I rock brown sometimes, mostly with my lightest suits when it's warmer, the no brown in town thing doesn't really apply anymore unless you're suuuuuuper old school. I can see how in the south it doesn't really matter when you've got RE and big law hardos wearing seersucker. a tailored suit with tasteful brown shoes doesn't look out of place. in other climates where it's usually cloudy, I doubt you'll see too many bourbon colored wingtips in canary wharf

 

It took me a while to jump into browns for work, but working in Europe, you get quite dashing examples of fashionable and professional combination of neat (mostly plain and uni) suits and brown shoes, mostly from Italians/Spanish. Nowadays, i mostly go for brown, gray/blue uni suit, white/blue shirt, no tie, if the setting is not too formal. Caveat,, one needs to be mindful of the situation (meetings with certain investors/clients, regulators) and dress accordingly, but this applies to most situations in life and is not news.

 
Most Helpful
  1. patagonia vests (sorry finmeme accts). as a fratboy from the south, the popularity of these surprised me a great deal. I used to only see these at oyster roasts and hunting/conservation fundraisers, usually with a flannel or brooks brothers (the other BB) underneath

  2. aggressive undercuts (super short on side, long on top, likely with enough pomade to give a katrina waterfowl PTSD)

  3. highwater pants

  4. talking about your loafers. I love the classic bit loafer and there's nothing wrong with a plain black pair, but when you start calling them DEAL SLEDS in a non-ironic way, I know you've likely never closed anything and are trying way too hard to fit in.

 

Seconded on the Patagonia vests. I don't get the ubiquity of these things. Everyone in my office got some free company swag at Thanksgiving, one item was a Patagonia vest - it is a piece of shit that ppl pay over $100 for.

I come from down in the valley, where mister when you're young, they bring you up to do like your daddy done
 
BBA18:
Seconded on the Patagonia vests. I don't get the ubiquity of these things. Everyone in my office got some free company swag at Thanksgiving, one item was a Patagonia vest - it is a piece of shit that ppl pay over $100 for.

Third the patagonia vests, they're f*cking everywhere. When did this even become a thing?

Get busy living
 

has to be within the past couple of years, thank the shows silicon valley and billions and the sun valley conference where every big hitter seems to be rocking the vest

http://fortune.com/2017/09/29/group-of-white-men-in-patagonia-vests-con…

the shitty part about this is I own vests and I enjoy wearing them, but I'm almost afraid to because of the stigma. thanks tryhards, you ruined vests for me just like you ruined loafers and fun socks

 

I'm trying to figure out what the heavy hitters will wear now that the kids are wearing them. Time was, you're right, only the big shots wore vests around the office.

I've always thought fun socks are only for consultants, so they can identify each other. Kind of like gay dudes wearing neon blue shoelaces.

IDGAF I'll wear loafers if I feel like it.

Get busy living
 
UFOinsider:
I'm trying to figure out what the heavy hitters will wear now that the kids are wearing them. Time was, you're right, only the big shots wore vests around the office.

I've always thought fun socks are only for consultants, so they can identify each other. Kind of like gay dudes wearing neon blue shoelaces.

IDGAF I'll wear loafers if I feel like it.

as a consultant who wears fun socks, i feel personally attacked

 
thebrofessor:
1. patagonia vests (sorry finmeme accts). as a fratboy from the south, the popularity of these surprised me a great deal. I used to only see these at oyster roasts and hunting/conservation fundraisers, usually with a flannel or brooks brothers (the other BB) underneath

Fratagonia vests are pretty standard in southern cities these days too

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

These only work if it's very light blue and the tie is mellow, and it's done when NOT a busy time. Kind of a playful throwback to add some flavor. But that's it. This can't ever be taken seriously again. And for the love of god spread collar only but NOT the aggressive super cutaway.

The loud dark blue / brilliant white, with obnoxious power tool tie and point collar....yeah that look is DEAD. Right up there with peak lapel.

Get busy living
 

I don't like the sneakers-with-work-clothes thing in the morning. I get it, you want to walk to work comfortably. But you're supposedly smart, so find a way to do it without looking like a clown. Plenty of cheap rubber-sole dress shoes that will be comfortable and look normal.

 

They always look tacky, and the people that wear them are usually really lame and trying to come across as cool.

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 
seville:
People who don't match the color of their belt with shoes. Saw a guy in the office with black shoes and a light brown belt. It was like a sunlight from far away. Seriously?

That's not "finance fashion" that's "not knowing fashion at all"

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Controversial

The lack of jeans and sweatshirts.

I love dressing up in a suit but maybe only 5 or 6 times a year not every-single-day.

While I understand it is "corporate culture" to wear a suit in high finance I think it is ridiculous. Only the people who are talking to clients should be in suits. The monkeys in the office should be allowed to wear jeans and sweatshirts.

I understand I will get a bunch of monkey shit from people who have been brainwashed into believing they are important because they wear a suit. But so be it.

 

In my opinion, suits and formal wear in general help to enforce a certain culture and level of professionalism at work whether you're seeing clients or not.

By your same logic, why not take it a step further with sweatpants and pajamas to the office. Whatever is comfortable right?

Also, just as a side note. I've worn suits long enough that I feel just as comfortable in them as anything else. It grows on you after a while and doesn't feel stiff and formal anymore.

 

your opinion is really good as well but I suggest you check summer seasonal fashion at a ustradeent site there is very classy apparel on a very discounted price.

https://www.apparelshopusa.com
 

I think it's less of a brainwashing and more of a culture and psychology. John T Molloy (look him up) writes a column on this and specifically addresses business casual versus sloppy dress like hoodies and ripped jeans (google dress for success column).

if I can quickly summarize, if you want to be taken seriously (by clients, bosses, colleagues), you need to take yourself seriously, and that means your appearance. maybe for you that means wearing jeans and a t shirt that's a nice fabric, not too tight, not too loose, and def not wrinkled. maybe that means a suit, but whatever it means, it means you have to be neat.

many of my clients work at large tech companies and I find myself going to their offices on occasion. even the ones who wear untucked shirts, jeans, or even more casual are always dressed neatly.

until our psychology changes, I doubt I'm convincing someone to entrust me with $10mm if I've got a 3 day beard and jeans on.

 

Belts anything. Makes $180,000 a year, can’t afford to get pants tailored. Get that shit done, and stick to your workouts.

Suspenders get a pass though, for aesthetics only.

"The strongest of all warriors are these two - Time and Patience" (Leo Tolstoy)
 

What's interesting to me is how there is a direct relationship between the "appropriateness" of a given article of clothing and the degree to which that piece of clothing restricts and binds the wearer.

The most "appropriate" or professional ensemble is a wool suit (flat front, slim fit pants of course) with a cotton shirt, tie, and sleek, Italian / English dress shoes. The shirt and suit restrict movement of the shoulders and chest, the tight pants make deep, diaphragmatic breathing more difficult and compress the genitals, the tie applies a very slight blood choke to the neck, and the shoes bind the feet and make any movement other than standing or sitting more difficult.

Clothing becomes less appropriate and more casual as you ease the restrictions and bindings. Add some stretch to the shirt or suit and your ensemble is no longer appropriate for certain business meetings. Remove the suit jacket and tie and you get "business casual". Put on shoes you can move in and comfortable pants and you're now "casual," and probably not allowed into the office.

Funny how it works that way.

 

The need to be clean-shaven in lower level positions. It obviously varies from group to group but I don't think any man in 2019 should have to have a smooth babyface everyday. Stubble and short beards should be more acceptable.

 

That patagucci Intern / Analyst look.

Bonus points if: - Dull and worn loafers - Baggy chinos - Sloppy shirt that needs ironing

I'm also a firm believer that if you're young and gonna use bit-loafers in a business setting, at least go for some with a sleeker last. Those rounded and timeless 1953 Gucci loafers look decent on 60-year old dudes, but not on guy in their 20's in a office uniform.

Go for Gucci Jordaan, Ferragamo Benford, or similar styled loafers.

 

Pretty much everything.

I train for crossfit, and whenever I beef up my workout for like 2 weeks, none of my shirts, pants or even jacket would fit.

Hate dress shoes as well especially those with hard heels. How can you run in those whenever you have to?

Feel my rigid attire is a big productivity killer.

 

Never fails that in virtually every year's of summer interns/associates/analysts, you'll spot someone or several someones who've kept the design maker label on their suit sleeve and/or hasn't freed the jacket's back vent.

Also often see younger guys forgetting to free the vent on the back of their car coats/pea coats, etc., come fall and winter.

 

Voluptates non quas temporibus perspiciatis quaerat quis occaecati. In quia animi ipsa doloremque et perferendis.

Nihil aut eum et incidunt unde. Et velit amet quos cumque.

 

Dolorum culpa ut eaque fugit dolorem ullam et. Voluptas veritatis doloribus impedit voluptate rerum aut odio. Ipsa quis consequuntur earum et et exercitationem id. Optio et dolore quibusdam dolorem nemo.

Voluptatem unde rerum debitis occaecati corrupti harum. Maxime vel nobis optio quam.

Labore sit praesentium quia consectetur et sunt quidem. Ut consequatur in nesciunt non. Dicta nisi quae dolorem eius.

Ipsam modi atque architecto fuga placeat deserunt. Molestiae quia est fugiat repudiandae fugiat molestias enim. Velit velit quia sunt similique ut perferendis.

My soul is highly leveraged
 

Nostrum autem adipisci perspiciatis quas at ratione id. Iste adipisci hic similique mollitia enim. Hic eius commodi est non et. Fugiat sit sequi quod. Ipsam quas quia voluptates sit.

Sed in culpa dolores molestiae quia consequatur iure. Expedita suscipit dolorem incidunt suscipit non. Facere temporibus error rerum blanditiis. Officiis ipsa hic error.

Consequuntur qui tempora culpa. Sed animi repellendus qui cupiditate quia excepturi dolorem.

[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Consequatur dolor quam omnis cumque. Ipsam praesentium nemo hic sit aut a. Sed perferendis minima tempore quos dolorum dolores. Vero non quis debitis reprehenderit accusamus sed neque natus.

Non dolores fugit consequatur omnis est atque. Enim repudiandae sunt ipsum ea esse eaque. Enim voluptas rem sed expedita placeat sed.

Nihil aut corrupti sunt voluptatem. Modi facere non a unde. Doloribus animi beatae at tenetur aut libero fuga. Et pariatur cumque dicta in ut et. Unde quae odit autem consequatur voluptatibus quia. Qui est eius atque fugit deleniti accusantium.

My soul is highly leveraged

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”