Styling for Success, Part 1: The Basics
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m not a fashion expert (just ask anyone who has met me here in Asia).
Despite that, I’ve covered some basics on men’s fashion – but I receive many questions that an expert could answer much better than me.
Sure, your performance and interview skills matter the most in terms of breaking into the industry – but when the economy takes a turn for the worst, you need any advantage you can get. And proper dress goes a long way toward doing that.
Over the next few months, I’ll be partnering with Brass Bones Custom Tailored Shirts to create a guide to styling for success. We’ll focus on the suit and then go into shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories – but first, let’s make sure we get the basics right.
The Basics
Much of this is common sense, but it’s worth repeating because you often “forget” basic hygiene once you’re working 100 hours per week.
Disclaimer #1: This guide is meant as an informational tool. We’re not saying you need to go out and buy these specific clothes right now – rather, we’re featuring a tailor who wants to offer some free advice to bankers and prospective bankers.
Disclaimer #2: This guide is written as general advice for men in finance, but keep in mind that different firms, countries and functions have different ideas of what is appropriate. What flies at a boutique London PE firm may raise some eyebrows at Morgan Stanley in New York. Think about your own situation before you put on that shirt with contrasting collar & cuffs or gold cufflinks. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Good Health
It can be hard to eat well when you’re working Analyst / Associate hours and getting food delivered to the office every night. But, quite simply, being in shape is the best way to look competent and in control.
This is a topic we’ll be covering in more detail (including how you can lose weight while you’re working in finance), but for now check out this previous article on investment banking fitness.
Hygiene & Grooming
You know how this works: shower, shave, deodorant, brush & floss, and no stray hairs. It’s important in life and love, not just for work.
Suggestion: keep 2 sets of toiletries, 1 for home and 1 for work – you never know when you’ll have to be there overnight.
Hair
Your hair plays a prominent role in your overall appearance, so keep it neat. Since you have to show it to the world every day, find a good barber or stylist and go for regular trims. Gels and waxes can help with styling but don’t overdo it.
In general, stay away from facial hair – you might be able to get away with it depending on your office and geography, but why take the chance?
Clean Clothing & Taking Care of It
Wearing a bespoke Savile Row suit won’t matter if it’s stained, wrinkled and torn. In each section of this guide, we’ll be schooling you not only on what to wear and how to wear it, but also on how to take care of it. Ferraris need maintenance and so do your clothes.
Colors & Patterns
Most males are oblivious when it comes to matching colors or patterns – and doing it wrong can make you look like a circus clown.
Color
There’s reason why men’s clothing revolves around blues, grays and whites: they combine easily and look good on everyone. In the beginning keep your basics to combinations of these colors and you’ll be safe.
Pinks, reds, and purples are making appearances in shirts, but you need to consider your company and function first. Ties give much more room for creativity and we have devoted a section to them later in the series.
Patterns
Patterns look great when done right, but are much more difficult to manage than colors. In the beginning, just stick with one patterned item per outfit – this means matching a striped shirt with a solid suit and tie.
Once you’ve broken in your sartorial skills you can start mixing patterns.
Fit & Quality
The overriding philosophy here is to buy what is right for you and to buy quality. It doesn’t matter what the label is if it doesn’t fit you and the culture of your firm. Keep in mind that a well-made, well-tailored garment will look 10 times better and last you 10 times longer than a hasty, ill-considered purchase.
If you’re on a budget (and who isn’t these days?) buy a lower number of higher quality items rather than 10-15 of everything.
That’s all for now. Check back soon for the next installment on the biggest wardrobe item you’ll buy: the suit.
About Brass Bones
Steeped in the age-old English tradition of custom-tailoring, London-based Brass Bones gives you the luxury of distinctive 2-fold high weave cottons, handmade by tailors who have been dressing businessmen for over 20 years. Cut to your design and your measurements in a slim Jermyn Street style and finished with real mother of pearl buttons, Brass Bones provides you with the custom tailored dress shirt that is right for you.
Copyright 2008 Brass Bones. This article is copyright Brass Bones Fine Tailored Shirts and is licensed for use to Mergers & Inquisitions. Any unauthorized use / reproduction / duplication will constitute an infringement of copyright. For similar copy please contact Brass Bones.
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You can’t possibly expect interns to afford this type of stuff.
Keep in mind a fairly broad audience reads this site – there are some university students, but there are an equal number of professionals and business school students as well.
Sorry, but £55 really is not terribly much for a quality shirt, even for an intern. Being still in college myself, paying around $80 for a quality shirt does not seem very harsh.
I did think this article suffered from its brevity, but having seen the reaction M&I’s previous fashion articles provoked on WSO, I understand his appreciation for discretion as the better part of valor.