Office clothes - free time clothes

[Guest hrubieszowianka]

Hello!

Everybody asks serious questions, which are very helpful and I've learnt loads since in started reading PIA. So now I can ask some really minor ones. I will probably end up in some sort of office/bank/finance job in Adelaide. I hate clothes and fashon and shopping. In my free time I live in comfy jeans, cotton tops, hoodies etc. In summer I might put on a summer dress, but only a comfortable one. I despise high heels. Now the questions: what should I bring with me for work- suits? is there more "casualness" allowed? What do normal people wear outside work (winter and summer)? I just thought I might force myself to do some clothes shopping before we set off, as so many people complain about prices, exchange rate etc.

Well, I can't believe that out of all topics I pick this one.

Hrubieszowianka

[Guest caoimhe]

I know Australia is reknown for being casual but while there on hols a few years ago I was staying with family and my aunt always wore a suit to her office, not exactly answering all of your question but I'm sure someone will add to this soon

[Guest graandjac]

:)Not sure on the work frount, but outside its casual all the way , if you like trakkies and hoodies you have nothing to worry about. Cheers Graham

[Guest stufi1997]

Go shopping before you come......you hate shopping in the UK?!!! don't wait to get here, mark my words....Fiona

[Guest stufi1997]

P.S I sound like a right moaning cow but it's the ONLY thing I regret...not stocking up on clothes before we came. Love it here with everything else...honest, Fiona

[Rachiegarlo]

work wear is usually combinations of skirts,trousers, jackets, shirts, jumpers, dresses, shorts. You don't have to wear the "women's suit" the aim is to look neat, but be comfortable and of course professional so no belly bare midriffs, very short shorts or skirts and no thongs (flip flops). Some places do have a corporate uniform , but there are usually choices in that.

[Moosh]

work wear is usually combinations of skirts,trousers, jackets, shirts, jumpers, dresses, shorts. You don't have to wear the "women's suit" the aim is to look neat, but be comfortable and of course professional so no belly bare midriffs, very short shorts or skirts and no thongs (flip flops). Some places do have a corporate uniform , but there are usually choices in that.

 

Yes this is right. I work in an office in the City and just wear trousers and a suitable top or blouse with a jacket. The men do wear suits and ties though.

[Nicky]

Hello!

I hate clothes and fashon and shopping. In my free time I live in comfy jeans, cotton tops, hoodies etc. In summer I might put on a summer dress, but only a comfortable one. I despise high heels.

Hrubieszowianka

 

 

I'm with you there! Well I wouldn't say I hate shopping, it just doesn't really interest me, I'd rather spend my time doing something I actually enjoy. I get moaned at by my very fasion conscience 8 year old that I live in jeans all the time. But they're comfy!! So needless to say I hadn't really thought about stocking up on clothes before I come over. Perhaps I ought to buy another couple of pairs of jeans then.

 

Are the shops really that bad then?

 

 

 

Nicky

[Guest Deb17]

Most of the ladies on here will probably have some complaint about the clothes shopping I guess. There just isn't the same kind of quality we got in the UK. Everything's made in China and half my stuff shrunk the first time I washed it. It's like the Aussie's import throwaway clothes - wear them for one season and then give them to the salvos. After one season of being hung out on the line in 40 degree sunshine everything's bleached and faded anyhow.

[Guest Amelia&Fred]

Yep... shopping for clothes here is either expensive and rubbish or cheap and rubbish... my husband loved shopping before we arrived here and now he doesn't like it! The women's clothes are better than the mens.... I'd definitely stock up! You can get away with wearing anything outside of work, adelaide is such a mixed place and no one seems to care that much. I wear smart trousers and a jumper to work.... easy.

 

Topman deliver to australia - that shows you something... it's really hard to find jeans here that fit well - especially for men - they are all made in china at 34inch leg.... mmm... there are soooo many alterations places which is not a good solution for jeans! Buy jeans before you come!! Unless you're really tall!!!!!

 

Amelia and Fred

http://www.funkeldink.com

[Guest Tracijbc]

What a great question! I recently went for an interview at a temping agency, just for some temporary office work and was told that I "Don't look corporate enough" by the rude cow interviewing me. She also mentioned that "The UK is far more casual in work dressing than Australia" and that "South Australia is far more conservative than the UK with regards to dressing for the office" You be the judge of that one eh? Needless to say I shan't be working for her!

 

That notwithstanding, I am now happily employed within the SA Government at Disability SA and no one here seems to get too uptight about the way anyone dresses. Most people here opt for similar stuff to the UK, trousers, tops, blouses, etc. I reckon as long as you look clean and tidy no one will mind unless you are heading for a really top job in the CBD, (or you happen to go to that particular agency!!).

 

Best of luck, and I totally agree, shop before you come here and bring a case full of office clothes, (I'm missing M&S). You can buy casual stuff here by the tonne, but not really good workwear and comfortable work shoes, especially if you're not a 'standard' size!

 

Cheers

 

Traci xx

[cormcvcr]

I went for a supposed interview with a child care centre and had the same train of thought as I would in the Uk with regards to first impressions.

 

I put on my suit and shirt and looked smart, walked into the premises and was spoken to in the same room by another two individuals also looking to start. (I did find this event rather strange as I've never been accompanied in any interview by the same people looking to do the job that I want!)

 

Anyway, one girl had a pair of black trousers, t-shirt and cardigan (which I thought....a bit casual for an interview) then I turned to my right and saw a girl with jogging bottoms with the knees in them (you know what I mean!) a pair of running shoes, t-shirt and a piercing hanging out of her bottom lip! .....she even brought her daughter to the interview with her!!

 

If you went to the interview smart by UK standards, I would say that's a good thing!

[Guest Tracijbc]

I went for a supposed interview with a child care centre and had the same train of thought as I would in the Uk with regards to first impressions.

 

I put on my suit and shirt and looked smart, walked into the premises and was spoken to in the same room by another two individuals also looking to start. (I did find this event rather strange as I've never been accompanied in any interview by the same people looking to do the job that I want!)

 

Anyway, one girl had a pair of black trousers, t-shirt and cardigan (which I thought....a bit casual for an interview) then I turned to my right and saw a girl with jogging bottoms with the knees in them (you know what I mean!) a pair of running shoes, t-shirt and a piercing hanging out of her bottom lip! .....she even brought her daughter to the interview with her!!

 

If you went to the interview smart by UK standards, I would say that's a good thing!

 

Tee Hee!!! Maybe I should go back to the agency wearing some joggers and a baseball cap??!! I was wearing smart black trousers and a smart shirt, but apparently just not quite smart enough for the old bag!!

 

Did you get the job??

[cormcvcr]

Tee Hee!!! Maybe I should go back to the agency wearing some joggers and a baseball cap??!! I was wearing smart black trousers and a smart shirt, but apparently just not quite smart enough for the old bag!!

 

Did you get the job??

Hi Traci,

 

yes I got the job, but it is only for casual work, I have since seen the girl with the trousers but not the other with the joggers.

 

Makes you wonder really what they are looking for.