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Cufflinks for entry level job

post #1 of 17
2/23/04 at 2:49am
Thread Starter 
Hi friends, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first Jantzen shirt (it has been sent out) and plan to order more -- I am in the process of stocking up on dress shirts for my first job. It is in an internal department (no external client contact) of an investment bank in New York. I expect everyone to be wearing shirts and slacks/chinos. No tie, no blazer, no suit. Being the youngest and most junior staff there, would it be appropriate to wear cufflinks? I'm thinking about plain, square, silver ones. I don't want all my nice Jantzen shirts "wasted" because they do not have cufflinks, but on the other hand, I don't want people to think I am a smartass type of person. Do you prefer cufflinks, or do you think there there is some value in the understatement of barrel cuffs? Thank you very much for your advice.
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post #2 of 17
2/23/04 at 3:03am
If it turns out that cufflinks are too dressy for the job, I'd suggest wearing the silk knots instead. Either match the shirt color if the environment is really casual, or choose a contrasting color if it is a bit more fashion-forward.
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post #3 of 17
2/23/04 at 7:13am
Hi Gregory. I do not think people will think you are a smart ass for wearing cufflinks. Indeed you will probably get compliments for wearing them and you DO NOT have to wear them with a tie. I much prefer cufflinks to barrel cuff shirts. I do not own any barrel cuff shirts. As Versace Man says you also have the option of silk knots. But I think your silver links will be just fine. Stuart
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post #4 of 17
2/23/04 at 1:51pm
gregory> I am also entry level worker (I work at financial institution) and I also wear Jantzen shirts everyday. Usually, I use silk knot cuff link. However, I would perfer non-french cuff shirts because I am only a junior worker in my office.
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post #5 of 17
2/23/04 at 2:25pm
It's a shame we have to debate whether it's okay to look stylish or not as to not piss off upper level colleagues, isn't it? I work in a non-conservative industry and if one of the folks at a junior level wore stylish clothes (which they do), I'd be pleased. I suppose I'm one of those bosses that remarks at new shoes, ties, suits, shirts, etc. that my employees wear. But in a conservative environment, you never do know, of course. I'd say, that if you're going to wear double-cuffed shirts, then go with an elegantly understated cufflink (either metal or silk knots). Stay away from Paul Smith cars or naked ladies, etc. And not to sound too patronizing, but I appreciate it when the younger staff take some pride in their appearance.
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post #6 of 17
2/23/04 at 4:21pm
Another option as a last resort so your shirts don't go to waste is to take two good, large MOP buttons (maybe some from an old shirt or the extras that are sewn on, etc) and sew them together with a length of thread, making a pair of "button links" that look to the casual observer just like a button cuff. It would definitely suck to have to dress down for a job but it sucks more to not have one because you won't follow the rules of the office.
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post #7 of 17
2/23/04 at 6:44pm
J's idea is quite effective, as I had to do this some years ago. It was actually mentioned to me by a fellow employee who was also doing the same thing. If anyone had caught on, we did not know, as nothing was ever mentioned by any of the other employees.
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post #8 of 17
2/23/04 at 10:28pm
If you are working with I-Banking be it an internship, junior anaylst position or what not then there is no reason not to wear cufflinks. I just started a junior analyst position this past fall so I don't have much contact with clients either but I dress just like the old timers, well maybe not in the same price range. Tateossian has some great cufflinks, I think he was a banker himself before turning into a desginer...
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post #9 of 17
2/24/04 at 12:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Another option as a last resort so your shirts don't go to waste is to take two good, large MOP buttons (maybe some from an old shirt or the extras that are sewn on, etc) and sew them together with a length of thread, making a pair of "button links" that look to the casual observer just like a button cuff.
This is an absolutely fascinating idea. But won't the cuffs still be obvious because they are held together back-to-back versus one flap overlapping the other in the case of barrel cuffs?
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post #10 of 17
2/24/04 at 1:21am
Quote:
Quote:
Another option as a last resort so your shirts don't go to waste is to take two good, large MOP buttons (maybe some from an old shirt or the extras that are sewn on, etc) and sew them together with a length of thread, making a pair of "button links" that look to the casual observer just like a button cuff.
This is an absolutely fascinating idea. But won't the cuffs still be obvious because they are held together back-to-back versus one flap overlapping the other in the case of barrel cuffs?
I personally Think this idea is quite tacky. It spoils the look of the French cuff shirts in my book. Might as well wear a barrel cuff shirt and be done with it. Hell would have to freeze over before Iwould where a French cuff shirt like that. Much better with your plain silver links or silk knots. Stuart
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post #11 of 17
2/24/04 at 5:58am
Quote:
This is an absolutely fascinating idea. But won't the cuffs still be obvious because they are held together back-to-back versus one flap overlapping the other in the case of barrel cuffs?
Well, yes. But you can (as in it is possible to, not necessarily permissible to) roll the cuff with the affixed button-ma-jig around like a barrel cuff and button it that way, making it look even more like a barrel cuff. I agree the idea of the button-ma-jig seems odd and possibly distasteful, but it is more distasteful to me to have good shirts rotting in the closet for want of venue. Strangely this topic came up just as I was looking over my cufflink collection the other day and wishing I had some links that just looked like buttons, though maybe oversized a little. If any link makers are out there reading I want some that are one slightly larger than normal MOP button connected with a chain to a normal size MOP button.
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post #12 of 17
2/28/04 at 5:24pm
Quote:
Hi friends, I I expect everyone to be wearing shirts and slacks/chinos. No tie, no blazer, no suit. Being the youngest and most junior staff there, would it be appropriate to wear cufflinks? I'm thinking about plain, square, silver ones. I don't want all my nice Jantzen shirts "wasted" because they do not have cufflinks, but on the other hand, I don't want people to think I am a smartass type of person. Do you prefer cufflinks, or do you think there there is some value in the understatement of barrel cuffs? Thank you very much for your advice.
Hi Gregory. What did you decide after reading all our 10 cents worth. Stuart
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post #13 of 17
2/28/04 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Quote:
Hi friends, I I expect everyone to be wearing shirts and slacks/chinos. No tie, no blazer, no suit. Being the youngest and most junior staff there, would it be appropriate to wear cufflinks? I'm thinking about plain, square, silver ones. I don't want all my nice Jantzen shirts "wasted" because they do not have cufflinks, but on the other hand, I don't want people to think I am a smartass type of person. Do you prefer cufflinks, or do you think there there is some value in the understatement of barrel cuffs? Thank you very much for your advice.
Hi Gregory. What did you decide after reading all our 10 cents worth. Stuart
Well, as some of you know, the first Jantzen shirt I ordered has just arrived, and it has barrel cuffs. Tonight, I will be ordering five more shirts from Jantzen, making changes to sizing that the learned gentlemen of this board have suggested. I will be ordering all with french cuffs (with a mixture of wide spread, Italian spread and British spread collars). I think for the first week in my office, I will wear only barrel cuff shirts. Then, I will slowly transition into wearing silk knots periodically. The long-term goal is to wear a mixture of silk knots and silver cufflinks. This will minimize the shocking effects of a well-dressed junior staff Do you think this is a viable strategy?
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post #14 of 17
2/28/04 at 5:35pm
Dress as well as the best-dressed guy in the office or better. Anyone who laughs does so because at heart they are a style-deficient slob. My initial impression of an entry level guy who comes in wearing a nice french-cuffed shirt, crisply pressed slacks and nicely polished, high quality shoes would be "Sharp Kid". ...and polo shirt and Khaki's would make me think "Still living at the frat house?". Being underdressed is never pleasant, being the sharp dresser in the office is never a bad thing - when they start considering people for client facing roles their is an AUTOMATIC, even if only subconsciously asked question of "Do I want this guy representing us to the public?"... sharp dressers start way ahead when that question is asked.
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post #15 of 17
2/28/04 at 5:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Being underdressed is never pleasant, being the sharp dresser in the office is never a bad thing - when they start considering people for client facing roles their is an AUTOMATIC, even if only subconsciously asked question of "Do I want this guy representing us to the public?"... sharp dressers start way ahead when that question is asked.
I am listening intently It is my long-term goal to have a client-facing role.
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