I've read on here before that any analysts in investment banking would look foolish wearing french cuffs and that it should be saved for associates and VP's. But what about for:
1.)Hedge funds
2.)Asset Management
3.) Consulting
4.)corporate finance
I ask because I think they're aesthetic (even with suspenders to complete the douchebag look), but understand there's a stigma of possibly looking overdressed for your role
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You would stand out in all of those jobs if you were to wear french cuffs. Just blend in and let your superiors out-dress you.
All levels in my office wear French cuffs. Where people get the idea that French cuffs are flashy is beyond me.
Your erratic bullet point formatting made my head swim
You can wear them with silk knots. I did that and no one cared. Just avoid the monogrammed Ferragamo cufflinks or anything flashy lol
Edit: Suspenders are not "aesthetic". It's a dated look and will help you lose friends quickly.
Can only wear french cuffs as a junior if you're 6'0'' or taller or else you'll be relentlessly mocked, brah.
In the UK they're pretty widespread and no-one is going to care what type of shirt you've got on.
Not in the USA
Don't look like you come from old money. And just have confidence.
If you wear nice stuff, but aren't pompous, you'll be fine.
From my AM/ IB/ Consulting experience in Western Europe they are considered normal, maybe slightly more present among the higher ranks of companies.
Here in Asia, I generally don't see anyone below VP (at least in IB/AM/HF/VC/PE) wearing french cuff shirts. At the junior level, I'd stick to buttons. Especially when not wearing a tie.
French Cuffs and Cuff Links as an Entry-Level Associate/Analyst (Originally Posted: 12/19/2017)
Starting my new role at a Tier 2 consulting firm as an entry-level analyst.
Thanks!
Hey chainsmokers, sorry about the delay, but are any of these useful:
Or maybe the following WSO members have something to say: Raimundo-Vial Darren-Zega DeloitteSandO
If those topics were completely useless, don't blame me, blame my programmers...
Bump also interested
Based on my experience:
We wear dress shirts (without cuff-links) and formal pants in the office, a jacket is fine, could work in your favor as a new entry as partners are probably judging you based on first impressions. A full-blown suit at the office is over doing it. On my first day i brought a tie in my pocket, in case I needed it but didn't use it. We don't do jeans, but some office cultures may allow it. First day, stick to the formal pants.
At the client site, it all depends on the client. Before you get staffed, it's okay to ask the manager on your project what the dress code is. Typically, in hospitals and banks you wear suits. Other places, you wear dress shirt + dress pants; always pack a jacket + tie in case you need to go to a formal meeting with a C-Suite.
The range of where we buy shirts varies. Brooks Brothers is fine, I used to buy from Jos A Bank (because I'm cheap). Some of my colleagues wear custom made shirts from like Thailand or something.
Wear the fit which suits you best. Slim fit is fine, as long as it is FORMAL and not uncomfortable. Some semi-formal slim fits, where your sleeves are rolled up, will not work and is too casual.
Make sure you ask people in your office, people 1+ year in about the specific culture.
Good luck, and congrats!
How casual you can dress heavily depends on the firm. Some practices have gone jeans friendly and most of the employees there will be in jeans/slacks with a button down or sweater in the winter (I assume you're male based on the question). Some are still slacks/suits only. Regardless, as a junior staff member, you don't want to be the most underdressed - OR the most overdressed in the office. Being overdressed is not a career boost, people will simply view you as a pompous 22 year old.
In terms of how dressed up is overdressed (again, varies by firm) - a full suit and tie in the office is probably overkill. A blazer with a button down and slacks is usually on the more dressed up end and safe. A suit without a tie is also generically safe wear for men but unnecessary for a lot of firms. At some firms, a suit without a tie might be too formal for the office, but a blazer and slacks could be appropriate. You can always wear in a suit with no tie and take off the jacket before you sit down if you insist.
The rule at a client site is that you dress like the client. Depending on the culture of your firm and the client this could mean jeans or slacks or a suit. French cuffs and a suit are definitely risking the "who is this pompus ass" territory, though you might be able to pull it off if the look is sharp, modern and understated and the client is especially formal. Few client sites require a suit nowadays. I'd own 1-2 to be safe. As noted above, ask your project manager what is expected.
Check out Suitsupply if you're in NYC. You can get a pretty decent off the rack suit for around $500 and they are very sharp, modern cuts. 50+% of MBA's own a Suitsupply suit for recruiting.
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