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Meeting our bank manager - what to wear? **Thread title edited at OP's request**

162 replies

IsThatWise · 03/04/2019 22:53

I am a stay at home mum and a carer for our autistic son. I am pretty much home bound, though I do go for nails, tan and hair. My husband is much more higher profile than I am, on a very much local scale, and I choose to stay home. I’ve been invited to meet our bank manager on an ‘informal’ basis, but still at the bank. I am conscious that it all sounds horrendous but what the hell do I wear. Please help!

OP posts:
Snog · 04/04/2019 10:03

What percentage of the general population uses private banking though?

dontgobaconmyheart · 04/04/2019 10:10

The bank are just after the investment of your money OP because you must have some- they've not invited you as a status thing, they'll have done it to a large number of account holders- it's part of their job to secure additional uptake of their services. Like upselling in a shop really, they have targets, I expect they're surprised you agreed to it!

I don't think 'the bank manager' is really seen as anything impressive or a status job these days such as it was back in the day, she or he is just a normal person like in any other shop basically, Which is what I assume people here are getting at but could've been gentler about.

I would not consider dressing up for the bank manager in a million years, or even going in to be honest to hear a sales pitch about how the bank can 'help' manage my money. If you want impartial financial advice OP I would recommend speaking with an independent financial advisor if you want to be more involved with your money and direct where it is invested appropriately. Since it seems like all you want to do is something that can be done online, why even go? Get a banking app on your phoneand sort it in 5 mins and save the stress I say!

I think it unusual you're concerned about embarrassing your husband OP, and want to stress smartly to represent him well outside the house. You don't work for him and I would bloody hope he is proud of you at all times, empowers you as an equal partner to him and doesn't place old fashioned expectations on you such as these Confused. Your husbands just a person at the end of the day, unless he's the royal family I doubt most other people give a fig about him and his local prowess, nor would they dress up to meet him- it's not the 1950's -ditto the bank manager, they aren't your superiors and do not warrant such adjustment nor do you need to impress them. These days even if he were the RF most people wouldn't be fussed, I know I wouldn't. They're not our betters.
It seems a shame to be viewing a very normal meeting as opportunity to husband please and cause yourself worry- You're just as important OP, and I'm not actually sure the bank 'meeting' is even what you think it is, it's just a sales pitch most people would regard as a spam invite which they would decline.

Your DH may well be a lovely person but you sound in awe of him. At the end of the day he's doing a job he gets paid for, he's not a saint out changing the world for our children Confused Especially if he's involved in local politics, say. We all try our best at work and have good intentions for society, it's what decent normal people do as standard and doesn't require such fawning.

You are right though that you are not at fault here though and don't deserve to feel bad or be mocked. But you are sounding a bit over the top OP and it would benefit you to realise it. You don't need to try and guilt people with the martyring either.

With regards to clothing I really think anything smart-ish would be more than fine. M&S for trousers perhaps if you would prefer them to jeans? The bank know you have money or they'd not have invited you, there is no impressing you need to do in that regard. Though with that said, they invite me often enough and I don't have a great deal, it's on the same level as a nuisance telemarketer call for me.

mrscampbellblackagain · 04/04/2019 10:57

You need a fair amount of liquid capital to be invited to take up private banking as opposed to say premier. I'm talking £1m to be invested by them. So I would agree with previous poster that there may be better companies out there to provide less biased investment advice.

Coutts aren't what they once were Wink

CCquavers · 04/04/2019 11:03

Meeting with the bank is not an everyday affair. They don’t give a damn about your custom unless you super rich. If invited in to say Coutts bank you most likely have been recommended by a prestige customer. A good pair of trousers and blouse will be fine. Jeans do not give a good impression even when £350 a pair.

PrivateBankerBankingYourMoney · 04/04/2019 11:05

DH and I use private banking. It is mostly a PITA. They phone up all the time trying to get us in for meetings, basically trying to flog their investment products. It isn’t a big whoop.

PrivateBankerBankingYourMoney · 04/04/2019 11:11

Interesting how people who actually work in the industry or have experience of it are saying ‘wear what you are comfortable in’ and those who don’t are pushing the OP to dress up for it.

FWIW, any time we’ve been for meetings with our PB have been when I’ve gone straight from work, so my outfit hasn’t been specially planned around the meeting. I’m usually looking a bit frazzled and fairly casual.

RuggyPeg · 04/04/2019 11:20

I can assure you that if you are wealthy, your bank couldn't give a flying figaroo what you wear to a meeting. Go in a used binbag if you want and you'll still be greeted with open arms.

Worried2019 · 04/04/2019 11:42

This reply has been deleted

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stayathomegardener · 04/04/2019 11:52

I'm so confused if you have enough money to be courted by a private bank then please do pay to get some fabulous support for your child to allow yourself the freedom to do... whatever.

Once your outlook is wider I suspect you won't give two figs about what to wear anymore.

mrscampbellblackagain · 04/04/2019 11:59

Actually worried2019 saying that women who wear leather leggings look like prostitutes is offensive on so many levels. But ultimately it says more about you than other women.

Willowtreecottage · 04/04/2019 12:01

worried ........
Shhh 🤫 please
You are sounding unbelievably daft.

PinkyU · 04/04/2019 12:38

OP I completely understand where you’re coming from.

When you’re the primary carer for a child with additional needs your world shrinks and becomes really quite insular. The anxiety that and and all social events (yes, even meetings at the bank) can be overwhelming. I know I often feel out of my depth in certain situations where I’m supposed to be ‘me’, not so-and-so’s mother, not a carer, not an advocate. It’s difficult to remember the person I was before I had to become those things.

I often second guess the impression my clothing and appearance gives off, and how that impacts that of my partner when we’re together. It’s important to work on this when you can.

For the poster who suggested getting ‘help’ in for the op’s child, it’s nowhere near as easy as that, regardless of how much money you have. Entrusting the care of your extremely vulnerable, often non or reduced verbal child, to someone else who may not “get them”, is terrifying. Believe me.

cathyandclare · 04/04/2019 13:21

Why are so many people being so vile on Style and Beauty? For many of us clothing is like armour, helping us feel that we fit in when we're in unfamiliar circumstances. Whether it's a black tie dinner, going out out, a business presentation, or a meeting with a bank is immaterial, feeling confident in your appearance means there's one less thing to worry about.

I appreciate that many, many people don't care- but I wouldn't expect them to be hanging around on S&B.

GeorgeTheBleeder · 04/04/2019 13:29

For many of us clothing is like armour, helping us feel that we fit in when we're in unfamiliar circumstances.

Indeed. And exactly why I will protest if people (in particular other female people) use phrases designed to denigrate and constrain women through their wardrobe choices.

mrscampbellblackagain · 04/04/2019 13:33

Quite Cathy and George. But you know the poor OP committed the cardinal sin of revealing she has money Wink I just thank the lord she didn't say she was going to buy an expensive bag as we all know how that ends Grin

caughtinanet · 04/04/2019 13:35

If you have been invited by a bank to a meeting and it's not a bad thing surely they must want your business so what you wear isn't an issue but I have to agree with others who've said that if your DH's proudness is based on what you wear he needs to have a word with himself about his priorities.

mclaleli · 04/04/2019 13:51

I'm entitled to my opinion and that is that women over 35 who wear leather leggings look like Liz McDonald! In other words, are sporting the prostitute look.

I don't know any prostitutes so I have no idea who Liz McDonald is but leather leggings do not a prostitute make.

Vitalogy · 04/04/2019 14:00

I've only read the first page.

I think years ago being smart when meeting the likes of the bank manager was a thing. Down to them if you got the loan etc. These days it's more the computer says yes/no.

Vitalogy · 04/04/2019 14:03

Liz McDonald's a character from the soap Coronation Street. The landlady of pub. Used to be Bet Lynch with all the leopard skin clothes.

BringMeTea · 04/04/2019 14:22

And the ageist parameter started at 18 but has shifted to 35 so that's something. Hopefully worry doesn't get banned for, well, being a dick.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 04/04/2019 14:23

Jusy watching something I recorded and a posh ,London mum is wearing leather leggings with a jumper. Couldn't look less like LM if she tried.

Mutton dressed as lamb, looks like a prostitute - such vile phrases.

mclaleli · 04/04/2019 14:28

Oh, ok. A TV character who isn't even a prostitute!

CosyAsAToasty · 04/04/2019 14:29

He cares more about your bank account that what you're wearing I presume.

championquartz · 04/04/2019 14:52

I totally agree with cathyandcl, mrscampbell , and George. Armour. I like to dress, knowing that I look well, so that I can totally forget about how I look and be present at the meeting/event /whatever - if you follow my logic. I'm sure lots of us are the same.

Some good advice here OP. I hope you feel confident at the meeting. It will be fine you know.

So what on earth has happened to S+B?? Had a busy week and come back to this? It's all a bit cross, no?

EatenByDinosaurs · 04/04/2019 15:02

Dunno mrscampbell it could have been worse, OP could also have asked which designer leather leggings to buy Grin