Austria: Business Dress

From ExecutivePlanet.com

Guidelines for business dress

Austrians tend to dress in a simple yet elegant manner and take tremendous pride in their appearance. In order to make that crucial first impression, you should ensure that you do the same by wearing only high-quality, well-fitting clothing and polished leather shoes. A particular brand name is not important in itself but Austrians are keenly aware of the quality that is associated with any given brand.

The safest option for men is a dark woollen suit with a white cotton shirt and conservative silk tie. The equivalent for women is a tailored suit and silk blouse or a business dress; classic, elegant trouser-suits are acceptable provided they are well cut and an appropriately discreet colour. Modest jewellery or a silk scarf may add restrained glamour.

In Austria, both men and women may be seen from time to time in traditional clothing. Such Tracht constitutes perfectly acceptable alternatives to a suit or eveningwear for both work and formal social events; for instance, men might wear dark, collarless jackets with special folkloric designs embroirered on the lapels whilst women wear a Dirndl dress. Lederhosen, however, are the stuff of musicals and old films except for the occasional alpine farmer.

The 'loden' overcoat in heavy, usually green, wool is a common sight on the streets of Austrian cities in winter and both men and women often wear hats.

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