smart clothes for work

Are you applying for a junior role/support position? Can't fathom how someone applying for a consultant role at a top city firm needs to go onto an internet forum to ask what to wear?!?
 
GSXRMovistar said:
Are you applying for a junior role/support position? Can't fathom how someone applying for a consultant role at a top city firm needs to go onto an internet forum to ask what to wear?!?
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Okay, this is the first time I'll be working in a consultancy and really I was asking for advice on how much smart clothing i realistically need to buy to fit in. I already fathomed that I am expected to wear very smart clothes, as everyone was wearing at least a shirt and tie.
 
I only ever wear a suit for work if I've got an offsite meeting. It's all smart-casual round here, even the senior consultants only wear suits for client meetings. Normal wear is chinos from Gap and a shirt, with a jumper if it's cold.

I've not work a tie to work since about 2002.
 
I've got loads of suits but to be honest I wear an off the peg black suit 90% of the time and rotate the shirts - not wasting my good suits on work. Not mandatory it's just good practise, even when I work from home I wear work clothes - it's about state of mind, business clothes = business mindset.

It's how I can remain so relaxed outside of work, my personality in work is miles away from outside.

Often wear short sleeves in the summer though with no jacket, a dry short sleeved shirt is better than a long sleeve shirt with pit stains.
 
fretted said:
Okay, this is the first time I'll be working in a consultancy and really I was asking for advice on how much smart clothing i realistically need to buy to fit in. I already fathomed that I am expected to wear very smart clothes, as everyone was wearing at least a shirt and tie.
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Just one suit but get two pairs of trousers for it. Budget, depends on what you like and how long you want it to last.

Get a nice selection of shirts. Look to spend about £200 on 10 decent shirts, via the numerous offers from places like TM Lewin, etc.

The shirts, if decent quality, will last for 5+ years if you look after them.

I've only ever had one suit at a time, and now haven't worn suit for 12 years, and I've been in jeans and t-shirts for the last 5 or 6.
 
I've worked in an office for nearly 20 years and only for the interview and first week or two do I wear a suit (apart from for meetings etc).

I don't even wear a tie, although I always have a selection in my drawer in case the need arises. I do miss wearing a tie as I think it looks smart, I'm just too lazy to bother, plus it is so warm at my desk that I'm always warm.

I just wear smart black suit trousers, smart shirt and smart shoes. Keeps things simple. I'll always have a couple of suits ready to go though.
 
Bit of a silly question which is completely subjective.

Would you be happy to wear the same shirt in the same week? If no, buy 5 shirts.

Would you be happy to wear the same shirt within 2 weeks? If no, buy 10 shirts

We could continue this trend with suits, shirts, ties, shoes whatever.....

As for how much money you'll need? Well again, subjective. On one hand you could shop at Primark and on the other Savile Row.
 
Mr^B said:
Just one suit but get two pairs of trousers for it. Budget, depends on what you like and how long you want it to last.

Get a nice selection of shirts. Look to spend about £200 on 10 decent shirts, via the numerous offers from places like TM Lewin, etc.

The shirts, if decent quality, will last for 5+ years if you look after them.

I've only ever had one suit at a time, and now haven't worn suit for 12 years, and I've been in jeans and t-shirts for the last 5 or 6.
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I buy 5 TM Lewins a year and find they get a bit tatty by the end of it.
But that is constant use throughout the year though
 
10 shirts is a good start. Be sure to buy a mix of white, coloured, and striped. You don't want to look the same every day. If you're young, you can get away with one suit jacket and 2 or 3 trousers.

You'll likely want to keep a travel case packed with a change of clothing.
 
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