Business fashion

After attending social events, networking events, a case competition, GLOBE alumni events and formal class excursions, I have had a chance to get a glimpse of what male American business students deem acceptable attire for the various occasions, and how that fundamentally clashes with most European norms.

Fashion is just different here. In general clothing is looser, but other than that there really doesn't seem to be that many rules. Different social groups wear different pieces of clothing - most notably the slightly sporty girls wear short gym-shorts, running shoes, and loose T-shirts; fraternity boys wear sunglass straps; and curiously any Asian guy at the gym has spotless basketball shoes. Wearing Carolina blue is always acceptable, but then again, most things are: Walking into a business school in tracksuit-bottoms, red sneakers and a plain white shirt some 10 minutes after stumbling out of bed, the first comment from a classmate was that I looked like an American.

My main qualm with American fashion is the role of the undershirt. Basically it is a T-shirt used as a vest (in the British sense of the word - a vest to Americans is waistcoat to Brits), under a buttoned-down shirt. Imagine any flashy young chap, neatly shaven, wearing newly-polished shoes, pressed khaki trousers, a smart shirt (probably pink) and a darker blazer. He is casually dressed up, but all I see is the glare protruding from under his shirt; the crispy-white undershirt constricted around his neck. In America, flashing a undershirt signals casualness. I think it looks retarded - you are wearing a hundred-dollar Ralph Lauren shirt, but desperately feel the need to improve the look with a 4-buck shirt from GAP? Now all I can think of is your ability to breathe normally as the shirt nears your adams apple, as well as trying unsuccessfully to find some visual harmony from your quadruple-colour outfit. In Europe, this is solved by the V-neck. Basically the neck is cut in a V-shape, so undoing the top button of your shirt doesn't reveal it. Comfort, without destroying the style of the shirt. Ingenious.

Perhaps this stems from another peculiar American theme, the role of business professional. If one is going to visit significant institutions (such as the European Counsel or the Federal Reserve), then they might require certain attire. However, business professional is used in anything from MBA networking events (MBA students around the school are constantly sporting ties) to case competition presentations. I personally have no problem with business professional; it still makes all men look awesome, even though it is somewhat anachronistic. My annoyance is the requirement for me to wear a suit and tie even though no-one else is - at the case competition presentation, if my judges are all sporting shirts with rolled up sleeves and an unbuttoned collar, why am supposed to wear business professional when it is 30 degrees in the shade?

The feedback from the European delegation seems clear: American everyday-fashion is an oxymoron. This is naturally only a generalisation - loads of Americans are well-dressed. Many times it is just a difference in style - for example, I am starting to like the basketball style of baggy shorts, big basketball shoes, socks pulled halfway up your calf, and a loose T-shirt of some sort. But I think I might be alone on that one.

It mainly just seems to boil down to making an effort.  Perhaps we Europeans are more vain about our everyday clothing? Maybe, but Americans can, and do, put in an effort when it counts. I will not speak for women's fashion, but male Americans will dress well for cocktails, social gatherings, and business professional meetings. As a European, I would make some tweaks, but hey, that's just me. Overall, they come through in style. Except for those nasty undershirts.