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New Hire Wardrobe Advice

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Apr 14, 2005 1:13 pm

I will soon be starting as a trainee with UBS here in northeastern NJ.  I have been lurking for the past couple of days and have gathered a lot of good advice from these forums.  The question of attire has been touched on, but I could use some more advice.

I have a black suit, a charcoal suit, one pair of three year old black top-seam dress shoes, a variety of white and blue colored shirts and several ties.  I figure I ought to get one lighter colored suit, some other basic colored shirts, and make some improvement with the shoes.

What else should I be thinking about?

Also, how much difference do you all think an "expensive" suit makes versus a well tailored, name brand suit?

Thank you for your input.

Anthony Holden

Apr 14, 2005 1:35 pm

Your wardrobe sounds fine.  But, if you have the $$$, I’d get a “money” suit.  You want one very nice suit for appointments or if you will be in the publics direct eye for the day!

Apr 14, 2005 1:38 pm

Regarding wardrobe at a wirehouse.



Be transparent–don’t wear something that anybody even notices.



I am 6’5" and when I was breaking in I had yet to realize that it’s
important to be willing to spend a few dollars more for a shirt with
long shirttails so that it would stay tucked into my pants as I got up
and down throughout the day.



One day my manager told me, “Come on, we’re going out.”  He took
me to a “Big and Tall” store and bought me five XLT dress shirts.



I was both embarassed and exceptionally grateful.



In the Broadway play “Chicago” there is a song called “Mr.
Cellophane.”  It’s a sad song about a guy who is never
noticed–there are times when being cellophane is not good, say when
you’re  out there trying to score.



But there is truth to the concept behind “Dress for Success” and the secret is to blend in.



You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a suit–just make sure
whatever you buy fits you well and that you hang it up when you get
home.



There was a guy in our training class who always looked great. 
After a couple of weeks it became apparent that what he was doing was
wearing sharp looking shirts and ties with only two suits.



NO BLING!

Apr 14, 2005 1:38 pm

You can’t go wrong with navy pin-stripe and grey pin-stripe. 

Apr 14, 2005 1:40 pm

and those shoes that light up when you walk.

Apr 14, 2005 2:16 pm

and get one of those belts with the lit up LCD screen where you can program in messages that flash along the length of the belt… Its hip with the homies out here… Perfect for Wall Street…

Apr 15, 2005 2:46 pm

Have two pair of high quality, COMFORTABLE shoes--one black, one either brown or cordovan. (I like Allen Edmonds.  Made in the USA, classic styling, wear like iron.)  Make sure to have a couple of decent belts that match your shoes.  Everything else said so far is pretty much on the mark.  Your clothes have to be comfortable.  Often times you'll be in them for 12-14 hours per day.  If you have facial hair, lose it.  Grow it back when you're grossing 500K.  Also, get a decent watch.  Not a Rolex or anything silly, just something that cost more than $50 and looks professional.  One more tip.  Get a nice briefcase.  Don't show up with some sorry-ass nylon thing that looks like it is holding a laptop complete with your company logo that they gave you at the end of training class.  Talk about standing out like the newbie you really are.  Again, nothing exorbinant.  Just invest $200-300 into something that looks like you're halfway for real.  And remember this line: "Fake it 'til you make it!" 

Apr 15, 2005 3:46 pm

I'm new to the business, and I think I did well with my wardrobe.

I went to some high-end shoe stores, and looked for sales.  I ended up getting a pair of brown shoes from Bally for like $200.  (I already had a black pair.)

I would sugges trying Jos A. Bank for suits.  They make high quality suits, and are a great value.  I bought two suits and two extra pairs of pants, and had them tailored for under $600!!!

Then I went to Brooks Brothers and bought a few shirts and ties.  Brooks Brothers has a deal, where it's like buy 3 shirts, and they are cheaper.  They also had ties on sale.

I suggest shopping around, more importantly than name brand clothing is, buying clothes that fit!

Will

Apr 15, 2005 4:12 pm

Johnston & Murphy shoes (shined), Brooks Brothers suits (dark blues, greys, mild pins stripes), shirts (white and blue) and ties (all pressed and clean) and a discrete Rolex. A fresh hair cut, clean and trimmed nails. All old school and you can’t go wrong. Until you can afford the above, buy the discount versions that have the same cut.

Apr 15, 2005 4:16 pm

[quote=stanwbrown]

Johnston & Murphy shoes (shined), Brooks Brothers suits (dark blues, greys, mild pins stripes), shirts (white and blue) and ties (all pressed and clean) and a discrete Rolex. A fresh hair cut, clean and trimmed nails. All old school and you can’t go wrong. Until you can afford the above, buy the discount versions that have the same cut.

[/quote]

Whew, I'm not sure if I can afford the rolex on my training salary.    A rolex, I thought I was a big spender super-sizing my meal at Wendy's last night.

Apr 15, 2005 4:25 pm

  "A rolex, I thought I was a big spender super-sizing my meal at Wendy's last night."

Until you can afford it, get yourself another sort of discrete, non-bling watch.

Apr 15, 2005 4:32 pm

 Good deal, I'll stick with the one I have for now.

Apr 15, 2005 4:39 pm

Also, I bought a really nice briefcase from Tumi.  It wasn't too expensive, $450 if I remember correctly.  It is very functional, nice nappa leather, and looks great.

Plus, Tumi has a lifetime warranty, so I don't have to worry about replacing it every year.

Apr 15, 2005 6:57 pm

And for the female brokers, basically the same advice (except with a skirt  )    Several well tailored and classic cut suits in navy, ivory or black with a crisp solid colored silk blouse. Skirt just near the knees.  Forget the crap you see those bibmos on television wearing, where if they bend down either their ass or their boobs are sticking out. Slacks in several colors also to mix and match with the suit jackets.Several pairs of classic pumps with no more than a 2 1/2 inch heel.  I buy one brand in four colors and every 4 months throw them out and buy new ones because the heels get chewed up. A small amount subdued but expensive looking jewelry.  Pale or clear fingernail polish on meduim or short nails, no fake talons.  Good makeup, not that Max Factor crap, in soft and subdued colors.  Hair cut every 3 weeks and colored (remember I'm older than dirt) when needed.  No mall hair, just a classic easy to care for style that won't look like you've been in a wind tunnel (or just fell out of bed) after 12 to 14 hours of work.

The mistakes I see are women brokers trying to be too flashy, sexy or casual.   Save that for those outings to the strip club.

Jan 19, 2008 8:07 pm

[quote=Put Trader] Regarding wardrobe at a wirehouse.



Be transparent–don’t wear something that anybody even notices.



I am 6’5" and when I was breaking in I had yet to realize that it’s

important to be willing to spend a few dollars more for a shirt with

long shirttails so that it would stay tucked into my pants as I got up

and down throughout the day.



One day my manager told me, “Come on, we’re going out.” He took

me to a “Big and Tall” store and bought me five XLT dress shirts.



I was both embarassed and exceptionally grateful.



In the Broadway play “Chicago” there is a song called “Mr.

Cellophane.” It’s a sad song about a guy who is never

noticed–there are times when being cellophane is not good, say when

you’re out there trying to score.



But there is truth to the concept behind “Dress for Success” and the secret is to blend in.



You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a suit–just make sure

whatever you buy fits you well and that you hang it up when you get

home.



There was a guy in our training class who always looked great.

After a couple of weeks it became apparent that what he was doing was

wearing sharp looking shirts and ties with only two suits.



NO BLING!



[/quote]



Que: Why are u NOT supposed t wear anything that anyone recognises?

Jan 19, 2008 11:52 pm

I would advise wearing a Brooks Brothers or Burburry suit, an Hermes tie, and Gucci loafers.

Jan 20, 2008 7:52 am

I am young (mid 20’s) and hence think traditional is the best way to go so I always wear dark suits with striped ties.  The tie makes the man and I have 20 (gives me a lot of variety) all of which are striped and are good quality (purchase at either brooks brothers or mens warehouse).

I have a dark gray pinstripe suit from 2 button Brooks Brothers for the “big days”, a 3 button navy pinstripe suit from jones new york, a 2 button charcoal hugo boss suit and another 3 button navy J&F suit from mens warehouse.

 I also have two navy blazers for Fridays (I always wear a tie) one from brooks brothers with gold buttons and one from MWH with dark buttons.



I usally wear a white dress shirt but I also mix in a few different shades of blue and several different striped shirts usually white with blue or gold stripes, a few are blue with white or gray stripes.

Then 1 pair of brown dress shoes and 2 pairs of black. I also have 2 reversible belts one with a gold buckle and one with silver. My watch is a Bulova (nice watch but much cheaper the a rolex and still classy) it is silver and gold.

Mar 4, 2008 5:27 pm

Brooks Brothers non-iron dress shirts, always. If you buy their shirts you should buy their ties since they complement there shirts extremely well. These shirts are amazing, and in my opinion the best there is.

I agree with the “money suit” idea. No need for you to need more then one at an early stage (two tops). It’s all a matter of opinion, but a high quality designer suit: Brooks Brothers, Armani, Gucci. I’m partial to Brooks Brothers.

A Brooks Brother suit runs about $1000 plus tailoring.

I used to tell myself, “why spend so much, I can barley tell the difference between a $500 and a $1000 suit.” However, being young you don’t notice as easily, but a client/prospect who has been in the business would for a while. They will notice.