Australian Members

[Osiris2012]

I tend to agree and think the above rule applies, although as a consultant in the financial services sector I end up feeling over dressed 99% of the time in summer. At two of the big banks from section heads to senior executives the general summer wardrobe is trousers and a collared shirt...I cant discern a clear pattern but occasionally you see a tie (or jacket sitting on the back of a chair), I assume when they are meeting with the person above them perhaps. I would say the women in these institutions on average dress more professionally than the men all year around.

 

[Oli2012]

I would say the women in these institutions on average dress more professionally than the men all year around.

God...

 

[Osiris2012]

God...

?

 

[Oli2012]

?

My general experience is that women push the boundaries of conservative business dress to the limit - mandarin jackets, suit jackets in floral designs etc.

 

[Journeyman]

Oli - Yes, women typically dress in a more flamboyant manner than men. You don't see many women walking around in a white shirt, grey skirt, grey jacket and black shoes.

However, that doesn't mean that they are badly dressed. You can be a bit more flamboyant and yet still be well dressed.

Most men - even very successful men - dress quite badly. Loudly striped or loudly checked shirt with open collar and no tie, but possibly with French cuffs. Black trousers, quite often hemmed a bit too long. Corrected grain bluchers or slip-on shoes, quite probably scuffed and battered or, at best, a pair of RM Williams elastic sided boots.

Give me a bit of colour and flamboyance from female colleagues over the typically-dressed male any day.

 

[DartagnanRed]

God the other day I saw a woman wearing a brown skirt in conservative business dress Sydney.

Do these people even styleforum?

 

[Oli2012]

Oli - Yes, women typically dress in a more flamboyant manner than men. You don't see many women walking around in a white shirt, grey skirt, grey jacket and black shoes.

However, that doesn't mean that they are badly dressed. You can be a bit more flamboyant and yet still be well dressed.

Most men - even very successful men - dress quite badly. Loudly striped or loudly checked shirt with open collar and no tie, but possibly with French cuffs. Black trousers, quite often hemmed a bit too long. Corrected grain bluchers or slip-on shoes, quite probably scuffed and battered or, at best, a pair of RM Williams elastic sided boots.

Give me a bit of colour and flamboyance from female colleagues over the typically-dressed male any day.

I enjoy face-stalking some of the Young Liberal girls. They can pull off black tie.

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]



I enjoy face-stalking some of the Young Liberal girls. They can pull off black tie. 

Date a waitress if you enjoy black tie.

 

[ryanohare]



Wear what you want

Indeed. It's Australia too - there's hardly 'rules' here is there? If you work on Wall St, or in the City in London there'l be expectations of pinstripes. Melbourne (Big 4 Companies or not) has and should continue to have zero rules.

 

[Edwardz]

I have a NWT RLBL Nigel 36R charcoal suit if anyone is interested in Sydney. Purchased off another SF member and willing to sell at cost if you want to pick it up.

Unfortunately I need a bigger size. Couldn't try one on in a retail store since they basically stock RL polo only here

Measurements etc are in a post in the marketplace.

 

[herringbonePete]

Quote:
Speaking as a former Londoner, there are sorts of 'tiers' in the workforce. You get the fully-paid up bloke in a sharp suit - regardless of whether he is Oxbridge and then you get the wheeler-dealer who has aped the traditional look. Then in the outer suburbs or the West End you get a sort of watered-down look. Noone really expects pin-stripes in the City of London. What you do see is a fairly high common denominator borne of blokes being taught how to dress by their fathers, or by their schools. People would also observe how others dress and take advantage of the premier shops around. It's hard to dress really badly when there are so many shops stocking nice shirts - all on special. I think we criticise Australia too much - plenty of opportunity to get a nice shirt - if you know what to look for.

 

[Romp]

Indeed. It's Australia too - there's hardly 'rules' here is there? If you work on Wall St, or in the City in London there'l be expectations of pinstripes. Melbourne (Big 4 Companies or not) has and should continue to have zero rules.

I think if you feel comfortable in it then its fine.

If you feel self conscious or need to ask if its OK then you are probably out of your depth.

 

[ryanohare]



I think if you feel comfortable in it then its fine.

If you feel self conscious or need to ask if its OK then you are probably out of your depth.

Agreed.

And let's be honest, (inclusive of Big4) the aceppted corporate attire in Melbourne/Sydney is some scuffed pointed Aquila's, with an ill-fitting $600 Peter Jackson suit anyway.

I'm all for anything that 'fashionably extreme' that bucks that trend.

 

[PapaRubbery]

Thanks all for the advice and comments - I'm used to academia and hospitals - so the dress code is ridiculous, at best!

 

[sliq]

Is it me being old and grumpy, or is it, people wearing thick framed glasses with the "geek" look, annoying and pretentious? It vexes me. #endrant