Office attire during winter

[mattjp1]

Hi all

Just wondering, what do people wear as office attire during harsh winters?

My job requires me to dress pretty formal (as most office jobs I guess).

For instance do people wear boots instead of formal shoes - that might not be very suitable for snow/cold conditions?
Are there any codes of what is accepted/what is not?

Appreciate any experience feedback,
matt

 

[johnsyk]

Good question! I always wondered this myself. Boots wont look nice with a suit in the snow. LOL

 

[DollyM]

You would wear boots to get you through the snow but bring (or leave at work) shoes to change into once you get indoors. A heavy coat, hat, scarf and gloves/mittens to keep warm are all normal winter wear.

 

[NetMecca]

If you work indoors, you will wear regular work clothes in the office. All the offices are well heated so this is not an issue. Most people wear a heavy coat and sometimes boots for travelling (as needed). Most offices have closets for coats in winter. You may have to carry your work (indoor shoes with you to and from work). Some employers provide lockers.

If you work outdoors or travel to clients, you wear travel attire (winter) and when you get there take your coat off at destination. If you are visiting private homes as part of your job, it is considered courteous to take shoes off at the door. Some businesses will also require you to take boots off when you enter their premises.

If you move around on ice, even from and to work, you would probably want to attach a pair of ice cleats to your shoes or boots.

Canadian winters are fun.... ish. Good luck.

 

[scylla]

Hi all

Just wondering, what do people wear as office attire during harsh winters?

My job requires me to dress pretty formal (as most office jobs I guess).

For instance do people wear boots instead of formal shoes - that might not be very suitable for snow/cold conditions?
Are there any codes of what is accepted/what is not?

Appreciate any experience feedback,
matt

You wear the same thing you do the rest of the year. You come to work in boots and a coat - take them off once you're at work - and change into the shoes you'll wear at the office.

 

[Buletruck]

Yeah, I always leave shoes at work. Always found it difficult to get around my cubical with my snowshoes on!

 

[mattjp1]

Thanks guys - not much change then, just a bit of adaptation required.

 

[canuck78]

Depending on the sector you are working in the dress code in Canada can range from quite formal to very casual. Most offices fall somewhere in the middle.

 

[mattjp1]

During snow storm periods, are employers a bit more "cool" with employees being late at work (at least the first month or so)?

It's not in my habits to be late (I work in Japan) but I'm wondering how it will be with let's say with a huge amount of snow in front of the door etc..

 

[canuck78]

No they expect people to watch the weather and leave earlier. Depending on what part of the country you are settling in if there is a huge storm and it might be dangerous to commute or the public transportation isn't working some offices allow employees to work from home.

 

[vensak]

It is possible to be cool about lateness if:
1 the situation is critical and causing lot of traffic jams (for example too much snow and the roads were not maintained, so even with taking in account winter conditions you are not able to make it.
Or if there was sudden accident which caused you being blocked in your transportation mean.
Anyway in case of these exceptional conditions, always call your employer and let them know.
But in normal winter conditions, you should add transportation time to your calculations (what took 10 mins on roads in the summer can now take 20 mins on roads in winter condition).

 

[mattjp1]

It is possible to be cool about lateness if:
1 the situation is critical and causing lot of traffic jams (for example too much snow and the roads were not maintained, so even with taking in account winter conditions you are not able to make it.
Or if there was sudden accident which caused you being blocked in your transportation mean.
Anyway in case of these exceptional conditions, always call your employer and let them know.
But in normal winter conditions, you should add transportation time to your calculations (what took 10 mins on roads in the summer can now take 20 mins on roads in winter condition).

Thanks for the tips - yes I was talking about special situations. Normal winter conditions should be OK.