Im about to start my first job in Consultancy, but was wondering what i actually need to buy before i start.e.g. I have an off the self suit, is this ok for the first few months or do i need to get a better one? Do i need 2 suits? If so, which colours, makes etc...Shirts, ties, shoes (how decent do they need to be) bag (laptop?, suitcases) etc...Basically what i dont want is to turn up on my first day looking a mess compared to everyone else. Nor do i want to have to get out a loan to cover the cost of everything i would ever possibly need.Any help would be very welcome?

there was a thread on this a few months ago.can't remember in detail what it said but you will need at least two good suits (get two pairs of trousers with each, they last longer) plus good selection of shirt/ties. The quality of suit I guess will depend on your industry and employer, I image top finance strategy guys have a better suit than IT consultants like me!Get some good luggage as you may need to take it onto client sites and you don't want your old gym bag on display.A good lap top bad maybe, or they may give that

Spend as much or as little as you like on a suit. I have several but many of my colleagues don't wear one. I just think it looks smarter which can only be a good thing as an analyst (assuming thats what you'll be?). I have one's ranging from M&S to Saville Row. You don't really need to spend more than 2 or 300 at first, less if you're tight but it's up to you.Shirts. most people wear double cuffs. TM Lewin wil be cheap and presentable. I'd have a lot as you never know how long you'll be out of town for so sometimes it's nice not to have to wash the same ones all the time!Laptop bag would normally be provided but get a small cabin case yourself. You should be able to fit your mon-thur gear in there if out of town. Samsonite and Delsey are good.All of the above can be as much or as little as you like, you'll normally find there's bot in any firm.Best of luck!

If you do a search for "suit" using the search box above then you'll find there are several discussions from this year that stretch to 15+ responses and that have covered this topic in great detail.Hope this helps and good luck.PS my suggestion - go to New York for a long weekend before starting work (it's the last holiday you'll get for a number of months) and take the opportunity of stocking up on shirts, ties etc. while the dollar is as weak as it is right now...Tony RestellTop-Consultant.com

Mike on the basis that you really should not dry clean a suit more than is absolutely necessary (it damages the fabric), you will be fine with just one suit for a while, so get another when you are working and have some cash to splash. Go for a charcoal grey as this goes well with everything, half a dozen shirts and a couple of ties. Get 6 white shirts and it will reduce your time in the laundrette. Just avoid shoes with rubber soles. Spend as much as you can afford on 1 suit rather than buying 2 cheaper ones - they are an investment in you and your personal brand. Go an get a suitcase/case when you know you are getting sent out on a project away from home. Keep is simple, keep it quality and for god's sake keep it natural fibres and you will be fine.So we'll all see you back in 6 months to debate what phone or blackberry to get?

Mars - I would definitely buy 2 suits, not 1. Just in case the other gets dirty...

i have bought 4 M&S machine washable suits - to the naked eye they look rich enough in wool and great for everyday use when people dont really judge you on your suit. I got a lot of stick for owning these suits on this forum. I have kids who get milk/food on them so its not big issue.I also have 4 designer suits - you can get them for as little as £150 from Suits You - Ted Baker and Racing Green (100% wool) reduced from £300. I reserve these for meetings or client visits.Shirts - can't go wrong with the 4 for £100 deals at TM Lewin, Hawes and Curtis et al...

anon recommends you buy 2; I suggest to start with buy 1 and don't roll around in sh1t. Should be able to keep it clean - and there are plenty of express dry cleaners around who will clean a suit in an hour.

Buy a £350 Aquascutum suit to start with (dark grey) and a variety of shirts from Pink etc. Then, between Christmas and New Year, go to Giorgio Armani on Sloan Street and pick up two Fatto a Mano suits in 120 Super for about £600 each. Expensive I know but beautiful and as consultants we need to LOOK like we are worth the money. No dressing like a Carphone Warehouse salesperson OK

Here we go again:Style over substance v Sharp suit = value for money

Don't be so stupid... you would not deliver a presentation to a client that is full of spelling mistakes and likewise I would not like to go to a meeting looking like Mr Budget.

The important things are:-Decent shirt - most of the time you'll have your suit jacket off, even with clients - agree with above that '4-for-a-ton' on Jermyn Street is a good deal.Decent shoes - don't need John Lobb but at least £100 on leather uppers/soles would be a good investment.Decent watch - in meetings people 'clock' your watch. Whatever you're happy with so long as it's not 'novelty' and/or sports/surfy.Suit - Not such a priority IMHO - 95% of the time you'll be working without your jacket on. Black, grey or dark blue and not obviously acrylic.For what it's worth, I haven't been sacked or kicked off a client site with:-M&S machine washable suit (£150).Jones the Bootmaker shoes (£130).Pink etc. shirt (£25).Seiko watch (£500).Basically, if you're comfortable with what you're wearing, you don't look 'trying too hard' or 'look at me I'm trying to be alternative' and do a good job you'll be fine.Bottom line - if you're in a client meeting and you're more worried about what you look like than what you're saying, it's a problem.

i said this last time and i will say it again (i dont mean to offend anyone)But your physique and appearance will count for much more than your suit. if you can look like someone another guy would aspire to be, you can wear the cheapest suit and have a much bigger impact than someone in an Ocean's 11 suit. I have been around long enough in consulting to know this.Slim stomach, near hair style, eyebrows well kept , good nails and no silly-looking specs are worth infinitely more than an expensive suit.

just to add, the fit of a suit makes a huge difference - have you ever seen a guy in an oversized jacket or trousers - trust me, the last thing you think about is how much the suit cost.it always surprises me that how many people go on about expensive suits yet they couldn't tell the difference between someone in a well fitted £120 suit and an ill-fitted £500 suit.Use your gut instinct is my advice - go for a suit that fits you well and makes you look sharp - take a woman with you if you are not capable of making this judgement. Don't use price as a yard stick.Remember - this is only 20%. 80% is having confidence in how you speak and what you say in the world of consulting.Goodluck!

Cheers for all the advice everyone. Having just moved down to London from the north, i dont have a good idea of where to buy this stuff from or what are some decent makes. For example i couldnt tell a Fatto a Mano suit from a Top Man suit. Do any shops have sales on where i could pick up a discount. Also, when you say well fitting suit, how exactly should a suit fit i.e. v. tight, length of sleeves etc.. Im sure these seem very basic questions, but all my friends/family dont work in business, and they think £100 for a suit is way too expensive, so i cant really ask them for help.Other questions i have (again probabaly very basic):- whats a double cuffed shirt?- where is a 'pink' shop in London- where can i find a shop to buy £100 shoes with leather uppers/soles (should i buy two pairs or is one enough?)- Do i really need to spend £500 on a watch. I have a £100 Accurist watch (dont laugh) should that be ok?- Does the suit have to be tailored, or is an off-the-shelf one ok?Again, thanks so much for all the help so far.

Heres some more info, attacking the stuff from another angle.What you need apart from already mentioned:- Extra deodorant in your computer bag for those long days ending with an important client meeting. Don't wanna smell like shite.- Retractable (that the right word?) umbrella that you can always have in your computer bag. Don't wanna get to that important meeting looking like shite. - Box of aspirin or similar. This also goes as standard kit in your computer bag.- Phone adapter/charger always in....yep-> your computer bag. Trying to phone in to that important meeting from a dead phone is no fun.- If you are not wearing a tie always, then at least always have a tie in your computer bag in case you get on a uber important meeting all of a sudden.- Extra network cable, in your computer bag.hmm can't come up with any more serious stuff to put in the bag so i stop here.

Mike,Agree totally with Cons above.Doubled cuffed shirt is one that has double length cuffs that are folded over and secured with cufflinks. Smart for general use and client meetings but if you spend a lot of time using your laptop (I think you will!) they can be a pain as they knock against the keyboard all the time. There's nothing 'wrong' with single cuff button shirts - must admit I prefer them for the above reason.There is a Pink shop on Jermyn Street (where there's loads of other good shirt shops). They'll do double and single cuffs.M&S's range, including their version of Jeffery West are good - £70-ish. Jones the Bootmaker and then the good department stores - John Lewis, Selfridges etc. Basically, lots of good shops - one pair would be fine.£500 watch? No, definitely not a 'minimum'. Just making the point that Tag, Rolex, Breitling etc are not mandatory. Don't get me wrong - I like nice watches as much as the next person. Something that isn't obviously tacky and looks smart. There're lots around - I'm a big Seiko fan and they do some nices ones £100-ish.Suit. Again, tailored suits are nice but a good fitting off-the-shelf will be fine. Dark blue/grey/black and something you feel comfortable in.I'd say good shirt/tie a decent suit is better than an expensive suit with cheap shirt/tie.Good Luck.

Black suits are for funerals - never wear one at a client site. Even the darkest shade of grey is fine but jet black is wrong. Don't do it.

Of course, the 2000 quid suit is not compulsary but if a client is paying obscene day rates, they can expect people who look the part. People just "believe" you more if you look like you are successful. Also you need the right gear when you reach the right level. If you play cricket, there is always the odd guy who turns up in muddy old pads and scores a hundred with his 25 year old bat but generally the top players have the best kit as it helps them. We all know of the quirky executive who drives a nissan and wears an old blazer but they become known because they are the exception. If you are uniquely brilliant you can wear what you like. If, like most, you are a capable hard worker, why not try to give yourself the edge by looking the part. It is senseless not to spend an extra 100 quid on a suit when it could make a lot of difference to the way you are perceived and therefore to the way your career progression. I can report back (anonymously of course) on meetings with senior people and HR during which specific people were discussed and an individual actually missed out on a promotion or a new position for reasons which had nothing to do with performance and everything to do with perception (does the person "feel" like or carry him/herself like a manager/principal etc.) It is the icing on the cake or the thing which can swing a marginal decision in one direction or the other. No, it is not as important as your skills/abilities but it is that little extra you need when a decision looks like it could go one of two ways. You all work so hard, you are crazy not to try to give yourselves that little edge you might one day need.