How to dress (or not dress) on my visit to Cologne, Germany?

June 10, 2009 5:33 PM

I'm going to be visiting Cologne, Germany on a research trip at the end of the month-- how should I dress?

I'm an American PhD student from an East Coast university, speak decent (but not flawless) German and generally I try to avoid the major pitfalls like bright white tennis shoes, obnoxious t-shirts and fanny packs. However, one of my professors keeps suggesting that if I wear any color at all I will look like a tourist. Generally my uniform is a nice pair of slacks or jeans, a colorful top and a jacket or cardigan. Is that going to look out of place? Any pro-tips would be greatly appreciated, as it's my first time going to Germany alone rather than with a group of students.
Thanks!

posted by RedReplicant to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

I think you'll be fine. Germans definitely dress neater than North Americans, but you can wear a bit of color for sure. I don't live in Germany, but I've been there several times on business.
posted by krunk at 6:56 PM on June 10

However, one of my professors keeps suggesting that if I wear any color at all I will look like a tourist.

Heh? Germans wear color. I'm originally from there, and when I visited my relatives, I don't recall them dressing all that much differently than Americans, but yeah, probably a little neater and somewhat less casually. But "any color at all and you'll look like a tourist"? Not sure about that one.

Germans tend to wear fewer tennis shoes because they are raised with the myth that tennis shoes are "bad for children's feet."
posted by telstar at 8:39 PM on June 10

You'll be fine.

Get cool sneakers :) In fact, I think nice jeans are very acceptable, often in situations where I don't think they would be in the U.S.

Don't pack too much, if you'd like to blend in, wait until you get there to see what people are wearing.

How long will you be there for?
posted by polexa at 10:09 PM on June 10

Nah, you'll be fine. There is a broad range of what counts as "acceptable", and cities like Cologne that live of tourism tend to be even more forgiving.

If you want to get a peek ahead of time, try this page of Cologne webcams - as soon as the weather gets better you'll be able to say the way people dress for yourself.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 2:40 AM on June 11