Business School Networking - What to Wear?

[galway]

I will be attending a networking event for my undergrad businsess school. In attendance will be roughly a hundred managers, recruiters, and other professionals looking to meet prospective hires. There will also be approximately a hundred students looking to make positive impressions. The irony is that I am also a hiring manager, but not in a field where I want to build a career, and the same age as most of my classmates so I am concerned about 1. Looking like I'm trying too hard, or 2. Not maximizing the potential to market myself as a professional.

The dress is business formal. Having attended somewhat similar events with other students before, I am aware of the pathetic attempt at business formal that will be the prevailing trend. My decision to be made is: dress conservatively (white shirt, button cuffs, subdued tie) or add some flare and stand out (colored shirt, bold tie, french cuffs, pocket square). My suit choices are dark charcoal or a lighter navy, both 2b.

Your thoughts?

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by galway

I will be attending a networking event for my undergrad businsess school. In attendance will be roughly a hundred managers, recruiters, and other professionals looking to meet prospective hires. There will also be approximately a hundred students looking to make positive impressions. The irony is that I am also a hiring manager, but not in a field where I want to build a career, and the same age as most of my classmates so I am concerned about 1. Looking like I'm trying too hard, or 2. Not maximizing the potential to market myself as a professional.

The dress is business formal. Having attended somewhat similar events with other students before, I am aware of the pathetic attempt at business formal that will be the prevailing trend. My decision to be made is: dress conservatively (white shirt, button cuffs, subdued tie) or add some flare and stand out (colored shirt, bold tie, french cuffs, pocket square). My suit choices are dark charcoal or a lighter navy, both 2b.

Your thoughts?

I am sure that if you show up in a solid color dark suit that fits you well, you will be far ahead of the pack. No Navy blazer and khaki slacks.

 

[Tarmac]

If it actually says business formal anywhere, you need to wear a suit. Any brown, navy, or charcoal should be fine. Black will not seem unusual

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

If it actually says business formal anywhere, you need to wear a suit. Any brown, navy, or charcoal should be fine. Black will not seem unusual

Suit with a tie.

 

[Tarmac]

yep, absolutely. suit and tie.

 

[galway]

Thanks. I assumed that it went without mentioning that I would be wearing a suit. I'm beginning to feel like going with something simple and leaving out the 'links & ps. A well-tailored suit will likely stand out enough.

 

[Tarmac]

I never understood the MBA guys who go in with cufflinks and pocket squares and suspenders. You aren't Gordon Gekko yet. But, recruiters don't seem to mind, you can probably wear those if you like.

 

[JayJay]

Suit and tie.

 

[bowtielover]

I think you have the right idea you can add french cuffs and other accesories along the way. I have always heard that you do not want to be too over dressed compared to everyone else or you will stand out like a sore thumb. If others are wearing pocket squares and things like that then it should be okay for you to do so as well.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

Originally Posted by galway

I will be attending a networking event for my undergrad businsess school. In attendance will be roughly a hundred managers, recruiters, and other professionals looking to meet prospective hires. There will also be approximately a hundred students looking to make positive impressions. The irony is that I am also a hiring manager, but not in a field where I want to build a career, and the same age as most of my classmates so I am concerned about 1. Looking like I'm trying too hard, or 2. Not maximizing the potential to market myself as a professional.

The dress is business formal. Having attended somewhat similar events with other students before, I am aware of the pathetic attempt at business formal that will be the prevailing trend. My decision to be made is: dress conservatively (white shirt, button cuffs, subdued tie) or add some flare and stand out (colored shirt, bold tie, french cuffs, pocket square). My suit choices are dark charcoal or a lighter navy, both 2b.

Your thoughts?

Do not concern yourself with 'trying to hard', it doesnt really apply hear.

I'm willing to bet that a good majority of these jobs require business formal dress, and with that in mind, its a good idea to show them right from the get go that you have the ability to fit into the culture.

So i'd go with a charcoal or navy suit (whichever looks better on you) white shirt, button cuffs, subdued tie, and if you want a white linen PS in a TV fold.

 

[Southern Beau]

Someone is hiring these days? I'd honestly be more concerned about verbal skills in a social setting and how my resume looked as opposed to worrying if I should have tied a half windsor instead of a FIH. Just wear something (suit) you feel confident in.

 

[UserNameToronto]

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

Do not concern yourself with 'trying to hard', it doesnt really apply hear.

But please watch your grammar when you slide in a resume! (here /= hear)

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

do you wear a very slim mustache?

 

[harry2quinn]

To be honest one thing to think of would be what field you're interested in.... iBanking/consulting (not that they're hiring anyway) and you would need to stay far away from the PS/links. Advertising/more hip corporate, etc - feel free to deck yourself out.

 

[TGPlastic]

Many recent MBAs I know are wearing these:

http://www.correctionscatalog.com/shopexd.asp?id=3494