Appropriate clothes for working in CH

Hi all, i'm sorry if this is a weird question, but it feels like it could be very important if i get this wrong.

I've studied and grown up in Australia with Swiss parents, and next year I'm moving to Basel for a job - and my first fulltime job after my studies!

Because I have to pack everything I need into one suitcase I have to be really careful about what i pack, and i am not sure what is the standard in switzerland for what to wear for work. i am guessing australia is probably more casual than switzerland in what you're allowed to wear, and I am doubting casual Friday exists?

i assume it would change for office to office, and all i can remember from my interview is that the guy was wearing a long sleeved shirt (in summer) but no tie and nice pants. i don't remember what any of the women were wearing because I was so nervous i didn't pay attention to it. And I think it would be weird to ask my future boss for clothing tips.

Can anyone weigh in on this?

Help!

The big question is whether you will be facing customers.

If yes, I would pack a suit and tie and 2 pants, and 5 long sleeve shirts.

If not then one pants, smart jeans, smart T shirts, maybe 5 smart shirts with collar, 1 or 2 thin jumpers.

Wear a thick jacket on the journey. No thongs! No shorts!

Thanks, i wont be facing customers so im spared from the overly formal. But i forgot to mention, im female! So its not so easy to just wear pants and shirt!

Yes that does make a difference!

Please don't be offended, but most ladies with a large rear, do not wear pants here. Generally people are slim here.

Otherwise wear "not too sexy" casual clothes, with low heels or flats. Smart jeans are OK. Clothes at C&A, H&M are a little

expensive here, but good quality.

Bring some calf length warm boots in your hand luggage and wear a thick jacket, as you probably won't be used to the cold.

It doesn't get VERY cold here, but waiting for the bus in +3 degrees C can be a chilling experience, so wear 2 pairs of thin socks.

What industry will you be working in? Most company are business casual and you get more leeway as a female on selection of clothing...and you may be surprise on how casual Switzerland is, especially going out....

Hahah Sbrinz ill make a note of that!

I'm working in a design/architect studio, so i assumed they'd be a bit more contemporary and maybe not so formal, but the interviewer's suit threw me off.

I guess i'm curious to know if like a skirt/top that would be appropriate here would still be okay or should I be really formal with suit jacket/stockings/heels? I'm hoping thr former, I can't wear heels for the whole day!

People do dress up for an interview.

No suit required, maybe a jacket. Smart casual is the way to go. No heels, or low heels. Very little jewelry. For cold weather keep nice shoes in the office and wear boots to work, then change at your desk. The Swiss hate drafts, so it might be hot and stuffy in your office, and no air conditioning in summer!

(Drinking alcohol at lunchtime is frowned upon)

Thank goodness for that! I didnt even think of changing shoes, that will make it a lot easier too.

I don't think I ever saw anyone do that in 20 years. I was in a trendy Architects office in Geneva last month, the girls looked dressed well, some wore high heals with legs on display, some not. I think pretty much anything will work.

Why don't you just ask them or send them a mail and explain the problem ?

Oh, and as for drinking at lunchtime, i used to live in Italy where it was practically required, so that will also be a change. And let's not start with Australians and their alcohol...

So very formal with heels is also a thing? I guess my best bet is formal but no heels and if i realise then ill buy when I get there. CH is cheaper than Aus for clothes so im happy to wait til i start to wear those.

Is Basel more or less casual than other cities?

i was thinking about emailing and asking, i just need to decide if it's an appropriate thing to ask and how to ask the question. i already made mistakes with them (obviously not enough to not be hired) but by calling people by their first name in emails..

Is it okay to ask that? Would a normal employer think thats an okay thing to ask?

I can't go back to the office and have a snoop either, as i'm back in sydney now..

Happy to wait until I start to buy shoes, not wear them. shoes are cheaper in Switzerland than Sydney..

Not formal, smart casual & attractive clothes. Do they have a website you can look at?

Nope, no website. They did mention it was something they need to work on :P

http://www.group8.ch/index2.php

I'll have to check out the photo later, from my phone I can't see it so well. Thanks!

In our office it's the smarter side of smart casual, allowed to wear jeans and trainers (well, I only wear trainers once in a while) every Friday.

About the tops:

in an office, it is considered impolite to show much cleavage, if I may say it both in the front and, well, at the rear. Think of a regular round-necked, non-scooped T-shirt, from just below the neck to down to the elbows, and that can be tucked in or hang out below the waist-line. Then get a non-clingly blouse or shirt which covers the same area.

Bright colours are not usual.

Bold patterns are felt to be too loud.

If it is an architect's office, small unusual design elements are appreciated.

Now, those last three are difficult to combine. Without being flashy, a shirt or blouse could have an unusual cut or a diagnonal seam, etc. This is by NO means required, but it is one of the ways that professionals in creative branches show that they have an eye for design.

About first-names:

simply put: no, don't do it. Address everyone as Herr Surname and Frau Surname, until invited to do otherwise. This is a thing of seniority. The older person, the higher ranking person, the more established long-termer, has the choice whether or not to invite you to use his or her first name. Let yourself be called Frau Surname, too, and don't cry out: "Oh, please! Just call me Julia!" You are coming in as the junior, the newcomer, so it is not fitting for you to claim the right to call anyone by their first name, nor to offer it. Having said that, after a few months they usually lighten up, and people will begin to say: "Oh, let's just be "per Du", okay?"

Thanks so much doropfiz. I'm getting lots of great ideas here

Yes, that first names thing was a mistake I shouldn't have made, particularly as it was to the senior partner of the studio, the first time I ever spoke to them. He just politely replied with Frau Surname and I realised.

I guess I got some leeway for being Aussie!

English being my first language I've always had problems with du and sein and being much more formal than here, but I'm much more aware of it now than when I was younger, and would du everyone in shops and strangers and friends of grandparents. Woops.

Have a read of this old thread containing some relevant and some very humorous advice!

How to dress to go to work?!? help please