Job Discussion Forums

roamingteacher · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 106

Hi there,

I'm sure I've seen info on this somewhere other than the CfBT site, but I can't find it, despite searching extensively.

Anyway, can anyone please clarify the dress code for teachers in Brunei for females in particular? CfBT has pictures of women wearing full-length skirts and high-neck, full-sleeved blouses, but from posts on here, I glean that most schools don't have aircon. Personally, I would pass out in such clothing with 28 degrees plus - not to mention the unsightly sweat stains! Confused

When working in Thailand we were told similar things about the dress code, although we had aircon. As time passed, I realised that it wasn't as strict as first appeared and you could actually wear a cardi into the classroom and remove it if it got too hot, without lowering your status as a teacher. Also knee-length / below-the-knee skirts were acceptable. Is this the case in Brunei?

And do all clothes have to be loose fitting, or can one wear fitted blouses with shorter sleeves (not sleeveless) and straight / pencil / mid-calf skirts? Can women wear trousers?

Is it OK to wear a vest top under a low-cut top to make it acceptably modest?

And footwear - any restrictions?

So many questions, but I'd just like to get a clearer picture....

Many thanks!

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

I posted this a while ago on the Thumbs up for Brunei thread.....may help....

[quoteFemale dress expectations really depend on the principal you work with. Some expect, as the very minumum, that elbows be covered and skirts to be almost ankle length. Others make no comment when expats wear short sleeved tops and just below the knee skirts.

Shalwar Kameez are worn by both asians and expats are generally acceptable. Again, depends on your principal.

Some principals also make comments about how you dress even when not at school - they express that you are a teacher and even if you do not know the people around you, they may well know who you are, and you are expected to wear clothes suitably 'respectful'.

Others make no comments at all about outside school.

Loose cotton clothing is the way to survive the heat. The more air that can circulate around you - the better!

Probably the best thing is to come prepared to cover up to elbows and ankles, find out where you end up teaching, see what the other expats are wearing, and adjust as you go. There are plenty of tailors here who can cheaply make just about anything you want in any style. Also expat size (not asian size) clothes in shops are increasing.[/quote]

roamingteacher · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 106

Thanks for that Celtica, but are females allowed to wear trousers?

celtica · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 137

No Not trousers. Many teachers wear the Shalwar Kameez. Though some principals do not really like that either...

As with many things in Brunei ...it depends on where you are and who is in charge. (read the comments on 'Brunei ..the other side thread' about this phenomenon)

BellaBrunei · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Brunei

Hi roamingteacher...as celtica mentioned, you really are at the whim of your admin. I wanted to add though, that baju kurong seems hot but is actually quite cool because you generate a breeze every time you move. Also, as happened to me the other day, when you get soaked in the rain they dry quickly! And they ensure you are suitably modest......wearing baju means there is no risk of exposing things like tattoos, boobs, any other bits of skin people don't show here. My school seems quite particular about wearing covered shoes too, while friends at other schools are fine with open toed slides. It's a bit annoying but not the end of the world.

roamingteacher · Joined: 16 Apr 2009 Posts: 106

The pic in the middle - is this acceptable?
http://publicweb.kukum.edu.my/~pejrektor/icsz/images/cloth/Major+races.jpg

BellaBrunei · Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 40 Location: Brunei

more like the one on the left. the middle one might be considered a bit short and tight (like, you can see the curve of the model's boobs). Think loose fitting and flowing....my recruiter initially told me to think potato sack and I would be on the right track. The good thing is, you don't feel like you are wearing your work clothes when you go out because they are so different from your non-work outfits. Even local staff, when you see them out of hours....much less conservative than for school.