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• Part 1 of 2: Dressing for the job interview
• Part 2 of 2: Dress for your job

The banking world is large, with positions ranging from desk clerks to investment bankers. Dress guidelines vary depending on your position, but the culture is fairly uniform. Bankers tend to dress businesslike and formal, with great attention to detail and hygiene.

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Part 1 of 2: Dressing for the job interview

1. Dress at least as well as the people who work in your position. If possible, try to get a sense of how people in the position you are applying for are dressing. Follow their lead. Dress at least as well as her. In fact, for lower-level positions, you probably want to dress a bit better than the standard work attire, although this is not so much the case for higher-level positions, as you don't want to appear flashy either.
   • It is not common for desk clerks to wear suits when they work. But if you're interviewing for a desk clerk job, you should. This also applies to women - they should wear a dress suit or trouser suit.
2. Dress conservatively. Although bankers dress for business, they are not trend breakers. Dressing in a way that draws too much attention or makes you stand out will work against you.
   • One of the most common job application problems is odor. Too much perfume or cologne can be a distraction and be frowned upon. Wear little or none.
   • Leave your bling at home. Showy watches can arouse feelings of jealousy. Even large, gaudy jewelry is generally not considered appropriate. Wear something small and simple or nothing at all.
   • Don't try to exploit your sex appeal. It is not considered appropriate to dress in a provocative manner. Wear little makeup and stick to shades that are more or less natural.
   • Stick to simple patterns if you want to choose them. Usually, ties, suits, shirts and dresses in a single, understated color are best. Bright colors or complex patterns are not allowed.
3. Be neat. For a bank position, you will spend less time finding unique clothing than keeping what you have tidy. Pay close attention to wrinkles, spots, damage and your own personal hygiene. Banking is all about attention to detail. Your clothes should convey your skills in that regard.
   • Iron everything you wear to get rid of wrinkles. If there are stains or imperfections in your clothes, wear something else.
   • Shoes are of great importance in the banking world. Get your shoes professionally waxed. If there are chafes, signs of wear, or if the heels are falling off, get a new pair.
   • Go to the hairdresser and manicure. Your hair should be short and you should be clean shaven. For women with gray hair, a color rinse won't hurt. Keep nails short and clean. Wear clear nail polish or no nail polish at all.
   • Remove piercings and hide tattoos. These are becoming more and more acceptable in certain settings, but until such time as it turns out otherwise, assume that they are not considered proper professional attire.
4. Stick to men's standards. Men in the banking world are usually expected to wear a few basic pieces of clothing. Usually these clothes are even expected to have a standard color. This is as follows:
   • Wear a business suit that is gray or navy blue.
   • Stick to a blue, green, or red silk tie with no patterns. The tie should reach up to the belt buckle. Do not let it hang below the waist or sit well above it. Stick to a standard knot, like a Windsor.
   • The standard shirt in the banking world is a white shirt with long sleeves. Light pastels are also increasingly considered acceptable. If you go this route, make sure it matches the tie. For more information, read how to combine the colors of a tie, suit and shirt.
   • Your pants should be the same color as your suit. Don't overload your pockets with keys or your wallet. Your socks should be the same color as your pants and your shoes should be the same color as your belt.
5. Stick to women's standards. As with men, there are a few basic outfits that are worn in banking. Stick to the guidelines and you shouldn't run into any problems.
   • Wear a suit or trouser suit in navy, black or gray.
   • Stick to a white or light blue blouse. The blouse should have a high neckline and long sleeves.
   • Wear skin-colored stockings. Always carry a spare in case it rips.
   • Wear low heel shoes. The shoes must match your belt. A briefcase is considered more professional than a handbag.

Part 2 of 2: Dress for your job

1. Find out what the dress code is. Familiarize yourself with your company's dress code and dress for your banking according to these guidelines. The dress code gives you a good insight into what is expected of you in terms of appearance and ensures that your wardrobe meets bank and company standards.
   • The dress code makes you aware of the minimum requirements for the job. You should also observe your colleagues and check that you dress in a way that is in accordance with the prevailing standard.
2. Ask about leisure days. Ask about leisure days within the company or bank branch. On leisure days, it is often appropriate to wear clothing that would otherwise be considered too common for the banking industry.
   • Casual Fridays are no longer as common as they used to be, but they do exist, even with high-level investment banks. Barclays has instituted a policy whereby jeans and T-shirts are acceptable on Fridays. However, jeans and T-shirts are generally considered too casual, even for a casual Friday.
3. Wear comfortable but business-like shoes. For your function, dress at the bank to start with comfortable shoes. You'll be standing and walking a lot, so choose shoes with insoles to absorb shock and cushion the impact on your feet. Stick to closed shoes with low heels.
4. Keep everything tidy. You should dress neatly, cleanly, and conservatively for a bank job. Iron out all wrinkles, tuck your shirt in, and don't wear clothes with stains or rips. A customer who sees these details will not change their opinion of you and your bank for the better. Fix or replace these items so you don't look sloppy or unprofessional.
5. Cover piercings and tattoos. To look professional in your banking position, hide all body modifications such as piercings or tattoos from your client's field of vision. Keep ear piercings tasteful or small, remove face and tongue piercings, and cover tattoos with pants or long sleeves while you work.
6. Wear clothes that are an appropriate length. Check shirts and sweaters to make sure they cover your stomach and waist without creating too much cleavage. Make sure your skirts are a suitable length for the workplace by not wearing one that doesn't at least reach your fingertips when your arms hang down at your sides. Anything shorter, or with a slit that goes higher, is not suitable as workwear.
7. Know when to wear a jacket. Most of the details of your clothes should differ little from what you wore during the interview. However, if you are employed as a desk clerk, you may not be expected to wear a jacket once you are at work. Pay attention to what others wear in your position. In a higher position, assume that you have to wear a jacket and that your clothing should differ little from what you wore during your job interview.