What should I buy apart from clothes? Starting as an BA Intern at McK

Hi,

I spent ~9 years in consulting and almost ~50% of that time on travel cases across developed and developing markets. Sharing my perspective:

1. Do I need any other clothing? Can I wear chinos just with a shirt or do I need a coat? 

• Every firm will have a HR policy on dress code - typically it is business casual (chinos with a normal business shirt would fall in under here)
• The basic rule is that you dress as per your clients, and as per your team norms

2. What should I wear on my first day? Will business formal work or I will be laughed at if I wear a tie?

• I would follow the suggested dress policy to office that HR should inform you on
• Nothing wrong to wear a tie and nobody will laugh at you

3. Do you ever check in luggage or is it always a carry-on?

• Typically always carry-on to minimize waiting time at the airport
• A carry-on will give you enough space for weekly travel
• For longer cases with frequent travel, what I used to do was actually check-in a larger suitcase at the start of the project, and then leave the luggage at the hotel
  • This way I didnt need to lug as much stuff back and forth
  • The hotel will automatically bring your luggage to your room the next time around 

4. What do you usually carry with you when going to the office or client's site? A laptop bag, a leather briefcase, something else? I mean, it is probably not a good idea if I show up at the office on my first day with a backpack.

• Either is fine
• For backpack, while there is no ‘hard and fast’ rule, I would suggest getting a business style/brand backpack

5. Suits/shirts while travelling. Well, that might be a trivial question for you, but I just don't know. Where and how do you pack your shirts/suits when travelling to the client? 

• As mentioned above - you can actually store your suits and shirts (even on the hangers) at the hotel (on longer cases)
• For an overnight trip, I would just wear the suit (if needed)

Hope this helps to clarify!

Congratulations!

1. Only a coat if it gets cold. I don't see anything missing.

2. Tie to start (always for the first week when starting at a new client, unless told otherwise). Dress down after a while only if others do too.

3. Always carry-on! You can easily do it. Bring 1 spare shirt just in case of stain, tear etc.

4. Doesn't matter. I bring a (nice) backpack

5. In the carry-on. Then iron your first night in (iron for the whole week - you never know which nights you'll be grateful you don't have to iron). Every hotel you'll be staying in has an iron. Also, if you're staying back-to-back weeks you can get a laundry service.

If it's a short flight to client, wear the suit. If longer, I go casual and bring a suit-bag with the ironed shirt inside to change into once landing (if no morning meetings, tight arrival schedule etc.)

Best of luck!

I can only comment on the last point, I am transitioning from VC/startup environment as well.
I use a suit-holder / bag (for lack of a better term) for 2-3 day travel.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QK971DN/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07QK971DN&pd_rd_w=p9yQu&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=beK0a&pf_rd_r=HAF7SPCBQT8PJ3SKKBRX&pd_rd_r=878c61cc-8305-11e9-8887-9b31b6cb4217

I'm 6.1 and I weigh 200 lb, my suits are never wrinkled with this.

Hi,

It's a really nice problem ti have:)

1) We don't know the weather in your location:)

2) The suit, always wear a suit and a tie by default. You'll know when you can wear smth else

3) Carry on is better and faster. You need to save time to sleep and you don't want to waste the teams time

4) No one really cares whether you have a backpack or a leather bag

5) You can always iron at the hotel

Best

Hi there,

I loved the topic, such a nice problem =)

1- You are good. Don't worry, if you feel you need more, you can buy later. 

2- Suit + Tie

3- Mostly carry-on. Mostly you can fit all. Typical consultant life. Of course there is no rule =)

4- I always use a backpack. You can choose something you like. Make sure you have your pen and notebook =)

5-  I carry my shirts separately in the suit bag.  You can use the hotel ironing service.

Cheers
Serhat

Hi A,

1. Surely, coat will be fine and elegant.

2. Definitely, a suit with a tie.

3. I would prefer a carry-on, it is always convinient.

4. Actually, that does not matter, depends enterily on what you prefer. 

5. You can iron your shirts at the hotel.

Best, Andre