What to wear in Australia (summer)?

[wickedfairy]

We will be going to Oz for a wedding next Feb and will spend time on our holiday looking around Melbourne/Sydney and anywhere in between (have young DC also).

So, what does everyone wear over there please? Have never been and don't really "do" holiday clothes. It could be very hot, so I should probably be buying stuff now, when there is at least some summer stuff left in the shops! Am sz12, 35 years old and usually always wear jeans, am rubbish at clothes shopping.

PLease help! Thanks

everyone says australian fashion is TERRIBLE

there is some shop called witches or summat that proves the point

Don't just take summer clothes. I did and had to borrow a hoody from DH nephew as the shops didn't have anything to keep me warm in the Melbourne suburbs. It wasn't cold all the time but some people had heating on!

Sydney is like a sunshiny London. Its busy and bustling and quite formal Office/bank workers wear suits no matter how hot it is, everyone else is very casual. But you'll need covered toe shoes if you're going to the Sydney bars at night time. They are sticklers for health and safety.

How about buying a couple of skirts here? Then you can mix and match tops/vests and layer up if the weather is not as expected.

As a former Sydney sider, it's fairly casual / relaxed but also more uncovered / body conscious (in the city and the eastern suburbs, where I worked and lived) than here (London) - lots of shorts, short skirts, strappy summer dresses etc. And, in some places, dressy / glam in the evenings. I went back a year and a half ago and was surprised at how buttoned up I look in comparison.

The sun is fierce so I would pack cotton clothes / natural fibres that cover your shoulders. I used to wear lots of cotton summer dresses (pack a light, crippled cardi or denim jacket for if it turns cool), cotton sleeveless vests and short shorts, Havaianas during the day. For going out, I used to wear strappy heels, skinny boot cuts or skinny jeans and a strappy top (silk). Maybe pack as if you were going to Dubai? Sorry if this is all over the shop!

I wouldn't plan to buy anything when you are there. It's expensive. Although I wouldn't describe all the brands as terrible. Witchery have good accessories and lovely bags.

Hope this helps.

Very trendy beach wear, Surf shorts and bikini tops...rash vests. Bring something warm for the occasional chilli evening, although in Feb it's unlikely but sometimes air conditioning can be over enthusiastic. I hint whatever you wear here in the summer will be fine there. Fashions follow after the Northern hemisphere fashions, so you'll be ahead of the game, clothes quality is mostly average and choice is not fantastic, although I think it might be improving.