Whereas a Texan may consider himself properly dressed for any occassion in cowboy hat and boots, the uniform of choice throughout Austin is shorts and a t-shirt. You'll even see shorts and sportshirts among the suits worn in the offices of major Austin corporations. Chalk it off to the heat and to a rebel attitude, but dress down is the code most of the time. Oh sure, go to the theater on Saturday night, and you'll see quite a few debutants in strapless evening gowns and dripping jewels. You may even come upon a tuxedo jacket between the cowboy hat and the boots.
The grundge look can be spotted all around the city. Tattoos and body piercings are widely visible. Anywhere in the City of Austin it is legal for women to go topless, and they exercise that right on rare occassion around campus and at local swimming holes. Local musicians and students have made second-hand clothing a big business, with hundreds of resale shops from thrift stores to consignment boutiques.
Most people in Austin dress for comfort. For women, that means good walking shoes or sandles and natural cotton fibers. A jacket over a sleeveless dress will get you in and out of airconditioned spaces. Sunglasses and waterbottles are required accessories.
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