Melbourne/Sydney in Feb - what does everyone wear?

[wickedfairy]

Ok - I realise that is a bit of a random question! Will be there in Feb, so height of summer and will be there with young children. Planning visiting the sites and just having a general look around and meeting family.

I would like to look casual but nice - sort of posh girl scruffy (I aim to look like that here, but fail...). Just not sure about the temperature (it's going to be fairly hot) and also if I would look ok - I want to look relaxed but stylish.

What do people wear over there? Any advice please - I struggle with the whole fashion thing! TIA

[AnyFuckerForAMincePie]

Shorts, t-shirts and thongs (footwear thongs, not underwear)

Australians are not known for their fashion style, as a rule (sorry, all Australians )

[SanityClause]

Melbourne can be ludicrously hot in February.

AnyFucker is right - Australians tend to look about as stylish as the British in holiday.

[Toomanycuppas]

I live in Sydney and agree about the lack of style, however you can always tell the Brits abroad. It will be very hot so you will need something to cover up with and you will all need sun hats. Please don't make your kids wear socks with sandals or trainers, sock free is the way to go.

T shirts with skirts or shorts and a strappy dress with sparkly thongs will see you through with a little cardi in case of cooler nights.

The quality of clothes here is rubbish with a lot of cheap sweaty polyester made in China. Bring cotton clothing if you have it.

[wickedfairy]

Thank you for the quick replies!

I just want to look nice - I have no summer clothes, it is not a good time to buy them in the UK, but I need to work out what I need.

TooMan - what makes the Brits stand out? I am not bothered about being obviously not from Oz, I just want to look nice and not end up coming over with completely inappropriate clothing :-) Am 36, if that makes a difference!

[24me]

Don't forget swimwear with sun protection, such as rash vests, board shorts etc and wide brim hats as you will burn. Also 50+ sun cream.

Loose cotton clothes are fine. Thong or sandals and maybe slip on shoes if eating out.

[imip]

For the last few summers I have seen my friends (I am a melburnian but live in the uk) wear lots of maxi dresses and cardis. Cardis are your friend. I would wear jeans and sleeveless shirts, probably....

Be aware that it an also be comparatively cool in feb. can go from 20oc to 40oc in one day. Have a look at some high street shops online eg, witchery, country road, to get a sense of what will be on the high street then.

Have fun, melbourne is a very lovely place my dsis spent the morning on the beach on Christmas Day. We were stuck with no heating after a freak storm accident broke our boiler

[imip]

I do, of course, categorically disagree with comments above about the lack of fashion. Melbourne is very cool, inner city is very hip indeed. My dsis is the funkiest person I know, and I live in hipster-ville in the UK.

I always thought Sydney was much less fashionable. Like anywhere though, it will be very fashionable inner city, more mundane as you move away from the centre.

[GoneGirlGone]

Lots of cotton. Spent lots of time in Sydney in my twenties and loved it. However they are not the most stylish folk. The lack of decent shopping is definitely something that puts me off. The cropped trouser was big when we last visited and it seemed like every second woman was rocking that look. It's all just a bit of a suburban look.

[wickedfairy]

Thanks for the help! I am sorted for kids stuff (my lovely MIL bought loads in the sales for them) - I just need to sort myself out! Will defo have sun protection - I burn easily. Kids have the UV50 tops, etc and sun hats.

So, are jeans ok or will it be far too hot? Denim shorts? Think I have a maxi skirt and some tops to wear with it. Have sandals, so at least that is something! Suppose it depends if it's 20deg or 40deg...

I am useless at this!

[wickedfairy]

p.s I want to look casual like Jessica Alba, etc.

[rubybleu]

Disagree strongly, Australians are pretty stylish in summer and Australian women tend to well-groomed. Not so good in winter.

February can be very hot. Jeans are definitely too hot. Typically women wear smart sandals plus stylish summer dresses, shorts + top or shortish skirt or maxi skirt + top. Avoid the Monsoon floaty/paisley/ethnic vibe if you can.

[rubybleu]

Country Road is a label that I'd think would suit your definition of "scruffy posh girl" so have a look at their website.

[yetanotherworry]

I was in Adelaide for a couple of years, temp is much the same as Melbourne at that time of year and it used to be very hot, 40' during daytime and 30' at night. Jeans will be too hot in Feb. I used to wear cropped trousers or knee length skirts with t-shirts. I used to try and buy cap-sleeved t-shirts so that they were cool but would cover my shoulders to give a bit of extra sun protection. A lot of the school mums used to wear maxi-dresses. Don't go barefoot as you are likely to burn your feet as the ground will be hot - I agree with stylish sandals. I found deck shoes made my feet to sweaty at this time of year.

[Rojak]

3/4 sleeve tops paired with above mid-thigh denim or tailored chino shorts and flip flops.

Like this

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2157495/Olivia-Palermo-city-chic-stroll-beau.html

[cjdamoo]

My summer wardrobe consists of floaty maxi dresses, maxi skirts and vests smart shorts and loose trousers for cooler days. I also take a longer sleeved cotton shirt everywhere because I always end up with burnt shoulders

[specialsubject]

the most giveaway look is sunburn - unlike in the UK, Australians see this as a sign of being very, very dumb. The correct attitude!

sunbathing is daft anyway and in Australia it is insane. So factor 30 plus before stepping out of the door, and at the beach it is boardshorts and rashies. Remember the latitude.

I found long cotton shorts comfortable, with trainers and socks - if flip flops ('thongs'), then obviously no socks. Vest top plus suncream also good if not on the beach. Jeans will probably be too hot unless one of those 'cool changes' comes through - Melbourne has a nutty climate.

[AlaskaNebraska]

mate lives in Sydney and thinks is BARREN of style and shopping. the only style is " overdone" nails tan etc.
It really is the back of beyond fashion wise

[MissPlumBroughtALadder]

Disagree with many comments above. Australians in summer are far better dressed than Brits. Lots of lovely dresses, layered long tops over cropped pants (Aussie word for trousers - don't be alarmed!)
You can always pick British children as they're the ones wearing shoes! Aussie kids go barefoot everywhere.
There are some lovely local designers and small boutiques around. Be warned - things are expensive. However, the exchange rate is very favourable at the moment so it won't be as bad as you may fear.

[burnishedsilver]

I spent 6 years in Australia and visit family there fairly regularly. Just about any clothes you bring from the UK will look stylish. Fashion there has improved since internet shopping meant clothes could be brought in from the us and the uk. Local brands do very little in the way of natural fibres.... not what you want in the heat!

All you'll need are shorts, vest tops, summer dresses, sandals, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen. Melbourne is considered to be the fashion capital of Australia and would be trendier than sydney.

[AnyFuckerForAMincePie]

Central Melbourne and suburbs may be half way decent wrt fashion

Go more than 10k down that Nepean Highway and it's like stepping back in time 20 years. Seriously

[wickedfairy]

Ah, Olivia Palermo looks fantastic- that is the kind of look I would like to aim for, thank you! I looked at teh Country Road website as well and they have some nice stuff - will spend some time looking at all of their "looks".

I did just get a shift dress in the sale that looks lovely on - casual and floaty, it suits me - at least I have one thing to wear :-)

If anyone else has any advice, keep it coming! TIA

[bickie]

I disagree that Australians in the city aren't fashionable! Melbourne definitely rocks a hipster look. Floaty tea dresses is my uniform when there. And then a cardigan for Melbourne or light bomber jacket as, it can indeed be 4 seasons in one day. The bathers brands now do good casual wear so go and look at Sea Folly or in bathers shops for nice beach overwear. I also wear light combat trousers or linen drawstring with singlet tops or t- shirts. Have great time!

[luvfizz]

This post is rather funny - Australians with no style, yet only Brits wear their ugg boots in public!!

I agree with Miss Plum - Australia is brimming with independent fashion designers that are gorgeous but expensive. The UK high street is making its mark however and shops like Zara and Top Shop are available for cheaper fashionable clothes with questionable quality.

For your posh look you should invest in these

Camilla camilla.com.au/
www.cocoribbon.com/collections/new-fashion-1

Dresses will be your best friend...

[bunnymother]

In Australian. I would say that Australians dress more casually than the British (and are more body conscious - the English are often more covered up), but no less stylishly. As per the UK: people in the big cities tend to be more fashion conscious, and in the countryside, less so.

[bunnymother]

Oops: "I'm Australian"