Going to Europe in Nov/Dec....Help me fit in

[Matt S]

I know we have some Europeans and well traveled folks here on B&B, so I was looking for some help preparing for a trip to Germany and various other nearby countries. I'll be leaving after Thanksgiving and staying for about two weeks. We'll be hitting Christmas markets and various other places, but I should prepared to spend some time outdoors.

I need to buy some gear for the trip anyway (don't have much casual wear), so while I am at it, I'd like to make sure I don't stick out like an obvious American (until I try to speak anyway). I'll be with my sister-in-law and her husband who live there and I plan to ask for some advice there, but wondering what the B&B minds had to say. I'll definitely be looking to buy some boots, probably a new coat, and some other items. My usual gear is pretty "traditional". In the winter, I am usually in an oxford shirts, jeans that aren't too trendy, wool half-zip sweaters, maybe a flannel. I wouldn't mind an excuse to buy a pair of Red Wings, but might be better off with something waterproof. Thanks.

[Doc4]

Beware of "trying to hard" ... you'll end up looking silly being the 2012 version of the American tourist to Bavaria trying to pull off lederhosen.

Dress like an American, but ... the way Americans ought to dress, if that makes sense. So skip the short pants, ball caps, anything with sports-related logos, ... or really any logos at all. No running shoes unless you are actually exercising, and god forbid, no Crocs.

IF you wear a smile, and top it off with a decent helping of "excuse me", "please" and "thank you" ... you will fit in much more than what wearing the "right" pair of jeans can do for you.

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Beware of "trying to hard" ... you'll end up looking silly being the 2012 version of the American tourist to Bavaria trying to pull off lederhosen.

Dress like an American, but ... the way Americans ought to dress, if that makes sense. So skip the short pants, ball caps, anything with sports-related logos, ... or really any logos at all. No running shoes unless you are actually exercising, and god forbid, no Crocs.

IF you wear a smile, and top it off with a decent helping of "excuse me", "please" and "thank you" ... you will fit in much more than what wearing the "right" pair of jeans can do for you.

Doc:
...I wouldn't worry too much about being pegged as an American. That said, I think Germans do tend to favor darker, more subdued colors and being that weather can be very unpredictable...bring a rain jacket or coat (and gloves & fedora), and a umbrella.

I would bring dark jeans, kakhis, slacks, sport coat or blazer, nice-looking shirts, a few ties (for dinner, church,ect...), light sweaters, (Germany can get cold in Dec), good walking /dress shoes. Also, bring a pair of sweatshirts and pants for lounging around.

My Tips

I would say, nothing too trendy or flashy...just keep it basic and simple. Dress a little nicer than usual, dress appropriately for the local weather and keep comfort in mind, even if that means wearing your sneakers, so be it. Your feet will thank you.

"A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out". George Bernard Shaw

[Rudy Vey]

Pretty much what they said. Don't expect to get a good deal on clothing there, unless you hit a sale. A lot of the clothes you can buy here are about 2x to 3x as much in Germany!
Especially Levis 501 jeans always have been about 3 times what they were here. Ralph Lauren stuff is also quite more expensive over there.

[djh]

Good advice already in this thread. I would suggest that if you dress conservatively for someone of your age group, you will fit right in in this part of Europe. Please try to buy your clothing before heading over this way- things here are expensive compared to the USA.

Learning the simple niceties in German will be a good start as well.

[Matt S]

Thanks for the replies. So it sounds like I should just dress how I normally do here. I'm hardly on the cutting edge of trends, never really have been despite clinging on to my 20s in age as a number. No plans to buy clothes there, I just wanted to get a list of needs together so I can snag some sales between now and November. Only clothing I may buy over there is a VfB Stuttgart scarf if we end up going to a game.

[JeffM]

Try some neutral colored corduroys- great for fall and you can add a wool pullover or an oxford shirt...and comfortable shoes.

[galopede]

I'm in the UK and I find that no matter how well Americans try to blend in we can still spot them! Actually it's the same with most other European people who come here. Something about the style and cut of clothing.

Don't know if it's the same in Germany as it's a while since I was there. I do remember seeing people wearing Lederhosen with the Loden capes in Munich! There again, I've seen businessmen with briefcases wearing the kilt in Edinburgh! Never seen a bowler hat not part of a uniform in London though.

The only place in Europe where I did seem to be dressed much the same was the Netherlands. I reckon they are as scruffy as us Brits!

All I can recommend is just dress sensibly. Avoid check shorts with baseball caps and the like! Get yourself a Man Bag!

Have a good time when you go. Drink plenty of German beer...

Gareth

[JDTTO]

The only place in Europe where I did seem to be dressed much the same was the Netherlands. I reckon they are as scruffy as us Brits!

No way, we would never wear long sleeves on shorts like the English do. I can spot an Englishman kilometers away.

[MrMurphy]

Spent three years stationed in Italy and traveled all over Europe.

Despite my obviously non-European (Asian) features I ended up being asked directions, etc by locals everywhere from Dublin to Vienna. Guess I just look like I know what the hell's going on.

A button-down shirt and khakis or cargo type pants and some leather boots or shoes (I wore leather hiking boots) blend you in just about everywhere I went. As others have noted, earth tones and layering is key, weather changes quickly. I've seen it go from muggy and warm to freezing cold and windy in less than an hour just traveling between Bath and Stonehenge. Italy was much the same, my time in Germany was mostly hot and hot (Summer, Bavaria) or cold and cold (Oktoberfest) with no major changes.

A hat and scarf tend to be necessities rather than fashion at that point when the temps drop.

[galopede]

No way, we would never wear long sleeves on shorts like the English do. I can spot an Englishman kilometers away.

I'm Welsh, not English! That's an insult!

Think it goes back to the days when the height of Brit fashion was C&A which was a Dutch company if I'm not mistaken.

It's gone down hill since then as C&A pulled out of the UK after many years and now Primark has taken over.

Primarni makes C&A look like Savile Row!

Gareth

[Matt S]

Thanks for the input gents. It still sounds like I can just buy what I would normally buy. I guess that is the advantage of staying off the bleeding edge of trends and trying to be well kept.

[Bob the aged Lurcher]

Likewise the English would not be happy to be described as Welsh, nice place though.

[Romeo Bravo]

Bonjour!
OK, Germany and France are a bit different but I might still help you a bit.
If you want to blend in wear dark colors and DO NOT SMILE. That an American tourists dead giveaway.
Hotels tend to be expensive, it might be a better deal to rent a suite with a kitchen (in France hotel Citadines for example) you will end up saving a lot even if you only eat reheated cans bought at the supermarket. Gas is about twice as expensive, many roads have tolls plan accordingly. The train might be a good options for some especially if combined with a rental can sporadically.
Don't get an international phone in the US unless international travel will be more habitual. Pay-phones are rare these days, but you can find decent multiband non smartphones with prepaid plans about everywhere, even supermarkets. If you have an Ipod/Ipad you can use for email at Mc Donald (at least in France Used to be the case in Germany). Talking about supermarkets, I haven't been in Germany for a while but I remember finding local wet shaving stuff in bigger supermarkets. If you have an international (multiband) smartphone you can get a prepaid chip here.
Whatever you do NEVER fly into Europe through Paris there are random strikes all the time and you might get stuck, they will also make a point to lose your luggage , I personally prefer Frankfurt better than Amterdam, but both are OK, I found London to be a mess as far as airports are concerned. Bon voyage.

[Matt S]

Bonjour!
OK, Germany and France are a bit different but I might still help you a bit.
If you want to blend in wear dark colors and DO NOT SMILE. That an American tourists dead giveaway.
Hotels tend to be expensive, it might be a better deal to rent a suite with a kitchen (in France hotel Citadines for example) you will end up saving a lot even if you only eat reheated cans bought at the supermarket. Gas is about twice as expensive, many roads have tolls plan accordingly. The train might be a good options for some especially if combined with a rental can sporadically.
Don't get an international phone in the US unless international travel will be more habitual. Pay-phones are rare these days, but you can find decent multiband non smartphones with prepaid plans about everywhere, even supermarkets. If you have an Ipod/Ipad you can use for email at Mc Donald (at least in France Used to be the case in Germany). Talking about supermarkets, I haven't been in Germany for a while but I remember finding local wet shaving stuff in bigger supermarkets. If you have an international (multiband) smartphone you can get a prepaid chip here.
Whatever you do NEVER fly into Europe through Paris there are random strikes all the time and you might get stuck, they will also make a point to lose your luggage , I personally prefer Frankfurt better than Amterdam, but both are OK, I found London to be a mess as far as airports are concerned. Bon voyage.

Thank you for the advice. I'm usually in dark colors and apparently don't smile enough, so I think I have a shot. My sister-in-law and her husband have lived in Germany for 4-5 years now and we'll be staying with them as a home base for some day trips and maybe an overnight or two with them along, so we'll have a "guide".

We had already heard to avoid Paris on our flights. We are flying to Frankfurt and then to Stuttgart. Same way back. "Home" will be outside of Stuttgart to the southwest, can't think of the town right now.

Hopefully my new Galaxy S3 will get unlocked by our stupid carrier to be able to take an international sim. That was the plan just have something for if we venture off on our own.

I'll have to see what products I should snag in Germany. I didn't even consider what cool shaving supplies I may find.

[oakeshott]

I simply must take issue with the not smiling. While the men in Europe don't like us when we do it, it simply slays the women as long as it is accompanied by wit, charm and courtesy and not boorish sexual aggression. I have been a student and employee in Europe in my teens, 20s and 30s so this is knowledge come by honestly. Mind you, my nature and southern upbringing prevents me from testing the alternative hypothesis, but then again, I never had any incentive to try.

Be a slightly better version of who you already are and you will do fine.

[galopede]

I'm Welsh and smile at everyone. Perhaps that's why people avoid me...

[YetiDave]

Beware of "trying to hard" ... you'll end up looking silly being the 2012 version of the American tourist to Bavaria trying to pull off lederhosen.

Dress like an American, but ... the way Americans ought to dress, if that makes sense. So skip the short pants, ball caps, anything with sports-related logos, ... or really any logos at all. No running shoes unless you are actually exercising, and god forbid, no Crocs.

IF you wear a smile, and top it off with a decent helping of "excuse me", "please" and "thank you" ... you will fit in much more than what wearing the "right" pair of jeans can do for you.

^ This, then stop worrying. Germany's a very laid back country in general I've found. I've worn muddied up combat boots, camo trousers, leather jackets and band tshirts and nobody bats and eyelid

[Doc4]

I'm Welsh and smile at everyone. Perhaps that's why people avoid me...

Beware the Greeks bearing gifts and smiling Welshmen.

[gegarrenton]

Be a slightly better version of who you already are and you will do fine.

Best advice in the thread right here.

Literally, be yourself, anything else makes you twice as obvious. Two Oktoberfest trips ago we had a buddy along who runs a Porsche dealer here, and has all the obligatory Euro styling, drinks his sparkling water, etc... And after all that he is literally the most blatant American in the group over there because of how he carries himself. You can pretty much pull off any look if worn with confidence, and that applies to any corner of the globe. Don't mind all the folks with the no ball cap @!#$ if that's you, wear it. I feel equally as at home in a suit as I do in board shorts, all depends on what I am doing and what i feel is appropriate.

At the Wiesen this year I will be in my usual jeans, some sort of linen or cotton button down, and flops.