Investment Banker/Private Equity work and casual attire

[oilgasBF]

I have been going through this website for a few weeks now and getting somewhat of a start up closet for my profession I'm beginning in a few weeks time.

I have read al ot of post about the IB work attire but those posts are back in 2010 time frame.

Would anyone take the time on helping me build my closet and what to wear for this profession and life style?

The job will be in Dallas TX and not NYC.

I have about $5,000 budgeted for both the business side and for the night life scene as well.

Any pointers or run downs on brands, colors, types, ect would be greatly appreciated.

 

[aravenel]

Night life scene? You're going to be working 100 hours a week, your nightlife scene is going to be Excel in your cube.

As for what you wear to work, I will point you here:

http://www.styleforum.net/a/how-should-i-start-my-business-wardrobe

Only you can answer how formal the office is, i.e. whether you will wear suits every day.

Also, just because those threads are from 2010 doesn't make them any less relevant.

 

[oilgasBF]

Thank you.

Although I will be working alot. My office, apartment, and the main bars in uptown are all in a 2 mile radius. So I will be able to hit some night like along the way

 

[Willin]



Thank you.

Although I will be working alot. My office, apartment, and the main bars in uptown are all in a 2 mile radius. So I will be able to hit some night like along the way

Protip - keep a spare clean white/blue shirt and tie in your desk in case you strike it rich at night and don't make it home before work beckons the next day.

Come to think of it you should make it a blue shirt because in the event that you have a long night and show up hungover the next day the white shirt is only going to enhance your paleness.

 

[bourbonbasted]

Wear something that doesn't show dip and coffee stains.

Also, as a general piece of life advice, never use acronyms like "IB," "PE," or "M&A" in real life.

 

[asdf]



Also, as a general piece of life advice, never use acronyms like "IB," "PE," or "M&A" in real life.

Or "i-banking." Shudder.


As for attire, cities are drastically different these days. Offices in NYC, Toronto, and London remain generally the most formal (although New York is starting to slip.) Houston and San Francisco, in my experience, are VERY casual... No experience in Dallas. It, of course, varies by firm and by group as well.

 

[jrd617]



Night life scene? You're going to be working 100 hours a week, your nightlife scene is going to be Excel in your cube.

 

[jrd617]



Wear something that doesn't show dip and coffee stains.

Also, as a general piece of life advice, never use acronyms like "IB," "PE," or "M&A" in real life.

so true

 

[Flake]



Thank you.

Although I will be working alot. My office, apartment, and the main bars in uptown are all in a 2 mile radius. So I will be able to hit some night like along the way

Unless you are speaking to an Alot, I would add a space after the a. (google: alot hyperbole and a half for reference)

Seriously, in Houston today. Firms here are very relaxed for dress. Don't know about Dallas.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]



Wear something that doesn't show dip and coffee stains.

Also, as a general piece of life advice, never use acronyms like "IB," "PE," or "M&A" in real life.

Why? IB I can sorta get, but PE and M&A (especially) are very common acronyms, that even regular business magazines often use.

 

[jrd617]



Why? IB I can sorta get, but PE and M&A (especially) are very common acronyms, that even regular business magazines often use.

Because it makes you sound like a giant doucher.

 

[Grammaton Cleric]



Because it makes you sound like a giant doucher.

Oh right, saying commonly used finance terms makes one a douche. And, lest the kids forget, all people who work on Wall Street are evil!

 

[chogall]



Or "i-banking." Shudder.


As for attire, cities are drastically different these days. Offices in NYC, Toronto, and London remain generally the most formal (although New York is starting to slip.) Houston and San Francisco, in my experience, are VERY casual... No experience in Dallas. It, of course, varies by firm and by group as well.

Button down with slacks and north face fleece vest/jacket is already pretty formal for SF, especially compared to the urban woodsmen/startup douchebags from SOMA or Mission.

Regardless, you need two suits for road shows and client meetings.

p.s., you should worry about your job security if you have a night life as a first year analyst.

 

[jrd617]



Oh right, saying commonly used finance terms makes one a douche. And, lest the kids forget, all people who work on Wall Street are evil!

not evil; douchey

 

[bourbonbasted]



Why? IB I can sorta get, but PE and M&A (especially) are very common acronyms, that even regular business magazines often use.

I've never met anyone that abbreviates their job/position that has been a person I'd like to spend any extended period of time with. To my thinking, the same guy that brags about being in "PE" will also abbreviate the name of his boutique firm that no one has ever heard of. Experience is my only real guide for that statement.

Not being in finance myself, I suppose it's a bit more annoying to me. However, all my most successful finance and banking friends say they are either in finance or banking. If someone wants to know more then they'll tell them. But coming out of the gate with abbreviations is a bit douchey (at least IMO).