Management Consulting? And what are wardrobe expectations?

[CopperKettle]

I'm facing an abrupt career transition from academia to a new career line and my most promising lead (and my favorite so far) is coming into management consulting with a PhD. I suppose my first question is whether there are any consultants on here, and second -

I have a decent collection of sport coats and suits but never really got to wear them in the university setting, even when teaching at an established East Coast university. Of course, most careers are becoming more casual with their wardrobe requirements, but how is consulting, especially in the big 3? Is it still a suit environment, or has everything homogenized around casual slacks and a collared button down shirt?

 

[ChasingStyle]

Former consultant here, 6 years at one of the MBB.

Depends on office and industry, but as an analyst/associate, business casual for office is usually fine, and a decent blue/gray suit or two for senior client meetings. As you progress and become more senior, nicer and more suits will likely be in order. Again, heavily dependent on office and industry. Consultants doing Finance in NYC own way more suits than those in High Tech in Israel, or Retail in Rio de Janeiro.

 

[CopperKettle]

Former consultant here, 6 years at one of the MBB.

Depends on office and industry, but as an analyst/associate, business casual for office is usually fine, and a decent blue/gray suit or two for senior client meetings. As you progress and become more senior, nicer and more suits will likely be in order. Again, heavily dependent on office and industry. Consultants doing Finance in NYC own way more suits than those in High Tech in Israel, or Retail in Rio de Janeiro.

Makes sense - thank you!

 

[Concordia]

I managed to avoid strategy consulting, but one thing also to consider is abuse on the suits. Figure either lots of air travel, or 14-hour days at your desk. So durability rather than the ultimate finesse, and maybe an extra pair of trousers per suit.

But sounds like you are equipped already to get to a place you need to be able to make that decision for yourself. When you get to the office, there will likely be somebody who can share tips on how to get through the week properly.

 

[BabyBillyFreeman]

I'm an independent consultant but work closely on projects with tier 1 consultants and it varies massively on the environment; the current project I'm on is for the UK Government and it's anything goes, but suits make the civil servants and tech bros twitchy, so generally I'm in polo shirts and jeans with trainers. If I have to present at board level I'll dust off a suit. If I have to visit senior civil servants I'll wear a battered Barbour, OCBD, jeans and some Yuketen, which fits in with their general style.

As an aside I'd be wary of dressing above your pay grade, I've seen young guys get ripped to shreds for sinking £30k into a gold Rolex from their first bonus cheque, admittedly that was in a law firm, but some items can be too flashy for the environment.

 

[Isochronous]

I'm an independent consultant but work closely on projects with tier 1 consultants and it varies massively on the environment; the current project I'm on is for the UK Government and it's anything goes, but suits make the civil servants and tech bros twitchy, so generally I'm in polo shirts and jeans with trainers. If I have to present at board level I'll dust off a suit. If I have to visit senior civil servants I'll wear a battered Barbour, OCBD, jeans and some Yuketen, which fits in with their general style.

As an aside I'd be wary of dressing above your pay grade, I've seen young guys get ripped to shreds for sinking £30k into a gold Rolex from their first bonus cheque, admittedly that was in a law firm, but some items can be too flashy for the environment.

I typically find civil servants to be arrogant but low ability, so a nice suit helps establish dominion and put them in their rightful place.

 

[BigBadBernard]

There are approximately 420,000 civil servants in the UK at present, so I expect generalising about how they will respond to your specific outfit will generally be a low accuracy venture. Personally I have had very mixed experiences - some are plodding, some are brilliant - it really depends what you are doing. If it’s something important and you are capable you are less likely to meet the duffers, so just wear something smart and appropriate and don’t sweat about it overmuch.