City candidates should avoid brown shoes and 'loud ties'

The way you dress and how you present yourself to the world leaves a lasting impression.

But what if someone told you the colour of your shoes could make or break a job interview? According to a recent report by the Social Mobility Commission, candidates who wear brown shoes, “loud” ties or ill-fitting suits can fall foul of codes of conduct.

The report looked at applicants looking to break into the cut-throat world of investment banking. It found that firms recruit from just a couple of top tier universities and only consider hiring those who will “fit in”.

Committee Chairman Alan Milburn said to the BBC that these ideas were an example of “arcane culture rules” which essentially prevented working-class candidates from securing City jobs.