For your MM internship in Los Angeles, starting with a full suit on the first day is a prudent choice. This approach allows you to present yourself professionally and make a strong first impression. After your initial day, observe the attire of your colleagues and adjust accordingly. In regions like Los Angeles, business attire can sometimes lean towards the more relaxed side, as seen with LA-based professionals wearing items like Tom Ford jeans and V-necks during property tours. However, it's always safer to start more formal and then adapt as you learn the specific culture and norms of your office.

Sources: What are you all wearing in your markets?, girls internship attire, Summer Internship dress code | IBD London, Female intern clothes, IB 1st year analyst MM....what to expect

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I am not based in the US, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I would recommend wearing a full suit on the first day, and then assessing the situation. Does everyone dress in business formal, or do they wear a suit without a tie? If it's the former, then I would also dress in business formal. But if it’s the latter—suit but no tie—I would argue you could either wear a tie or not. It wouldn't impact you significantly. For example, during my SA, the floor would wear suits but no ties. I like ties, so I chose to wear one every day and I believe it made me stand out (as no other intern or even analyst or associte were wearing ties). Granted, I did get the occasional smart comment, but I never reacted or addressed them, so no one really cared. A friend of mine shared a funny story where, during his SA, there was also a kid who used to wear a tie every day even though no one on the floor wore ties. The MDs made a bet that if he kept his tie on every day throughout the whole internship, he would get a return offer. If I remember correctly, I believe the kid did get the return offer.

 

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