Banker shirt too cliche when workin @ IB?

[Egert]

Is wearing a blue shirt with with collar and white french cuffs too cliche, when you are a twenty something and working in investment banking? I have heard so many opposing views about this, so what does SF think? I know every banker surely has one of them in his closet, brings it out when no-one is around, tries is on in front of the mirror along with braces and dark red tie, smiles for a few minutes and then puts it back to the closet. When talking to others, he considers them a disgraceful cliche...

 

[Merlino]

This banker doesn't own one, but not because of the GG clichÃ

but because I think they're ugly.

 

[whnay.]

Don't do it, you'll look like a DB or worse - a stock trader.

 

[SimonC]

I think they're too much of a cliche in general. That said I think it depends on the culture of your firm and team - if you're all relatively young and easy going, then go for it - they'll all be in on the joke. If it's an older and / or more conservative environment then leave it well alone - they'll think your joking with them and you'll pay for it.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Not knowing how they dress in Estonia, I say go for it.

 

[Loathing]

They're not that offensive;
I see lots of striped &/or pink ones too,
on a daily basis.
If it's quite an icy blue,
I really quite like the look, actually.

 

[arirang]

Those types of shirts are nearly impossible to find in Canada, and you stick out like a sore thumb wearing them here. I have one that I trot out maybe once a year, and the Gekko jokes are sure to follow everytime.

However, they are very, very common in US mens stores and department stores. I get the sense they're more acceptable there. Do people other than GG wannabes wear them regularly in the US?

 

[mjphillips]

I worked in a big NY IB for several years and you really didn't see them that often. Probably the wrong way to call attention to oneself. And as Whnay indicated, when one did see them it was on meathead traders who don't wear ties with them because they can't button their collars. Only the real old timers wore suspenders.

 

[lenahan]

if you feel uncomfortable with it, then don't wear it. I wear them often-actually, I am wearing a light blue shirt with contrast collar and self cuffs as I type this. Really, it is up to you. The biggest mistake with them is to wear a tie which is too weak, and emphasizes the color. Make sure what ever tie you wear is either light enough or dark enough, and decorated enough to not be ignored.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Working in IB is a bit cliche, innit?

 

[Egert]

Originally Posted by mjphillips

when one did see them it was on meathead traders who don't wear ties with them because they can't button their collars.
I don't get the joke?

And why are you so harsh on the traders? Or is it because of their "kings of the universe" and "big swingin' dicks" attitude?

 

[mjphillips]

Originally Posted by Egert

I don't get the joke?

And why are you so harsh on the traders? Or is it because of their "kings of the universe" and "big swingin' dicks" attitude?

Not trying to be harsh - a bit tongue-in-cheek. A lot of traders' (alternatively - Americans) necks have horizontally outgrown their collars' buttoning point.

 

[Requiem]

Wear that shirt not more than once a month. Avoid pairing it with red tie.

 

[godofcoffee]

I don't think it's possible to wear french cuffs without looking like an idiot before you're a VP, at least.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by godofcoffee

I don't think it's possible to wear french cuffs without looking like an idiot before you're a VP, at least.