Dress conservatively for finance jobs

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Dear Joan:
My grandson will be graduating from college this spring. He has a job offer from a bank, which he intends to accept. Would you please write an article on the proper dress and also about family and friends calling or visiting during banking hours?

Answer:
For the entry-level employee in banking or a related financial services company, "conservative" and "quality" are the words to remember in dress. "Most employers realize a new graduate doesn't have a big wardrobe," explained Mary Lucas, vice president employment manager of First Wisconsin National Bank. "The new employee shouldn't go into debt but should buy a few quality pieces. Quality clothing speaks for itself. You'd be smart to wait until you're hired, so you can watch the people who have already succeeded. Model your dress after those people, not necessarily that of your peers," she advised.

A local image consultant agreed. Mary Marcdante, president of Marcdante and Associates, Image Counsel, added: "Creating and maintaining respect is easier if you start out overdressed rather than underdressed. This is especially true of the entry-level professional. Marcdante, who offers consultation for a wide range of individuals and corporate clients, said she had found that many people don't understand what "quality" means. "Tropical wools are ideal for year-round investment dressing. Tropical suits are either 100% worsted wool or 50% wool and 50% polyester.

Avoid 100% polyester. It gets shiny, holds odor and pills at contact points. Although a tropical wool suit is more expensive, it will outlast the polyester and can be worn in every season."

Lucas, at the First Wisconsin, explained that conservative dark suits were the norm for both men and women in the larger urban banks. "The size of the bank, its customers and its location determine how a bank's professional employees dress."

Arlene Bussard, assistant vice president of personnel at Brown Deer Bank, substantiated Lucas' opinion. "A dark suit isn't necessary in this suburban environment," she explained. "Pin stripes, grays, blues and browns are appropriate. Sport coats are acceptable, too. For women, professional dresses are fine."

Bussard cautioned against bright colors, however. "You won't command a lot of respect from fellow workers or customers. "Hair styles must be conservative," Bussard emphasized. "There was a time when mustaches were out of the question. Some banks accept them now, but only if they're neatly trimmed. Beards are rare in the industry."

The same is true for Valley Bank of Brownsville in Lomira, Wis., with one exception. It's appropriate for women tellers to wear dressy slacks. However, most wear blazers and skirts or dresses. In this rural area of approximately 1,500 people, the bank serves a large proportion of customers who are farmers. Suits and sport coats are the standard.

Marcdante says a professional look is often ruined because of poor clothing maintenance or lack of attention to detail. Lucas and Bussard had the same advice about phone calls and visits from family friends: Don't. Obviously, it's going to be necessary to make a few personal calls and to let the switchboard know where you are located in case of an emergency call, but it's not appropriate for anyone to visit. After you're on the job for a while you can be more flexible, but a new employee should be extra careful.