Is There a Finance Bro Uniform For Women?
I was intrigued by the recent WSJ article, “The ‘Finance Bro' Uniform Is a Fleece and Khakis. For Female Execs, It's Not That Simple,” which has LOT to talk about (including, I kid you not, talk of women's water bottles). We've discussed this before, sharing tips on what to wear to work in Silicon Valley and pondering what the “casual-but-professional” uniform is for women… but not in a while. So let's discuss:
Are you in a field where the men dress casually but uniformly (e.g., gray hoodies, fleece vests, blue button-front shirts with the sleeves pushed up…)? How do your female colleagues dress — is there a similar uniform? Do you feel like there is a consensus among women on the level of formality, at least? What would you advise a young woman who, perhaps, interacted with mostly men dressed in one of these uniforms to wear on her first week to the office?
Water Bottles Are Apparently a Sign of Success for Women
Some quotes from the article (gift link) — first, on water bottles, because I must:
Trying to spot a woman in finance? Start with her water bottle. “You almost never see guys in our office carrying them around,” [one female CFO noted]. Women value luxury versions of the reusable bottles for both their status and sustainability, the 46-year-old said. Popular designs are covered with Swarovski crystals or leather, like those from Laksen that retail for $140 each.
A luxury sipper is just one sign of success for women who hold C-suite finance jobs, a demographic that is growing but still makes up just 18% of top executives in the industry, according to the World Economic Forum.
I mean… readers here have largely scoffed when we discussed “professional water bottles,” which is the way it would be in an ideal world — your water bottle wouldn't and shouldn't matter. But: to see the WSJ decree that sparkly water bottles are a “sign of success” is something else! This is the same publication that suggested that only a $4000 outfit (with bag!!) would do for working from home, and more recently has said that sequins and multiple piercings are “power moves” for women executives, so… OK!
What the WSJ Says Women Should Wear When Working With Finance Bros
Moving on:
Female financial leaders have created their own visual code to telegraph their power. “You have to both conform to the norms and defer,” explained Mariana Dahan, a director at the World Bank. At least up to a point.
While “showy” designer suits could seem desperate, she says, a “dull” uniform of gray slacks and a blouse could appear middling. The trick, Dahan noted, is sticking with a basic, expensive uniform, “and then doing a few things that will set you apart.”
The WSJ suggests things including a boss blazer, a “subtle” watch, “status flats,” and a “sumptuous” tote. BUT: never denim.
One thing “finance bros” get away with at work that women can’t? “Jeans!” said Dahan. “I could never wear them and seem as successful.” Men also require far fewer clothes to send the same signals of wealth. “They can wear the same suits for a week. No one notices,” said Kolossa. “Women could perhaps wear the same suit for two days, but it will be noted.” By the finance bros? “No. By everybody.”
Yikes! OK.
(We have, of course, suggested items in each of those categories — mostly in our tips on how to get C-suite style — and I'll link them at the bottom of this post.)
But let's discuss! Are you in a field where the men dress casually but uniformly? What would you advise a young woman who, perhaps, interacted with mostly men dressed in one of these uniforms to wear on her first week to the office? What do you wear to the office? Do you agree with the “no denim” rule?
(AND: What is your favorite water bottle?!)
Our Picks for C-Suite Style
Boss Blazers
Hunting for a luxe statement blazer? 2024 favorites include Smythe, include McQueen, L'Agence, Veronica Beard, The Fold, Armani, and Anine Bing.
Status Flats
Sumptuous Totes
As of 2024, some of our latest favorite luxury work bags (large enough to hold papers and a laptop!) include Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Saint Laurent, Kaai, and DeMellier. Of course, note that a lot of our readers who are in big jobs note that they love their (more affordable) Lo & Sons bags, as well as their Tumi.
Looking for work backpacks to splurge on? Montblanc, MCM, Songmont, and Senreve (also!) are great, and readers are always huge fans of all things Tumi. Some of our favorites…
Other Splurges To Consider When You're the Boss (and Paid Accordingly)
These are my picks for where I'd shop if money was no object…
- cashmere: Akris, TSE, InHabit NY, Loro Piana, Brora, & Eric Bompard
- basic blazers: Smythe, McQueen, L'Agence, Veronica Beard, The Fold, Armani
- dramatic blazers for speaking/Big Days: Akris, The Fold, IRO, L'Agence, Smythe, Etro, and Ray Darten (we've also done a roundup of dramatic blazers you can buy at Etsy!)
- Chanel-style jackets: Chanel, St. John, IRO, L’Agence
- dresses: Roland Mouret, Victoria Beckham, DVF, Akris, St. John,
- pants: Lafayette 148 New York, Theory, Akris
- coats: Fleurette, Cinzia Rocca, Mackage
- bags: Loewe, Bottega Veneta
- jewelry: Ylang 23, Bergdorf Goodman,
- shoes: Ferragamo, Manolo, Choo, Valentino, Louboutin (but please know your office before considering thick platforms or 4″+ heels), Aquazzura, Sarah Flint, Prada, and Miu Miu (one of the favorites in our Newbie Guide to Designer Shoes)
- weatherproof shoes: Aquatalia, La Canadienne
Stock photo via Pexels / Alena Darmel.
Many firms have rules such as no t-shirts, which ends up with women wearing blouses and sweaters and men wearing their rattiest polos.
Make it knitwear and call it a sweater if someone gets picky.
Some rules are meant to be broken. No t-shirts for women is one of them. That is what we wear instead of a polo.
Men working in GIS always wear button-up collared shirts (usually shortsleeved) made of synthetic wicking fabric in a small-check pastel plaid with a light neutral background. I’ve been making jokes about the uniformity since the first day of my masters program over a decade ago. Still haven’t figured out the female equivalent though, nor have any of my female peers apparently.
I work in a research institution, where there’s a standard male uniform of khakis or jeans, a button down shirt, new balance sneakers and some form of facial hair that ~90% of men in scientific jobs adhere to. Sometimes there’s variants: subbing in hawaiian shirts for button downs, or loafers instead of sneakers, but this is the minority.
There is no female equivalent, and near as I can tell that’s by design. Male apparel is default, whereas female apparel is always coded. It’s a constant battle to thread the needle of professional but not excessively feminine, exuding presence but not stuffiness, and meeting with lab safety/practicality requirements (i.e. long pants and closed toed shoes).
Boy, if this isn’t the truth.
I know a lot of people here are not a fan of AskAManager. But I do like reading about work advice. What are other blogs or magazine with similar examples of work and management?
I’m sorry, what? Why not? She’s been incredibly helpful reading for me, personally.
All this reminds me of the time someone told me I shouldn’t wear a pink (perfectly professional, light pink) blouse because the men at the office wouldn’t be wearing pink.
Oh and the time an interviewer told me that the dark purple dress suit I was wearing was “bold – most people wear blue or black”.
Maybe those people were right for some corner of finance or law, but I just can’t with that. Honestly, it was a good litmus test for me. I was dressed perfectly professionally in both those situations, but I also don’t need to dress exactly like a man would.
I used to work in the London office of a V5 NY-based firm. One day we showed up for a high yield closing, and by happenstance, the partner, two senior associates, the junior associate (all men) and me (the sole woman) were all wearing pink button-downs. We got a lot of jokes from the other side.
In the Netherlands, the male (work) uniform tends to be: jeans, t-shirt or polo or – special occasion – a shirt, always paired with sneakers.
Women wear whatever they want, but mostly boring neutral-coloured outfits (black, beige, white, blue, green).
Whenever I wear a pink, red, yellow or teal jacket or pants, people turn heads and my coworkers comment (‘I love all your jackets/pants, they are so colourful!’).
In less laid-back countries, I used to wear either dresses or pants & shirt & jacket combo (one of the pieces in bright colours, as my face would look washed out otherwise). I work in marketing.
I don’t really care whether others find my outfits ‘professional’. My clothes are clean, well maintained, no short skirts or deep V-necks, no exposed belly. Rest is personal taste and preference.
They want women to do all this, while the men walk around in khakis and fleece? No thanks. I’m not in finance, but my work uniform is black slacks and a white seasonal top. I’m the boss, so I guess it’s working.
In 2019 the answer to this question, at least in my field, would have been skinny black ankle pants, Rothys, a J Crew sweater blazer, and the Lo & Sons OG. Now I really have no idea.
Old JCrew was the best for business casual. I loved pairing a cute pencil skirt with a T-shirt and flats with fun jewelry, Or the colorful cardis with chino ankle pants.