Tools of the Trade

This is absolutely classic. A profile of "Andrew", a second year analyst at a bulge bracket IB. Yes, this is serious - there is even a picture of him in the article.

From y'days NY Post. https://www.nypost.com/seven/04242007/en ... htm?page=0


THE INVESTMENT BANKER

Andrew, 24

Salary estimate: $190,000, including projected bonus

Job: We help companies raise capital and grow their business.

CLOTHES

Suit: Hickey Freeman suit, $2,749. "I have about 10 suits and usually buy them at Hickey Freeman and Paul Stuart. I have two really heavy pin-stripe suits that I'd classify as 'power suits.' Bankers never wear double-breasted suits, it's a fashion faux pas. I get all of my suits tailored in Rochester, N.Y. There is a Romanian couple that have been doing my father's suits for years. They are trusted in the family, and 10 times better than any of the tailors I've used in the city."

White shirt: "There's a saying in the banking world that you can never have too many blue suits or white shirts. I get mine from Hickey Freeman [$149-$249] as my standby, but I also shop at Charles Tyrwhitt [$99-$200], Thomas Pink [$149-$249] and Turnbull and Asser [over $250]. I get my white shirts heavy-starched."

Collar: "I always buy cutaway collars and French cuffs from the British stores (Tyrwhitt, Pink, Turnbull & Asser), and Barrel (button) cuffs from Hickey Freeman."

Watch: Breitling Navitimer, $5,299. "Bankers have a complex with having a watch. Far and beyond the most popular watch is a Rolex Submariner - black or white face, half bezel is blue. The Navitimer comes in a few different sizes and shapes."

Shoes: Ferragamo loafers, $395 at Saks Fifth Avenue. "The standard banker shoe is a fashion loafer or a tie cap toe."

Tie: Hickey Freeman tie, $125. "The two tie brands that embody the investment banker are Hermes and Salvatore Ferragamo. I don't wear a lot of Ferragamo because they tie small knots and are usually pastel - I like thicker knots and cutaway collars. Every now and then I'll pick up some pastels from Brooks Brothers. I've bought one or two Ferragamo ties from the outlet. But I buy most of my ties from Hickey Freeman. They retail anywhere from $98-$130."

TOOLS

PDA: A BlackBerry 8700c, it's gray with black trim. "I bought mine at the Cingular store in Midtown. At first, people are apprehensive and they think it's a virtual leash. Now I can't imagine life without it."

Red pen: "I keep a pen behind my ear at all times. I never used red pens before, now I always do - it stands out."

GROOMING

Shoe-shining: "I like to shine my own shoes. You can get a shine kit at any shoe retailer with brush, polish and cloth. But in an emergency, there are shoe-shiners walking around on our floor offering to shine our shoes [$5]."

TASTES

Cigars: "My favorite cigar is a CAO Brazilia, with Partagas Black Label coming in close behind. I buy most of my cigars at JR Cigar on 46th and Fifth. Sometimes I will buy from Barclay Rex on Lexington Avenue, and sometimes I order them by the box on Thompson Cigar online. I've been smoking cigars for four years now, it's even on my r├йsum├й. Liking cigars is a good talking point."

Red Bull: "Every two weeks I buy a 12-pack of sugar-free Red Bull. I have one before I get in the shower, and then I drink one on the way to work. I don't really drink coffee because it's a slow process. Redbull is portable and it gets you ready to embrace the day."

Blanton's: "The only alcohol I drink is Blanton's whiskey, Woodford Reserve (a small-batch bourbon) and Glenlivet 15-year (a single-malt scotch). There's a good liquor place on 86th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam that I go to every now and then."

Bar: "The bad side of the long hours. After six months, I noticed people started calling me less and less. Some of my friends and I go to Milk & Honey. It's really small and there are rules. Men can't approach women, you have to make reservations and they chip the ice into your drink. At the other end of the spectrum is Yogi's. They have $7 pitchers of Bud Ice. 'nuff said."