German Fashion Faux Pas

I don't claim to be a fashion master, but I do notice some differences in style between the US and Deutschland.


Men Wearing Capris
...while women don't. This is considered completely normal and not gay at all.

Not Wearing a Belt with Pants
The worst offender for this is undoubtably one of my econ professors here who wore socks with sandals and khakis with no belt on the first day of class, but I have noticed a number of other people around town not wearing belts with their pants. I used to be against wearing a belt unless the pants didn't fit exactly, but now that I'm older and much, much more mature I think everyone should wear a belt.

The Man Purse/Satchel/Murse/Manbag/Whatever You Want to Call It
This is mostly a middle-aged man phenomenon, so younger Germans are still cool. But the other day I say a man whose satchel was almost as big as his wife's purse. Maybe this trend stems from the Germans' higher propensity to use those bookbags that look like skinny, square dufflebags that hang down on you side from a single large shoulder strap. Those look decently professional, but I guess it's made the people here think they can carry a smaller version for their night out on the town.

Scarves
They're everywhere! And unless it is a bitterly cold day, you are a pretty girl whose scarf matches her outfit, or you're wearing your favorite soccer team's scarf to a game, YOU'RE WRONG!

Running in Spandex...and Nothing Else
For some reason people in Germany think it's perfectly ok to throw on some Under Armour compression shorts and just go running. Without putting a pair of actual shorts over the top. What's even worse is the spandex leggings that people will wear to run, again without any shorts over the top to cover unsightly lumps and bumps and humps.

Running in a Polo Shirt
I kid you not, I have seen multiple people, male and female, jogging in a shirt that looks like they just got out of work. I guess they figure that if they're underdressed below with their spandex they'll wear more than is neccessary up top.



If I think of more, or see new ones, I'll update you so that when you come to Germany you can look trndy.