This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Liz Weselby, a 53-year-old communications executive based in Sydney. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I moved from the UK to Thailand in 2003 for work, and I would advise people not to take the same approach I did.
I didn’t do any research and had no idea what work-appropriate attire was in Bangkok.
Now, having led teams in five cities — London, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney — I’ve learnt a couple of things about adapting a work wardrobe for a new city.
Here are three tips, not just for dressing appropriately, but also for staying comfortable, making new connections, and elevating your style.
1. Research cultural nuances in the country
I’ve always aspired to show up as professional and appropriate, and that means different things in different countries.
When I lived in Bangkok in the early 2000s, spaghetti strap tops, which were fashionable in London at the time, were frowned upon. I was very conscious of not showing my shoulders and the top of my arms.
Wearing black was frowned upon because it’s associated with death and bad luck. I worked with a Thai woman who loved black and wore it anyway. If you’re a local, it was probably easier to break the conformity and push boundaries.
As a foreigner, I always want to be seen as respectable and not offend anybody. So it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
If you’re going to a majority-Muslim country, such as Indonesia or Malaysia, check what the dress codes are because the last thing you want to do is draw negative attention to yourself when you’re starting out in a new place.
In 2003, there wasn’t much information available, but now, there are tons you can find online. While the norms might have changed over the last few decades, it doesn’t hurt to do your research.
2. Note the climate
In Southeast Asia, I was often more concerned about the weather than cultural norms.
In the rainy season in Bangkok, the city would flood. You might be up to your knees in water, and walking was easier than taking a car or public transport. So I’d always have a spare pair of flip-flops to switch into for rainy weather, and I made sure I didn’t wear trousers or jeans.
For tropical cities like Singapore and Bangkok, I’d wear lightweight, breathable dresses, which could be easily dressed up or down.
In Singapore, it’s really hot outside, and then you go inside, and it’s ice-cold because of the air conditioning. And in Thailand, the more senior you were, the colder your office was. As a senior editor, I had a freezing office.
I learned quickly that it was important to carry a lightweight jacket or shawl wherever I went.
But I stand by the belief that hot weather is not a reason to dress inappropriately.
I had someone on my team in Singapore wear shorts and singlets in the office, and I had to have an awkward conversation about respecting those you are working with.
3. Don’t be afraid to have fun with a statement piece, and to buy local
Liz Weselby
I love clothes and fashion; it’s very much an expression of yourself. How you dress can communicate volumes and be a great conversation opener.
If I meet someone I’ve never met and they’re wearing something interesting, it’s the best way to start a conversation.
“Fab pair of shoes,” “Love that dress,” and “We’re wearing the same thing” are all great ways to break the ice.
I’m never afraid to wear a fun statement piece.
One way I like to do this is to find local designers. When I worked for a publication in Bangkok, the editors and designers tended to come from affluent backgrounds and wear a lot of high-fashion clothing.
People were wearing designer clothes and being invited to designer showcases, but I didn’t have the budget to buy any of it.
So I turned to the local designers. There was a growing local designer scene in Bangkok in the early 2000s, which enabled me to be fashionable without breaking the bank. I loved it.
