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Original poster

What's business casual at work for young men in London these days?

48 replies

SmoothOperandus · 02/02/2024 09:08

DS (19YO, in 2nd year of Uni) has a face to face interview for a summer internship at a financial (insurance I believe) company in London. He's been told the dress code is business casual. He wants this really badly.

He is, as you can imagine, a very casual dresser and has no idea what business casual looks like. He's not at a Uni in London so can't really go and observe.

After many years WFH, his father and I don't really know either! Could I have some pointers please? He's just got a new pair of boots which I hope will be suitable to wear, so if you could suggest an outfit to go with that, I'd really appreciate it.

I am attaching a photo of what his boots look like. They're not exactly these ones, but they're pretty much identical except for the blue band, which my son's boots don't have, they're all black.

Thank you for any help/recommendations you can offer!🙏

What's business casual at work for young men in London these days?
OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 02/02/2024 13:04

I’m in insurance and business casual for the men (when we had it, we’re now completely dress down) was chinos, collared shirt and a fine knit jumper.

Buy a dark suit if he doesn’t have one at all. Then it can be more multi purpose (funerals to work interviews to weddings!).

bevelino · 02/02/2024 14:49

@SmoothOperandus Yes, most definitely.

IlsSortLaPlupartAuNuitMostly · 02/02/2024 15:10

If you're really on the breadline there are charities who can lend you interview clothes.

Might not be applicable to your DS OP but just thought I'd mention it to anyone else who's reading this thread because they're in a similar situation and for whom even fifty quid for a Primark / Asda suit or thirty quid for a good charity shop version is out of the question.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing
CMOTDibbler · 02/02/2024 15:51

If your ds is slim, then I have a v nice dark blue three piece Reiss suit that my ds is now too tall for that I was going to put in the charity bag that I'd be delighted to post to him - I think its a 36 chest, 30 waist, and I let down the trousers to be a 32 leg.

Imicola · 02/02/2024 16:01

The young males in my workplace are the smartest dressed of everyone! They tend to wear smart trousers and shoes, shirt and tie, sometimes with a knitted jersey on top. Don't think we really have a dress code per se and what people wear is highly variable.

I'd probably advise starting out fairly smart, then getting an idea of what other people are wearing and adjusting appropriately.

Morecatsarebetter · 02/02/2024 16:17

CMOTDibbler · 02/02/2024 15:51

If your ds is slim, then I have a v nice dark blue three piece Reiss suit that my ds is now too tall for that I was going to put in the charity bag that I'd be delighted to post to him - I think its a 36 chest, 30 waist, and I let down the trousers to be a 32 leg.

That’s kind ❤️

needanotherhol · 02/02/2024 17:37

CMOTDibbler · 02/02/2024 15:51

If your ds is slim, then I have a v nice dark blue three piece Reiss suit that my ds is now too tall for that I was going to put in the charity bag that I'd be delighted to post to him - I think its a 36 chest, 30 waist, and I let down the trousers to be a 32 leg.

How lovely to offer this 💕

LlynTegid · 02/02/2024 18:15

Cleanliness (the after shave suggestion is good too), and get rid of the scruffy beard if he has one.

Mamaraisedadoughut · 02/02/2024 18:23

Business casual: shirt, chinos and loafers, a fine knit jumper or blazer... make sure he irons it and it fits well. Some do wear very dark jeans with shirt and loafers but I think it depends on the place of work TBF.
No need for a tie.

For interview. Wouldn't hurt too much to go for a suit, better to over dress than under dress initially.

Original poster
SmoothOperandus · 03/02/2024 06:45

Oh my! I wasn't able to return to this thread yesterday and missed the lovely offer from @CMOTDibbler. Thank you so much!

It wasn't my intention to give the impression that I am on the breadline, really sorry about that. I was enquiring about cheap suits because DS is a very casual dresser and we'll need to purchase the lot, including shoes, tie, shirt, and his grooming 😉!

@CMOTDibbler, if it's okay with you, I will check DS's size/measurements, and see if the suit you have will fit him, but of course I will pay you for it!

@bevelino thank you for agreeing to me asking you a couple of questions via pm. Speak soon!

Thank you everyone who's taken the time to respond here. What an amazing community this is!🌷

OP posts:
Original poster
SmoothOperandus · 03/02/2024 06:46

Oh and wait for it, I actually read what the dress code is for the interview, and it's not business casual, it actually says 'smart business attire (no jeans or trainers)!

OP posts:
PurBal · 03/02/2024 07:02

I hope the interview goes well.

Original poster
SmoothOperandus · 03/02/2024 07:36

Thank you so much @PurBal . This is his first F2F interview after masses of applications. So far the frantic search for internships this summer has resulted in rejection after rejection, or just radio silence. I don't know how a 19 year old young person can have the resilience to keep going in the current climate. That's why I want to help with the practical side of things, as I cannot help with the rest.

OP posts:
Starseeking · 03/02/2024 07:42

CMOTDibbler · 02/02/2024 15:51

If your ds is slim, then I have a v nice dark blue three piece Reiss suit that my ds is now too tall for that I was going to put in the charity bag that I'd be delighted to post to him - I think its a 36 chest, 30 waist, and I let down the trousers to be a 32 leg.

If this would fit your DS, it sounds perfect. Reiss is pretty pricey, because their clothes are well cut and he would look the part. Absolutely a suit for interview, business casual on a day-to-day basis in the office.

Good luck to your DS, OP!

Blanket601 · 03/02/2024 07:50

‘Business casual’ is not ‘smart casual’. As they’ve actually specified business casual I think, especially for an interview’ that’d mean a suit with shirt (top button or two undone). As they’ve said casual I think no tie. Not boots but just black shoes.

Original poster
SmoothOperandus · 03/02/2024 08:02

Thank you so much @CMOTDibbler!
@Blanket601 it's actually smart business attire (no jeans or trainers), so a tie is needed, right?

OP posts:
IlsSortLaPlupartAuNuitMostly · 03/02/2024 08:48

Yes, "smart business attire" should mean a tie, even nowadays.

Although the fact that they haven't specified a suit and tie presumably means that not wearing one wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker. But always err on the side of caution at interview, and ties are cheap or easy to borrow.

Morecatsarebetter · 03/02/2024 08:57

Definitely a suit and tie for an interview. The youngsters look nice in a matching waistcoat too x

bevelino · 03/02/2024 10:09

@SmoothOperandus i have pm’d you.

Blanket601 · 03/02/2024 11:39

SmoothOperandus · 03/02/2024 08:02

Thank you so much @CMOTDibbler!
@Blanket601 it's actually smart business attire (no jeans or trainers), so a tie is needed, right?

As yes in that case, definitely a tie. Marks do good value good quality suits etc for decent prices. He’ll def wear it again in future.
Good luck to him for the interview!

Tracker1234 · 03/02/2024 14:28

Please don’t turn up in jeans.

Son is in this industry and they can be formal. Men often are right scruff buckets and I can see they have even stated formal business attire presumably for the dense ones who think ‘smart jeans’ are going to cut it. I had an intern attached to me a few years ago and he turned up to a meeting in smart jeans. I had to take him to one side and say jeans are not appropriate for a central government meeting.

Original poster
SmoothOperandus · 05/02/2024 08:19

Morning everyone. I just wanted to let @CMOTDibbler know that DS's measurements are at least 38 for the jacket (40 if skinny cut), and 33 for the trousers, which has to end up being 34 with a belt! Still, thank you so very much for your kind offer, I am sure another deserving young man will be able to benefit from it! 💐

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 05/02/2024 16:05

@SmoothOperandus , ah thats a shame. It has motivated me to get it out and give it a refresh and put it on our local FB for someone else.

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