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

Congratulations on making it to the final round!

I would say err on the formal side - so maybe a suit or a suit with no tie. Avoid being too casual - mainly so you don't worry about how you appear during the interview and can focus on your performance instead.

All the best,

Udayan

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

That's a very common dilemma, and you're smart to decode it. Firms are increasingly moving away from strict suit-and-tie cultures, and that invite language reflects a genuine desire to put candidates at ease and signal their more modern work environment.

However, it's also a subtle test of judgment. While they're not expecting a suit, showing up in a full three-piece suit with a tie might inadvertently suggest you haven't quite grasped their cultural shift or that you overthought the instruction. The goal is to look polished, professional, and confident, but also adaptable. The sweet spot here is smart business casual: a crisp dress shirt (or blouse), well-tailored dress trousers or a skirt, and a sharp blazer or sport coat. A tie is almost certainly not needed.

Regarding the briefcase, a professional-looking leather folio or a simple notebook and pen are perfectly sufficient. You want to appear organized and prepared, not like you're carrying a prop from a bygone era. Focus on looking sharp, comfortable, and ready to engage.

All the best for your interview!

Answer 4

Hey there :)

Congrats on the final round, that is great news. In London especially, when they explicitly say no suit required, I would not go full suit with tie. It will not hurt you, but it can feel slightly out of sync with the office culture. Smart business casual is usually the sweet spot, for example blazer with shirt and no tie, or elegant equivalent. The goal is polished but relaxed.

A leather briefcase is absolutely fine but not necessary. A clean laptop bag or slim portfolio is more than enough. Interviewers care far more about your clarity of thought and presence than about accessories.

Best,
Alessa :)

Answer 5

It sounds like they are hinting at not being too formal.

So a business casual attire would probably be best.

I wouldn't bring a leather suitcase.

Best,
Cristian