How Dressy is Sydney?
 

My girlfriend and I are traveling to Australia in late December and we'll be there for almost three weeks. For most of the time, we'll be in either remote areas (Great Barrier Reef) or wine country. We'll be spending several days in Sydney at the end, right before flying home to California.

Because of the length of the trip, space in the bags is at a premium and We're trying to avoid taking stuff we don't need.

So how dressy IS Sydney? Do I need to bring a sport jacket if we're planning to go to a nice dinner while we're there or can I get away with slacks and a nice dress shirt?

Yes you certainly can, especially in December! We are a pretty casual lot and most restaurants, theatres etc would expect smart casual as you have described. Come on down!

Slacks and a dress shirt, or for that matter a respectable casual shirt, will be fine anywhere. Other Fodorites may correct me, but I don't know of any Sydney restaurant that would expect a jacket, or whree you'd feel underdressed in "smart casual". Same goes for the opera, if you're that way inclined. As a Californian you should feel pretty much at home.

Depending where you're going you may need to pack a light sweater or casual jacket in case it gets cool at night.

Thank you so much for the rapid replies!

We live in the San Francisco bay area and we're used to "smart casual" as you put it. You can pretty much dress that way almost anywhere here but one never knows when traveling to a new place...

Sydney is more west coast than california.

You'll be fine with smart casual and the weather may well be warm and you'd be too hot in a jacket anyway. If you do go to a restaurant where a jacket is required (very very rare)they often have one there to give to patrons who don't have one. Of course it may not fit properly.

I must admit I'm starting to feel a tad overdressed when I turn up for the opera in evening gown and tiara!

But one must keep up one's standards, no???

Hello Fellow Bay Area guy, Mr. Mark!

You'll feel a "kinship" with Sydney as there are many similiaries between this fabulous city and San Francisco (our Bay, their Harbour, "colorful past / interesting history, great walking city, ferry system, good public transportation, etc).

Speaking of history, if you'd like to learn more about Sydney, I'd like to suggest that you visit the Rocks Discovery Museum, which is a wonderful museum where you can learn alot about Sydney. The Museum's free (but be sure to leave a small donation).

The same with weather, as we're all used to "layering" here, and it's the same in Sydney; in the morning and evenings, you may want a sweater or light jacket especially if you're by the water.

You can pretty much get by in Sydney with casual wear as everyone's said, and a shirt with a collar (sports/golf shirt) will work just fine.

Have a wonderful time!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
(in Menlo Park)

Wow! Thanks for all the responses!

Margo, you can always come to San Francisco where your evening gown and tiara will always be apropos in certain neighborhoods!

Melodie, we're actually staying at The Rocks, so we'll be sure to check out the museum.


Thanks again everyone!

sandals, flip-flops, go-aheads, zories, thongs, whatever you call them, down here there all good, all the time.

Melodie, how does one become a Certified Aussie Specialist? Does this mean you're a specialist in certified Aussies? ;-)

"sandals, flip-flops, go-aheads, zories, thongs, whatever you call them, down here there (sic) all good, all the time."

- What on earth is the OP to make of this post, camrowe?

sorry for the excessive colloquialisms, what I was trying to get across is that in Australia were not overly sensitive regarding dress and grooming. not to say that restaurants across Sydney will let you dine in board shorts but there is a prevailing relaxed feeling across the board when it comes to summer dress / dining.

sorry for the confusion.

A couple of Aussies here probably should be certified!

Maybe so! But it's always fun to read the responses ;-)!

I found Sydney to be quite casual and laid back. We went to the Opera House for a show in the main theater and I had my khakis on since that was the dressiest thing I had brought. I didn't feel out of place (although there were people more dressed up - but others we dressed like us).