Job Discussion Forums

PatS · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 25 Location: Northern California

What do you consider appropriate work attire? Please be sure to tell where you work, as the expectation of how we dress probably varies considerably from job to job, region to region.

At my public school here in Northern California, things are very casual. As a woman, I can wear jeans and running shoes and not look too out of place. (If I wear nice shoes I look practically dressed-up!) Men can get away with jeans, t-shirts and birkenstocks. I'm wondering how much clothes shopping we'll need to do before moving overseas. (Should I just take a few items and buy once I get there? Or is it hard to find clothes that fit western women in Asia?)

What are the clothing-expectations where you work?

johnslat · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 7:33 pm Post subject: Clothes minded

Dear PatS,
Sorry, I could only advise you about proper clothing for the Mideast. But, if you don't mind a suggestion - perhaps you ought to be more specific about which Asian country you'll be going to (and actually, the Mideast is part of Asia, too) since the answers could vary considerably from one country to another.
Regards,
John

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I don't think it matters where you are. You should always enter the classroom looking respectable. I don't mean shirt and tie. No jeans, no T-shirts. A clean pair of pressed trousers and shirt- and self respect is all that is necessary.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Shaman · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Posts: 446 Location: Hammertown

In Korea, the language school I worked at deemed shorts, jeans, sandals, and even running shoes acceptable. In Japan, none of the above were allowed. In France, casual cool was fine at the school, but formal was necessity for outbound business classes.

For biz classes, the obligatory collared shirt, slacks and dress shoes. The tie seems about 50/50 anymore depending on the environment you are visiting. Of course, that would differ in other countries.

Shaman

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

At my university in the UK anything goes for teaching. Only senior management wear ties except for formal interview or disciplinary panels(!)

I have conducted seminars wearing motorbike boots and leather jeans when anxious for a quick exit afterwards.

I am off to Indonesia in the Autumn where I expect to wear at least a smart shirt and pressed slacks, and probably a tie when in the classroom.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I teach at a kindergarten. All the clothes should be decent, but not too dresssy as we sit on the floor and the kids play and my clothes get stretched.

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

What NOT to wear ? Prize for this goes to a colleague who sometimes wears his Manchester United football strip and a gold chain around his neck.

In Saudi Arabia !?

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

At my Uni in china, I wear anything I want as long as it is clean. the only exeption is sports clothing; I cannot bring myself to wear them anyways.

More often than not, I am wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater of some sorts...I'll downgrade to a T-shirt when the weather permits. I tried wearing my nice shirts and stuff but the chalk gets all over them and the university does not care about my dry-cleaning bill Very Happy

I did the same in Morocco, not to mention back in the states! I had some of my professors come to class with their soccer gear every wednesday before they were off to catch the games at the irish pub Shocked

PatS · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 25 Location: Northern California

nolefan, May I ask your gender? Would it matter as far as clothing expectations and your job were concerned? (Okay, I am not trying to leave myself wide open, here -- I don't need the obvious jokes. What I mean is, perhaps men could get away with dressing in jeans and sweaters, but would women?)

Women, most of the answers have been from fellahs. What about you, what do you wear?

(I'm thinking of working in China, but I'm interested in other countries, too.)

Guest · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:22 pm Post subject:

Dear PatS

When I was considering China, I was told that I would have to wear a skirt or a dress, and not slacks or pants. I was a bit concerned about that because in Australia I wear pants all the time. Anyway, upon arriving at this School I saw that the female teachers mainly wore slacks also, and most of them jeans. They really dress quite casually here.

I know that another Australian (older) teacher here wore short last Summer - she has left now. I will not be wearing shorts, but it is really quite casual and as long as you are neat, you can wear just about anything.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

This doesn't vary only by country, but also by job.

Last year I worked at a primary school, and the code was a good shirt and trousers, suit only needed for ceremonies. The year before at a junior high school, the code was officially a suit, but no one cared if I wore any random set of smart shirt and trousers. This year at a high school, the rule is white (and only white) shirt with a tie and suit.

Best bet is to ask at the interview - it is an entirely reasonable question to ask.