Whether you have been working full-time for decades or you are entering the workforce for the first time, it is always important to ensure you are dressed appropriately for both the type of work you are doing and the time of year you are currently in. It is never enough to just have the same workwear to wear all year round, and if you are doing that, then you are putting yourself through undue discomfort. The two seasons that require the most different workwear, winter and summer, are what this article will focus on and what you should be thinking about when you next go shopping.  

Summer

Obviously, no two workplaces will have the same appropriate workwear. Across Australia, workwear ranges from corporate wear to the safety footwear of tradies working outdoor. However, there are some basics that you should be considering when working anywhere in Australia during the summer. 

• Breathability: in summer, it is essential that your workwear is extremely light and very breathable. Search for things that are made of light cotton and other airy fabrics and avoid heavy polyester garments unless you are required to wear them for safety reasons. 
• Duplicates: summer in Australia means you are going to sweat; there is simply no way around it. You need to have several pairs of clothing ready for each workweek; don't ever try and get by on just one or two pairs. They will not only smell terrible and wear down quicker, but the chances are if you have an accident, you could be without appropriate workwear for a while.
• Light colours: avoid dark colours that absorb the heat from the sun. Always look for lighter colours in summer, especially tans, light greys and perhaps even get a bit of colour if your workplace permits it.

Winter

Winter in Australia can vary dramatically from tropical in northeast Queensland to downright arctic in southern Tasmania. However, most of the highly populated areas across Australia do experience a big drop in temperature during winter, so this list of suggestions will reflect that.

• Layers: whenever the mercury drops, the number one key to staying comfortable in workwear is layers. Have layers that you can take off and put back on as you enter buildings or travel around outside. 
• Sturdy footwear: of course, safety footwear is always important in physical labour jobs, but even for office workers, winter requires that you have more sturdy shoes. Winter means wet sidewalks, crowded transportation platforms and slippery steps. Don't risk a sprained ankle; get some sturdy footwear.
• Undershirts: The best advice you will ever hear is that a good undershirt can drastically change your morning on those cold winter days. Many people use undershirts as part of their yearly workwear attire, but they are especially useful in winter. They help regulate your temperature straight away, and they are far more comfortable than a starched shirt against your skin.