Singapore Expats

Hi all,

I'm a 22 year old female who will be shortly relocating to Singapore from Toronto, Canada.

I'll be working at an American investment banking firm downtown Singapore.

Here in Toronto, dress code is "business casual" and is very flexible and varies widely within firms. I've never wore a suit to work even when I worked at a large accounting firm.

Should I expect the same in Singapore, or is it strictly formal?

Please help!!!

Banks are pretty buttoned-up in Singapore. Dress conservatively on your first few days and then go with the flow.

Yea. Different firms will have different codes even though in the same industry.

Shirt, Skirt & covered shoes will be safe, hold a blazer just in case.

Then monitor & go with the flow. Check with colleagues if Fridays are casual

Welcome to SG.

When I started out in banking 18 years ago, front office women didn't wear pants suits, only back office. I hope that does not hold true anymore.

There goes my victoria secret wish

carolynW wrote:When I started out in banking 18 years ago, front office women didn't wear pants suits, only back office. I hope that does not hold true anymore.

Most front office bank employees, specifically tellers in Singapore wear uniforms from what I recall.

jaycee87 wrote: Here in Toronto, dress code is "business casual" and is very flexible and varies widely within firms. I've never wore a suit to work even when I worked at a large accounting firm.

Should I expect the same in Singapore, or is it strictly formal?

Please help!!!

The same for Singapore. I'm from Investment Banking, on Fridays we have a free-style.

jaycee87 wrote:Hi all,

I'm a 22 year old female who will be shortly relocating to Singapore from Toronto, Canada.

I'll be working at an American investment banking firm downtown Singapore.

Here in Toronto, dress code is "business casual" and is very flexible and varies widely within firms. I've never wore a suit to work even when I worked at a large accounting firm.

Should I expect the same in Singapore, or is it strictly formal?

Please help!!!

Hi, just observe how the others dress on your first day.

That wouldn't be too cool to show up for work in Jean & a "T" on your first day of work just so you can "observe" the dress code, would it? I'd think you would want to form a favourable impression when you walk in so your bosses know they are potentially getting what they bargained for, don't you?

The OP is doing exactly what she should be doing, recon BEFORE walking on the stage.

I would suggest you dress conservatively in business attire for your first day. then just ask around afterwards if there is a casual day.

I however, started my own casual day at the office every saturday.

I work in finance and actually find the dress code in Singapore more casual compared to other places I've worked, e.g. Japan (suit and tie and cologne always for men, full make-up, coiffured hair and closed toe shoes for women) You may like Singapore because >50% of the women here wear sandals (i.e. open toe or peep toe shoes) and no lipstick to work!

However, as others have mentioned, best to dress conservative first and then observe and go with the flow. As a junior female staff, never hurts to look good!