Vienna - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Vienna is a city and tends to be more formal/nicely-dressed, but that is a broad generalization. A lot depends on where you work, industry, level, etc. Formal attire is really only required for the balls. But, then, yes...this is a city that has balls and galas. Overall, dressing smart casual will allow you to fit in. - Sep 2022
Generally people were quite dressed up for work (suit and tie, blazers and heels, etc). Outside of work Vienna is a bit more practical than other European cities and not uncommon to see people in hiking gear even in the city. - Sep 2021
I would say the dress code is smart casual. So, jeans but put together. You NEVER see Austrians in workout attire or yoga pants unless they are in the yoga studio, at a gym or on a run. - Feb 2019
Coat and tie at work; outside, Viennese usually expect something in the business casual mode (though that didn't stop me if I was running errands). You definitely want to attend one of the Viennese Balls in February, for which you will need a tuxedo/ball gown. - Jul 2018
Formal dress is preferred at the many balls in Vienna; often the invitation or ticket will indicate how one should dress. Formal dress is never out of fashion when attending an opera. - Nov 2017
Austrian Friday men's casual is jeans and the coat from a business suit. If it's a more casual party, even the expat men will come in these bright plaid shirts.
Otherwise, the dress code depends on your job. Plenty of funky paint-splattered work pants with side-holders for tools on the tram. If you're an Austrian wearing a suit to work, then they really dress it up. Once it gets vaguely warm, everyone turns into American-touristy chic with mismatched cotton clothes on workdays.
Older guys wear traditional wool hats and funky local jackets. Many people wear formal wear for the balls. - Jun 2016
I find it to be much less dressy than other parts of Europe. - Mar 2015
Relatively formal in the city. Suits and ties at work. If you see someone wearing shorts in public, it's a tourist. - Jul 2014
At work, suits & ties for the gents. More formal than the States, definitely. - Mar 2014
More formal than in the U.S. - Aug 2013
More formal than the States, but not too fancy. Austrians dress pretty sensibly, like Germans. - May 2013
Pretty casual, considering it's a European country, but that said, you'll see a lot of Prada and Gucci clad women wandering the Graben as well. - Jan 2013
More formal than in the US. Suits and ties at work. Outdoor activities are more casual (obviously). - Aug 2011
Dressier than you're used to in the US but not overly so. Women dress up and wear heels, make up all the time and are very concerned about fashion. Men are often in suits, esp at work, and tend to be dressier in restaurants than in the US.Being from the West Coast, it was even more significant of a change. - Aug 2011
Formal at work, more casual otherwise. - Aug 2009
Business casual. - Aug 2009
At the embassy its business casual to suit and tie. - Jul 2009
Fancy. - May 2008
Maybe a little more dressy than in the U.S., but jeans and sneakers are widely worn. - Apr 2008
Smart casual at work and casual in public. - Jan 2008
