My eldest starts work at the Bank of England soon. When I was his age it was smart suit, quality shoes, double cuff shirt and tie as the norm.
Don’t want to pack him off underdressed, equally he doesn’t want to stand out like an 80’s barrow boy!
Any pointers from those working in the city?
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Last edited by eletos; 1st July 2023 at 13:01.
It's all changed post COVID.
I work in the City (insurance) and see less ties now, apart from on the old guard.
Smart trousers, shirt and shoes should do him fine.
Don't listen to "no brown in town" ...
I wear smart jeans and brown boots with a white shirt and look as well dressed as many others.
Some do still wear suit, shirt, tie and black brogues, so that'd also be fine, if a little unnecessary.
Good luck!
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What did his interviewers wear? That's a good starting point.
Otherwise, can't go wrong with a suit on his first day. Can play it by ear after that.
Doesn’t his offer letter etc stipulate what work attire is?
If In doubt I would rather be over dressed than under , so suit on first day then play it by ear dependent on that.
agree with the others, i'd say suit with no tie on first day.
after that he'll probably be fine with smart trousers and shirt (esp in summer)
none of those awful pointy shoes that young men still wear though! i'd invest in a decent pair of church's brogues or similar.
I’d wear a suit on the first day but I wouldn’t spend real money. I’ve gone to chinos and a shirt in town unless client facing.
Agree with suit on day 1, then see lie of the land for days 2+. Good luck to him in his new job.
P.S. Avoid Church's, many other good brands (e.g. Trickers, Loake). (o;
Yeah, decent shoes a must, he’s flipping between tan and black. I’d go tan, he’s not sure!Originally Posted by robinsongreen68
He can’t remember!
Nope, no mention of it.
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If he's getting a decent pair of shoes remember to buy him a box of plasters.
100% I would advise him to make an effort on first day. As mentioned either suit or smart trousers/shirt/smart shoes. He’ll be meeting co-workers for the first time and first impressions count.
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Cheers, some good tips there. I’ve told him pretty much what’s been commented here, but he’s more likely to listen to others than his old fella!
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Working in the city I mainly see smart navy trousers, light blue or white shirt, polished black shoes, and navy gilet for outside wear. Bring him to Charles Tyrwhitt to get the basics for his first week and then do a return visit once he’s got a feel for how his colleagues present themselves. Definitely no need for a tie.
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Bowler hat and umbrella obviously.
Usual old bollocks on here about people caring what make of shoes you wear...
Chances are people will take more notice of Nike Airs than Church shoes.
If he is in doubt, why doesn't he contact the Bank's HR department and ask for guidance?
Showing some initiative won't count against him.
M
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Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Did he get a welcome pack or copy of the staff handbook or similar? That would contain HR stuff like dress code etc.
If not and as others have already said suit and tie on first day and see what everyone else wears. Fridays are normally dress down but what is “dress down” varies between firms.
I work by Cannon St and when in the office I wear chinos and smart shirt (no tie). Fridays I can wear smart jeans (no tears, rips, safety pins etc) polo shirt and trainers.
I’ve noticed in City hardly anyone does double cuffs or wears a tie these days.
Well that's here https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/me...f-handbook.pdf
I'm assuming he's 18 or so - hopefully OP not asking for a 30 year old! Also, presume what watch is in a different thread...
Surely safer to be slightly overdressed then under so suit and tie to begin with, after which he can remove the tie if he feels it's overkill. Full suit and tie has the potential added benefits of demonstrating he cares enough to make the effort and feeling he looks good, as that's a confidence booster in itself, way better than being underdressed.
I loved having a boss with the following rules:
Have a beard, or be clean shaven. Nothing in-between
Wear black shoes.
If you wear a shirt, wear a tie. Don't half arse.
Your belt, if you wear 1 matches your shoes.
Non compliance was met with being sent home to rectify your appearance.
You knew exactly where you stood (as a male).
Not sure female dress code could ever be that prescriptive.
What an absolute dick.
I work in private equity - standard attire is smart shirt, decent jacket if one is worn, chinos/black jeans, good quality shoes and an Apple watch. I've not seen a tie in years. I rock the boat by wearing DMs, vintage watches and formal shirts in pinks and purples plus whatever belt I feel like. Our owners couldn't give a shit - they've put £300m into us and as long as we deliver they don't care if we wear paper bags.
Yeah, I'd love that too...
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Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Whatever he wears first day they’ll all be wearing chinos and a Patagonia vest within a couple of months.
It’s the new uniform for the city.
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Sounds like a lovely guy.....
Did you have to hold your hand up to use the toilet too?
Thank god Ive retired....Never had a boss like him....Had some real plonkers though...that guy sounds like a barrel of laughs.
Some good advice here, and assuming he doesn’t start on Monday, ask him to email his employment contact and ask them.
Actually, was a great boss
You knew exactly where you stood.
Clear, explicit boundaries.
Yeah, he’s mailed his mentor, response pending! I’ve not looked at the 50+ page handbook but he assures me there is nothing about attire in there.
Got 3 weeks before he starts, so plenty of time.
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Bank of England, well they all wear a business style suit ( nothing too flashy or grand in other worlds ) and tie and leather shoes are standard.
It is very standard for males in Banks, you cant go in too casual. Bad plan
Possibly depends a bit on the role at the BoE.
But presumably a professional role, in an office setting.
If so I'd say suit and shirt, single or double cuff, Id have a tie with me just in case, and black shoes, Oxfords.
First week or two he can just go with what he wore through the recruitment process, get the lie of the land and then sort himself out. Loads of menswear shops and shoe shops around there.
Good luck to him.
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Take a walk by on a Monday and a Friday and see what other people are wearing. It’s a shame he cannot remember what the interviewer was wearing.
Hard to find people like this in the city these days
I'm an absolute grunt. If I had a job in the city though I'd dress smart, especially first day. Don't care what others are doing. Set an example.
This would do my head in ,boots ,shorts and t shirt,that’s it ,if I can’t wear shorts I ain’t turning up .
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Surely as part of the cleaning staff he'll be assigned company overalls?
Wow
Can’t find the parody of a bunch of guys all wearing Patagonia and slapping each other on the back, but this is near enough.
https://youtu.be/kdWov5fjQl0
Found it…
https://youtube.com/shorts/K3gOSnu5hk8?feature=share
Last edited by usedtobelurch; 1st July 2023 at 20:01.
Or you could try ctrl+F. Very little detail actually, except the section below. I have a number of banking clients and how they dress really depends on role. A blue suit, white shirt and black shoes it a safe bet. Some roles may expect a tie, wear one day 1. If you are overdressed, dress down the next day. Labels are unimportant but a good fit always makes you feel better about yourself.
3: Standard of Behaviour
The Bank expects a high standard of behaviour from its staff and you must comply with
instructions issued by the Bank: you are, for instance, expected to perform your duties
diligently and punctually; to behave to the public and your colleagues with courtesy and
consideration; and to present a neat and business-like appearance appropriate to your role.
Uniforms, when provided by the Bank, must be worn at all times when you are on duty
When I get new shoes I wear them around the house for a bit to get them heated up and stretched as required before the full Monty.
Phone HR. Ask. That’s what I did after getting a new job that had the possibility of office work after 10 years of working from home in joggers and t shirts.
I still rarely go into the office and chinos and a polo shirt are fine but I’d rather know for sure.
sounds like hes an adult, let him work it out for himself rather than tell people daddy dressed him :)
This! I bought 2 pairs of beautiful Church brogues and can’t wear them. They make the back of my heels bleed.
£1300 wasted
Have you tried looking at their website or their brochure (if there is one) which will likely show images of people they think should be dressed appropriately for the job?
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Dress for the job you want.....
And the watch is?
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When I get that I literally stand on the back of the heel and kick it for a while every few days
Just to break the hardness of the structure of the heel
I feel your pain
Bought my son a pair of Grensons for a new job. Took him about 4 weeks with plasters before they were okay.
Im old school and would wear a suit-shirt-tie-nice shoes every day regardless of what others were wearing and maybe if Fridays are dress down relax things a little with a blazer, flannels and a suede loafer.
You can never be over dressed bit you can certainly be under dressed.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
Wait a short distance from the place of work at start or finish time and watch what people leaving are wearing. ;-)
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
My oldest son is on the graduate program at a London bank and he is one year in and on his second rotation.
He usually wears a pair of chinos and a shirt. No need for a formal shirt either, and will typically wear a patterned shirt.
I work in central London a lot, and with colleagues in financial organisations.
I've not worn a tie in years but the junior staff do tend to do I would advise wearing one, he can always take it off and put in his pocket of he's the odd one out.
I would go pain suit, any suitable shirt and trousers. You don't want to look like a used car salesman or a scruff.
Look at the Charles Tyrwitt website and you won't go far wrong, Treasury staff seem to be exclusively dressed by them.
First impressions count and you only get one chance.
Dress in a suit,well pressed and shoes clean,a shabby suit with dirty shoes is always noticed and looks terrible.
Turn up early as well it will be noticed,you can relax a bit further on down the line but people will remember you as smart and punctual.
I know I’m nit picking but turning up early is not being punctual, the same as being late is not being punctual. Turning up on time is being punctual.
Im not saying don’t turn up early, it’s very wise move to give yourself plenty of time as you most certainly don’t want to late on your first day.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
I belive there are a few specialist tailors in Soho.
You've got to pay extra for that sort of action
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