The Deal Offers a Primer for the MBA On Business Casual

Business Wire, Sept 7, 2000

Business Editors

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Sept. 7, 2000

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In days gone by, dressing for an interview or the office meant a standard code to the MBA student, but today this is no longer the case. Business Casual dress, one of Wall Street's newest perks, has thrown a curve ball at the new recruits, who are left to blindly interpret their new executive look.

Recognizing the increasingly troublesome dressing dilemma, The Deal developed a primer on the do's and don'ts of when to sport Business Casual or Traditional Business by consulting with retailers, graduate school career counselors and MBA students entering their second year. The following findings are detailed in "I Don't Know What to Wear," an article featured in Recruiting Tomorrow's Dealmakers, a special report appearing September 7 in The Daily Deal (http://www.thedailydeal.com).

The Deal's Business Casual Primer

Casual dress was found to be appropriate for a day in the office, but less so when meeting with clients. As a general rule, pants and skirts must be crisply pressed and should be tailored - i.e. not too tight or baggy. Jeans, logo-laden or frayed clothing should be left in the closet for the weekend.

Men

- Trousers in a range of fabrics from tropical weight wool to corduroy, no
jeans or high-waters.

- A cashmere or wool pullover sweater can replace a suit jacket, but must be
work with a collared shirt. Vests can be worn over a buttoned-downed shirt by
the more adventurous.

Women

- Sweater sets are an alternative to the suit jacket, but are

generally not acceptable for client meetings.

- Boots are acceptable with calf-length skirts or slacks; however

such shoes as stilettos, mules or open-toed shoes are not

considered appropriate.

- Slacks paired with sweaters or colorful silk blouses are back in

popularity this fall.

The Deal's Traditional Business Primer for Interviewees

The Deal recommends sticking to classic business suits for times when a first impression can jump-start or squash your career. Traditional suits in neutral shades of black, navy and charcoal gray puts both men and women on a similar professional fashion playing field and leaves guess work behind.

Men

- Standard white or blue-checked, button-down shirts and

conservative ties are best.

- Shoes that are the most practical are lace-ups with a toe cap or a

plain one.

Women

- Skirt suits should be worn instead of pantsuits, with hems that

are knee-length or longer.

- Shoes considered appropriate for the interview are classic pumps,

sling backs, t-straps with moderate heels.

(Note to editors: See attached visuals and graphics)

About The Deal LLC

The Deal LLC is the integrated new media company for dealmakers around the globe. The company provides original news reporting, financial data and commentary on the structures and financings of deals, and the personalities and politics of dealmakers engaged in the full spectrum of transaction activity: from venture capital to private equity and from mergers and acquisitions to restructurings. Through The Daily Deal and thedailydeal.com -- a daily newspaper and Web site launched in September 1999 -- the monthly newsletter Corporate Control Alert, and special programs, The Deal LLC addresses the information needs of the deal community comprised of corporate executives, entrepreneurs, institutional investors, financial intermediaries and advisers. The Deal LLC is a privately held company, wholly owned by U.S. Equity Partners, a private investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc.

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