How to dress in germany to not look like an American Tourist?

Question

I am planning a trip to germany this fall. And I would like to show up NOT looking and acting like a sterotypical american tourist. I lived in Germany for 2 years almost 20 years ago, at the time, I thought the germans were into jeans and casual shirts and stuff like the americans, but considering I was 19 at the time, I think thats probably how the 19 year olds dressed. So how would a 40 year old german dress these days? Shorts and Tshirts (probably not), how about jeans and tennis shoes?

I am not asking about "Traditional costumes" just how is the average German man and woman on the street dressed.

Answer 1

I happen to be from the States and have lived in Germany as well as travel there ALMOST every year since 1990.

To blend in, wear normal clothes and avoid wearing your baseball hat all the time esp backwards or sideways like a rapper!! That will make you stand right out if you dress like an LA rapper or such.

MOST except of course in certain areas of cities dress fairly normal as we do in the states. NON work would be jeans and a t-shirt or pull over in winter. Summer shorts and t shirt or jeans again. Now LEVIS once were a way to be stood out as either being wealthy or American back when silver tabs were popular in the mid 90's. I am not sure how it is now wearing Levis there if that is no longer something that will make you stand out.

So other than that act mature and respectful and try to use German whenever possible esp to new people to show them you are trying to fit in and use their language, though most speak English it is still a good and kind gesture.

I generally wear jeans, t-shirt or polo style shirt and sneakers or boots if winter as well as either a light jacket and winter jacket if winter. I also use gloves and a winter hat.

Umbrellas are very commonly used by both men and woman and you will not be considered a whimp just because you use one there.

SO i think you will be just fine!

Answer 2

It's funny you should ask this.  I have been in Europe many times and I can always pick out the Americans.  I would say I would avoid running shoes.  They are normally just for youths.  Also, avoid baseball caps or team jersies of any description.  Wear dark, conservative colours and stick with the classics.  Chinos or kakhis are very American, so avoid.  I would go for just plain pants, jeans are okay but a darker wash.  I would wear a shirt.  Not too loud or patterned.  Just a smart casual shirt short or long-sleeved.   T-shirts ar more for youths. Then I would probably wear leather shoes of some description.  Again, not overly fancy or bright-coloured.  Wear a jacket if you like.  Could be a sports jacket or the like.  Avoid nylon or anything too sporty looking.  Shorts are definitely out.  I guess my best advice would be to dress in a smart, under-stated manner.

Answer 3

With jeans and a nice, not too wide shirt you can never go wrong. just no tennis shoes, you will hardly find a 40 year old german guy or woman walking around with tennis shoes on. like the girl above me said, upper casual is the right word for it.

well...and depends on which month you are coming in fall, make sure NOT to wear shorts and tshirt just because its a sunny day! lol because thats how u can spot out an american from miles away! in my town is an army base and i see it everyday..while us germans still walk around with a big winterjacket on and a scarf around our neck, you will see americans walking around downtown looking like its summertime already and its only february!. ;-)

Answer 4

Since you are making a vacational trip you do not need worry about clothes all too much. Jeans, pullovers, t-shirts, tennis shoes, most sort of casual dress is okay everywhere, except if you are going to visit a business meeting or a finer restaurant. Shorts might not be such a good idea, except if the weather is really very hot (which does not happen so much here in Germany :).

And then, do not wear "screaming" colours ... like a Hawaii T-shirt. Do not dangle expensive cameras or stacks of money bills around, but that's probably good advice everywhere. Be friendly, talk in a normal volume, try talking a bit German if you can, and you'll be fine.

(If you meet stubborn and unfriendly people, you will probably have stranded in Westphalia ... most other areas are more welcoming :)

Answer 5

Unless you are playing sports, leave sports attire at home (sneakers, jogging pants, sweatshirts), otherwise similar.  I can pick out an American a mile away because of the shoes.

This counts for the plane too.  I always can tell which departure gates are for flights to North America because the passengers look like they are going to bed.  It's wierd how Asians and Europeans can survive flights dressed properly.

Answer 6

dark blue or black pants (can be jeans but should not), leather shoes, poloshirt or casual cotton-blend shirt polo-style.

Go to http://www.quelle.de and look at the following articles

(copy and paste into the search engine) to see some shirts:

224704W

389938F

And for casual shoes:

http://www.ecco.com/de/de/kollektion/her...

T-shirts and tennis shoes announce you as an American tourist from a mile away.  If you must wear sport shoes make sure they are navy, brown or black. 40-year old German men usually do not wear jeans and t-shirts unless they have no reason to take care in their appereance (either bc they are unemployed or work a minimum wage blue collar job). Some do it as a political statement ("still a 1968 revolutionist") though.

Also take a smaller bag than you otherwise would. Americans have a tendency to take everything but the kitchen sink in their suitcases. They bring 10 times more for a one-week vacation trip to Europe than their ancestors brought when they emigrated from Europe to the USA. Your luggage should not weigh more than 30 pounds. If you use a rolling upright, look for one that is 20 in in height or smaller and fits most airlines requirements for carry-on luggage.

Answer 7

Young ones like to dress in Jeans ,Tennis shoes are not so popular to wear outside Sport Activities, otherwise older Person were more causal clothing.

Just look need and clean and nobody really notice it at first that your are from the US.

Enjoy your trip

Greetings from Seattle(Native from Hamburg)

Answer 8

well i lived in europe also for 5 years but my whole family lives there and they just wear the same clothes than in the US. mayb enot tennis shoes, but lik enice jeans. Casual but not joggin pants or anything, upper casual I guess. I just know that grown-ups don't really wear tennis shoes, they wear liek nice leather slip-ins

Answer 9

Little moustaches and brown shirts are appreciated.

Answer 10

Wear the same as in England (no jeans, t-shirts, shorts, or tennis shoes)! There are a lot of American tourists in the town I live (mosty older ones) and I can recognize them by wearing baseball caps and tennis shoes etc!;-)

Answer 11

wear what you like.Nothing had change.I think we germans have more problems like the americans.In Spain you ever know where the peoples come from with shorts and white socks.And you ever know where the peoples come from who speak very loud and have a white skin.I never know that an american tourist is in front of me.Only in these time where he speak english.In my town was an US Army Base.The GI´s was ever welcome like you.

Answer 12

I just got back from Heidelberg and dress like a typical twenty something American.  You couldn't tell me from a German other than language.  It seemed to be the same for any of the other ages.  Very similar to American styles.

Have fun, I love it over there.

Answer 13

Slacks and a neutral one colored button up shirt should go over fine.  I would avoid anything with writing or brand names on it.  My best advice if you don't want to look American is that it is not in how you dress alone.  It is in how you act.  Most tourists here are obvious because they do things like talk really loud or walking and carrying a drink or something in your hand.  My German friend pointed this out to me.Most Germans will normally sit and drink or eat.  Now whenever I'm downtown I notice that the Americans are the only ones walking with a Starbucks cup in their hand.

Answer 14

Jeans and tennis shoes are perfectly fine for casual wear.

Germans don't dress very different from average Americans.

Answer 15

Jean and pullover are universal :)

Good travel

Answer 16

Do not wear Bermudas and Hawaiian Shirts!

Answer 17

Jared G answered correctly. Not so much how you dress, it has more to do with how you act. I doubt the person could spot me 'A mile away' as a German or American. For example when I travel to Bavaria I wear the tradional German lederhosen.  

Depending on where you visit in Germany I doubt you would notice a big difference in how people dress. Tourists are normally running around with cameras, or food, or a map in hand looking for something.

A safe bet if you are really concerned, check out L.L. Bean or Eddie Bauer. With those styles you will look classic and like a well heeled German.

But, to paraphrase an old classic Bette Davis film 'Now, Voyager' (the one where Paul Henreid lights the 2 cigs at once) If you are going to go sight seeing you may as well be a typical tourist.

After over 20 years in Germany I found if you are friendly and not acting arrogant you will do just fine. Despite Bush Germans still like Americans, thanks more to Elvis and Hollywood.

Whatever, Good Luck and have a fun trip!

Answer 18

don't wear white socks with your shoes!

don't wear a baseball cap!

and before you go.....stop cutting your hair for at least 3 month.....and most of all......don't take a bath for at least one week....then you'll fit right in!!!