Banker Gentlemen

A Guide to Dressing for the Bankers

​Many organizations have understood the importance of grooming and have used it to their advantage. Almost every professional takes extra care when getting ready for a job interview. However many, be it the employees or the organizations, either take a very superficial approach or completely ignore the importance of dressing and its role in ensuring success in their day to day struggle.

​While we run interactive workshops on “Dressing to Succeed”, to help organizations explore this important aspect, the purpose of this blog is to touch upon certain important aspects of dressing specifically for the Banking Community.   

​UBS Bank has issued a 21 page dress code guideline to their bankers. It is not just the guideline but a compliance note for the senior management. The document starts with UBS explaining the need of such a dress code. It tells that the reputation is their biggest asset and one of the important aspect of reputation is behavior and “impeccable presentation”. Clothing help achieve this as “Critical Nonverbal Communication” tools. The document not only details what to wear but how to wear.
Bankers, in their professional roles, have to exude the following traits to the external stakeholders, namely their clients, current or future-
Bankers, in their professional roles, have to exude the following traits to the external stakeholders, namely their clients, current or future-

- Sense of security for their clients’ money

- Assurance that they take the right decisions to grow their assets

- Integrity & Ethics required to never cross the fine line that exists between honest and bad money

- Knowledge & updated information on the latest investment opportunities     that comes with traveling, networking & attending money making seminar &   conferences

- Professional Capability of taking timely action

​Now imagine a banker, in an ill fitted loose-hanging trousers, sweaty shirt with a backpack, worn out shoes and disheveled hair as if the gentleman had taken a public bus and struggled his way to meet you (You should also read more on Suit Mistakes Men Should Avoid).
On the other hand, you happen to meet a banker who dons fitted suit, neatly combed hair and who visits you with a smart leather portfolio bag and takes out his proposal papers from a well-organized folder.
​Assuming that every part of the offering which these two bankers remains same, who do you think, you will give your business or at least spare your time to? Well, no need to answer this. It is pretty obvious. And this is the power of dressing or grooming.

Them?

or Him?

Let’s break down this topic of dressing into various areas:

​Suit: A two piece on a workday is a must for a banker. Paycheck demands this. A suit is conservatively formal enough to give that sense of security and discipline which money dealings require.  But just a suit is not enough. What kind of suit, is an equally important question. It depends on the position within the bank and also what kind of clients one works with. A rule of thumb can be that the price of the banker’s suits (and shirt) should be what their clients would have spent on, had they bought a suit. Mind you, it is not the style or the fabric but the price. Clients may have a taste for fancy patterns but we are focusing on the price.

A regular banker should have at least 6 suits assuming one will be with the laundry at any given point of time. You should read How to buy Suit Fabric & "Important Points to keep in mind while Buying a New Suit" to know more about the process. 
In terms of the styling, it has to be strictly formal. Darker colors like black, charcoal grey, navy rule the roost. Self-patterns like herringbone or fine Prince of Wales checks in self color are fine but no bold prints, at least not for Monday-Friday workweek. (Check Out TailorWear fabric range here. We bring far bigger collection, when we meet you personally). The fitting has to be contemporary, meaning no over-sized jackets and baggy trousers but neither those ultra slim fit ones. They should be smartly tailored, with just the right cut.
Please ensure that the buttons don’t look cheap or are contrast to the body fabric.

​Shirt: A banker should have at least 10-12 shirts out of which 5-7 should be white. There are various options available within white color. So there are ample choices. 3-5 shirts should be in light blue. Again there are various patterns and shades available here. Keep it light color only. Remaining shirts can be of very light grey or any other color which the bank approves of. 

Shoes: Two good leather shoes, one in black and one in deep tan are good. Avoid camel color as it reduces the air of formality from the affair. Match your belt with the shoes. If you can, do match your satchel or portfolio bag too.

​Accessories: Ties, though are fading out of the formal dressing scene, but for the bankers, “conservatively formal” is the keyword. So they should keep wearing ties. Ties add some vibrancy to the overall dressing and once should use that to one’s advantage. A good tie is an interesting topic of discussion and can be a good ice-breaker.
Pocket Square though is not necessary but if one is wearing, one should be careful not to buy those economy pack accessories boxes which offer a set of ties, cuff-links and pocket square. The pattern of the pocket square should be different than that of the tie.
If the cuff-links are not of neutral metal but has some gemstones, try matching their color with that of either the shirt or the tie. A cuff-link gemstone with a color outside your clothing palette should be avoided.
​Hair, Tattoos & Other trinkets: The buzzword here too is “Conservatively Formal”. Neat, well groomed hair are a must. So do a no show of the tattoos, if there are any.  Apart from a good solid watch from a genuine brand, one should avoid any bracelet, rings, neck chains etc. 
A ready list of dressing hacks can be read here to get some quick ideas on dressing.

​Hope the banker readers find this article informative and useful. For any further drill down or detailed discussion, you can write to us at [email protected]