New partner track role--need to dress "rich"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in Big 4 consulting in Finance, and let me tell you, the Director/Partner track women are not super well put together. Their personal lives are falling apart (men and women both) and their appearance is also slightly disheveled. Maybe its a different story at McKinsey or something, but if you're at the PWCs of the world you've nothing to worry about.

+1

And a big ol’ LOL at OP being sure she’s on the partner track.

I disagree. The national level female partners ALWAYS look put together - always. Hair, clothes, shoes and jackets. They regularly give presentations at large conferences and simply wear these outfits everyday because it is the circle they revolve in. They each have their own personal uniform, but they are high end, well tailored clothes. The local office partners are more relaxed and often wear work appropriate jeans and a blazer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But in a previous thread I learned that rich people only wear tattered sweaters and jeans they wear to much out horse stalls. Sometimes Old Navy - tailored! - if they need to dress up.

That's what *really* rich people wear. If you are just upper middle class you have to try to appear to be rich, especially at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But in a previous thread I learned that rich people only wear tattered sweaters and jeans they wear to much out horse stalls. Sometimes Old Navy - tailored! - if they need to dress up.

That's what *really* rich people wear. If you are just upper middle class you have to try to appear to be rich, especially at work.

+1 and those people don’t work a 9-5 in an office. They only go into office buildings to sign documents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I work in Big 4 consulting in Finance, and let me tell you, the Director/Partner track women are not super well put together. Their personal lives are falling apart (men and women both) and their appearance is also slightly disheveled. Maybe its a different story at McKinsey or something, but if you're at the PWCs of the world you've nothing to worry about."

Same is true for Big Law and places like Bain, at least in D.C. I don't see much beyond Tory Burch shoes, LV Neverfills, and perhaps an occasional St John jacket. And I promise you, no man who will be making the decision to promote you is going to know the difference between Max Mara and JCrew.

I suggest you put a bit of money into leather. Buy some decent shoes - Cole Haan is fine. I like Stuart Weitzman and Taryn Rose. And a bag. Black. Good leather. No obviously designer label. Something in the $300-600 range is great.

I assume she meant a personal finance job where she will be advising rich people on managing their assets. Not a Big 4 role. I am an alum of a big 4 and I will agree that the attire there is about as dowdy as they come. In fact being boring is a prerequisite for advancement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MM LaFleur is also very good at this.

No. All synthetic, and of declining quality.

+1 Im glad someone one said this. I have NOT been impressed.

[Anonymous]

OP, make sure you really understand the firm's culture around dressing. My husband recently got a big job (making ~500k/yr) and we were buying ferragamo ties. Turns out they wear jeans and sneakers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watch early seasons of House of Cards and Veep.

Jil Sander, Reiss, and what you described all work. Tone on tone with high quality designers.

The Nordstrom personal shoppers don't know their a$$ from a hole in the ground.

If you can’t stomach watching Kevin Spacy, just google images of Robin Wright.

[Anonymous]

They don’t care how you look. It’s all those hours and clients. Short easy to manage hair or put it up.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow, dcum has really come through. Thank you so much. I think one PP put it well—I don’t care about looking “rich” I care about comfortably projecting a level of power and comfort with big companies and people. That London fold company looks wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MM LaFleur is also very good at this.

No. All synthetic, and of declining quality.

+1 Im glad someone one said this. I have NOT been impressed.

Same with J Mac. I have a pull covered cashmere sweater from them. And dresses that pulled in my waist where I was carrying my work bag. If your job is to stand in one place and look good, have at it. If your job includes moving and carrying a bag as you commute - avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MM LaFleur is also very good at this.

No. All synthetic, and of declining quality.

+1 Im glad someone one said this. I have NOT been impressed.

Same with J Mac. I have a pull covered cashmere sweater from them. And dresses that pulled in my waist where I was carrying my work bag. If your job is to stand in one place and look good, have at it. If your job includes moving and carrying a bag as you commute - avoid.

Pull should be pill in all of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MM LaFleur is also very good at this.

No. All synthetic, and of declining quality.

Sadly, yes. Try The Fold London.

[Anonymous]

For this area I agree with St John, Tory Burch, J McLaughlin. Maybe even Kate Spade. Shoes and purses are what the other women will notice.

I also agree re the package look - hair, nails, SHOES, and bags (handbags as well as carryalls). I would think about a personal shopper at Neimans or Saks or someplace similar for a few good separate sets. You want separates that can be mixed and matched, with accessories. Then some dresses from J McLaughlin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Max Mara

This. Reiss is good for that look too. Armani has nice work clothes as well. My fav is Carlyle though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reiss is a good high street label alternative to Mouret.

I love, love, love Mouret.