CLOTHES GERMANS WEAR THAT AMERICANS HAVE NEVER SEEN - German vs. American Fashion

[@PassportTwo]

We are no “fashionistas” ourselves 😂 but are there any trends we didn’t mention you’ve noticed is different between the US and Germany?? Or what about your country if you are from another one?? 😃

[@michaelgrabner8977]

that online "Dirndl" pronouncing suggestion doesn´t sound right. First of all the "original" expression is "Dirndel" but it is pronounced like "Dirndl" without the "e" so it became common to write it for the skirt without "e" as well...and actually "Dirndl" is the old high german (=althochdeutsch) expression for "young girl" although it is today a bit outdated but you can still find that by the older generation in Bavaria and Austria till today...Well my grandparents used to call young girls soley "Dirndl" For native english speakers it is basically pronounced like the english "deer" +"ndel" = "deerndel" but the "e" at the ending syllabel is skipped as like as almost every vowels are skipped at the ending syllabels of german words while pronoucing them especially in the South like "werden" becomes "werd´n" or "gehen" becomes "geh´n" or "schauen" becomes "schau´n" or "halten" becomes "halt´n" or "fragen" becomes "frag´n"... etc..a bit comparabel like in english "isn´t" instead of "is not" and "doesn´t" instead of "does not" or "haven´t" instead of "have not"

[@rembrandt2323]

Ich hoffe die Erklärung gelingt mir. Soweit ich weis werden bei Arbeitskleidung auch unterschiedliche Farbtöne benutzt. Ist der "Blaumann" Weiß = Maler oder ähnliches Rot = Elektriker Grün = Gärtner öder ähnliches Blau = alles Andere :) Orange = z.B. Müllabfuhr, Forstarbeiter.. überall wo man GESEHEN werden muss für Andere um Unfälle zu verhindern. Das hat ganz praktische Gründe. Als Gärtner kniet man ggf. oft auf Rasen und hat so Grasflecken welche man bei "grünem Blaumann" nicht sieht. Als Maler muss man sehen ob Farbe ggf. tropft und trägt daher weiß. Elektriker tragen oft rot als Warnfarbe damit sich diese Leute z.B. in einem Betrieb, von Mechanikern und anderen unterscheiden. Blau ist die übliche Farbe da man dort auch leichten Dreck nicht sieht und die Kleidung so länger sauber aussieht. Beispiel dafür wäre z.B. ein Fahrradmechaniker der oft fettige Hände hat durch das einschmieren von Kugellagern und man würde den Fettfleck bei einem Blaumann weniger sehen als bei einem "weißen Blaumann". Der "Blaumann" ist als Arbeitshose ausgeführt, sprich die Hose hat dickeren Stoff und 2 lagen Stoff um z.B. schnitthemmend ("cut resistant") zu wirken. Wenn man z.B. an einer scharfen Kante/Ecke hängen bleibt geht die erste Lage Stoff ggf. kaputt aber man schneidet sich nicht z.B. in das Bein. Das ist also eine absolut funktionale Hose welche auch leichten Schutz vor Unfällen bietet. :)

[@janpracht6662]

I have never seen any young people in Germany walking around in Birkenstock sandals. Birkenstock you only wear when you are old, when you have orthopedic problems with your feet or if you happen to be Jesus.

[@willionaire77]

Well, functional outdoor clothing (=Funktionskleidung) - is kinda like THE german fashion thing we‘re most notorious for.... (besides adidas and puma) with Jack Wolfskin being at the forefront of the ultimative „Dad clothing“. 😁 But seriously - functional clothing is sooo underrated. When you live in an area where weather can change drastically within an hour - you better be prepared. The Allwetterjacke might be a life saver. 😎 From my experience in munich - we do have a lot of all-weather-days..... 🥶☂️

[@willionaire77]

Oooh, and the google translator is sometimes really horrendous..... That Dirndl translation made me cringe. 🥴😄 That was the most correct British pronunciation of a Bavarian word. 🤣🤣🤣

[@SilverShamrock4]

A close competitor to the "Allwetterjacke" is the "Übergangsjacke" (transition jacket) for the weeks inbetween seasons. Yet another german oddity ... 😜

[@missis_jo]

I thought those were for between summer and winter, so half of the year 🤔.

[@bloodsuckingzombie]

@@missis_jo no we also wear them between winter and spring and there are ones for between spring and summer.

[@bluenose4298]

it is practical. where i live july can be like january :15°C and rainy

[@rippspeck]

Wie kartoffelig muss man eigentlich sein, um mehr als 'ne Regen- und 'ne Winterjacke zu haben? Habt ihr auch zwölf Paar Schuhe?

[@happyjellycatsquid]

@@rippspeck I mean in Canada I have to have a few because the winter coat will be WAY to warm for autumn, and yet it does get cold enough in the fall to require a coat. Add to that other jackets (like a raincoat) and it starts to pile up 😮‍💨

[@ald00I]

"in europe people dress up every day" is such a funny thing to me... like yea, we dont go to walmart in pyjamas, but its not like we run around in a pantsuit daily (most of us anyway)

[@grandmak.]

I think in Italy people dress up more very day - you hardly see grown ups in sweat pants or leisure clothes there.

[@babymammuth5074]

grandma k. Youve obviously never been to italy. In italy, eastern europe and lots of other countries ,i assume, its seen as a status symbol, when you can walk around in public in sweatpants. It means you dont have to work, or you have a job where you can wear what you want. In italy the hardest flex is not having to dress up.

[@Ash_Wynn]

why wouldn't you? its fun!!

[@randomxxjojo]

Speak for yourself. I've totally gone to Edeka in pajamas a few times. I may have gotten a few stares, but that's besides the point.

[@uriulrich4918]

I can turn up to work in sweat pants, some of my colleagues tend to even wear pyjamas, especially for night shifts. We wear turnout gear when on call, so it doesn't really matter what we wear to work. This is in Germany by the way.

[@Mizbeehavior]

You know you are German when you own a “Multifunktionsjacke” 😂

[@gregorpopp7023]

ist halt praktisch ;)

[@Indifferent86]

Or from the Nordic!

[@elisabethstrazzanti2312]

So true, haha , Wolfskin

[@dragonlover2085]

This jacket can clean your windows and change your tires...it's multifunctional though.

[@ankra12]

We have that in Norway too 😁 called allværsjakke.

[@bennibattke5105]

you forgot how to spot german tourists in important brands like: Jack Wolfscin, deuter, the northface... and so on ;D

[@gregorpopp7023]

and the Socks and Sandals. ^^

[@grandmak.]

@@gregorpopp7023 Ohhhh, I used to be so deeply embarrassed when my former husband wore those !

[@Berlinerundso]

It‘s quite funny, everytime me and my friends are abroad we can spot germans from a km away. But they never suspect us bc we look like annoying Berlin hipsters and sometimes we just go along listening to them. Hahaha

[@babymammuth5074]

Mural 030 it doesnt matter what you wear, we can fucking hear you before we see you, thats how we recognize YALL

[@JassBo83]

Back in my high school days kids loved Fishbone shirts.

[@Akkaren79]

Actually, a lot of Bavarians do own a dirndl or lederhosn and wear them for the Volksfeste or traditional weddings.

[@gluteusmaximus1657]

I own a lederhose and wear it throughout the summer. There is sans pareil in maintenance or comfort around.

[@robwilliams2410]

Akkaren Agreed. I have had a few colleagues over the years who also wear “Trachtenmode” (traditional clothing) to work or various semi formal events. This isn’t strictly Lederhosen and Dirndl, but a whole range of traditional fashion which share materials, patterns and stylistic similarities to them. Many Germans will wear traditional clothing in Bavaria to different festivals in addition to the Oktoberfest.

[@plzignoremyname7911]

I live in Baden-Württemberg and I own 2 dirndls. It’s the dress code for beer festivals (similar to the Oktoberfest). But people don’t wear them without any occasion.

[@leoh3616]

not only bavarians...

[@kristinar385]

Well I´m from the north of germany, but I´m living in bavaria - had to get a Dirndl, to be part of my shooting-club. I´m currently the "Queen". It´s pretty common to wear it occasionly too. Especially some older people wear it as everyday clothing.

[@swanpride]

It's maybe important to add that while we do spend less on Fashion, it is more related to most Germans not falling for the notion of "fast fashion" and most Germans not being ready to pay for a brand. Basically there are two groups of "fashion types" in Germay: The ones who go for cheap clothing, who naturally don't go extremely expensive, and the ones who want high quality clothing which will last them a few years.

[@Jannyl13]

I don't quite agree. I think especially with teens and tweens there are also those who actually buy certain popular brands (I remember a time when the "cool girls" were all wearing Hollister/Abercrombie and Fitch). And there are those who wear certain sustainable fashion brands a lot (like hipster university students).

[@swanpride]

@@Jannyl13 Sure, but you don't see quite as many of those super-expensive brands.

[@juoz284]

@@swanpride I have to disagree. Especially the teens/tweens wear a lot of high end fashion brands. LV, D&G, Balenciaga, Off-White, Gucci and other brands which I would not even recognise. You just have to take a closer look. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's nice to look at.

[@richard--s]

@@juoz284 off-white is a brand? Well, it might be. Maybe someone looked it up and found out that this has not been registered as a brand before and registered it for his clothing company. Dark-blue might not be a brand too -- or bright-yellow or "anything" or "everything" ;-) But they can't blame anyone who sells items or even just clothings in the color off-white, because this color name has been used widely for decades.

[@uriulrich4918]

I don't particularly care about fashion. What I however do care about is comfort, the price-performance ratio and sustainability. I like to wear long lasting clothes, I also do repair them when they need to be fixed. I spend about 40-100€ on clothes a year. So far this year I didn't spend a cent, although I will need a new pair of jeans probably later this year. But I guess this is in my upbringing where my mom never had excess money to buy us clothes and most of our clothes were second hand. This is still in my system even though I make a really decent amount of money.

[@pacovl46]

It’s ironic that Germany is the nation laughed at for sandals and socks when in the US you see tons of people with even taller white socks and slippers walking around all day long!

[@itsnotaricaria]

I guess no one takes americans serious when talking about fashion

[@pacovl46]

@@itsnotaricaria 😁

[@Mikearice1]

In America it's usually derided as a clueless "Dad" thing, done by the one person in the family who has no idea or care about what other wear.

[@pacovl46]

@@Mikearice1 actually I was more referring to the hip youngsters who have a preference for Gucci! 🤪

[@escherita]

I'd rather see birks and sticks that slippers any day !

[@nikomangelmann6054]

its easy for a metalhead when it comes to fashion: bandshirt and jeans. works for over 40 years in every part of the world!

[@margretblaswich]

🤘😂

[@ruthmendez2948]

So true lol goth wear also works the same everywhere lol

[@SharienGaming]

you also never really have to think about what colour to wear - its all black anyway XD

[@californiahiker9616]

Yup. Black works anywhere!

[@andibuletten6206]

Nearly everyone in germany knows, what a Blaumann is. But I noticed, that the Blaumann has been replaced by the clothing of Engelbert Strauss. It's a german brand, that originally produces clothes for craftsmen. Their pants are very functional, solid and strong, but also they are stylish. And a lot of people wear them as casual pants. You can also use them for hiking. ✌ Stay healthy.

[@jonaskreuder1817]

Es geht doch nichts über gescheite Arbeitsklamotten/Allwetterklamotten von Engelbert Strauss. Ich bin Tischler. Grüße

[@HenningSchneidr]

and they've the "colorcoding" for the different professions :-D ... not only blue

[@BananaRama1312]

Die sind nicht "stylisch" sondern ends hässlig und lassen dich wie einen hillbilly mit unter 50er iq aussehen

[@turbozwerg55]

@@BananaRama1312 hässlich mit "g" lässt dich eher iq-mäßig einordnen 😉

[@thirstwithoutborders995]

Engelbert Strauss is definitely trending in Austria. Not just for handywork either, many of the Dads on the playground have their jackets and solid pants.

[@geneviere199]

Birkenstocks are often worn by people who have to stand behind a counter all day or who work in the health business. Or at home. In Germany it actually is not really something you see daily on the street - so there is some fashionable Birkenstock, too.

[@SimeonFail]

There are also diffrences between the color of the Blauman or the workpants and the Job. The Plumber or "gas wasser scheiße" and the locksmith or metal construcktor wear Blue. The gardener or galabau wear green or grey. Electricans and roofer wear black. Painter and Mason wear white.

[@stuntmanbob90]

You have not noticed German people wearing Jack Wolfskin clothes? :)

[@PassportTwo]

SO MUCH JACK WOLFSKIN! Haha

[@grandmak.]

@@PassportTwo mostly teachers wear them, they are very expensive

[@JimBobele]

@@grandmak. There's this saying in Germany: "If you buy cheap, buys twice". I totally agree with it in many places, especially electronics and functional wear, JW is one of them, I love this jackets

[@grandmak.]

@@JimBobele kann ich verstehen.

[@epixgaming8938]

I wear my jw massive winter jacket for years now. Bought online on rarely availiable discount at this time. So reliable in bad weather. ❤️❤️❤️

[@onefortexas2379]

Here in Texas my wife owns three pairs of Birkenstock's and loves them, according to her, it’s the most comfortable shoe ever made.

[@stpaley]

seriously? a texan who doesn't wear SAS (San Antonio Shoes) i'm on my forth pair (two casual & two work)

[@junglecat_rant]

Yeah, but the most uglies. But I own a pair, too. Peer pressure I guess 🤣

[@onefortexas2379]

@@junglecat_rant Yep, I call them her baglady shoes.

[@th60of]

My personal German fashion statement: plain T-shirt, jeans and sneakers in summer, plain sweater, jeans and sneakers in winter. Favorite color: gray.

[@PassportTwo]

Haha, yes! That describes so many people here as well!

[@Baccatube79]

The sneakers may vary in high-ankle and low-ankle, to give it an edge.

[@dorisw5558]

Absolutely

[@groppermilk]

Sorry mate, grey is not a "color", otherwise have fun wearing whatever you wear!

[@Baccatube79]

@@groppermilk you must be German for not realizing that these are jokes. Self-deprecating jokes.

[@gluteusmaximus1657]

Berlins fashion is easy to describe : Krasser Mix.

[@PassportTwo]

😂

[@kilsestoffel3690]

Everything is ok, in any combination

[@niwa_s]

In reality most people just wear normal clothes though. People like in the example pics are exceptions.

[@margretblaswich]

Oder in Düsseldorf...kruder Mix 😉

[@hansdieter2923]

@@niwa_s Especially outside of the ringbahn.

[@dagmarszemeitzke]

The brands "Adidas" and "Puma" was founded from two brothers. Adidas from Adolf "Adi" Dassler Puma from Rudolf Dassler Adi Dassler invented screw on buttons for football (soccer) shoes, witch them the German National Team win their first Soccer World Cup 1954 (Das Wunder von Bern - the wonder from Bern)

[@Trashloot]

I feel like you forgot to mention that we really love our plain colored T-Shirts / Pullovers.

[@aenwynsnow2828]

Before I moved to Munich, I also thought that Dirndl and Lederhose is just a cliche, but it is not that unusual in Bavaria. Older Bavarians seem to wear it every Sunday and for young men Lederhosen seem to be an option whenever they go out. Tracht gets very frequent whenever there is any kind of festivity. About half of the girls wear a Dirndl in their first day at school. As I come from another part of Germany, I am still a bit surprised about how frequent this attire is here...😉

[@tarwod1098]

Bavarians are very proud of their traditions.

[@weissblau]

Trachten are very comfortable and timeless; if you buy good quality you can wear them forever.

[@junglecat_rant]

Man, I'm glad I'm in Berlin.

[@LeaRahelsRezensionen]

Every German will tell you that Bavaria is not part of Germany. It's really different from the rest of Germany. And I think many Americans don't know, that Dirndls and Lederhosen are only worn there and only to certain events

[@randomdude2026]

@@LeaRahelsRezensionen I am German. Bavaria is a part of Germany. Germans that are saying different are joking. Saying Bavaria is no part of Germany is like saying Texas is no part of the USA

[@Baccatube79]

The Blaumann is slowly dying our for Engelbert Strauß workwear. But the Blaumann is great and very practical.

[@PassportTwo]

We gotta keep it alive for foreigners like us to see! 😂

[@kilsestoffel3690]

I have a red Blaumann from Engelbert Strauss for work. The company I work for has an American costumer, who orders, with the machines we build, E. Strauss working clothes for his employees.

[@luisesandfrau7534]

And the workwear from this brand is becoming slowly the casual wear at leadt here aroung Munich.

[@eisikater1584]

@@luisesandfrau7534 All over Bavaria, that's my impression. And they even have a fashion collection that's not really suitable for work.

[@gwahli9620]

I find it interesting that in English we have the term "blue collar worker" even though none of them do wear blue. I'm not sure about the UK and Ireland, maybe they still do over there.

[@lphaetaamma291]

A "Blaumann" is tippical for plumbers in germany (altough other craftsmen wear them too). Many craftsmen have their own work clothes: Painters: white chimney sweeper: black This origins in the middle Ages where in each city any kind of craftsmen were organized in a "Zunft". These took care about the qualyty of their products and helped in accidents. Manyof these "Zünfte" had clothe- rules that still exist today

[@PassportTwo]

We have a similar thing in the US as well where different craftsman wear different colors or outfits. For example, our mechanics mostly wear the gray suit I showed (or maybe black) and our painters wear all white as well. 😊 We have seen these organizations you are talking about on Maibaums in different cities actually!

[@Leenapanther]

Interesting plumbers and other handyman jobs who visit your home in Switzerland, usually wear the typical gray/black work pants and a shirt from the firm they work for. they never wear overalls.

[@Baccatube79]

The most traditional attire still being worn these days is the carpenters' "Zunftkleidung". I might find a link... images.app.goo.gl/YHCDAZcdm54AwbM27

[@brittakriep2938]

@@Baccatube79 : Watch some old bakers or butchers.

[@reinerjung1613]

Sandals and socks is definitely on the decline. Mostly worn by older people or n more conservative regions. Also I had the impression that you have to dress up for the job in the US, hence there is a casual Friday. While in Germany, you can appear on more job locations in casual any day. The all weather jacket is not only a German thing. You will find this piece of clothing also in northern Europe a lot including Scotland, as it is a necessity. Especially, in case you do not use a car as your primary mode of transportation.

[@ChrissieNicely]

Traditionally and actually Düsseldorf is and has been the German city of high fashion! I would say, it is more conservative than London and more pret a porter than Paris. Berlin is a trend-hub, the fashion forward crowd consist of a lot more foreigners, even the Germans there are not always locals. They are a wonderful mix of lots of creatives from all over the place, a lot of times social "misfits". This circumstance was borne out of the fact that Berlin used to be the only city in Germany where you could not be drafted at the time we still had the concription Army before the wall came down. My take on Germans and fashion is that the tendancy is for comfortable, practical wear but in order to get a good overview you would have to look at business oriented city centres as well as your local small town. You will see a lot of well dressed people anywhere but more fashion forward outfits in the bigger cities where the high end jobs are. The sock/sandal combo is more for use in your home or when camping. I don't really see much of it where I live. People - including me - wear a lot more sneakers these days.

[@lumina9995]

Berlin has at least one resident from every country in the world!

[@TheSwedishRider]

That translator voice says "Dirndl" with an American accent 😂

[@richard--s]

Absolutely true. "Dirndl" was almost spoken by the translater like "Durndl" ;-) But in fact it's much more like "Deerndl". The "i" in "Dirndl" is simply just like the first "i" in "inside" or like the "i" in the word "in" ;-) And by the way: "Dirndl" also means "Girl" in the bavarian dialect. So, Dirndls may be dressed in Dirndls ;-) Well, that sounds weird. Make it "Dirndls may be dressed in Dirndl's clothes or in Dirndl dresses" ;-) In the bavarian dialect it's "a Dirndl im Dirndl" ;-)

[@ingevonschneider5100]

I also always thought that white tennis socks and sandals were typical German, until I watched the nalf vlog. He and other American football player always wear them and he claims them to be American, after being called out.

[@PassportTwo]

Maybe you haven’t gotten to around 10:08 in the video yet 😁

[@ingevonschneider5100]

@@PassportTwo True, seen it now, thank you.

[@PassportTwo]

No problem 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@andlem]

White tennis socks with sandals are worn even more by the British - even in short trousers in rain and cold.

[@Inucat]

I live in Munich, a lot of Bavarians will wear Dirndle and Lederhosen for formal events. First day of school? Yes. Weddings? Yes.

[@astridigl6480]

You mean people in Munic. Because a lot of Bavarias like Franconians for example have other traditional clothing.

[@annesels2028]

My kids and I got a little giggle from the Cheese Touch scene in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. They both are half German, went to German schools. In this scene (which is here on YT) German exchange student Dieter from Düsseldorf shows up wearing a leather jacket, trousers, cross-body messenger bag and gel in his mullet-style hair amongst a sea of American co-Ed’s mostly sporting hoodies or printed tees and jeans wearing backpacks. My daughter said he had probably used Axe spray as well...that was how some boys at their schools dressed at that time, not all...lots of sporty types too. One thing though for sure is that Germans tend to fuss a little more over their grooming and care of their clothing...never wearing stained or worn out clothing outside from maybe doing garden work or cleaning the house...some even wear an apron for doing that to protect their clothing. Some mentioned this already, you may have noticed it too but German cities often have tradition trades (for example university cities, insurance cities, automotive cities, Solingen for example a city where you might find well made cutlery or locks) Düsseldorf is still a very important city for the fashion industry and hosting long standing fashion trade shows. All the larger metropolitans have trendy scenes with Berlin being the largest and loudest for sure :)

[@raman9756]

I like the word "european" regarding fashion ;). It says more about americans than about "europeans". Considering that people in north or south, west and east of europe dressed differently because they have different cultures. Socks and Birkenstock 100% true. But not as often seen as 30 years ago ;)

[@AnSe902]

True dat: German fashion = Allwetterjacke ❤

[@kessas.489]

Hab keine...

[@nebamelago8049]

Birkemstocks are THE thing for summer. Also, practical because orthopedic benefits. However, the Birkenstock is not only an outdoos shoe. Since older German houses have cold floors most of the year, wearing Hausschuhe is still comon practice. Pairing a breezy open Birkenstock with comfy woolen socks is therefore an indoor-choice. pairing them with tennis socks to wear outdoors is only a thing among certain grouls of people. Elderly people do probably do it due to circulation benefits when normal shoes are too warm but just sandals is too cold for them. Otherwise, it's mostly guys between 16-29 who do that because they want to stand out as "not caring about fashion much". Showing off socks this way is also done in other countries. Other wasy are to sruff the leg-ends of your jogging pants into your socks. And they are usually sports socks, white, addidas or puma or nike. I can't recall ever seeing a girl wear socks in Birkenstocks.

[@gerdpapenburg7050]

13:44 - Donny's first pronunciation of “Dirndl” was correct. 13:50 - the automated voice generator failed at calling it "Dörndl"

[@Gabistruwwelliese]

I loved how much reserch there was on this video. Well done!

[@MoLauer]

I can't really agree with your observations but I live in a city in the North (Kiel). And I remember when i lived in Pirmasens (RP), the fashion was drasticly different (in my opinion worse). I guess it's a regional thing and it depends if you live in a city or a little village.

[@PassportTwo]

You’re totally right! There definitely are some overarching trends which is why we sought out the “professionals” and what they say about fashion in Germany, but there are definitely exceptions and regional differences. Same for in the US for sure!

[@wandilismus8726]

Kiel Rocks, Rand Gaarden City here

[@stephaniedougherty7845]

I think it depends on where you live! In recent years I lived mostly in southern Germany and mostly, the fashion is mostly Italian/ French inspired. It is probably a matter of where you are at what time! And which people you hang out with. In terms of Dirndl and Lederhosen, in Bavaria most young people seem to own several, I have seen them at every wedding and Christening and most family meetings of those living in Bavaria!

[@gunwu9084]

Birkenstock sandals and their similar looking counterfeits which are a lot cheaper are mainly worn by ppl who work in the health care business. Usually in white and from there might originate the habit to wear white cotton socks with them. You will hardly find any doctor with naked feet in a hospital. Also hairdressers or cosmetitians might wear them as these professions (in previous times) had to wear white clothes. The "chamber of crafts" demanded that. The Blaumann originates from such rules by the chamber of crafts too. Its called "Berufskleidung". A guy in Blaumann is for the most part some construction worker or plumber or headmaster. Ppl do not wear it in private but for work only. Each profession in crafts (or health care) had their own dress code. Medical/personal care staff white, painters white, cooks and ppl working in a kitchen white, plumbers blue and/or grey, gardeners green or beige, roofers black and carpenters black with an unique uniform you can see here: www.welt.de/regionales/nrw/article734525/Auch-in-Zukunft-zuenftig-gekleidet.html This dress code has partly been lifted since 15 years or so (due to Arbeitsmarktreformen, in order "to open" the market to not equally skilled craftsmen and thereby allow competition) which is why you can find hairdressers today that wear black and pink colors sometimes (and so many "craftsmen" in Germany that no longer do a good job). Cheers. :-)

[@kimgardner1615]

You guys nailed it! I live in the same area as you and I have noticed that I myslef have stared to dress even more casually than I did 1 year ago living in the states. I NEVER thought I would own a pair of Birkenstocks much less wear them with socks. After visiting a german doctor, he suggested them because of the unforgiving hard floors in german homes. (My feet hurt!) Also, just got back from Berlin, and yes it is very different from our area. Thanks for sharing!

[@PassportTwo]

Think I'm gonna have to order my first pair soon and give them ago then...doctor's orders! haha

[@NoNoTheGreenOne]

Many Baverians (and Austrians) own Trachten clothing items like Dirndl and Lederhosen, but mostly worn on special occasions. Also, they are pricey. 😊

[@MrAranton]

It's insane how pricey Trachten are - considering they used working clothes of the lower class when they took their current form.

[@DeanaandPhil]

Great video guys!! 😍 I think we need some Allwetterjacken now that the cold season has begun! 😅

[@PassportTwo]

Dang...apparently not very German of you to not already have some...😉

[@johannalein37]

Birkenstocks are a big thing in Germany but besides at camping or on really old people I never see somebody wear it with socks in public 🤔🧦

[@richard--s]

Not outdoors in public, but... I wear the indoor sandals only at home and in summer I don't wear socks at home. But during the winter it gets cold on the feet - and sneekers are almost airtight sweaty - disgusting - so I wear those indoor sandals with socks during the winter months at home. I also wear long trousers and a t-shirt at home (with a rather light sweater (not the thick and bulky ones) when it's cold). You won't see very much of the socks anyway under the trousers. I wear rather dark socks and mostly dark trousers. So I don't see any problem ;-) But maybe there is a problem, but I would hardly care... maybe if the problem gets too big, I would address it...

[@johannalein37]

@@richard--s there is absolutely no problem even if you would wear socks and sandals everyday 😄 everybody can wear whatever they want even if it's not "fashionable" 😄 I just wonder where the klishee comes from 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Al69BfR]

Socks and Sandals! 😉 Or otherwise known as „Socks and Birkenstocks“ (I wrote this after your question before the intro). Personally I prefer fashion from Camel (also when it comes to sandals). But I also have a collection of all weather jackets ranging from typical outdoor fashion from Salewa to the more fashionable Wellenstein, but I never had a jacket from Jack Wolfskin which was or still is quite popular in Germany. What I see more and more on the streets is clothings from „Engelbert Strauss“, a company that previously only made workwear like chef jackets, nurse casaque or the „Blaumann“. But recently they also make fashionable clothings for everyday and everyone. And as far as I remember fanny packs where a trend in Germany in the 90‘s. But in the early 2000‘s there was a line of specialy designed bags you could wear diagonally in front (or back) of your body (shoulder to waist) coming from France called „bodybags“. That was the bag you could wear if you didn‘t like fanny packs or don‘t want to wear a rucksack.

[@xcoder1122]

Always keep in mind, when Germany was still split into two countries, Berlin was pretty much like "an island". Half of it belonged to west Germany but it was surrounded by a foreign country just like water surrounds an island. If you compare Hawaii to the rest of the USA, you will probably also find a lot of differences despite Hawaii being part of that country for over 60 years already and being US territory for over 100 years. Yeah, this comparison is not quite fair as Hawaii has a pre-USA history and Berlin was always a part of Germany but you certainly get the point here.

[@darkredvan]

Well, I have my personal kind of fashion: regular buttoned (office) shirt, preferably of a light blue color, blue jeans „straight“, black socks, black leather „Halbschuhe“ and a (short tailored) light brown leather jacket. My outfit for about 70% of the year. Only changed due to heavy rain, snow or unbearable heat. BTW the Blaumann is very common still in (smaller) factories too. Slowly eroding as many (bigger) companies try to establish their own „brand“, providing their workers with work clothes in company color and style. If blue collar workers have to buy their own clothes they tend to stay with blue, as they are good quality and cheap. Though younger people would choose different colors as well. As mentioned before Engelbert Strauss is a famous brand providing good quality too, though more expensive as some no names. .

[@nette4307]

Comment on Germans and their spending: up until July of 2014, the country had no minimum wage, and the current minimum wage is very low. Also, the GPD per capita might be high, but it is an average, and the gap between high earners and low earners is getting larger every year. Add to that significant tax increases over the past couple of decades (the financial crisis "PIGGS" was paid for largely by Germany), and the number of people teetering on poverty is astounding. Hard to fashion forward when you're having a hard time paying your rent. Otherwise a really great video! Thanks for sharing - I love your work!

[@MusicStopsTimeMST]

the long shirt is considered a pyjama exchangable here and is mostly worn at your own house or with people you're very comfortable with. Often only with your slip and without a bra

[@UliFandoms]

Besides Allwetterjacke there's also the so called Übergangsjacke - coz you wear it in the transition between winter - summer - winter (cold and hot weather). Those times of the year are called Übergangszeit. 😊

[@Spatzenterror]

Berlin fashion? It is a mix like best of pawn shop. 4th hand fashion to describe it exactly.

[@ingonagel7169]

Tracht is actually worn quite often to special occasions in Bavaria. Parties, marriage, concerts etc. At events that fit. There are also different subtypes, the Schützenverein will wear others than the Goasslschnalzer, and on the east sea thdy sre worn differently. The knife, will be there ir not depending on where you go... at the Oktoberfest rather not.... Still enjoyed your view on fashion. Cheers

[@pacovl46]

When I grew up in Germany fashion and brand clothing was very important. Levi’s, Replay, Diesel, Blue System, G Star etc were our choices back then.

[@dariamathes4852]

I have been living in Bavaria for 8 years. I can tell you that German Bavarians (not just tourists) do wear dirndls and lederhosen, most especially during festival times. However, you will also see lederhosen worn, especially by older men, at random times throughout the year, no occasion needed. In my experience, Germans almost never "dress up". I was at a wedding in a small town and except for the bride, I was the only woman at the wedding who wore a dress. Finally, for hiking in the mountains, your paper doll man had it exactly right. Hiking shoes and poles...a MUST! He was missing his backpack which would have had his water bottle, snacks and any clothes he might need if the weather changes!

[@wakeupcall2665]

Awesome video. You two are so lovely. What you forgot, and maybe never heard of, is the fact, that once Germans hit 60, all clothes turn into the colour BEIGE. It is so funny, and true. That happens to men and women. I guess you find enough stuff online about this fact, to create a single video on this topic. I am 55 now, and I wonder if I get sucked into that 🤣 Greetings from Bavaria!

[@ruth6883]

When we buy clothes we spend a big deal of money for one piece of Anorak for winter but then we use it for years. And kids wear Soft shell jackets most of the year till they need their Anorak in winter.

[@neophytealpha]

Have dressed in layers. Have worn socks with sandals, with birkenstock style, but usually only around the house. Perhaps a Bavarian hat when going out.

[@jonaskreuder1817]

Birkenstock and white socks xD. Me as a german now have to wear this outside to trigger people.^^

[@thkempe]

Ah, den frühen Vogel kriegt der Wurm. Ihr erinnert mich (frühmorgens um 8:00 am Wochenende) daran, daß ich mir dringend neue Birkenstocksandalen besorgen muß. Die alten fallen bereits auseinander. Die allerdings trage ich nicht draußen, sondern ausschließlich als Hausschuhe. Und mal mit Socken, mal ohne.

[@PassportTwo]

Morgen! Haha, aber Birkenstocksandeln und Socken sieht zu schön aus, die nur als Hausschuhe zu tragen 😅

[@Luziemagick]

@@PassportTwo stimmt..Birkenstocks sind superschick😂😂😂Und bequem!!!

[@californiachik619]

I felt personally attacked when you guys mentioned the “college girl wearing oversized t-shirts and leggings look”😂😂

[@PassportTwo]

😂😂

[@PatrickKadian]

You guys do such good work. You have a facts focused way of describing things that captures amusement and captures a realistic picture. And best of all, you manage to be super positive about both the States and Germany. I spend a lot of time in Germany (German wife) and your videos have been very helpful in developing my appreciation for the German life.

[@matthiasmtl3122]

It’s interesting! My girlfriend (Japanese) and me (German) moved recently from Canada to Germany. She said that a lot of people here wear Luxury Brands. Not like America or Japan but still a lot

[@henningbartels6245]

There is tendency concerning European/ German fashion versus American fashion. The first is often cut tighter while in the US clothes are worn much looser with more fabric.

[@DarthLenaPlant]

Some of the "Blaumann"s are even colour-coded, like, white is for painters (people that paint entire walls), beige for carpenters, blue for metalworkers and/or installers, and also electricians, who may occasionally may wear one in the colour of the company, especially if it's a "publically owned" one, and green is for all sorts of jobs in the chemical industry, mainly varnishing and plastic processing

[@Le0nnh]

>Birkenstock Looking at my feet when watching this video: "Yep."

[@ginafromcologne9281]

lol I'm in Rheinland-Pfalz (Cologne is my old place), sitting on my couch and watching this with baggy sweatpants, non-matching socks, a pajama top without a bra and messy hair. :D Very nice video!

[@theodorewitt2084]

Greetings from America. I should say you guys should visit Cincinnati or Ohio in general next time, we have great German-American community if you want to fellowship with some cousins and compare it would be cool.

[@MagnificentGermanywithDarion]

I am a huge Florida Gator fan and I used to wear them on my travels to Germany until about five years ago I finally realized the many stares that I was receiving. Then it hit me, "this is not good" so I almost immediately stopped wearing my NCAA gear in Germany because I did not want to stand out like a sore thumb lol. I will say it was fun during the times when ran unto fellow Gator thousands of miles away from Gainesville, Fl. After further research, I confirmed in my head to just fitting into the culture lol. :) I loved all of your points BTW. I also plan on purchasing a jack Wolfstein all-weather jacket on my next trip to Germany :).

[@PassportTwo]

A jack Wolfstein jacket is definitely like camouflage over here! Nobody will ever know you are German wearing that 😃

[@verenaswolkenstein8985]

I'm living in the Bavarian countryside and I'm wearing a "Dirndl" on every church holiday, many parties and festivals and often on Sundays, sometimes even just on a nice summer day when going out. So not only at the Oktoberfest.

[@linusfotograf]

You will see lederhosen and dirndeln in Bavaria in smaller towns on the weekends in the summer. At least that’s been my experience.

[@Baccatube79]

You see them to certain occasions. It can be totally alright to go to a wedding reception in "Tracht", but there are differences. The "Krachlederne" is actually thought for work, there are longer designs that reach over the knee for festivities

[@raccoonja5905]

I like dressing practically. I wear t-shirts and blue or black jeans every day. They always fit together and I don't have to spend much time infront of the wardrobe. My t-shirts are mostly merch from movies, shows, bands or games. Those shirts are on the more expensive side, but are more durable than anything I bought from H&M or C&A. Also sandles are more a thing you wear in the garden or at the beach to me, I'm more the leather sport shoes or boots person.

[@fricki1997]

I must say, even as a German, it took me 24 years to realize that "Birkenstock" wasn't a birch stick, but rather something you put on your feet. I just never bothered with expensive clothing or brand shoes.

[@hansmeiser32]

"I just never bothered with expensive clothing or brand shoes." on the other hand if you pay a little more the first time you don't have to pay twice. My Birkenstocks are 30 years old and still look good. But these are my "Hausschuhe"...

[@robertpihl3556]

I like the twist at tve start, goe interested. Made me watch the whole thing.😄

[@PassportTwo]

Glad you enjoyed!! 😃

[@emjayay]

I live in a half Chinese etc. part of Brooklyn and have noticed younger Asian guys wearing the Capri length pants (British: trousers), but rarely others. One guy had some on with trim matching his shirt!

[@silkedavid8876]

I live as a German in England, and there are quite some differences between the UK and Germany as well. Germans would never wear sports wear unless they do sport. This might have changed, especially in the younger people, in the last few years. Here in the UK I live near an American air base and I see lots of Americans in town. I can spot them in the dark, in thick fog, at 100 metres away, by the clothes they wear.

[@martinstubs6203]

But isn't wearing blue for manual work engrained in the common US term blue collar as opposed to white collar workers?

[@bunnysworld]

While they were very popular in the 80s...I haven't seen anyone wearing Birkenstock shoes in years. But yup, the socks-and-sandals-look is ours!!!!! :D

[@theexchipmunk]

There actually is a kind of dress code regarding Work clothes here in Germany. Its not really that defined, but there is definitely a tendency to certain ways of dressing depending on what kind of work you do. Somewhat of a color code. Carpenters will often wear brown or beige work pants and lighter colored shirts. In installation work you will often find blues. Canalisation and waste disposal is orange or yellow warnig colours as they often work on the streets. And Metal workers will often wear greyish or blackish pants and garyish or blue shirts. Construction is a lot more varied and really depends on the type and location.

[@lylavati]

I asked myself a lot of times, how I would define my culture and had no idea. So I watch videos like these, to find out what makes Germany somehow unique. :) Thank you. Oversize shirts and leggins are my life. 😄 Not outside, but at home. Birkenstock came into fashion again. So, it might be why you find it that often. Most of the people my age know parents and teens wearing them.

[@stephan1906]

The colour of the working clothes is also related to the craft: blue is metalwork, green gardening, brown or khaki woodworking. It´s a little bit like a uniform. The Bundeswehr uses olive green.

[@PfalzMapper]

I live in a small village in Rheinland-Pfalz too. My village is located in the Palatinate forest between Piramsens and Kaiserslautern

[@PassportTwo]

Hallo, Nachbarn! 😊

[@joachimlotz5049]

Hi you Guys 👋what you mean with those Bags i know (back when i was a Skateboarder) as a Hipbag. They were hip in the 90's. I had them like from Thrasher, Vans or Santa Cruz. Now i think they just look embassering. Wishing you Guys a nice Weekend. Love your Videos 😊👍

[@PassportTwo]

Thanks so much! Hope you have a great weekend as well!! 😊

[@nadal1275]

Fun fact, its not always a "blaumann" the colour of your outfit shows your profession. Miners/chimneysweeper are Black, Painters are white, Garden ppl. are green, Blue is plumber or Car repair and so on.

[@wernerhiemer406]

Red mostly electrican and you forgot the dutch style err orange for street work I mean repair not social workers. (stereotype alarm!) That's more sporting a tatoo and not that straight hair style and trashy jeans (holes by production). Orange is also for sewers work, trash can service and picking up dirt on the street, sidewalks and public places.

[@nadal1275]

@@wernerhiemer406 es gibt noch zig weitere, quasi alle Farben des Regenbogens. Deshalb habe ich ein paar Beispiele genannt und dann "and so on" => und so weiter geschrieben.

[@furzkram]

I absolutely HATE wearing sandals since I was a child. On the contrary, I see AMERICANS wearing sandals and these "Badelatschen" - like "Nalf" or "Punting for the people" video show.

[@Lexor888]

I hate them since childhood too. I remember a couple of times when my grandpa took me to Deichmann to fix me up with some sandals (since I didn't own any), I always yelled at him it would be a waste of money since I wouldn't wear them at all - it took him a few pairs to realize I wasn't joking.

[@barvdw]

When German men do dress up, I have the impression men are a little more colourful than your average American who dressed up. I mean, red chino pants, pastel coloured dress shirts in pink or lime green, etc, but apart from the colour, they are mostly quite traditional. I would identify trainers and miniskirts as typically British, while many French do dress up more, just as the Spanish or Italians. A Spaniard would dress up to go for a drink and tapas in the evening.

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

7:58 Adidas and Puma are not fashion brands, they are sportswear brands. Being German I have NEVER worn tracksuit bottoms (pants) unless I was on a track. Also living in the UK every mention of 'fanny pack' makes me chuckle because here only women have fannies.

[@JuLiane]

I seem to fit more into the US fashion, apparently :D I wear band or festival shirts (and plaid shirts) almost every day and even though I own 19 football jerseys, I mostly wear fanmade t-shirts from my favourite football team and most of them are oversized (my mum hates it). I own a lot of baseball caps that I wear every day in summer. There is exactly one dress in my wardrobe and it has Pokémon motives on it. A couple of years ago I wore leggings every day, but I returned to wear jeans now. I am not a big fan of hip bags either, I am one of those people with ten different drawstring bags (Turnbeutel) with band or festival logos or patches on it. I do like to show other what I'm a fan of while hiding myself in a big pile of fabric, I guess :D

[@neophytealpha]

Have often gone out in shoes I designed myself or ones similar. With jeans or slacks. Then fitted shirts or button downs shirts.I wear practical clothes, including hidden cargo pockets. Prefer small or no logo on clothes visible.

[@gregorpopp7023]

I learn so much from you about my own country. 😃

[@thoranjati]

Funny to listen to that. 😅 I actually don't know a single person, that owns Birkenstocks or even an Allwetterjacke. But sometimes I wear Lederhosen 🤣 Greetings from Speyer in Germany

[@Andy81m]

Blaumann is one of many. You can see by the color of the „Blaumann“ what kind of job he got. Green is Gardner. White is Painter. Brown is carpender. Orange is streetworker. Red is electrician. Funfact by the way why the color from painters is white. In the good old Fachwerkhaus was not painted with modern white color but with old traditional technics. The white paint at that time was calcium carbonate. To get your clothes clean and not dirty after short time of working was the color of the clothes white. Funny story. I learned the job carpender when I was young and my mother came home with follow words: look I god some working clothes for you. And she gave me green clothes. In school they tricked me because I looked like a Gardner between many carpenters.

[@moe-xc6tk]

I am German and I love my Birkenstocks 😂🙏

[@andistuttgart9067]

This was a funny and interesting one. Like the effort you put into the graphics. And of course i was shown a commercial of Zalando 😂

[@PassportTwo]

Thanks so much for that! This one took twice as long as a “normal” video because of those graphics 😅 Classic and perfect ad for this one! 😂

[@herzschlagerhoht5637]

Your videos are just great and entertaining! I watch you since you are here in Germany. :) BTW: Time for a new German language video, Donnie!

[@steffent.6477]

And then there is me (german) wearing a black jeans, black band T-shirt , a hoodie jacket every day of the year (maybe without the hoodie in summer) and either sporty leather shows (look like sneakers but fancy black leather)^^, or winter boots.^^ Band clothes are expensive fashion too.

[@KujieSama]

I asked a German tourist we were chatting a bit, why does he wear sandals and socks. He said to keep the feet comfy and warm. It was 36 degrees, in Greece during Summer...

[@jessicasonnier2168]

Love your videos! I’m moving to Germany this winter, I’m very excited 😊

[@PassportTwo]

Awesome!! Have so much fun over here!! We love it 😊

[@valerieannrumpf4151]

We also have all weather jackets here in the northeast usa, we also have what some of us like to call our big coat for when it's below freezing out during the day.

[@nathaliecuegomez6706]

Even the "sandals and socks" comes from a very practical aplication: as german working day begins mainly between 6 and 7 am, even school starts before 8 am, the temperatures at this hours are significantly lower than the rest of the day, begining to heat up between 10 and 11 am. So, for to have the most part of the day nice fresh feet in your sandals and not get them freezed when you leave home, you wear socks, untill it gets warmer and then just take them off. :-)

[@wernerruf7761]

Clever people keep them where they are, on their feet. These socks absorb all the sweat, grease and other dirt that the feet secrete and protect the sandals. Socks can be changed daily and washed in the washing machine at a sufficiently high temperature, sandals - at least if they are made of natural material and not plastic scrap - not. Otherwise, the suede in the foot bed of usable sandals will soak up the dirt and start to stink. But unlike socks, you can't just get them hygienically clean again at 60 or 75 °C and kill the microbes that feel comfortable in your sweat. OK, that's a lie now, of course you can put Birkenstock sandals in the washing machine at 60 or 75 °C, just like a cashmere sweater, one time always works, then no more. This is not only for sandals, it's true for all other shoes silly people use without socks. It's not important what silly fashion gurus and their victims tell you. FFF means always Form Follows Function NOT Function Follows Form and in the case of shoes and sandals the hygienic and monetary aspect beats everything else. Sandals and shoes last longer if you wear socks, so why should someone waste money unnecessary? Only stupid fashion victims do, people with some brain in their head try to use them as long as possible.

[@wernerhiemer406]

@@wernerruf7761 At least there are sneaker socks.

[@HalfEye79]

@@wernerhiemer406 Sneaker socks? Those under the ankle? I hate them. For me, a sock has to go over the ankle.

[@wernerhiemer406]

@@HalfEye79 But that is to warm but enough to absorb sweat and prevent skin sour.

[@jessicaely2521]

Or you could not do this fashion fopaux and carry 2 different kinds of shoes. Tennessee is known for it's crazy weather. It will be 0 C in the morning than 25 C in the afternoon. We throw sandals in a shoe bag and stick it in our bag or in the car.

[@palantir135]

The Dutch are much more relaxed compared to Germany about what you wear although it is quite different from the American fashion. We wear comfortable practice clothes that we can wear all day everywhere and we care about the price. We are champions at finding discounts. Woman are more into fashion than men. Fashion in the big cities is different from the rest. Nudism isn’t wide spread in the Netherlands

[@FirebirdPhoen1x]

You know, being born in Berlin, the one place where I have seen the most varied fashion choices was actually in the vocational school for fashion. We had one teacher there, who, once a week, came to school wearing an evening gown.

[@doubtingthelimit]

I agree with many of the things you said, but the hiking vest... is something only really old people wear...

[@lilkirsche]

Like seriously, never saw someone wearing that and I'm hiking a lot. 🤔

[@doubtingthelimit]

@@lilkirsche my grandpa does. But he‘s 90 years old, and his hikes are closer to scenic walks 😂

[@Mondhase2000]

🤣🤣🤣I have the model "Gizeh" from Birkenstock🤣🤣🤣and I love them 😍it's genetic... I am German 😂😂😅and FKK is awesome. Everyone should try it. At the beaches of the Baltic sea in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern you can find them 😉there also exist FKK clubs. There you can do sports, BBQ or just enjoy free time... completely naked😁and that's mostly families with kids and grandparents who are in these clubs. I guess, that's a concept that's unusual for everyone else 😅

[@dschanriihl9043]

Birkenstocks are not sandals but "Schlappen", a type of footweare to wear at home.

[@christaneckermann3704]

That was definately one of your better videos. "Dirndl", btw. is the Bavarian word for a little girl, much like "Lassie" in British Englisch. Therefore, a "Dirndl" is a (traditional Bavarian) dress for a young girl. If you are interested in traditional costumes, you might like to check out the beautiful traditional dresses of the Black Forrest, for example. "Fashion" in Germany is viewed a lot like "cars": one needs it, but it has to serve a purpose, it has to be affordable and it has to be of good, durable quality. And a last point: sandals & socks usually are mostly worn by elder people during the cooler days of summer. 😇 Maybe they simply don't want to show their ill-pedicured feet?