<p>I am in the midst of preparing to pitch my startup to angel investors. Friends have told me that I should dress casually to show that I don’t take myself too seriously and that I value my product and intelligence more than my outward appearance. My parents, on the other hand, say that I need to go to meetings in a suit and tie to show investors that I’m serious and trustworthy.</p>
<p>Listen to your folks. Over dressing is more forgivable than under dressing. Plus, if you are asking people for money, they’d probably like to know that their money is in mature hands. YMMV, but that’s one old fart’s opinion.</p>
<p>But you’re serious about your endeavor, right? If so, it’s more than fine that your clothing indicates seriousness – not about yourself, but about the project. </p>
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Your friends have a false dichotomy there. With more maturity comes the ability to attend to all of this within the same working day.</p>
<p>I agree that it depends on who the investors are that you are pitching. If they are under 35 then maybe you can dress a little more causally, meaning no tie. But if it were me, the minimum would be a pressed pair of khakis, oxford button down and a blue blazer. After all, you are asking them to entrust their money to you. They need to be assured that you are professional and serious about your business. While there are many ways of communicating this, a professional appearance will help reinforce that message.</p>
<p>I think there may be a middle ground between hoodies and three piece suits. I’d go with HarvestMoon’s wardrobe. You should look like you are trying.</p>
<p>Dressing more “business” will matter more around the finance community (including venture capitalists and angel investors) than in day to day work writing computer software. Of course, what region of the country may also matter, as some regions tend to dress more formally than others.</p>
<p>Make sure that the suit and dress shirt fit; many college age men have a hard time finding properly fitting suits and dress shirts, because the main buyers of such things are older men, so the common sizes and cuts are more suitable for obese men.</p>
<p>I also agree with Harvest Moon and other posters - slacks, a button down shirt, and dress shoes should be fine. Remember though, that you’re never fully dressed without a smile! Confidence is key in this kind of environment. You can create a knowledgeable, easygoing image of yourself with the vibes you bring to the presentation. Good luck!</p>
<p>Forty years ago I spent a few years working in California. Few coats and ties and lots of gold chains. For a long time I thought that the suit and tie would become obsolete. </p>
<p>No way did that happen. Even many years later when I worked in Arizona I was expected to wear a coat and tie to work. The sheer stupidity of wearing a tie and wool coat in 110 degree weather taught a powerful lesson about the expectations of society. Once I quit working all of the suits, jackets and ties went in the trash except for a single blue blazer and one black tie for funerals and one red tie for happy events. If you need to work for a living, trying to buck the norms of society is a poor idea. Wait until you retire to do what you want and even then expect plenty of push back.</p>
<p>You can probably do a slightly more casual outfit by wearing a nice pair of pants, shirt & TIE and a nice sports jacket. By going to one of the hip stores for young men, they can help you to put together a cool looking outfit that won’t break the bank and that you can use many times over. There are a ton of very hip looking outfits and ties for young working men that are not as fancy as a suit & tie that are not too casual looking either. Head over to Banana Republic or the Gap. Maybe even Brooks Brothers too, but that tends to be too formal and too expensive. Abercromie or J Crew <em>Just saw VeryHappy suggested the same</em></p>
<p>I think I’d want my son to err on the dressier side, but not necessarily a formal suit and tie.
Ask someone at the store to help put an outfit together for you, and include a tie. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>PS: You may even look at Men’s Wearhouse. I bought my college son a sports jacket there for college in a nice suede feeling material that he has already worn on a few occasions. At that store, they do help you put together an outfit…it definitely does not need to be a formal suit & tie to still look smart & put together.</p>
<p>Is there a resale shop near you? As noted upstream, many folks are getting rid of their suits, etc. you might score a nice sports jacket or suit. We just got DS a $350 English Laundry suit for $10, and a new with tags Banana Republic summer suit for $12.99. Worth looking.</p>
<p>I think your age and experience makes a big difference, too. You’re an aspiring entrepreneur who’s still in college. You need to prove that you can be professional and mature - so suit and tie.</p>
<p>If you were a millionaire who already had a track record of successful start-ups in your 30’s, you could probably wear jeans for all the investors would care.</p>
<p>Well, of course anything you wear should fit properly. Sometimes you even have to get NEW things altered!</p>
<p>We have been fortunate that some of the gently used, or new things we have gotten at resale shops have fit DS perfectly right off the used clothing rack. The OP could be lucky too.</p>
<p>There is a saying that goes, “dress for the job you aspire to, not the job you currently have”. In other words, even though you are still in college, this is a big deal. So dressing the part is just as important as pitching your ideas to angel investors.</p>
<p>Almost all of us have said to dress up. Either a suit and tie, or a sports jacket & tie…but what you wear is equally, if not as important. Your friends advice is not the best in this case. Listen to your parents or the suggestions on this thread.</p>