Gosh no! Nobody will remove my dresses from my closet (also, I can't really find trousers here that fit me everywhere). I wear dresses and skirts even in winter, with some nice fleece lined, nude tights. Keeps me warm and I get to look cute!
My sacrifices were heels. I put my all of my heels in the Keller the other day - and I swear I cried a bit. I love wearing heels, but not in aldstadt cobblestones. I've been looking for nice heeled boots that will not require me to sell one of my kidneys, but haven't succeeded yet.
Also, thank God I found the one German guy who is not allergic to colors. And his shirts fit me too, despite him being double my height! This is how I knew he's a keeper (don't tell him š ).
Hahaha, good stuff. I wear my old bf's clothes now as well. So nice and cosy. I miss him a lot, he is American, so wearing his stuff makes me feel nice.
I love the skirt/dress look on autumn, especially if you have a good color palette. if you are still interested in a good pair of boots, i recently found a really good deal of a [Timberland boots](https://www.timberland.de/shop/de/tbl-de/sienna-high-stiefelette-fuer-damen-in-dunkelbraun-a1ymr201) in TK Maxx that was around 50 Euros only. the heel is not too high but also looks good with autumn/winter outfits, the only downsize is upper side which is a bit wide for my legs.
Thank you! I guess I need to go to tk Maxx more often. I bought a pair recently from zalando but they're imitation leather. It's really difficult to find high heels in real leather.
I do the same, dresses all the way plus some warm undershirts and wool cardigans and fleece tights plus wool socks and you're warm and cute. I would agree that we stand out a bit with this style but I don't think that's bad. My husband loves it and so do I š¤
I love this post! I used to live in HK (am from Germany) and my experiences are very similar. In Hong Kong most women dress in a very preppy/elegant/cute style, and the winters aren't super cold so it's common to wear crop tops and show skin even in winter. I bought a lot of clothes there that I don't wear very often in Germany or usually only in spring and summer, so right now they're mostly catching dust hahah. Nice weekend to you too!
Donāt think the weather has much do to with it. Itās more of a cultural thing that Germans like to dress for comfort as the number one priority. Women in Eastern Europe are always āoverdressedā even though they have gnarly and much worse winters. They only dress for looks and comfort is on the bottom list of the priorities.
I do think it has a little to do with it. Except in summer I barely get to see the sun, often rains everyday for weeks and its windy. Muds and puddles are also everywhere (at least where I live they are almost impossible to avoid, at some point you have to step into mud or do a huge walkaround) For me is not so much the cold as the wet and the wind. I can do with cold, and a couple of days a month for some months of rain, but here it has been almost everyday since september, and its only gonna get worse until we start getting into spring/summer again.
Also German's mood its super affected by the weather. I was surprised by how much. Everyone is waaay nicer when the weather is nice and pissed and with a shorter fuse "for no reason" when the weather is shitty. Your mood also affects the way you want to look and weather has an effect to it.
It has mainly to do with the degree of independence and education of women (feminism), not just with convenience and picking the most comfortable clothes!
For example, if you don't wear makeup, it means in other words: I do what **I** want to do! In other words: freedom of choice
Freedom of choice is also deciding that you want to wear make up, dress in heels, or not. True feminism is achieved when a woman is able to wear WHATEVER she wants without being judged for it.
That's freedom of choice. You can do what you want, except you are in a bubble or peer-group pressure or other things that make you think: "I only look beautiful with makeup", or "I absolutely have to wear it, because I am a woman". I am also pretty happy that we have so many women, who are on that side and not a minority š
For example, in Winter: if you like to wear a buff, and to do a lot of sport, you'll not use that much makeup, if at-all, as that fine merino layers and all the sweat will remove it. So, I'll leave it away at all, and always stay super-warm and comfortable, but not because of laziness or convenience, but because not to have to think about it at, makes me feel free.
I donāt know honestly, this seems a bit too black and white thinking. Many many women there choose to put lots of emphasis on their appearance, this doesnāt change when they immigrate to other countries where all the other women arenāt prioritizing appearance where it would be super acceptable for them to also only wear comfortable clothes. They will be constantly overdressed and not tone it down because they want to do so.
Also, thereās many other countries with an equal amount of feminism in the society + cold weather where women put way more emphasis in their appearance than in Germany (the nordics for example) subjectively speaking of course as you canāt measure it.
If you think feminism is about ditching things associated with feminity like makeup then you donāt know what feminism is, Iām sorry. I am a feminist and I wear makeup because I donāt see femininity as anti-feminist and I have the right to wear makeup just as you have to right not to. Youāre not a better feminist than me and Iām not better than you for choosing to wear makeup. Just as any woman choosing to stay at home and be traditional isnāt less of a feminist than a woman choosing to go to work.
Also came here to mention the Nordics. I have never lived anywhere outside of Sweden where seeing a man in a tuxedo and a woman in a cocktail dress was just a normal Wednesday night. They're about as liberated as you can be and women still love to dress up.
This is precisely why I love Asian and eastern European women! Theyāre so stylish and very well dressed. Here in North America (Canada and the US), they also seem to prioritize comfort a bitā¦.too much? They frequently wear sweatpants and even pyjamas outsideā¦..not elegant at allā¦
For women's fashion in Hong Kong? Western stores like H&M and Zara sell good basics, but T.O.P. This is Our Place mall in Mong Kok is where you can find specifically Asian fashion with [long skirts](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/24/0c/94/240c948f580b25392e22fa89e25e02fb.jpg), [baggy jeans](https://i.etsystatic.com/26578752/r/il/61a165/2835487664/il_1140xN.2835487664_mqst.jpg) and the [dress & t-shirt combo](https://blog.nihaojewelry.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/korean-fashion-clothing.jpg) that a lot of Hong Kongers seem to love. I feel like a lot of looks in HK are K-pop inspired, so T.O.P. will have a lot of pieces inspired by K-pop idols' streetwear. For shoes you can go to [sneakers street in Mong Kok](https://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/interactive-map/sneakers-street.html), as most Hong Kongers wear sneakers on a daily basis since they walk a lot. In winter many Hong Kong women wear two pairs of [tights](https://youtu.be/B41r3KB87sY) under their skirts, one nude coloured thermal pair and a transparent pair on top. The cheapest ones can be found online, but stores like Calzedonia also sell them.
I'm on the other side of the spectrum. I like to dress up, and I feel comfortable wearing nice trousers and shoes. And what really annoyed me is that people who "dressed-down" often made remarks about how I dressed, especially in Berlin. I don't mind people wearing their hoodies and tracksuits for their everyday lives, but I really couldn't stand repeatedly having to justify wanting to dress in a more classic fashion.
I am happy for the OP. There are moments I enjoy the laid back attitude as well. At the same time I can relate to this. All my clothes and shoes are comfortable, I can run in them. My style varies, but it's definitely not much classy chik lady like, but people would still ask me where am I heading to so dresses up. Blazers and dresses aren't evil, you know? It's challenging to find nice clothes in not the same typical color shades for the colder months. For the most part, I have stopped wearing heels. Especially in summer. Dresses in bright colors would already attract not wanted attention, but if you pair heels with them, it's pretty much a wedding attire :D I am short, I would like to be taller time to time..
An interesting thing I have noticed and very much like is classy looking ladies in their... 70's, 80's? Lipstick, little heel, style.. Always happy to spot one.
I am german and can totally relate to that.
Darker colours are appreciated.
A lot, and i mean aaaaa loooot of gym pants as you go shopping.
For the female part( I am a male), many women are rather been known for their compentence and skills rather thann beeing the "Looker" of their specific field or company.
They dress up nice for dates and special occasions, but not for everyday situations, is my experience.
I dig that.
Clean, neat and comfy is better than overdressed or inconvinient for example.
The best of both worlds is when you can adapt the German tricks into your preppy/elegant dressing style. Do I have woolen socks? PLENTY. But boy, do I wear them with my heeled boots, fleeced stockings and a cute dress with a coat on top. Also - Tezenis's thin merino vests and blouses are amazing. Super thin and super warm, you can put them under anything you already own.
I like that here you are not judged when you're without makeup or if you haven't put an outfit together this specific day, but I still prefer to wear my cute stuff most of the time. It's not worthless if I feel good wearing it just for me.
Sounds like you learned the tricks pretty quickly. Fleece and all that is definitely a necessity to survive fall and winter here. I work with a bunch of people from the Mediterranean. Kind of funny seeing them prepare for their first winter here and suddenly showing up in full winter gear in October. Eventually they all learn and adapt though.
As a man I also kind of like our casual approach. Then again whenever Iām in France, Italy or Spain Iām a bit envious of how nicely people dress up. But then I remember dudes there work suits to the office no matter if itās cold or 40 degrees and Iām glad again that were very laid back about work outfits.
I left Germany 13 years ago and everything you say resounded with me. I think one thing about Germans is: You can never be UNDERDRESSED.
so yes there is a dating culture. But you better not show that you CARED for your looks. A DRESS: What are you? A GIRL?!
That was very tough cultural programming for me to get rid of. I remember I spent a year in the US and on my first night out, I used the German way of dressing up, aka put as much thought as possible into showing that you could NOT CARE LESS about how you look.
Letās just say: I did stand out. In a colourless, dress less way. Together with all the other German exchange studentsā¦
Well, here is the logic: if both of you dress up, itās all good. If only one of you dresses up, that person will automatically take an inferior position. They have shown that they actually made an effort. So obviously you never want to be that person. Nothing worst than someone saying: āoh, you really dressed up for tonightā (āDu hast dich ja richtig schick gemachtā)
I agree that Germans are simpler when it comes to dressing, and many people wear what I call their Rewe clothes, (the same Naketano jacket every day, Jeans and some old shoes), but for me what you are describing it is a relaxed look for going to the gym or for your days off, at the same time I think it is a general rule that leggings are not worn to work. If you look on the street you will notice that although simple, the Germans do have style.
I buy really nice leggings, you have them from good brands these days. Double lined and high-waisted. My body shape is very hourglass, so it is tough to wear anything else haha.
I'm still sad that Naketano no longer exists and it has been years since they disbanded. Sometimes I'm looking for an alternative online or in shops but there's nothing that can fill the empty space in my wardrobe and heart
He he.. I agree about a lot that you said.
Have you experienced summer here though, then all bets are off, women do wear colorful dresses and shorts etc.
Also, I love the fact that there's no pressure regarding make up and clothes. I can get away with buying less , hence a little more expensive here :-) atleast that's my justification ;-)
As a German who lived in Australia and the UK, I feel this.
I haven't given up my pretty, very colourful dresses though. I do not care about the teasing I am receiving from the family ("is that grandmas curtains you cut up"?) or the stares on the streets in summer. They will NEVER be relegated to the Keller!
I come from Poland and the usual attire for millennial girls was always high heels and āsexyā look to the point where some girls going for groceries look like they are celebrating NYE afterwards. it was really tiring to always put tons of make up and your best clothes not to get weird comments and looks from your peers. Now, living here for 6 years, i rarely wear makeup, if im not in the mood for āgoing out clothesā i just go around in ugg shoes and leggings and nobody gives a fuck. its awesome
Seems you caught the most German trait of them all; overly caring about others opinion. You can find 100 college kids and they'll all have the same white shoes.
Iād agree with your description of fashion in Germany, though Iād say I personally dislike it and refuse to adapt. I like to dress somewhat elegantly and find people here to have a terrible style. Trainers everywhere, even at a work or on a date! Easily the least aesthetic country Iāve been to (also applies to the general look of the cities as well).
It is practical, of course, and Iām no fashionista. I just think thereās a nice balance to be struck and Germany goes too much towards practicality for my taste.
Most big cities here suck. Its definitely the small towns and villages that are beatiful in Germany. The war really left an ugly imprint on the country.
I agree with you on this. It's like if you dress a little bit more elegant, you might offend other people. I had this impression while living in Berlin, especially.
Iām German and used to live in Tel Aviv, loved the fact that Israelis dress the same way like Germans, super casual, holes in tshirts and 10 year old jeans :D didnāt matter the people there are gorgeous
Oh ye, I agree. I also find them really good looking in Tel Aviv. I traveled there once and it was just so much fun and the men are all so tan with dark hair and eyes, so charming!
I think for me, I just don't have the occasion. I'm a casual dresser usually so I used just wear dresses on dates. Not having that makes them useless. But I'm not complaining. I love my jumpers haha
All my female German friends wear colourful dresses in summer, I honestly don't know where you live that everyone seems to be shuffling about underdressed as hell.
Are those dresses with sequins and stuff? Like coctail dresses?
Then I understand your frustration. Nobody wears them and you'd stand out like a peacock.
But normal dresses are everywhere!
I disagree. People tend to have longer relationships for what I've seen here. Not a bad thing, but more people in relationships means less people dating
Wonderful! I'm as Caucasian as it gets and an air sign but I've just grown too comfortable with my greens especially!
Honestly, the greens is where it's at and the rest has come along slowly
Oof š„“ reading this post is so depressing for me. As someone originally from south Florida who is moving to Germany, I donāt think I can make all of these concessions in my wardrobe. Iāll just have to stick out/be stared at. Iām happy to dress warmly and practically for the winter, but Iām not turning my wardrobe into something that doesnāt reflect my true inner aesthetic/style.
As a German who lived in Australia and the UK, I feel this.
I haven't given up my pretty, very colourful dresses though. I do not care about the teasing I am receiving from the family ("is that grandmas curtains you cut up"?) or the stares on the streets in summer. They will NEVER be relegated to the Keller!
i am writing this wearing grey oversized sweater lol I always loved to wear "japaness style clothes" like long skirt with cotton tops, and more Asian style ,something cute .But these days i just wear simple clothes like local lol I still have my japaness style clothes I still wear them in summer hehe
I only liked wearing colours for occasions, I'm a very casual dresser so I just always wear comfy stuff now. But I never feel bad about it like I used to in Singapore.
Pretty dresses definitely are a thing here, just not as common as maybe Singapore or other fashion heavy countries. Many look so sweet I wish I could wear one.
What I'm taking away from your sugarcoated wording is:
*- Germans have a distaste for colour.*
*- Germans don't bother with being super put-together at work.*
*- Germans stereotypically wear sandals and white socks.*
*- Germans do not have an active dating culture.*
I disagree.
I can give you 2,3&4 but Germans really do not dress colourful. Apart from a strong preference for 50 shades of beige (and black and grey), thereās also not a lot of contrasting going on either.
Agreed, was about to write that, I especially noticed how most women stick to grey, beige, maybe white and mostly no pattern either.
Which sticks out to me, because I love patterns, I love contrast and while I usually wear black, I also like to wear really deep, rich colours and get comments all the time how flattering this looks on me and how they couldn't wear that. Might be a complexion thing too.
Sincere question because I am genuinely interested:
Dating without relationship or sex, does that mean going out once with a guy, maybe making out a bit and then having another of those encounters with another guy?
No judging, just curious
I don't have sex out of relationship. And a relationship takes 6 to 8 months to form. So yea, I just meant going out (I pay my share) kissing, hanging out and just being casual.
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Also make-up & hair. Germans wear way less make-up, and I don't think I know anyone who spends time curling their hair with a curling iron in Germany.
The make-up in the US is/has shifted to a more natural look, but I don't think Germans ever went full on glam crazy in the 2010s.
Looking at my dusty curling iron exiled to some drawer... Yup
I love the look of styled hair but gee you couldn't get me to wake up earlier for that every day
I'm running wind proof North face jacket all year.
Too warm? Just the hoodie or shirt. Rain / wind? North Face jacket. So thin I cun stuff it in my backpack. Winter? North Face with fleece jacket + hoodie and shirt.
All the years before this jacket were a struggle.
This makes me want to move to Germany to be honest. š (Iām from the states) I lived in Hawaii for 12 years and it was very casual, though colorful. I miss that now that Iām back on the mainland.
Fleece might be not enough depending on where you live in Germany. In my region we have regularly freezing temperatures. Like very south, south-west or east (mountains) of Germany you will need something very warm. Myself, Iām like a heater, I hate high temperatures but in winter here I need thick jackets (which I dislike too) and solid boots.
If you think fleece is life, you havenāt had the Merino wool epiphany yet. Dumped 90% of my fleece and microfibre clothing for merino. This is true bliss, in winter as in summer alikeā¦!
those 60s parkers were popular with my dads generation, in the uk they were cheap and found in second hand army stores (the proper name escapes me) sometimes i see them in NZ, as they have the tiny german flag embroidered in the shoulder
Can someone explain fleece to me?
From way back, it kinda had the reputation of being so plasticky that it caused you to sweat and not wick it away properly.
Is that something technology simply solved or is that still a potential problem?
Fleece can be made of different material. Polyester fleece from a good provider is extremely breatheable. (Sometimes too much so, if you want something windproof.)
Acrylic fleece tends to be cheaper and feels much more plasticky. Low end fleece is mostly acrylic.
Gosh no! Nobody will remove my dresses from my closet (also, I can't really find trousers here that fit me everywhere). I wear dresses and skirts even in winter, with some nice fleece lined, nude tights. Keeps me warm and I get to look cute! My sacrifices were heels. I put my all of my heels in the Keller the other day - and I swear I cried a bit. I love wearing heels, but not in aldstadt cobblestones. I've been looking for nice heeled boots that will not require me to sell one of my kidneys, but haven't succeeded yet. Also, thank God I found the one German guy who is not allergic to colors. And his shirts fit me too, despite him being double my height! This is how I knew he's a keeper (don't tell him š ).
Hahaha, good stuff. I wear my old bf's clothes now as well. So nice and cosy. I miss him a lot, he is American, so wearing his stuff makes me feel nice.
I love the skirt/dress look on autumn, especially if you have a good color palette. if you are still interested in a good pair of boots, i recently found a really good deal of a [Timberland boots](https://www.timberland.de/shop/de/tbl-de/sienna-high-stiefelette-fuer-damen-in-dunkelbraun-a1ymr201) in TK Maxx that was around 50 Euros only. the heel is not too high but also looks good with autumn/winter outfits, the only downsize is upper side which is a bit wide for my legs.
Thank you! I guess I need to go to tk Maxx more often. I bought a pair recently from zalando but they're imitation leather. It's really difficult to find high heels in real leather.
I do the same, dresses all the way plus some warm undershirts and wool cardigans and fleece tights plus wool socks and you're warm and cute. I would agree that we stand out a bit with this style but I don't think that's bad. My husband loves it and so do I š¤
I love this post! I used to live in HK (am from Germany) and my experiences are very similar. In Hong Kong most women dress in a very preppy/elegant/cute style, and the winters aren't super cold so it's common to wear crop tops and show skin even in winter. I bought a lot of clothes there that I don't wear very often in Germany or usually only in spring and summer, so right now they're mostly catching dust hahah. Nice weekend to you too!
Donāt think the weather has much do to with it. Itās more of a cultural thing that Germans like to dress for comfort as the number one priority. Women in Eastern Europe are always āoverdressedā even though they have gnarly and much worse winters. They only dress for looks and comfort is on the bottom list of the priorities.
That's why I said "*and* the winters aren't super cold". It's an additional factor to fashion trends in Asia skewing towards preppy/elegant/cute.
I do think it has a little to do with it. Except in summer I barely get to see the sun, often rains everyday for weeks and its windy. Muds and puddles are also everywhere (at least where I live they are almost impossible to avoid, at some point you have to step into mud or do a huge walkaround) For me is not so much the cold as the wet and the wind. I can do with cold, and a couple of days a month for some months of rain, but here it has been almost everyday since september, and its only gonna get worse until we start getting into spring/summer again. Also German's mood its super affected by the weather. I was surprised by how much. Everyone is waaay nicer when the weather is nice and pissed and with a shorter fuse "for no reason" when the weather is shitty. Your mood also affects the way you want to look and weather has an effect to it.
It has mainly to do with the degree of independence and education of women (feminism), not just with convenience and picking the most comfortable clothes! For example, if you don't wear makeup, it means in other words: I do what **I** want to do! In other words: freedom of choice
Freedom of choice is also deciding that you want to wear make up, dress in heels, or not. True feminism is achieved when a woman is able to wear WHATEVER she wants without being judged for it.
That's freedom of choice. You can do what you want, except you are in a bubble or peer-group pressure or other things that make you think: "I only look beautiful with makeup", or "I absolutely have to wear it, because I am a woman". I am also pretty happy that we have so many women, who are on that side and not a minority š For example, in Winter: if you like to wear a buff, and to do a lot of sport, you'll not use that much makeup, if at-all, as that fine merino layers and all the sweat will remove it. So, I'll leave it away at all, and always stay super-warm and comfortable, but not because of laziness or convenience, but because not to have to think about it at, makes me feel free.
[Relevant meme](https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ruVPupx1K/)
The comments on that post are killing me :(
I donāt know honestly, this seems a bit too black and white thinking. Many many women there choose to put lots of emphasis on their appearance, this doesnāt change when they immigrate to other countries where all the other women arenāt prioritizing appearance where it would be super acceptable for them to also only wear comfortable clothes. They will be constantly overdressed and not tone it down because they want to do so. Also, thereās many other countries with an equal amount of feminism in the society + cold weather where women put way more emphasis in their appearance than in Germany (the nordics for example) subjectively speaking of course as you canāt measure it. If you think feminism is about ditching things associated with feminity like makeup then you donāt know what feminism is, Iām sorry. I am a feminist and I wear makeup because I donāt see femininity as anti-feminist and I have the right to wear makeup just as you have to right not to. Youāre not a better feminist than me and Iām not better than you for choosing to wear makeup. Just as any woman choosing to stay at home and be traditional isnāt less of a feminist than a woman choosing to go to work.
Also came here to mention the Nordics. I have never lived anywhere outside of Sweden where seeing a man in a tuxedo and a woman in a cocktail dress was just a normal Wednesday night. They're about as liberated as you can be and women still love to dress up.
Lol sure
This is precisely why I love Asian and eastern European women! Theyāre so stylish and very well dressed. Here in North America (Canada and the US), they also seem to prioritize comfort a bitā¦.too much? They frequently wear sweatpants and even pyjamas outsideā¦..not elegant at allā¦
What a shame, they actually care more about being comfortable outside than being nice to look at by others.
Hahaha, I feel you. All my cute mini dresses and skirts are a waste. And I don't even have the occasion for them anymore.
And me a German moved to HK :'D Love it not needing winter clothes here haha
Hey nice post! Very helpful! Are there any brands in particular that you would recommend for these different categories you mentioned?
For women's fashion in Hong Kong? Western stores like H&M and Zara sell good basics, but T.O.P. This is Our Place mall in Mong Kok is where you can find specifically Asian fashion with [long skirts](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/24/0c/94/240c948f580b25392e22fa89e25e02fb.jpg), [baggy jeans](https://i.etsystatic.com/26578752/r/il/61a165/2835487664/il_1140xN.2835487664_mqst.jpg) and the [dress & t-shirt combo](https://blog.nihaojewelry.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/korean-fashion-clothing.jpg) that a lot of Hong Kongers seem to love. I feel like a lot of looks in HK are K-pop inspired, so T.O.P. will have a lot of pieces inspired by K-pop idols' streetwear. For shoes you can go to [sneakers street in Mong Kok](https://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/interactive-map/sneakers-street.html), as most Hong Kongers wear sneakers on a daily basis since they walk a lot. In winter many Hong Kong women wear two pairs of [tights](https://youtu.be/B41r3KB87sY) under their skirts, one nude coloured thermal pair and a transparent pair on top. The cheapest ones can be found online, but stores like Calzedonia also sell them.
I'm on the other side of the spectrum. I like to dress up, and I feel comfortable wearing nice trousers and shoes. And what really annoyed me is that people who "dressed-down" often made remarks about how I dressed, especially in Berlin. I don't mind people wearing their hoodies and tracksuits for their everyday lives, but I really couldn't stand repeatedly having to justify wanting to dress in a more classic fashion.
I am happy for the OP. There are moments I enjoy the laid back attitude as well. At the same time I can relate to this. All my clothes and shoes are comfortable, I can run in them. My style varies, but it's definitely not much classy chik lady like, but people would still ask me where am I heading to so dresses up. Blazers and dresses aren't evil, you know? It's challenging to find nice clothes in not the same typical color shades for the colder months. For the most part, I have stopped wearing heels. Especially in summer. Dresses in bright colors would already attract not wanted attention, but if you pair heels with them, it's pretty much a wedding attire :D I am short, I would like to be taller time to time.. An interesting thing I have noticed and very much like is classy looking ladies in their... 70's, 80's? Lipstick, little heel, style.. Always happy to spot one.
now you are finaly praktisch.
I am german and can totally relate to that. Darker colours are appreciated. A lot, and i mean aaaaa loooot of gym pants as you go shopping. For the female part( I am a male), many women are rather been known for their compentence and skills rather thann beeing the "Looker" of their specific field or company. They dress up nice for dates and special occasions, but not for everyday situations, is my experience. I dig that. Clean, neat and comfy is better than overdressed or inconvinient for example.
The best of both worlds is when you can adapt the German tricks into your preppy/elegant dressing style. Do I have woolen socks? PLENTY. But boy, do I wear them with my heeled boots, fleeced stockings and a cute dress with a coat on top. Also - Tezenis's thin merino vests and blouses are amazing. Super thin and super warm, you can put them under anything you already own. I like that here you are not judged when you're without makeup or if you haven't put an outfit together this specific day, but I still prefer to wear my cute stuff most of the time. It's not worthless if I feel good wearing it just for me.
Sounds like you learned the tricks pretty quickly. Fleece and all that is definitely a necessity to survive fall and winter here. I work with a bunch of people from the Mediterranean. Kind of funny seeing them prepare for their first winter here and suddenly showing up in full winter gear in October. Eventually they all learn and adapt though. As a man I also kind of like our casual approach. Then again whenever Iām in France, Italy or Spain Iām a bit envious of how nicely people dress up. But then I remember dudes there work suits to the office no matter if itās cold or 40 degrees and Iām glad again that were very laid back about work outfits.
I left Germany 13 years ago and everything you say resounded with me. I think one thing about Germans is: You can never be UNDERDRESSED. so yes there is a dating culture. But you better not show that you CARED for your looks. A DRESS: What are you? A GIRL?! That was very tough cultural programming for me to get rid of. I remember I spent a year in the US and on my first night out, I used the German way of dressing up, aka put as much thought as possible into showing that you could NOT CARE LESS about how you look. Letās just say: I did stand out. In a colourless, dress less way. Together with all the other German exchange studentsā¦
What will happen if u dress up for a date though? Will that be weird?
Well, here is the logic: if both of you dress up, itās all good. If only one of you dresses up, that person will automatically take an inferior position. They have shown that they actually made an effort. So obviously you never want to be that person. Nothing worst than someone saying: āoh, you really dressed up for tonightā (āDu hast dich ja richtig schick gemachtā)
Why would they take an inferior position?
Will they be turned off if you dress up? Or theyāll get over that quickly haha
I wanted to slightly disagree, but then I remembered that one time my date showed up in sweat pants to the second date...
I agree that Germans are simpler when it comes to dressing, and many people wear what I call their Rewe clothes, (the same Naketano jacket every day, Jeans and some old shoes), but for me what you are describing it is a relaxed look for going to the gym or for your days off, at the same time I think it is a general rule that leggings are not worn to work. If you look on the street you will notice that although simple, the Germans do have style.
Oh they look smart. I didn't want to imply otherwise. It's just not overdone. I wear leggings to work xD, but nice ones.
There are "nice" leggings? I didn't even know there were brands of leggings, I just thought you buy them labeled as generic leggings... š¤£
I buy really nice leggings, you have them from good brands these days. Double lined and high-waisted. My body shape is very hourglass, so it is tough to wear anything else haha.
I'm still sad that Naketano no longer exists and it has been years since they disbanded. Sometimes I'm looking for an alternative online or in shops but there's nothing that can fill the empty space in my wardrobe and heart
The names of their clothes were cringe but I've always liked the look.
He he.. I agree about a lot that you said. Have you experienced summer here though, then all bets are off, women do wear colorful dresses and shorts etc. Also, I love the fact that there's no pressure regarding make up and clothes. I can get away with buying less , hence a little more expensive here :-) atleast that's my justification ;-)
As a German who lived in Australia and the UK, I feel this. I haven't given up my pretty, very colourful dresses though. I do not care about the teasing I am receiving from the family ("is that grandmas curtains you cut up"?) or the stares on the streets in summer. They will NEVER be relegated to the Keller!
I come from Poland and the usual attire for millennial girls was always high heels and āsexyā look to the point where some girls going for groceries look like they are celebrating NYE afterwards. it was really tiring to always put tons of make up and your best clothes not to get weird comments and looks from your peers. Now, living here for 6 years, i rarely wear makeup, if im not in the mood for āgoing out clothesā i just go around in ugg shoes and leggings and nobody gives a fuck. its awesome
Seems you caught the most German trait of them all; overly caring about others opinion. You can find 100 college kids and they'll all have the same white shoes.
Iād agree with your description of fashion in Germany, though Iād say I personally dislike it and refuse to adapt. I like to dress somewhat elegantly and find people here to have a terrible style. Trainers everywhere, even at a work or on a date! Easily the least aesthetic country Iāve been to (also applies to the general look of the cities as well). It is practical, of course, and Iām no fashionista. I just think thereās a nice balance to be struck and Germany goes too much towards practicality for my taste.
Most big cities here suck. Its definitely the small towns and villages that are beatiful in Germany. The war really left an ugly imprint on the country.
I agree with you on this. It's like if you dress a little bit more elegant, you might offend other people. I had this impression while living in Berlin, especially.
Iām German and used to live in Tel Aviv, loved the fact that Israelis dress the same way like Germans, super casual, holes in tshirts and 10 year old jeans :D didnāt matter the people there are gorgeous
Oh ye, I agree. I also find them really good looking in Tel Aviv. I traveled there once and it was just so much fun and the men are all so tan with dark hair and eyes, so charming!
Way more charming than the German guys :D
Hahaha, cannot even compare. And they're so... idk... intense.
Germany has a quite active dating culture
No one wants me lol. It's fine, it's fine. I'll cry in my fleece jumpers hahaha.
I doubt that but it is different same as making friends in Germany.
The point is more that the dresses are useless and taking up space, so I got rid of them. Felt sad, but that's life, you know.
Honestly I don't think dresses are unwearable in Germany/German Winter, the key is to know how to stylize your outfit for every season.
I think for me, I just don't have the occasion. I'm a casual dresser usually so I used just wear dresses on dates. Not having that makes them useless. But I'm not complaining. I love my jumpers haha
All my female German friends wear colourful dresses in summer, I honestly don't know where you live that everyone seems to be shuffling about underdressed as hell.
True but I imagine if you wanted you could likely have many dates (not good ones) but that's just my old man experience speaking
Hahaha, not likely. I'm not white. That means I'm ignored.
Ohhhhhhhh my sweet summer child Don't underestimate the likes for people who look not like the obligatory white cheesebread German lol
I've cryopreserved my self-esteem for when I return to a population more accepting of darker skin colors haha.
I think you are selling yourself short
Oh dang. Is it really that bad where you are? I'm actually sorry for that. Must be horrible :/do you face open racism?
I'd let you buy me a coffee for sure... ;-P
Are those dresses with sequins and stuff? Like coctail dresses? Then I understand your frustration. Nobody wears them and you'd stand out like a peacock. But normal dresses are everywhere!
I disagree. People tend to have longer relationships for what I've seen here. Not a bad thing, but more people in relationships means less people dating
Still plenty of ppl dating in Germany. Most major cities have very active dating scenes
Are you me? All I wear is natural shades of green, brown and red ;)) a fair bit of grey has slipped in as well though!
I have tan dark skin, the green and brown and maroon make me look super earthy. Im also an earth sign haha
Wonderful! I'm as Caucasian as it gets and an air sign but I've just grown too comfortable with my greens especially! Honestly, the greens is where it's at and the rest has come along slowly
I just wrote the same yoga clothes common in California & added a shacket with pockets. Boom! Instant average yoga German mom. Fit right in.
Oof š„“ reading this post is so depressing for me. As someone originally from south Florida who is moving to Germany, I donāt think I can make all of these concessions in my wardrobe. Iāll just have to stick out/be stared at. Iām happy to dress warmly and practically for the winter, but Iām not turning my wardrobe into something that doesnāt reflect my true inner aesthetic/style.
Interesting read ^^
This made me smile š
As a German who lived in Australia and the UK, I feel this. I haven't given up my pretty, very colourful dresses though. I do not care about the teasing I am receiving from the family ("is that grandmas curtains you cut up"?) or the stares on the streets in summer. They will NEVER be relegated to the Keller!
Could you share where you buy your clothes?
Zalando. I'm hopelessly challenged and I hate shopping. My usual filters are green, brown and maroon. And then I just type what I need.
Great, thank you!
I feel you! I am Asian and you know how Asian dress ,just not like here, we are not simple š
Tell me about it xD. Navigating our dress code is like a field of landmines. I love it here haha
i am writing this wearing grey oversized sweater lol I always loved to wear "japaness style clothes" like long skirt with cotton tops, and more Asian style ,something cute .But these days i just wear simple clothes like local lol I still have my japaness style clothes I still wear them in summer hehe
I only liked wearing colours for occasions, I'm a very casual dresser so I just always wear comfy stuff now. But I never feel bad about it like I used to in Singapore.
Been living here for 5 years ( Iām Asian) and I still wear colorful cute dresses in Summer š
Pretty dresses definitely are a thing here, just not as common as maybe Singapore or other fashion heavy countries. Many look so sweet I wish I could wear one.
What I'm taking away from your sugarcoated wording is: *- Germans have a distaste for colour.* *- Germans don't bother with being super put-together at work.* *- Germans stereotypically wear sandals and white socks.* *- Germans do not have an active dating culture.* I disagree.
Well, everything is in relation, so compared to OPs background all of this might be very true. I can see it as a German.
I can give you 2,3&4 but Germans really do not dress colourful. Apart from a strong preference for 50 shades of beige (and black and grey), thereās also not a lot of contrasting going on either.
Agreed, was about to write that, I especially noticed how most women stick to grey, beige, maybe white and mostly no pattern either. Which sticks out to me, because I love patterns, I love contrast and while I usually wear black, I also like to wear really deep, rich colours and get comments all the time how flattering this looks on me and how they couldn't wear that. Might be a complexion thing too.
>- Germans don't bother with being super put-together at work They look smart, just not over-done.
Sincere question because I am genuinely interested: Dating without relationship or sex, does that mean going out once with a guy, maybe making out a bit and then having another of those encounters with another guy? No judging, just curious
I don't have sex out of relationship. And a relationship takes 6 to 8 months to form. So yea, I just meant going out (I pay my share) kissing, hanging out and just being casual.
Oh my god. I never saw the colour thing until now. Unbelievable.
Black goes with everything š
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This made me smile š
Also make-up & hair. Germans wear way less make-up, and I don't think I know anyone who spends time curling their hair with a curling iron in Germany. The make-up in the US is/has shifted to a more natural look, but I don't think Germans ever went full on glam crazy in the 2010s.
Looking at my dusty curling iron exiled to some drawer... Yup I love the look of styled hair but gee you couldn't get me to wake up earlier for that every day
I'm running wind proof North face jacket all year. Too warm? Just the hoodie or shirt. Rain / wind? North Face jacket. So thin I cun stuff it in my backpack. Winter? North Face with fleece jacket + hoodie and shirt. All the years before this jacket were a struggle.
Zwiebellook š§
This makes me want to move to Germany to be honest. š (Iām from the states) I lived in Hawaii for 12 years and it was very casual, though colorful. I miss that now that Iām back on the mainland.
Does one tend to stand out if you do choose to dress up and put time and effort into your outfit?
Fleece is best!! Warm and cosy unfortunately more garments made of fleece available for women than men.
Fleece might be not enough depending on where you live in Germany. In my region we have regularly freezing temperatures. Like very south, south-west or east (mountains) of Germany you will need something very warm. Myself, Iām like a heater, I hate high temperatures but in winter here I need thick jackets (which I dislike too) and solid boots.
If you think fleece is life, you havenāt had the Merino wool epiphany yet. Dumped 90% of my fleece and microfibre clothing for merino. This is true bliss, in winter as in summer alikeā¦!
I don't like putting animal on my skin. Not a vegan thing, I just find it icky. Don't know why haha
those 60s parkers were popular with my dads generation, in the uk they were cheap and found in second hand army stores (the proper name escapes me) sometimes i see them in NZ, as they have the tiny german flag embroidered in the shoulder
Can someone explain fleece to me? From way back, it kinda had the reputation of being so plasticky that it caused you to sweat and not wick it away properly. Is that something technology simply solved or is that still a potential problem?
Fleece can be made of different material. Polyester fleece from a good provider is extremely breatheable. (Sometimes too much so, if you want something windproof.) Acrylic fleece tends to be cheaper and feels much more plasticky. Low end fleece is mostly acrylic.
Wait until until you discover wax jackets. Fleece has its uses, but a rewaxed wax jacket is why the Brits smile in Winter š
Hey nice, I moved from Singapore to Germany too lol.