hoodies and get either gray or dark brown houndstooth-patterned blazers.

  6. Get rid of torn jeans, and instead get chinos, corduory or khaki pants in neutral colors.

 

Teams like Facebook and Google don't give a damn about the color of your outfit: you're judged on the content of your code.

Large, conservative, hierarchies tend to have different norms and expect compliance as an outward sign of being a committed member of the team. If your sense of personality/self can't accommodate these expectations, you may be happier in a more free-wheeling, less conformist industry.

If that's the case, make a move, the sooner the better.

 
10xleveraged.sellout:
High quality sneakers >>> monk straps and boat shoes for casual wear. Monk straps shouldn't be worn on the weekday, nevermind the weekend... And as for boat shoes, they belong on a boat. That's about it.
'high-quality sneakers' on the weekend are for guys like aziz ansari
 

Don't wear anything that stands out too much. Keep it pragmatic, safe, and elegant. If you are not within a "luxury" rank or price range, it's often good advice to splurge on one or two items and keep the rest at your price range. The splurges, when worn, will automatically boost the rest of your clothes' value, without standing out like a sore thumb. Wearing professional clothes you can project confidence (and comfort) in without over-compensating with the flash is the way to go.

 

Very good advice. On fit, your tailor's job becomes much easier if you're starting with an off-the-rack item that was designed with you in mind and needs minimal alterations.

Brands have to make informed guesses about how to cut their designs, so an individual dress shirt may be too tight/loose in the chest/waist, even it's just right in the neck and sleeve. Unless you're on the long tail of the size distribution, there's probably something that can fit you well, so don't settle for "just ok."

 

Agree with most of the above. Of course, a lot of it has to do with fit.

Do the opposite of what finmeme accounts fetishize on Instagram…

Two quick things that you probably know, but for the sake of some who don’t (see these jacket faux pas all the time):

  • leave the bottom button open
  • unbutton when you sit down
  • if you get a new one, make sure to cut the thread holding the vent

How are the meetings going, by the way?

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 
Edifice:
How are the meetings going, by the way?
Had the first one which went well, people liked my ideas and we have a follow-up dinner coming up. However, my choice of clothes was an undiluted fail - I wore a suit sans a tie when everyone else was wearing jeans.
I have a friend who lives in the country, and it's supposed to be an hour from 42nd Street. A lie! The only thing that's an hour from 42nd Street is 43rd Street!
 
Mostly Random Dude:
Edifice:
How are the meetings going, by the way?
Had the first one which went well, people liked my ideas and we have a follow-up dinner coming up. However, my choice of clothes was an undiluted fail - I wore a suit sans a tie when everyone else was wearing jeans.
yeah because these ridiculous tryhards think that any time you grab a beer with someone you are sitting down at the Union Club with the duke of York
 

I think you probably looked great. I’m definitely in the “dress a little better than the other people there” camp. No one will fault you for looking put together, and it’ll help you remain sticky in their minds. “Mostly Random Dude ? Oh yeah, always looks sharp, and great ideas too. You can take him anywhere.” Good luck with the rest of them!

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 
Mostly Random Dude:
I got a bunch of meetings coming up, some in a casual setting and some in a more formal setting. I was told to "dress and accessorize appropriately" and when I asked what the fork is that supposed to mean, the response was "project success but don't be flashy". So let me pose this question to the community - what does that mean in your opinion?

I assume this is his way of telling you that your normal attire is kind of shitty. What are you currently wearing that’s making him say this?

 
DickFuld:
I assume this is his way of telling you that your normal attire is kind of shitty. What are you currently wearing that’s making him say this?
Usually jeans and a sweater/T depending on the season - my workplace is very casual to say the least. I try not to go down to the trashy engineer attire (hiking boots and all), but I have not worn a suit in years.
I have a friend who lives in the country, and it's supposed to be an hour from 42nd Street. A lie! The only thing that's an hour from 42nd Street is 43rd Street!
 

@Mostly Random Dude Since you're already in the industry and established, you probably already "have it" down. Depending on your persona and body-type ("athletic", "smart", "luxurious", etc.), how you express casual and formal will be different.

Looks like you went a little more formal for the first meeting. But I would rather be in a suit with guys in jeans than in jeans with men in suits.

 

Provident nisi quis cumque velit sunt. Error ipsum tempore vel accusamus. Velit dolor et cum aperiam accusantium. Deserunt optio eligendi omnis rerum. Nemo ab odio qui ut qui. Sint nisi dolor totam ut unde minus. Commodi et fugiat impedit mollitia tenetur cumque minima. Explicabo minima aut vel qui voluptatibus.

Excepturi optio amet ut itaque. Natus qui ea illum facere mollitia.

Voluptas et voluptatem autem sint nemo. Officiis modi explicabo soluta maiores quos. Et quia a reprehenderit aperiam a. Ut natus laudantium laudantium quibusdam dolores.

Sed fugiat nam qui enim rem. Earum id doloremque adipisci consectetur qui vero suscipit. Laborum consequatur fugit autem. Non maiores et qui. Non nesciunt ut quasi officia non dolores. Rerum vero animi totam eius expedita. Eveniet exercitationem tempore ducimus aut blanditiis illo.

 

Exercitationem alias et qui consequatur in doloribus. Et dolore voluptatem vel quo ut sequi ab et. Aut et non ut. Voluptatem eos iste laborum ut.

Similique deleniti nostrum facere eos nesciunt. Rerum sunt in dolores neque nobis ad sit. Harum ut porro qui. Error quia aut ullam tenetur. Magnam aut et expedita quia quos. Tenetur non ea totam a praesentium est.

Exercitationem velit quis aut at voluptates. Minus soluta exercitationem necessitatibus quisquam iure esse. Culpa aut incidunt laudantium et omnis dolore. Et corporis voluptatem beatae porro voluptates sed et. Quo quae laborum veniam illum numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”