SA's who can't dress

re: Those of you looking for last minute suits

Personally I don't judge on attire/accessories too much as long as the sa/intern dresses decent, their suit/shirt/tie fit properly, all is clean, matching, they know how to put on a tie, no "MD shirts", no fake watches, no alligator-skin scarface shoes, etc.

I usually try to give them some pointers the first day at work if I see something that might lead to them getting shit in the future. If they bought their suit at mens wearhouse I personally dont give a shit, but that's just me

How nitpicky do you guys get when judging the attire of your SA's and Interns?

 

I don't have a job nor any SA stint but I'd like to say I dress myself well. I agree with you though. I don't care where you got your suit, how much you paid, but if it doesn't fit properly I'll think less of you than someone who is fitted properly. As far as accessorizing is concerned, if common sense and discretion isn't utilized, we have a problem.

The way I see it is if you're too lazy to get your clothes to fit properly, how do I know you aren't lazy about everything else since you obviously don't care about first impressions. And unless you're out of shape, please...please have slim fitting clothes, there's nothing more disheartening than seeing someone just swallowed up in pants 2 sizes too big.

 

Ideally, nobody gives your attire a second thought because you're dressed like a respectable normal dude. It really isn't terribly hard to wake up, walk into the closet, and arrange a decent wardrobe for the day. There are so many things in life we can't control, but of what we can, what we wear is certainly near the top of the list. If some people want to buck the trend and look like fucking idiots they are more than welcome.

No SA needs to go out and drop $800 on a suit when a properly fitted $300 suit accomplishes the exact same thing. Bottom line: Just make sure your shit fits and you don't look like a member of Maroon 5.

 

A lot of people are trying to dress to impress, but I feel it's about dressing yourself for cheap and impressing with your work. I don't want to be known for having nice clothes my mommy bought me, I want to be known for producing tight work.

My drinkin' problem left today, she packed up all her bags and walked away.
 
ballmouse:
What is a "MD shirt"? Does that only apply to shirts with contrasting collars?
yes...but its more than anything a blue shirt with a white collar...and DONT wear a red tie with it if you insist on being a tough guy and wearing one
I eat success for breakfast...with skim milk
 
Best Response

When it comes to work I have learned that there is no place for any attempt at fashion/flamboyance whatsoever until your the boss and are 100% confident in your ability to pull something off.

For an intern its quite simple: Suit that fits, Blue/white shirt, tie in muted colour plain/striped, black oxford shoes (slip ons seem to be widely accepted in the states, no problem imo). No need for anything else...I dont care if the whole thing costs €150..THIS IS THE UNIFORM.

You would not turn up on the first day of military boot camp wearing Bermuda shorts and a "I rented this hooker" thsirt so dont turn up on day one of an internship wearing a skinny fit suit cropped at the ankles, a gold tie pin, and shoes so pointy they would take a spiders eye out. That really pisses me off.

 
Maherj1:
You would not turn up on the first day of military boot camp wearing Bermuda shorts and a "I rented this hooker" thsirt so dont turn up on day one of an internship wearing a skinny fit suit cropped at the ankles, a gold tie pin, and shoes so pointy they would take a spiders eye out. That really pisses me off.

???

http://www.youtube.com/embed/kq6E2hQ20wc

“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 
Maherj1:
When it comes to work I have learned that there is no place for any attempt at fashion/flamboyance whatsoever until your the boss and are 100% confident in your ability to pull something off.

For an intern its quite simple: Suit that fits, Blue/white shirt, tie in muted colour plain/striped, black oxford shoes (slip ons seem to be widely accepted in the states, no problem imo). No need for anything else...I dont care if the whole thing costs €150..THIS IS THE UNIFORM.

You would not turn up on the first day of military boot camp wearing Bermuda shorts and a "I rented this hooker" thsirt so dont turn up on day one of an internship wearing a skinny fit suit cropped at the ankles, a gold tie pin, and shoes so pointy they would take a spiders eye out. That really pisses me off.

I heard they give you the clothes in bootcamp... #nothingfits

'Before you enter... be willing to pay the price'
 

Some year ago, we had a 1yr Analyst wearing cufflinks with £ signs on a MD shirt. He was picked inmediately by sr. colleague who ridiculed him until the end of his stint. Same story with our Prada-collection analyst, brandishing the flashiest Prada accessoires/apparel... probably has a sponsoring contract or else.

Very easy, proper suit (dark blue, chaircoal), proper appearance (hair, piercings/tattoos), white/light blue shirt with no (own) initials on it (also part of the MD Shirt, perhaps), no vulgarly expensie watch (had a jr. colleague with a bulgari à la Kayne west), no pretentious ties (as an intern/jr, plain/stripes is good and leave the hermes and ferragamo for later) or accessoires (proper belt, only wedding ring, no tie-pin, and in my opinion, no hankerchief), decent black leather shoes (please, invest in these, and avoid plastic soles. If European, better).

Look, not many people care about the price tag on the clothes of a jr colleague, as long as it fits and looks appropriately dressed (not cheapy, not borrowed). Those who do care, will make themselves irrelevant after an occasional comment/joke.

What is certain, is that nobody likes a Maganing Analyst (attitude, and for the purpose of this post also includes clothing), not your fellow class or associates and, if ever seriously noticed by VP/D/MDs then make sure it is for your extraordinarily good work, not your apparel.

 

Coming from an intern, if you have one in your office who commits a faux pas, please do your best to say something to them and offer some advice. If they commit the same mistakes, go ahead and ridicule them. For people likely to browse this website, proper SA attire seems like a no-brainer. However, not everyone has the same level of knowledge.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 
AVPGuerilla:
SAs: CLIP YOUR GODDAMN SUIT VENTS. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO STAY SEWN TOGETHER That's my main pet peeve. Unclipped suit vents.

This.

I'm an intern but when I see other interns where suits( I don't have to wear one everyday) with uncliped vents I can't help but wonder. How?

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
AVPGuerilla:
SAs: CLIP YOUR GODDAMN SUIT VENTS. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO STAY SEWN TOGETHER That's my main pet peeve. Unclipped suit vents.

awesome - i think i did this...i also once wore a 4 button suit and my VP started calling it my "zoot suit"...."YO CURTIS?! Where is your zoot suit?"

I guess those were the mistakes of never doing an SA and really not knowing how to dress appropriately for a bank. It's not like was wearing one of those NBA announcer 7 button suits, but I did get some shit from my seniors. Point is I could tell them to eff off because I was putting in 100+hr weeks and we developed a good relationship because I worked hard.

Another reason I needed WSO back in 2002...

 

During my SA stint in NYC, most of my shirts/pants/ties were literally from Target. So was the pair of shoes I brought. The 1 suit I had cost me about 150. I didnt have a lot of money and couldnt drop 60-100 dollars on each shirt I wore, so I had to make due with what little funds I had access to.

No one ever said shit about it, even if they thought it (which I doubt). I made sure everything was clean and I didnt look like I just rolled out of bed each morning. Even if someone thought I was cheap or poor or whatever, I made sure it didnt matter. I worked more hours than any other intern in my group, when I spoke about my valuations, I spoke with confidence and I acted like I belonged there.

Its not a fashion show. Don't look like shit and know your stuff. If you're good and not a prick, it will show.

Yes, I got the offer.

 

I'm an SA. How do I identify myself, sartorially?

1) Square toed shoes (most important piece) 2)Oversize dress shirt 3) Undershirt; visible THROUGH dress shirt 4) 4" wide tie 5) Pleated front, turnup trousers 6) Am I forgetting anything?

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
 
streetwannabe:
I'm an SA. How do I identify myself, sartorially?

1) Square toed shoes (most important piece) 2)Oversize dress shirt 3) Undershirt; visible THROUGH dress shirt 4) 4" wide tie 5) Pleated front, turnup trousers 6) Am I forgetting anything?

Argyle socks?

I'm like one of them marriage counselors. Charge by the hour to tell some fool he needa bring some flowers home. Then charge another hour telling the bitch she oughta suck some cock every little once in a while. Keep a marriage strong like that. -Prop Joe
 
Proposition Joe:
streetwannabe:
I'm an SA. How do I identify myself, sartorially?

1) Square toed shoes (most important piece) 2)Oversize dress shirt 3) Undershirt; visible THROUGH dress shirt 4) 4" wide tie 5) Pleated front, turnup trousers 6) Am I forgetting anything?

Argyle socks?

Haha, screw off. I actually wear those. H&M pack. Idk why I do though, honestly they are hideous. Argyle anything is gruesome unless on a golf course

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
 

Tip for girls: Don't wear too tight clothes or short skirts (they should be around knee lenght, no shorter). You don't want to give a wrong impression, you want to be taken seriously for your work. Keep your style classy and formal.

 

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The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

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