how to dress in b-school? : Business School Life

rajpdsouza

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

Updated on: 07 Aug 2007, 07:08

aaudetat wrote:

rajpdsouza wrote:

This might be a stupid question, but how does the average b-school student dress to class.

We all remember, waking up 10 minutes before class in undergrad, throwing on a hoodie and just going to class. If I was feeling extra chipper, I might put on a polo shirt with jeans.

So what do you wear? Jeans and a polo shirt? Khakis?

In my visits, I've seen a bit of everything. Suits on those with interviews, sweats on those who couldn't care less, jeans and t-shirts, and the more polished look: nice jeans/khakis and a button down.

I think the more polished look is fairly common, but frankly, I don't have it in me to do that. By that I mean, I don't feel like it, and it's not in my closet (or my wallet!) anyway. For the beginning, I will probably go with what I wore at work: solid-colored fitted t-shirt, capris or slacks, and sandals. I basically look like I walked out of the conservative side of an Old Navy sales rack, and that's ok with me.

If I feel comfortable, I will pull out the hoodies and faded jeans. If not, I will keep the work look going.

Yeah I'm mostly a nice jeans and a button down or polo shirt sorta person when I go out on the weekends, so I was hoping I wouldn't have to be all fancy schmancy.

Originally posted by rajpdsouza on 07 Aug 2007, 07:05.
Last edited by rajpdsouza on 07 Aug 2007, 07:08, edited 1 time in total.

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pelihu

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07 Aug 2007, 09:41

You should wear whatever your mamma tells you to wear. :lol:

Mark4124

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07 Aug 2007, 14:42

Jeans and a t-shirt seems to be working fairly well out here in Indiana in the 90+ degree weather. You might trade up to the polo shirt. So far the only t-shirts I have worn have been IU shirts though. Just look decent, I wouldn't throw on any of those "Do ya think I'm good? Cause your gf sure did last night" - type of shirts. Not appropriate or mature. When shopping for jeans I defiantely didn't purchase any of the jeans with holes or paint on them from Holister. Use judgement, thats all.

rajpdsouza

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07 Aug 2007, 14:53

Mark4124 wrote:

Jeans and a t-shirt seems to be working fairly well out here in Indiana in the 90+ degree weather. You might trade up to the polo shirt. So far the only t-shirts I have worn have been IU shirts though. Just look decent, I wouldn't throw on any of those "Do ya think I'm good? Cause your gf sure did last night" - type of shirts. Not appropriate or mature. When shopping for jeans I defiantely didn't purchase any of the jeans with holes or paint on them from Holister. Use judgement, thats all.

Damn. I guess my "Will Party for Food" shirt is out the window. :lol:

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07 Aug 2007, 21:17

pelihu wrote:

You should wear whatever your mamma tells you to wear. :lol:

Peli, I won't shock the good people of the Club with my mamma's rules for appropriate dress. But I never have broken them.

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pelihu

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07 Aug 2007, 21:25

aaudetat wrote:

pelihu wrote:

You should wear whatever your mamma tells you to wear. :lol:

Peli, I won't shock the good people of the Club with my mamma's rules for appropriate dress. But I never have broken them.

So, does that mean no low-cut jeans showing off your thong?

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07 Aug 2007, 22:48

I am wearing high heels and a mini skirt..I am going to look damn sexy

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 10:27

I'd like to bring this thread back to life.

My concern is that I have in my wardrobe two kinds of clothes: suits, for the week, and very casual/party clothes for the weekend, I don't think that neither of them would be appropriate for a daily B-school use.

How are you still handling this matter?

aaudetat

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 10:39

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Fuqua is a very laid-back place. The women tend to dress a little nicer than the men do, on average. I see lots of guys in t-shirts, shorts, baseball hats, sneakers. If you're just going to class or a team meeting, no one seems to care.

The women are less likely to be in baseball hats and sneaker, but some do - I'm one of them. I tend to see more nice jeans, cute boots, cute top on the women.

I really don't think it matters much. Wear what you want, as long as there is no one around you need to impress. (Some may argue that you need to impress your classmates as part of building your network, but you will spend so much time with those folks that first impressions won't matter. Your relationships will be more substantial.)

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 10:40

I have never thought for a second about what I wear in class. Interviews and recruiting are for being presentable, class is for being yourself.

So for me it is jeans and a wide range of weird design t-shirts from art shops. Others dress smarter. It makes little difference in all really, and the professors don't care.

Oh, on Thursdays I have to look a little more presentable as I am taking prospectives out, so maybe I will wear a polo. That is the best they are going to get.

So - pretty much what aau said while I was posting then.

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 11:39

Kwam at least you dont have to deal with covering up tattoos that go down to your wrist. I guess thats one good thing about recruiting and interviewing in a suit. They wont see them. Wearing a tshirt to class on the other hand hahaha.

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 11:43

i wear shorts to work :-D

branson

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Re: [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 11:49

rajpdsouza wrote:

Mark4124 wrote:

Jeans and a t-shirt seems to be working fairly well out here in Indiana in the 90+ degree weather. You might trade up to the polo shirt. So far the only t-shirts I have worn have been IU shirts though. Just look decent, I wouldn't throw on any of those "Do ya think I'm good? Cause your gf sure did last night" - type of shirts. Not appropriate or mature. When shopping for jeans I defiantely didn't purchase any of the jeans with holes or paint on them from Holister. Use judgement, thats all.

Damn. I guess my "Will Party for Food" shirt is out the window. :lol:

Same here, I am so screwed. What to do with my "I mow your mum's lawn" t shirt?

togafoot

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 11:54

Probably better than some of my friends t-shirts... e.g. :-

There`s no place like 127.0.0.1

lepium

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Re: how to dress in b-school? [#permalink]

12 Feb 2008, 15:38

At HBS dress is quite laid back, too. That means most guys wear jeans, t-shirts and sneakers, with some opting for shirts and shoes instead. We have a tattoeed guy and he wears t-shirts as well. The only occassion when I can think of you needing something in between completely casual and a suit is when you go clubbing, as there are dress codes in place and you need to wear a shirt and shoes (you could arguably wear a suit as well, but that would be overkill).

There's more variability with women's clothes, some opt for "business casual" sets while others keep it simple and go for jeans, t-shirts and boots or sneakers.

L.