https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:01:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2301537 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 13:29:20 +0000 RobinF 2301537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a great trip, I would love to travel there some time. Fun observations too. I think I'd like to dress like an Australian!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2301528 Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:44:31 +0000 anne 2301528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with your impressions in the most, although I think the buy Australian thing isn't universal here.<br /> I have seen a lot that green colour in the shops!<br /> Certainly no under floor heating, and some Australian homes get very cold in winter. My Canadian auntie said she'd never been so cold as inside one particular Australian house in winter.<br /> Like Bijou, we have double brick, which helps with the heat, and is common in our city. Those living in fibro or weatherboard would have a harder time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2301010 Tue, 10 Jan 2023 13:57:36 +0000 anne 2301010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helena, I am too brain dead to comment intelligently, though I may get to it, but wanted to assure you that I have read and enjoyed your visit here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300828 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 07:49:06 +0000 jussie 2300828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wouldn’t like to ruin Helena’s thread with political debate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300795 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 01:26:18 +0000 nemosmom 2300795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you all had a wonderful time, and I appreciate you sharing with us. I enjoyed living vicariously through you the green shirt will be a gorgeous summer piece for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300782 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:55:15 +0000 rachylou 2300782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting about neutrals and naturals. Love love the green linen shirt! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300702 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 18:33:53 +0000 kkards 2300702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a great trip, and your description and overview is fab.&nbsp;<div>Australia and New Zealand are both on my bucket list, really hope to get to one or both sometime&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300670 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 16:11:40 +0000 LaPed 2300670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful trip! Your observations are so fun to read. I love relaxed coastal style; your descriptions are making me long for summer. I can totally picture that quiet seaside town full of white and beige linen and bare feet. Perfection! Your wearable souvenirs sound delightful, and that bold-but-cool green looks like a slam dunk for you. :)</p> <p>Bijou -- that description of Australian architecture sounds absolutely dreamy!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300666 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 15:26:26 +0000 Zaeobi 2300666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back - can't wait to see your green shirt in an OOTD! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300647 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 09:41:25 +0000 Cardiff girl 2300647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Helena ,glad you had a good trip and git back safely.Though who could not have a good trip to Australia,l spent 4 weeks there years ago and loved it,can’t remember what people wore though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300634 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 03:58:56 +0000 Jenni NZ 2300634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So happy for you that the trip went well. Here in NZ there is also a big emphasis on buy NZ made- although we also have a lot of Australian fashion and I am happy to buy that also as the countries are fairly similar. I agree with you about Gold Coast but have not been to the other areas for a long time (we Kiwis often chase the sun to Queensland). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300630 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 03:28:15 +0000 Sal 2300630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome home Helena - so pleased you had a wonderful trip and look forward to hearing more about it</p> <p>It's been 3 plus years since I have been in those parts of Australia but I agree with your general observations&nbsp; Here linen loose dresses with flat sandals or sneakers and bit hats and glasses rule in summer - natural hair and make up</p> <p>(My full stop key is not working- hence my lack of punctuation!)</p> <p>I too am pleased that people are talking about outfit repeating and buying locally made - it should be the norm and really was until somewhere in the 2000s </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300627 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 03:10:49 +0000 Bijou 2300627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helena, so glad you had a great holiday. I live on the West Coast of Australia, but my city is much like a smaller version of Sydney, with a population of 2.6 million (vs 5 million in Sydney). The trends you have mentioned apply equally here. Many people think of Australians as living on farms with a rural lifestyle, but in fact 86% of our population are in urban areas and concentrated in our capital cities. We dress for warm weather in an urban environment. I find that people are relaxed about showing skin, especially when at the beach. However most of the time we wear loose and light layers to stay sun smart.</p> <p>As to architecture, our houses are designed to stay cool, with a focus on indoor and outdoor rooms blending together. My house is of double brick construction to provide maximum insulation from the heat. We have large expanses of glass in bifold doors which can be shaded by awnings in the summer sun, to let the light and afternoon cool ocean breeze in. Heating is minimal with no underfloor heating, we just throw on a sweater and put on a heater in our breakfast room in the morning in our winter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300613 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:48:11 +0000 Indigoprint 2300613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a lovely experience. Thanks for taking the time to share your Taj away with us! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300604 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:35:19 +0000 Jaime 2300604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a wonderful trip and I enjoyed reading your observations. I think there is a common thread between places with warmer climates. Formality seems to be the offspring of cold weather. (Which is not to say warmer climates are less stylish of course.) Interesting about the loyalty to local brands, but makes sense. Glad you had such an amazing time! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300603 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:34:10 +0000 Sally 2300603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read Helena. I don’t live in Australia but my mum is Australian and I lived on the Gold Coast for a couple of years. I always know I’ve landed in Brisbane because people seem to wear brighter clothes there and obviously less. It must be the hot weather. My nieces and sister who live in Brisbane are into big flowing cotton dresses(these days more subdued colours) like a prairie look with lots of shades of fawn, terracotta etc or a lot of resort wear. The last photo they sent everyone was dressed like that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300601 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:25:41 +0000 slim cat 2300601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a great trip with fab green shirt to show off everywhere; -) . Thank you for fun read - I’m happy to know that so many people do practical and wise decisions in shopping and styling ( I like to repeat outfits too! ).<br /> Hope to visit Australia too one day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300596 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:15:15 +0000 Angie 2300596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back <b>Helena</b>, and a family trip of a lifetime, by the sounds of it. Happy for you &nbsp;:)&nbsp;</p> <p>My 18 year old goddaughter who lives in South Africa LOVES Cotton On, so you found fab stash. Fab green shirt too!&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for the style report. Loved it! Sounds very "Cape Town" to me. Many, many South Africans living in Australia because the cultures and weather are similar so it makes sense. Beach town vibe especially. Stylishly relaxed!&nbsp;</p> <p><b><i></i></b><i>"......comfy shoes and clothes that move were the name of the game"......</i>my tribe! Also very Dutch!!!</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300595 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:06:48 +0000 CarolS 2300595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back, Helena! Glad your travels were safe and enjoyable.&nbsp;</p> <p>Can't wait to see your new purchases in action! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300592 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:00:45 +0000 Helena 2300592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jussie, thank you so much for adding to the list! You can rep for the interesting dressers in Australia and I'll rep for the outfit repeaters here in Canada *high five*<br /> Our Sydney nieces were definitely quite fashion forward ... Lots of fab style to be seen for sure, all done with a general sense of ease that was wonderful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300584 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 00:44:58 +0000 jussie 2300584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad you had a wonderful time!! I’ll add my two cents: </p> <p>1: seasonally confused outfits are THE NORM for most of the year. Not happening at the moment because it’s true high summer now, but the rest of the time. Even our winter is probably what you guys would consider “transitional” weather. A common ensemble here is a puffer coat, jeans and Birkenstock sandals, especially in coastal or country areas, and amongst younger people. This also may be due to our indoor/outdoor casual lifestyle and the fact that our heating is weak so puffer jackets are required indoors depending on the building/house. </p> <p>2. Repeating outfits as Helena mentioned…. Absolutely. Many people here wear the same thing almost every day! I find it terribly boring but it’s a very common approach. I noticed USA people seem to wear newer clothing and have different complete outfits ready each day. It’s rare for an Australian even to put together a proper, planned outfit. Third piece? Nahh! People actually laugh at me for planning my outfits in advance the night before. This is why I love ylf, it’s like I’ve found my tribe! In certain funky urban areas it’s slightly more dressy/interesting - and you can see artsy types here and there depending where you go. </p> <p>3. We don’t have the cool girl bootcut parachute pants here yet! Can’t wait! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300582 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 00:40:51 +0000 Suz 2300582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>White pants are also great! You are going to be set for spring!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300566 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:59:18 +0000 Helena 2300566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenn</b>, from what I can tell, it is truly defined by its unique location in the world ... curious whether the Australian fabbers feel I read things well or not; of course it's not a monolith, but as general themes.</p> <p><b>Irina</b>, you'd fit right in ... I'm not being dramatic to say that literally almost everyone had a white top and beige pants on, regardless of age or gender (surfers excepted) - it was truly ubiquitous in sis-in-law's small coastal town! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300563 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:31:41 +0000 Irina 2300563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the report, Helena. Beige and white linen is my jam for summers! Happy that there are more places in the world where it’s popular! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300562 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:28:51 +0000 Jenn 2300562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back! Your observations sync with how I think of Australia, though I've never been there. I love hearing how prevalent the "buy local" and "fewer but better" attitudes are! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300561 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:28:05 +0000 Helena 2300561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much all!&nbsp;<b>Carla</b>, not sad to come back to milder temps, that's for sure!</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, yes you're right - it would be interesting to see the winter style and how it compares, although both Sydney and Byron don't get too cold as I understand it (I believe Melbourne and other areas can have more of a range).&nbsp;</p> <p>Shirt is a wild card colour for sure ... I think it was an act of unconcious rebellion against all the white and beige in Byron lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300557 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 23:16:26 +0000 Anonymous 2300557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the travel write-up! Wonderful green additions. Glad everything went well </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300548 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 22:11:56 +0000 Suz 2300548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like you had a wonderful trip, <b>Helena</b>! How amazing for you and the whole family. Interesting observations about the style scenes. I'm sure things are more casual in summer as well -- as they are in any coastal area, it seems.&nbsp;</p> <p>What a fantastic shirt! That's a new colour for you and very exciting! Can't wait to see your outfits with it when the weather warms up.&nbsp;</p> <p>Good to have you back.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300545 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 22:06:24 +0000 Carla 2300545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back, Helena! &nbsp;You might get to wear that linen shirt sooner rather than later if the (ahem) balmy temperatures we’ve been experiencing hold out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/australia-style-rules#post-2300541 Sat, 07 Jan 2023 21:47:51 +0000 Helena 2300541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi all and Happy 2023! We're just returned from our Australian adventure and I'm very jet lagged but wanted to get down a few thoughts I have about my style observations from our trip.</p> <p>[Usual caveats - this is just my opinion, contrasting the very small sliver of Australia I experienced, against my own very small sliver of Canada. No judgements, just thoughts. Australians, I'd love your thoughts in particular about what you think.]</p> <p>The trip was fabulous and definitely will not be my last. It was touching to see my DH with his siblings for a prolonged time and connecting with his childhood memories. My kids also really connected to their roots and family. And of course the places we saw were visually spectacular!</p> <p>On to what I observed:</p> <p><b>Overall Themes</b> </p> <ul> <li><b>Natural hair and makeup</b> - big caveat that we spent all our time on the coast, but there was very little heavy makeup or overly done hair. Natural was the overwhelming approach.</li> <li><b>Buy Australian</b> - everyone we spoke with was very pro-buy-Australian, being very aware of which brands were made where and recommending local. Apparently this has always been the case but even moreso as a result of the pandemic.</li> <li><b>Quality over quantity</b>. The people we were with, at a wide variety of budgets, all seemed willing to pay a bit more and buy a bit less, if it meants getting a bit better (or getting Australian-made).</li> <li><b>Outfit repeater</b>. From the most minimalist to the most fashionista, everyone we were with repeated outfits/pieces enough that I noticed (not in a bad way - I'm very pro-outfit repetition!)</li> <li><b>Dress to move</b>. Even at the New Year's party we were at, in which some attendees were a little dressier, comfy shoes and clothes that move were the name of the game. This may also be a coastal thing, and goes with the general architectural theme I saw of blending the indoors with the outdoors seamlessly.</li> <li><b>Hats</b>. Australians don't mess about sun protection so hats were extremely common.</li> </ul> <p><b>Location Specifics</b>:</p> <ul> <li>In the <b>Byron Bay</b> area (we were staying in a smaller and quieter town nearby), the overwhelming uniform was linen in white, beige and black. Virutally no colour - even my quiet blues stood out. The only exception was a full on surfer look, in which case colourful surf boards and muted graphic tees were common. Shoes optional and almost never did I see a young kid with shoes on!&nbsp;</li> <li>In the <b>Gold Coast</b> area, it was a really mixed bag which I suspect reflects that vast numbers of tourists. Colour, resort looks, makeup or not, dresses. Everything went.</li> <li>In <b>Sydney</b>, it was also a mixed bag, but neutrals and a modern-coastal style reigned supreme from what I could see. Jeans, white shirts, beige, black, Birkenstocks. Relaxed silhouettes. Sydney is quite hilly (at least where we were) so shoes reflected this.</li> </ul> <p><b>My purchases</b> </p> <p>Only 2! (eta - 3 actually - almost forgot these cotton cargo pants in white from Aussie less expensive brand Cotton On). A green linen shirt from my Aussie fave, Assembly Label, and a white-on-while ball cap which says Balmoral (the beach we stayed near in Sydney). This green was one of the few bold accent colours I saw more than once.</p> <p>Thanks for reading if you got this far! Sorry if I'm a bit out of it for the next few days but looking forward to catching up with everyone :)</p> <p>xx</p>