Jeg trenger mye hjelpe, ha!
I’m leaving for a week long trip to Oslo tomorrow evening and I’m really struggling to finish packing. I have no fashion sense at the best of times (I’m in plain t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans 90% of the time, or I break out a flannel shirt if I feel fancy) but especially with being limited to a carry-on size suitcase I’m having a hard time being efficient.
Biggest question for me is how formal to get for a couple of situations – we have a meeting with NRK on one day, and of course Syttende Mai is happening while we are there. Is a button up shirt with black or gray pants sufficient for what should be a low-key office meeting? Would a [collared sweater like this](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0093/2275/8229/products/WinstonandCo.PortLambswool1-4QuarterZipPulloverSweater03website_2000x.jpg?v=1607879578) be okay instead? How are dark jeans seen in a business casual setting – out of the question or not too bad?
I’ve been to Norway a couple times already, but in more rural areas typically; I haven’t spent any time in Oslo before actually. My impression is that Norwegians aren’t particularly formal, but that Europeans in general dress nicer than us Midwestern American schlubs so I’d like to do a little better if I can.
I’ll take any and all suggestions. Tusen takk!
3 comments
If you can, especially for 17 mai, bring a suit, or something that is close to a formal suit. Generally people will wear their traditional clothing or formal wear if they don’t own any traditional clothing. Ofc no one will say anything to you if you don’t “dress up” a bit, but it’s mostly about showing respect Imo (coming from a non Norwegian that has lived here for few years).
You can relax, Norwegians dress like schlubs too and so do NRK people, journalists, technicians and management alike. Since NRK is publicly funded, it is almost a point to not wear an expensive business suit etc.
Dark jeans, a collared sweater etc is fine as business casual wear. Just be prepared it looks like we get up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in Oslo the coming week and we do not have very good aircon. So you might not want to go for warm sweaters thinking Norway will be cold.
The 17th of May… You are on a business trip, you are a foreigner, you are not expected to dress up. In Oslo there are lots of people who do not partake in the festivities, either because they are foreign, they work that day or they don’t care. You are allowed to walk around as a civilian 🙂 But if you are going out to party, try to dress in something nice to show that you care.
A simple way of signaling that you respect the day, even without fancy clothes, is to buy a red-white-blue lapel pin (mai-sløyfe). Ahhh… my English isn’t good enough, I mean one of these (not both): https://cdn2.europris.no/media/wysiwyg/180508_17._mai_bilder_1080x1080_MQ3.png
Warning: it’s warmer than you think here. The sun is very intense when it is out, so consider layers for non-professional dress days, chances are you will be warm (unless, of course, you come from a tropical/sub-tropical climate). I came to Norway from the U.S. west coast and I’m kicking myself for not packing more “summer” clothes.