When I visit London this summer I have a scheduled breakfast meeting with representatives of certain Lloyds syndicates at the Lloyds offices. Can I expect that these gentlemen will be wearing suits and that I will have to pack one my self. I really had hoped to go with a sports coat and slacks but I may have to abandon that idea. Since I have a luncheon at the House of Lords as well a suit may be required. Any frequenters of Lloyds out there?

Suits are worn by almost everyone at Lloyds. I did some work there for a few weeks in 1997 and did use a sport coat, but it was obvious that I was an uncultured American by doing so. The Brits wear little other than suits except sometimes in more casual office atmospheres. Our London consultants might wear a sport coat to the office, but never out to see a client. I will be going to our office in July and will take a sport coat to supplement the one suit I will carry for the 4 day visit but I will not be going out to clients that way.

You will be branded a careless bumpkin if you show up at Lloyd's wearing casual clothing. As a banker, I called on their offices and those of other financial houses in the city, the financial district of London. The casual -- dare we say "sloppy"? -- clothing worn by some now in the States is not acceptable among British business circles. And you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. They simply will not take you seriously. Seriously.

Hi ... <BR> <BR>Definitely bring a suit .... you will NOT create a good impression in slacks. <BR> <BR>If you thought of renting a suit .... if your only requiring a suit for 1 day, & don't want to have to lug the suit from the US ... then it is easy to rent one ... <BR> <BR>Of course depends when you arrive etc etc. <BR> <BR>Mark

Dress down is slowly spreading here, mainly among the banks and companies with US connections. But still at a place like Lloyds, I would wear a suit or risk reinforcing the caricature of Americans! A mate of mine comes over from LA to meetings at Lloyds and he wears a suit, if that's any help. Ironically you could probably get away with it at a lunch at the House of Lords, but wear a suit anyway.