How much clothing do I need?

[yankeesfan]

I'm interning at an investment bank this summer on Mondays through Fridays, and I was wondering what the least amount of clothes that I need would be, to still look presentable. I don't really have enough money to afford a whole wardrobe.

 

[keird]

Keep everything covered except your head and hands.

 

[RoloMather]

2 shoes, 3 shirts, 3 pants.

 

[yankeesfan]

I'm not talking about 'the least' as in going to work in underwear and socks.

I'm talking about least as in the minimum amount of shirts, pants, etc.

 

[ed21x]

business casual = button down/slacks/black leather shoes.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: ed21x
business casual = button down/slacks/black leather shoes.

This is pretty good advice. I started work at a large company last year and had to do a whole business wardrobe. We hit a good sale at a department store (I think it was JC Penny's) and got maybe a half dozen shirts and 3 or 4 pairs of slacks. I think I spent $300 total. It would have been a bit more expensive if I didn't have a set of black shoes I could use.

 

[Leros]

I'm going to get 3 pants and 5 shirts. I think I can make a pair of pants last 2 days.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Which bank?

 

[RoloMather]

Originally posted by: mAdMaLuDaWg
Which bank?

Time warped.

 

[alkemyst]

first what level are people dressing and how often can you clean them/dry clean?

I don't know about that business casual definition above...most of what I see is dockers...some sort of button down shirt (short or long sleeve) and anything but sneakers.

Being it's an internship you can probably dress down a bit...if it's a place you are looking to work later it may pay to dress up.

When I worked in suits, I started with just two I got at JC Penney for $300 the pair I think. I added 3 extra pants to each. I picked up dress shirts, ties, and socks on sale...along with shoes.

Many I worked with re-wore pants and even shirts several times. I didn't.

I drycleaned weekly.

in business casual now I wear once and launder weekly.

Expect to replace each year or two.