Attire for MBB summer internship final round interview (London)

Question

Hi everyone,

I was recently invited to interview at an MBB firm for a summer internship. In the invitation, they mentioned the following regarding dress code:

"Please wear whatever makes you feel confident and comfortable. We are not expecting you to be in a suit."

I wanted to ask whether wearing a full suit with a tie would still be appropriate, or if that might come across as overly formal in this context. Similarly, would bringing a leather briefcase be considered appropriate, or could that also seem a bit over the top?

I’d really appreciate any advice from those who have gone through MBB interviews recently.

Many thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

In London MBB offices, the culture is generally quite polished but not overly formal. When they say “we are not expecting you to be in a suit,” they genuinely mean it.

A full suit with tie won’t hurt you, but it may feel slightly overdressed compared to most candidates. The safest option is usually smart business attire without a tie:

Dark suit or blazer
Light shirt (no tie needed)
Polished shoes
Clean, simple look

As for a leather briefcase — it’s fine, but definitely not necessary. Most candidates just bring a slim laptop bag or nothing at all. Over-accessorizing can feel a bit try-hard, but a simple professional bag is completely normal.

In short: aim for polished and confident, not corporate-lawyer formal. They care much more about how you think and communicate than what you’re carrying.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out

Best
Evelina