Clothes for working in a hot country

[LoopyLoopsIsTentativelyBack]

Tried S&B, no-one cares.

If you live in a hot country, what do you wear to work? Air con inside, tropics out. Smart.

Lots of dresses, but what about trousers and shoes?

I think it is more difficult to be as smart as you would be in a cooler climate. I generally wear linen dresses and linen trousers and a vest top with flat strappy sandals or leather ballet pumps. Some chunky jewellery, and no bra straps on show! Still, I always seem to end up a sweaty crumpled mess by the end of the day!!

OH GOD Loopy, I completely forgot!

Sorry

Looking now, honest.

Which hot country and which industry? I work in India regularly and usually wear Indian clothes - smart shalwar kameezes and formal sandals. In the industry I'm in, this is perfectly appropriate and I stay much smarter than I would if I was wearing western clothes.

Not a problem tethers, didn't want to hassle you!

Teaching, Malaysia So, not sleeveless, no cleavage not short skirts.

Some nice things in Cos:

Dress

Dress

Dress

Cotton trousers

Cotton trousers

Sandals

Have you been to Malaysia before? What age group will you be teaching? I ask because teaching older children where you would be mainly standing/sitting will be different from teaching younger ones where you would be getting down to their level at least some of the time.

I would go for 100% cotton anyday.

Have a look at Adini clothes..can't sort link, sorry!

Beautiful cotton, and 'modest' too, and wash really well.

Trying to find a local stockist is much cheaper than buying from then online..though their online Sale section is v good value if you don't mind last season's look!

Saw me through two stints in very humid Southern Africa when I had to be conservatively dressed for work.

And not too bland either...if you just wear khaki and cream a la sophisticated European palette you will look incredibly bland in more colourful tropical cultures!

You will probably find much prettier sandals when you arrive.

Thank you all.

I'm not so keen on dresses that aren't tucked in some way at the waist. The sadals are nice though, thanks.

Have been to Malaysia before. It's secondary, so mostly standing and crouching.

Thanks for the Adini suggestion. I'm slightly bamboozled by their websie, but sure I'll get there...

Short sleeved jackets could work to smarten an outfit:

Here

Here

Here

Ah, that's a really good shout Tethers, thanks. Would cover my arms too.

What do you think of this? Not structured but nice shape

Nice! I'm off to Singapore and have meetings. No idea about work wear. Just v aware that it's freezing cold indoors but damn humid outside!

LOVE that, Loopy.

Too sleeveless?

This is nice

Love that white dress suit tethers. Not sure it'd be very practical - I'd have to get changed before laying eyes on the baby and toddler!

2nd dress a bit short for me. Fat thighs.

The Doris dress here is lovely, can't get exact link to work...

IIWY, I'd get a few basic pieces then wait till you get there and have some stuff MTM by a tailor.
How I miss that.

I work in a very hot Muslim country (Sudan) so any of those knee length dresses would be a no-no - I'm usually covered to wrist and ankle. I mostly wear very long cotton / linen skirts - there's a brilliant Ebay shop which has fitted and very flattering skirts (will try to find it). Then cotton trousers with a tunic top / short dress on top. Then smart sandals or heels: anything here with a toe-post (my beloved Birkenstocks, sniff) are considered 'toilet slippers' and greeted with bemusement

Linen will loOk like a dishrag by 10am, I think I just wore lightweight wool suits and took my jacket off as much as possible.

Cotton or linen shirts with skirts or trousers. Cotton or linen dresses.

Two good things are that you will acclimatise quite quickly and you will be in aircon a lot of the time.

My DCs are at a school in KL, OP, and their teachers are dressed in shirt and tie or suits for the men, and smart summer wear for the women. Nothing too short or revealing. Covered shoulders and knees.

You might struggle to find clothes to fit here. There are some western shops (Topshop, Wallis, M&S) but other shops stock clothes in small sizes. So plan to buy before you come and/or get some things made for you here.

Thank you. Why floor to toe covered? Because of the heat, or cultural reasons?

Looking on photos of the school, usual attire seems to be as Marjorie says - smart summer wear. I was planning to get everything here for the reason she says - my size (12) is going to be difficult to buy for.

Marjorie, how are you enjoying KL? What do the DC think of school? I'm moving from a UK comp, and have been led to believe it should be much calmer in terms of behaviour issues - is this likely to be the case? (I hope so!)

Where's best for basics in 100% cotton in UK? Ie. fitted tee shirts?

The other thing people keep telling me to buy lots of is underwear. Tricky with bras and breastfeeding - I will stop at some point during the year, so guesswork with sizes...

You won't need to be covered ankle to wrist here, Loopy.

I like it here, though it took a year before I did. Just a lot to adjust to, really.

The DC think they are being worked harder at school, and they are. They were at a good UK comp before. The international school that they attend here in KL is very well resourced. Class sizes are small and teachers are very supportive. Yes, much calmer in terms of behaviour issues. The ethos is to work hard to get good grades to go to a good university to achieve a good career. I am very impressed with their school.

Yes, buy underwear! There are a number of M&S branches here but still bring plenty of bras with you!

PM me for more info if you want.