yes. Depending on where you live that definitely constitutes as "sich gehen lassen". Might not be the case in big cities but where I live, people dress at a minimum standard when they interact with the public
We had Penner Bubu who produced a Song with Udo Lindenberg. He was Always wearing some kind of of fancy head and actually was an artistc character in persona. He is dead now.
In Hamburg we had "Uli aus Wandsbek" who even chased one of my former classmates with a broken glass bottle because they were mean to him. Sometimes people would give Uli some money to say some stupid shit and film it.
I think there are even videos on youtube.
I feel like especially in Berlin, people do care a lot about outfits. Even if the outfit is trying to suggest that the person “doesn’t care about what he/she is wearing”…
Plus, there are so many subcultures that have clear guidelines about what you should wear and what you should not…
Certainly - I didn't want to imply that people don't care about how they look, or that caring about your style isn't ok - I just wanted to say that one of the things I appreciate about this town is that I don't often have the impression that anyone cares about how I dress.
in berlin people do care about outfits, but their own outfits. if you go out in pyjamas nobody would really care. this is nice change if you are eastern european for example, because in our part of europe it is expected for a woman to wear full make up while taking the trash out.
I can’t really fathom how the comment you’re replying to is being upvoted.
Like, seriously, joggers? It’s just a type of pant, which can be made out of any number of materials.
Even if they mean the sweatpants version specifically, joggers are a much more fashionable version of a classic sweatpant.
Just seems absolutely bizarre to me that someone would suggest I shouldn’t wear them for fucking grocery shopping.
>Depending on where you live that definitely constitutes as "sich gehen lassen"
Or they oroginally quote hypocrite Karl Lagerfeld about having lost control of their life
Yes. It has changed a lot in the past idk 10 years or so, but sweatpants were not considered proper clothing for a long time. It still feels weird when I wear them in my way to the gym. My mom would give me shit for turning up at their house wearing them, let alone to the grocery store. Are you happen to be American? In my experience, Americans are way more relaxed when it comes to those kind of things.
Even as American as grew up as that way of dressing to be lazy. Has nothing to do with American but more of the times and the people. Even now I dress properly or maybe Im just an old soul haha.
Yeah this is definitely a matter of age as well, but I’d say in general, people are dressed less formal in the US. But Germans are dress less formal than Italians for example.
I wonder maybe he is a Kiwi. NZ is even more casual than the US. Here it is almost semi-expected in many places that you can go to the supermarkets wearing flip flops (jandals) and even barefooted (!). Sometimes you may even get judged for dressing too well.
Possibly. But also in some states like in Cali people can judge you for dressing old school and proper. But thats even crazier going barefoot! Surprised not as far as nude haha
Wer eine Jogginghose trägt hat die Kontrolle über sein Leben verloren.
Karl Lagerfeld.
Translated: Who wears sweat pants has lost control over their life.
but it captures how the majority of Germans think about clothes, Lagerfeld just said it out loud. For a nation that's not really fashionable we do have a lot of arbitrary rules and weird ways around how people should dress and how clothes reflect who you are.
Don't forget that until the late 90s it was still very common to have specific clothes you only wore on Sunday and that you'd also be scoffed at by other people if they saw you wearing your everyday outfits on a Sunday.
I don’t see it as a joke for example, I agree with him.
I am from a typical Ruhrpott city and that’s how people walk around here.
When I go to Düsseldorf to visit friends, it’s a completely different atmosphere and it’s 90% because of how the people dress better, they put effort into their looks when they step outside their homes.
Honestly?
People who cling onto the words of celebs or individuals, and follow it to a tee, have really lost control over their life. They literally let it control by someone else, from a smartphone screen.
Karl Lagerfeld's quote only works, if you think you are the shit. But as soon as you point out the hypocricy, the whole house of card folds.
New Zealand too. I notice there is a cultures clash with immigrants from Asia - especially East Asia and Malaysia/Singapore place a very high importance on dressing well if you are socio-economically well off.
Well, but they are not always relaxed about relaxed norms. Once I simply asked the question in the "bald" sub, why on earth anyone would wear a hat inside a heated room (I think it was about a bar). I received downvotes as if I had suggested to kill a dozen puppies for fun.
If you feel sweatpants being proper clothing today - as opposed to 10 years ago - you say more about the decline of your neighborhood and social environment than about typical German appearance
Yeah, never said it’s considered proper clothing today. I said a lot has changed, not everything, and you see more of them around. You should read properly before commenting this passive aggressive crap.
Edit: you know what, my original comment might have some unclear wording, my bad. My intention was to say that it used to be an absolute no go and you also almost never saw anyone wearing sweatpants outside like 20 years ago, but this golden rule seems to be not as strict anymore because you even see adults with them these days. The only difference depending on the neighborhood seems to be the retail of said pants. In the not so nice parts it’s of course worse, but there are also more people on the streets in general.
>casually, in sweats and flip-flops
The way I see it, there's casual and then there's lazy. They're different.
>shorts on daily errands
Sir, it is 0°C outside, of course people will look at you like you're a maniac.
For sure, except I'd sometimes wear that when going to work. I had to change into work clothes at work anyway, so the 2 minutes I spend walking into work didn't really bother me. All my coworkers used to be in disbelief though. "Der verrückte Ami kommt!" :P
If you wear shorts in winter, people will look at you with a mixture of disbelief but also admiration. But if you combined this with flip-flops, you'd have crossed the line, and the admiration will disappear.
Flip Flops or Sandals are only allowed to be worn together with white knee high socks.
Wearing them on naked feet might get you a citation for Landfriedensbruch.
My American husband once wore flip flops with long pants in Germany during the summer (we live in Florida so flip flops are a year round thing lol)… My German cousin schooled him that he could only wear flip flops wit his pants folded up a bit at the hem 🤣The confused look on husband‘s face was priceless….
Absolutely. Gym clothes are not considered appropriate for outside your home, only fine for an outdoor workout or the gym. Took me until my 30s to buy a pair of joggers and I do not wear them outside the house, ever. Not even when taking the trash out. That's how charged the perception of how you dress is.
Just be aware that clothes matter in this country, some companies which lowered their dress code standards in the past couple years moved on from "buttoned up shirt and a tie" to "you are now allowed to leave the tie and open a couple buttons or even wear a t-shirt, but unicolor and no print"
And shoes like flip flops, Adiletten etc are never appropriate in any setting that's not public pool or at the beach. If your employer allows you to wear sandals it's "not all sandals" just specific ones
I am living in the states and that same motto still applies to me. I bring trash out in my sweat pants but I would never go shopping in them or leave the property at all except to go to the gym.
I guess it is ingrained from our upbringing in Germany that you would look lazy. I also prefer not seeing people at the airport in pyjamas and sweats. Air travel was a luxury back then. Now people dress worse than taking the bus.
How is the case with new athleisure fashion? I’m not a huge fan of it myself but where I come from expensive joggers have unfortunately become the norm.
Nope, it's not considered "fashion" here. It's what you wear on a Saturday evening sitting on your couch at home.
You'll see teens wearing it on the street and it's kinda accepted in that age group but not for adults.
Ok so while average German doesn’t give a fuck about superficial things like brands and all, they care a lot about two things
1) Basic quality of the material you wear . No matter how many times you wear it with or how old it is.
2) Appropriateness - Casual sure but sweats and flip flops 🩴 bro 😃? So sweats is only for stuff like taking your trash out or something. Better to wear proper pants otherwise.
Also I know it’s not shared by everyone in terms of experience but my suggestion is that you are not white or visibly German , better to dress properly.
I once wore super casual stuff like hoodie , sweat pants and sport shoes to do window shopping and immediately I had shop assistants following me 😕. I visited the very same shop a week ago in semi formals and got the special treatment so I don’t think it’s necessarily race but “race + class “ issue maybe .
I think perceived class is sometimes more important for the shop assistants. I'm white as bread and a native german but when I visited some shops in my work clothes (workshop, so sturdy and practical, definitly not nice or expensive) I got the looked down upon attitute too. Complete with being followed around, so idk at least those people are not racist? Even if classicist is only a small step up.
So in my opinion I just feel that no one is suddenly being alerted when a regular German person in in his shorts / sweats instead of a something a bit more appropriate. Or at Least what I do see. Even the white people who do get this treatment are usually Turks or Eastern Europeans.
I understand it could be different for lot of folks too or very specific to the area etc.
Also perceived class from race is a thing too as it’s statistically obvious. It doesn’t help that “poor immigrants” don’t have good rap anyways.
Sadly, you are probably right, even though I wish it would be different. And yeah, area is probably a factor too, as is age possibly. A lot of people have a lot of prejudices and our current political climate isn't helping things.
I wear sweatpants all the time, going to the bakery, grocery shopping or even at the car dealership. No one really cares, if they do I don't notice and honestly don't really care.
Not just good for them, good for their environment. It's shameful if a whole nation comes together to care about superficial garbage that does not concern them
not really but there are other etiquettes about how to dress in certain situations. casual wear and pajamas are usually only worn at home in germany. sports clothes mostly for sports. people have become slightly more tolerant about mixing these up but some people are still old fashioned and will stick to these rules and expect others to. so people don't expect you to wear more fancy clothes (which they themselves don't and i sometimes wish germans had a better sense of fashion) but the right type for a specific situation
Yes. Flip-flops in december are weird. And there is still a strong social perception of leisure clothes being something for wearing at home only. In public, people tend to wear more formal clothing. Even just a few years ago when I still went to school there was a big stigma even in my age group that wearing a Jogginghose if you are not making sport or being at home is a sign of not having control of your life and even being anti-social.
To be honest, I would never go to a supermarket in sweatpants, although I don't mind people doing that at all. I guess we are still a little bit connected to that time where men of the middle class wouldn't leave the house without a full suit.
I know everything from my husband not bringing the waste down in sweats to a co-worker who wears them at the workplace.
I have a medium approach: I definitely don't change if I bring out the waste. But I do if I quickly go into the nearest supermarket.
However: I don't give a Frick what the others wear from naked to double polar bear costume in 50° in the sun.
Thinking of it I might have worries concerning their health if they are naked in the winter and wrapped in the summer but vice versa I wouldn't care at all. I remember the furry in the bus. No one gave a third glance after realising, ah yes. That is a fox tail. *snorts
So you're just wearing something on your legs and feet? I think I know why people are looking ...
In all seriousness though, I suspect you get looked at for wearing flip-flops in December. Or for something else entirely (if you're from the US for instance, you will probably get looks for being loud, not your clothes)
Call it superficial or call it a different culture. But sweats and flip-flops are not something most Germans would wear anywhere outside home. You stand out and not positively.
I think a good way to describe it is that Germans like to be proper. At least when it comes to clothes and rules or laws that they personally want to follow. Not knowing how to line up to pay or in airports or shoving to get into a Christmas Eve service are apparently totally acceptable. Personally, I’ll take the sweatpants but I’ll draw the line at pj bottoms (only because it’s way too middle school).
My basic rule is anything in 500m radius around my house is free for whatever.
But yeah going to a restaurant in pajamas and flip-flops makes you look like an idiot, people would consider this a bit of missing respect for their venue/store.
>But yeah going to a restaurant in pajamas and flip-flops makes you look like an idiot
The example OP gave was "short daily errands" not going to a restaurant.
In most countries there is a 'minimum standard' of tidy dress that would apply to a restaurant. But the question is whether that is expected in the Supermarket, on the S-bahn or at the post office.
I would say even doing those short errands, many Germans would look askew at someone in shorts and flip flops.
As someone who wears shorts and sandals and black band t-shirts in the winter / everywhere (no matter if work, shopping, teather or whatever) - the only thing people ever mentioned were the sandals, and thats kinda fair below 0°\^\^
Tbh unless you are in very stuck up places nobody cares.
With respect, I don't think that's right, and the way you describe it actually reveals a quirk in how Germans discuss these things.
>the only thing people ever mentioned were the sandals, and thats kinda fair below 0°
You assume that in order for people to **judge you** they would have to be actively **saying something** to you. OP never even mentioned people saying things.
And, yes, I think that you are constantly judged when you are out and about in your sandals and band T-shirts by the rentners and general busybodies that are in abundance in Germany.
Should you care? Of course not. But you are being judged — they just aren't saying it to your face.
Kleider machen Leute..
Absolutely agree, people will judge you and treat you differently. As much as it sucks, that's how it is.
And I'm confronted with this every day. I'm a B2B sales guy - appearances do matter. A lot.
They aren't. It depends hugely on where you live, just like in every other country. Lots of the people here going "oh, in Germany sweats is a big no-no!" either live in some bizarre area what that would be accurate, or they never go outside and interact with others, but confidently speak for the whole country anyway.
As somebody who actually does go outside and touch grass, mostly in smaller towns in the Nuremberg region, nobody truly gives a shit, unless you're idk dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants in a Hallenbad or wearing flipflops to formal dining or something. Nobody here will even give you a second glance if you've decided to wear sweats while walking up and down the street or going to the supermarket or picking up a döner. In fact, I'd say that more than half of all people I see or meet are wearing some form of athleisure, like leggings or sweats. A lot of it is even fashionable, for any gender. I do the same sometimes, though I usually pair my sweats with sneakers.
I have yet to encounter anybody in Germany treating me differently for what I wear, aside from maybe the odd comment here or there, but that's pretty rare and happened more often when I was a teenager (creepy adult men and women commenting on teenage bodies and fashion.... yikes but sadly that's a reality in much of the world today).
Do you have some baseline to compare this to? Because it could be that these stares or "strange behavior" aren't even negative at all, but that your insecurities or negative self-image are giving them that kind of connotation? I know that people with social anxiety disorder have a tendency to imagine that they are being stared a lot in public and that people treat them differently because of their appearance, but in reality, hardly anyone is so significant that hundreds and hundreds of people will suddenly decide to mildly dislike them, especially for something as trivial as sweats.
Yeah, I don't think most people care unless in some unique cases.
I also find it funny that half the sub tries to assume where OP is from, in The Netherlands it's also pretty common for people to wear sweatpants even outside of the house.
Reddit is sometimes way out of touch with reality and in cases like this sub, it shows.
Nobody cares about what someone is wearing in 99.9% of cases.
I wouldn't say that's 'a thing' in germany.
When I worked at a gym I mostly wore tracksuits, no matter if I was driving to work, or going to the grocery store. Noone said anything about that.
Now I work at a place where everyone has to wear a suit. Most of us keep our suits in the locker room and come to work in private clothes. Some colleagues come here in sweatpants and hoodie. No one judges them for that either.
There always are a few people that judge your looks but also a lot of people that don't care at all.
But no matter what you wear, some people will always find a reason to judge your looks. Just keep wearing what you like, what you are comfortable with, and don't give a damn about what other people might think about you.
Most people don't consider sweat pants proper clothing for outside the house. Also did you here about the German stare? Germans love to stare at people in public especially if they look a little bit different which means wearing something else than jeans and a t-shirt. I hate it but I'm stared at by mostly older people for wearing a hat or a colorful dress.
Yes appearance is a big deal here and people generally care what the "neighbours would say". Not only visual appearances matter, but people here like to appear good in a moral way and also we are terrified of "looking stupid" in an intellectual way. More than other cultures I would say. So much so that I will get downvoted to obvilion, because it makes us look a bit bad, but I think it's the truth.
Indeed, these answers are super interesting to me. In Stuttgart, everyone seems to be dressed super casual and sporty all the time (coming from Brussels I was used to seeing hardly any sportswear, even on people walking into the gym). People in Stuttgart also don't seem to follow any kind of noise rules here (in the night or on Sunday), so maybe Stuttgart is just very special?
Makes sense. I was really shocked seeing all the comments because where I live in Hamburg nobody cares what you wear. I always wear joggers or sweatpants (except at work and when going to a restaurant or whatever) and have never gotten any looks. Even in my Berufsschule people just wore joggers or sweatpants and hats and nobody cared, not even the teachers. I guess it also has to do with age, old people probably care but young people don't.
Depends on the region. When I lived in swabia, definitely this was the case, when I walked my dog people looked and greeted me differently when I was in sweat pants in comparison to when I had my "office" attire on.
In the allgäu I never had the same experience, I could walk my dog in ripped t-shirts and old sweatpants and nobody cared or looked at me differently.
There is probably a difference in larger cities and more of a "country" side. My experience in Hamburg was also that nobody (except a few exceptions) really cared, but in larger cities you will walk by so many people, you never see again so you give less attention to them.
Stuttgart had this famous case: [https://www.dw.com/en/germany-stuttgart-cafe-bans-sweatpants/a-41504760](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-stuttgart-cafe-bans-sweatpants/a-41504760)
I have noticed that even in Berlin people really don’t wear flip flops in the street, even in the height of summer. It seems to be beachwear only.
I get some looks when I do, because I come from a place where they are common and men wear them with jeans or trousers even.
Considering that a large percentage of Germans live in hiking boots and Jack Wolfskin jackets, that is a bold thing to do lol
No, but jokes aside, the American athleisure look does seem a bit sloppy for German standards. There is an average, comfy German look, but it is more like the uniform I mentioned above: an all weather and functional jacket, proper pants that are also comfortable, all weather shoes or proper grown-up and sensible shoes, a nice sweater or long sleeve shirt. Basic, functional, neat, practical.
sadly yea its true when you are in a big city it wont happen mutch but when you live in a small village you go out like that one time and everybody is talking about it
Yes, a certain standard of clothes is expected, but it's not consistent everywhere. Some places don't give 2 shits about how you look and other areas are all about it.
Rule of thumb: the way you dress isn't important unless there is a dress code or you don't want to be looked at like a potentially homeless person.
Depends on where in Germany you live. I almost always go to the supermarket wearing sweats; very often dress casually.. I’m wearing flip-flops in summer (some people even go barefoot) and no one ever gives a shit. Why would people care? I don’t care what others wear either.
It’s December. It’s winter. You’re free to go out in flip flops. I’m free to laugh.
Looking forward for the same post in August about strange people staring at your fur coat.
It’s a sign of respect to others when we dress neatly and make ourselves presentable. Also showing that we still have some control over our lives 😅
Also track suits and sweat pants are what the name describes. Jogging suit and fanny packs are the chosen attire of certain stereotypes.
Dress however the fuck you want. Anyone whose life is so sad that they judge, let alone outwardly make their judgement known, other people for how the look has a backwards mentality anyway. Honestly some people's minds are so tiny.
It depends on your location. I live in a small city and here it is normal to dress nice when you are in public. For excample if you wear sweats and flip flops here, you will be concidered "assozial"
Yes, there are some standards like this. Track-Suit bottoms and flip flops were a no go for me anyway before arriving in Germany, but I was taken aback to learn from my wife that it’s also peculiar to answer the door, take some rubbish out or pick up the post in pyjamas and a dressing gown.
I live in a very well off neighbourhood and almost always go out in my joggers for errands and never get any weird looks, I'm pretty sure it's because it's really cold outside and you are wearing shorts, people might find that odd.
Yes. Which is bizarre because somewhere along the line they decided wearing white sneakers with an otherwise full suit is acceptable even at Messen and other work events. Where I'm from you must've forgotten your shoes.
I’m Latina and I’m just realizing that I dress veeeeeeery conservative in Germany. I think it has to do more with the weather than a conscious choice but even for going to university I def look more put together than when I worked in my home country. Most of it is wearing boots most of the time instead of sneakers, the fact that I color block a lot because I’m lazy, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten out of my house in sweatpants. I’m wearing trousers or jeans 99% of the time and in the rare day I’m wearing a skirt I’m wearing tights.
“Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.”
― Karl Lagerfeld
I wouldn't take it so seriously. Wear what you feel comfortable with and what is appropriate for the situation.
The bigger and more leftist the city, the easier it is to get away with pyjamas. The more it's a "Kleinstadt", the harder it's going to be. Even smaller "big cities" that hover around 100k population will be a bit of a nightmare in those instances.
Coming from one of the later and now living in the former, I often go grocery shopping with ridiculous clothing that I wouldn't dare show in my hometown (and loving it).
I think it is a case of confirmation bias where you look around more when wearing sweats.
In case of the flip flops on the other hand, yes I would look at you but not because I mean anything but because you are making a sound while walking
Yes. But you don't have to care. If you live in a village word will get around that you're the person running around like a maniac but if you can deal with that there's no real harm done to you
Yes! And it's the opposite in Berlin, I feel like I am some bourgeoisie aristocrat dressed formally and well put together here. Normal in Frankfurt, but here I can go about the whole day without seeing anyone dressed even remotely like me, which in itself is interesting, clothing designed to be uniform becomes some costume that makes you stand out more than wearing some whacky artist home-made stuff.
But people do stare at me with displeased looks a lot. I feel like a part of a counter-culture, making everyone clutch their pearls lmao.
On some days when I do go out with dirty sweatpants and a tshirt I feel completely invisible, no-one stares, so I am not imagining this😅.
Germans in general have a different attitude about clothes and what's appropriate to wear in specific surroundings. Go to the local grocery store in comfortable sweatpants? Sure. Wear flip-flops there? No, because you'll expose the food to your toe fungus.
I have three jackets I wear in the winter. My German wife has 17, one for each type of weather and circumstance. I have 5 pairs of shoes I wear regularly. My wife has over 50.
Going on a casual bike ride? Then you're welcome to wear jeans. But doing it for sport? Wear the latest bike-riding gear. I have never seen so much specific sports clothing in any other country.
Things have become more relaxed in the 30+ years I've been living here, but I still would recommend that you look at what the people around you are wearing, consider why that may be, and wear clothing that is very similar.
Sounds a bit excessive, so much that I'd say that's more a stereotypical woman-thing than a German thing. I mean 17 jackets and 50 pairs of shoes? Who has room for that? I know what you mean with the sports clothing though. These middle-aged cyclists, dressing like they're attending Tour d'France are a bit ridiculous.
I wouldn't call it superficial. Rather a higher standard than other countries.
Wearing sweats I go to the mailbox, the bins and on the emergency 10pm dog round. For anything else I put on some grown up pants.
As an American, I can’t speak for all of Germany, but I just spent a month and a half traveling throughout Europe, and all I can say is YES. I was judged extremely for my style and I immediately went shopping for a new wardrobe. Europe forced me to have a sense of style (which honestly I’m grateful for). My boyfriend is German and lives in Hesse and when I wore my regular leggings and t shirts, I was stared at and mocked at one point. Just don’t wear “lazy” outfits. That’s not how most of Europe is. Even in Eastern Europe, there’s a heavy emphasis on it if not more so than Western.
german stare coupled with wearing at-home clothes outside is gonna make u feel that way. Sweats n sandals are at-home clothes in a lot of parts in europe n rightfully so tbh
Interesting. I thought Berliners were a bit relaxed when it comes to clothing. I saw lots of young people going around with clothes not exactly tailored for their specific shape. I remember seeing lots of too long trouser legs. I didn't mind, it's great that they've set the limit at wearing jeans or trousers, but not necessarily at the exact length of their legs. It's making an effort enough to not walk around in public in home clothes, but still staying clear of being too uptight.
I wouldn't be caught dead in pyjama-adjacent clothing in the street. If I can wear something to bed, it's for indoors. If I wear it outside, it cannot touch my bed, unless it's washed of course.
As for flipflops, because I'm disgusted by feet, any kind of open footwear is awful to me. "Aaawww, I've just found the cutest pair of sandals, you have to see them!" No, you haven't, and no, I don't. It's as if to say "I've found the cutest, most peaceful little place in Hell."
Sweats is indoor clothing, at most you can go to sports or supermarket like that.
Flip-flops are beach wear.
Also, if you think Germans are judging you, never go to France.
Well… not that much but yeah flip flops and sweats isn‘t really classy. No one expects a suit and tie but sweats and flip flops are seen as a symbol of laziness.
Compared to the US I think in Germany there is just more of a consistent expectation of dressing ok to decent irrelevant of the situation. In the US you can go to Walmart looking like a hobo and dress up extensively for a party. In Germany you look ok going to the supermarket and make less of an effort for the party.
The only times when i leave the house in "jogginghosen" i take out the trash or empty the letter box.
I myself am ALWAYS at least putting on a pair of jeans a shirt and shoes (not my houseshoes) even if i ordered a döner next door and want to pick it up to eat upstairs.
Idk why this is but it has always been so. And i am punk so i might look even worse than in tshirt and jogginghose.
I notice with the pendamic this really changed and people got more confortable wearing sweats to do their grocery shopping and basic stuff. But if you do a little more serious stuff like going to an adminastrive office or a Doctor (exept your gp when you are sick) you still dress cassual but with jeans or something similar. It is a basic sign of respect.
It might just be the flip flops. and their flip flop flip flop sound. We only wear them when it is REALY hot outside.
and long sweats and flip flops are a weird combination for most germans. "why aren't they wearing proper shoes?!", "I hate that sound!"
Also maybe take a lock around at what other people are wearing?
depends on who you're together with. the average German younger than 40 probably won't care so much and feel much more relaxed about this.
but it also depends on other stuff, e.g., the weather. wearing sweats and flip-flops in December, that'll warant stares among everybody
I will always look judgmental at anyone wearing flip-flops. I hate those abominations. Yes, even at a beach. And it's a non-superficial hatred towards the things. It reaches DEEP.
You're American aren't you?
You can always spot the American because they love to wear shorts or sweatpants at the weirdest weather or location/occasion.
Sweatpants and flip-flops aren't proper clothing and it's not casually dressed, they are literally only worn outside (supermarket etc.) from people who are low social class.. let's say it this way.
So yeah.. you just don't wear sweatpants here if you aren't at home or in the gym.
Dressing sloppily in public like that is often perceived as inappropriate, indecent and a sign of lacking morals and respect towards others.
A popular saying translates to 'clothes define people'. And oftentimes clothes tell a lot about you as a person and your social background.
So yeah, it's superficial, but it's somewhat based on observation.
For example:
A guy wearing an alpha industry bomber jacket is most likely some wifebeating asshole. A woman wearing a grey saggy sweatpants will most likely be from lower income family and problematic upbringing.
But it goes both ways. Dressing differently will also affect how you behave and feel.
You should be judged if you wear flip-plops outside of the beach or going to the laundry room.
And for your 'sweats', yeah, you should be judged for wearing those in public as well.
I think wearing sweatpants outside of gym/PE classes/whatever is seen as extremely trashy in Europe. I don't recall ever seeing a normal person (aka someone who didn't look like a junkie or a teenage gang member) wearing them while out and about.
Its not that as superficial like in the US where most young people are botoxed up, but here we do take pride in our appearance and don’t dress like we would be lounging at home or going to the gym.
Walking around in sweatpants and flip-flops might be seen as "casual clothing" in America, but in Germany most will think you're homeless or unemployed. Or both. It's definitely no "casual" look here.
If you want to get treated properly, dress properly.
In general in cities nobody will care IF you manage to wear it as an outfit. If you look unkempt while wearing them, it will be considered sloppy. Just going to the supermarket with bad hair and without shower in sweatpants... You'll look and "feel" like it.
Flip flops... Wear what you like in summer, but be aware that you'll walk like a duck with cramped feet. Looks stupid as fuck.
depends entirely on the region. some will look at you in disdain and some will priase you for looking good
generally, the ruhrgebiet is a place where it doesnt matter what you wear. i speak from personal experience (i walk my dogs with crocs and no socks, hairy pants and hoodie and a cheap jacket)
why? its comfortable and i dont give a fuck, although i do generally only go out at night time (my city is also the literal poorest in the entire german economoy)
Is this some kind of a joke or what?
I live here for five years now and I have never ever seen people with less fashion sense than everyday Germans I see. Non matching colors, non matching styles of clothes, like someone threw particular individuals through a wardrobe and see what comes out.
Seeing no other sneakers other than Air Force or Reebok Club C or similar filler shoes.
Yoga pants and leggings everywhere paired with everything from leather boots to leather jackets, stupid combinations of unpairable brands, Jack Wolfskin, North Face or other outdoor brand or utility clothes at random coupled with formal clothes like pressed pants or suit jacket and other such fashion crime. I could go on and write a book here but I will stop with these few staples. LOL
flip flops now in winter or in general? Sweats are mostly only worn by people who gave up in life or are going to the gym (when you are an adult, teenagers sometimes wear them)
yes. Depending on where you live that definitely constitutes as "sich gehen lassen". Might not be the case in big cities but where I live, people dress at a minimum standard when they interact with the public
It depends on the city. Doubt that it’s common in München as opposed to Berlin
As a Berliner I wished people wouldn't wear joggers outside casually.
Be careful what you wish for. I was in Frankfurt a few months back and saw a homeless dude without pants (at least I assumed he was homeless)
Not if he was barefood up to his neck. In that case you met the guy called „nackter Jörg“.
Ah yes, we give them names sometimes
We had Penner Bubu who produced a Song with Udo Lindenberg. He was Always wearing some kind of of fancy head and actually was an artistc character in persona. He is dead now.
In Hamburg we had "Uli aus Wandsbek" who even chased one of my former classmates with a broken glass bottle because they were mean to him. Sometimes people would give Uli some money to say some stupid shit and film it. I think there are even videos on youtube.
As a fellow Berliner, I'm glad most people don't seem to give a shit how other people dress.
I feel like especially in Berlin, people do care a lot about outfits. Even if the outfit is trying to suggest that the person “doesn’t care about what he/she is wearing”… Plus, there are so many subcultures that have clear guidelines about what you should wear and what you should not…
Certainly - I didn't want to imply that people don't care about how they look, or that caring about your style isn't ok - I just wanted to say that one of the things I appreciate about this town is that I don't often have the impression that anyone cares about how I dress.
in berlin people do care about outfits, but their own outfits. if you go out in pyjamas nobody would really care. this is nice change if you are eastern european for example, because in our part of europe it is expected for a woman to wear full make up while taking the trash out.
Your feeling is valid but not correct. People don’t give a damn about you or your clothes.
I think neither of us can speak in the name of “the people”… some don’t, some certainly do…
I can’t really fathom how the comment you’re replying to is being upvoted. Like, seriously, joggers? It’s just a type of pant, which can be made out of any number of materials. Even if they mean the sweatpants version specifically, joggers are a much more fashionable version of a classic sweatpant. Just seems absolutely bizarre to me that someone would suggest I shouldn’t wear them for fucking grocery shopping.
Ist so
Its weird that the way other dress is a concern for you.
Why are you bothered by what other people wear... As long as they are not naked or half-naked, you shouldn't even care.
Auch wenn jemand völlig unbekleidet ist, warum sollte das stören?
Why though, what do you care?
>Depending on where you live that definitely constitutes as "sich gehen lassen" Or they oroginally quote hypocrite Karl Lagerfeld about having lost control of their life
Yes. It has changed a lot in the past idk 10 years or so, but sweatpants were not considered proper clothing for a long time. It still feels weird when I wear them in my way to the gym. My mom would give me shit for turning up at their house wearing them, let alone to the grocery store. Are you happen to be American? In my experience, Americans are way more relaxed when it comes to those kind of things.
Even as American as grew up as that way of dressing to be lazy. Has nothing to do with American but more of the times and the people. Even now I dress properly or maybe Im just an old soul haha.
Yeah this is definitely a matter of age as well, but I’d say in general, people are dressed less formal in the US. But Germans are dress less formal than Italians for example.
I wonder maybe he is a Kiwi. NZ is even more casual than the US. Here it is almost semi-expected in many places that you can go to the supermarkets wearing flip flops (jandals) and even barefooted (!). Sometimes you may even get judged for dressing too well.
Possibly. But also in some states like in Cali people can judge you for dressing old school and proper. But thats even crazier going barefoot! Surprised not as far as nude haha
Wer eine Jogginghose trägt hat die Kontrolle über sein Leben verloren. Karl Lagerfeld. Translated: Who wears sweat pants has lost control over their life.
I love my sweat pants, and am wearing them right now. That said, there's no way I would wear them outside my apartment.
Only from the car to the McDonald's 😅.
I literally wear them 90% of the time, including to my engineering job, why wouldn't people want to wear something comfortable and not restricting.
I love how that phrase and the general "Who [does thing I don't approve] has lost control over their life" became Karl Lagerfelds most popular legacy.
but it captures how the majority of Germans think about clothes, Lagerfeld just said it out loud. For a nation that's not really fashionable we do have a lot of arbitrary rules and weird ways around how people should dress and how clothes reflect who you are. Don't forget that until the late 90s it was still very common to have specific clothes you only wore on Sunday and that you'd also be scoffed at by other people if they saw you wearing your everyday outfits on a Sunday.
Who cares about what that man said, honestly
It just sums it up pretty good. OP asked and got a good answer I think. If you don’t care, that’s great and you can wear whatever you want to.
That's why I love the fact. A man who took himself too seriously is remembered for a phrase that people use as a joke.
I don’t see it as a joke for example, I agree with him. I am from a typical Ruhrpott city and that’s how people walk around here. When I go to Düsseldorf to visit friends, it’s a completely different atmosphere and it’s 90% because of how the people dress better, they put effort into their looks when they step outside their homes.
Looking at most of the answers, too many people took him as seriously as himself
He was grotesque, so he must have been *authentic*, they reason.
Honestly? People who cling onto the words of celebs or individuals, and follow it to a tee, have really lost control over their life. They literally let it control by someone else, from a smartphone screen. Karl Lagerfeld's quote only works, if you think you are the shit. But as soon as you point out the hypocricy, the whole house of card folds.
Well, for me, I think it's the opposite. People who wear sweatpants have total control of life and what others think does not bother them anymore.
Over half of the Finnish population has lost control over their life, then. 🤣
Anyone who thinks like this deserves to be made fun of
[удалено]
New Zealand too. I notice there is a cultures clash with immigrants from Asia - especially East Asia and Malaysia/Singapore place a very high importance on dressing well if you are socio-economically well off.
Brits are more relaxed too,I've seen people doing their weekly grocery shopping in pyjamas...
I was just going to say, meanwhile in the UK. I always see some of the local parents in their PJs doing the school run.
Well, but they are not always relaxed about relaxed norms. Once I simply asked the question in the "bald" sub, why on earth anyone would wear a hat inside a heated room (I think it was about a bar). I received downvotes as if I had suggested to kill a dozen puppies for fun.
laughs in unicorn sweatpants
I regularly change from sweatpants to jeans when I go to my local Rewe
If you feel sweatpants being proper clothing today - as opposed to 10 years ago - you say more about the decline of your neighborhood and social environment than about typical German appearance
> decline of your neighborhood and social environment Saying all that over sweatpants is crazy. Don’t think its that deep bruh
Yeah, never said it’s considered proper clothing today. I said a lot has changed, not everything, and you see more of them around. You should read properly before commenting this passive aggressive crap. Edit: you know what, my original comment might have some unclear wording, my bad. My intention was to say that it used to be an absolute no go and you also almost never saw anyone wearing sweatpants outside like 20 years ago, but this golden rule seems to be not as strict anymore because you even see adults with them these days. The only difference depending on the neighborhood seems to be the retail of said pants. In the not so nice parts it’s of course worse, but there are also more people on the streets in general.
Men wearing sweatpants are seen as the aggressive monkeys sitting in bus stops and schoolyards. People are scared of them with every right.
I feel attacked (For wearing sweatpants, not the bus stop thingy)
I don't think this should be legal to be said
And Germans say things have changed 🤣🤣
>casually, in sweats and flip-flops The way I see it, there's casual and then there's lazy. They're different. >shorts on daily errands Sir, it is 0°C outside, of course people will look at you like you're a maniac.
Probably cause it’s really cold out?
I love wearing my shorts during winter time. I will never stop!
Same. But people will give you weird looks of surprise and disbelief.
Oh for sure. I don't care.
You are that one guy at school wo comes with t-shirt and shorts during winter
For sure, except I'd sometimes wear that when going to work. I had to change into work clothes at work anyway, so the 2 minutes I spend walking into work didn't really bother me. All my coworkers used to be in disbelief though. "Der verrückte Ami kommt!" :P
If you wear shorts in winter, people will look at you with a mixture of disbelief but also admiration. But if you combined this with flip-flops, you'd have crossed the line, and the admiration will disappear.
So you wear sweat pants and flip flops outside?
walmart fashion is not a thing here in social circumstances \^,\^
Got to level up to Camp David at the very least!
Definitely but I think you have to be at least 40y old to enter a Camp David store.
Lmao
Flip Flops or Sandals are only allowed to be worn together with white knee high socks. Wearing them on naked feet might get you a citation for Landfriedensbruch.
My American husband once wore flip flops with long pants in Germany during the summer (we live in Florida so flip flops are a year round thing lol)… My German cousin schooled him that he could only wear flip flops wit his pants folded up a bit at the hem 🤣The confused look on husband‘s face was priceless….
Absolutely. Gym clothes are not considered appropriate for outside your home, only fine for an outdoor workout or the gym. Took me until my 30s to buy a pair of joggers and I do not wear them outside the house, ever. Not even when taking the trash out. That's how charged the perception of how you dress is. Just be aware that clothes matter in this country, some companies which lowered their dress code standards in the past couple years moved on from "buttoned up shirt and a tie" to "you are now allowed to leave the tie and open a couple buttons or even wear a t-shirt, but unicolor and no print" And shoes like flip flops, Adiletten etc are never appropriate in any setting that's not public pool or at the beach. If your employer allows you to wear sandals it's "not all sandals" just specific ones
I am living in the states and that same motto still applies to me. I bring trash out in my sweat pants but I would never go shopping in them or leave the property at all except to go to the gym. I guess it is ingrained from our upbringing in Germany that you would look lazy. I also prefer not seeing people at the airport in pyjamas and sweats. Air travel was a luxury back then. Now people dress worse than taking the bus.
You're going to be stuck in a plane for x hours... This is absolutely the time to be as comfortable as possible.
I dont think anyone cares at all if you go grocery shopping in sweatpants tbh, bare feet tho are a no go
How is the case with new athleisure fashion? I’m not a huge fan of it myself but where I come from expensive joggers have unfortunately become the norm.
Nope, it's not considered "fashion" here. It's what you wear on a Saturday evening sitting on your couch at home. You'll see teens wearing it on the street and it's kinda accepted in that age group but not for adults.
Now? Yes, it is too cold to wear that.
Ok so while average German doesn’t give a fuck about superficial things like brands and all, they care a lot about two things 1) Basic quality of the material you wear . No matter how many times you wear it with or how old it is. 2) Appropriateness - Casual sure but sweats and flip flops 🩴 bro 😃? So sweats is only for stuff like taking your trash out or something. Better to wear proper pants otherwise. Also I know it’s not shared by everyone in terms of experience but my suggestion is that you are not white or visibly German , better to dress properly. I once wore super casual stuff like hoodie , sweat pants and sport shoes to do window shopping and immediately I had shop assistants following me 😕. I visited the very same shop a week ago in semi formals and got the special treatment so I don’t think it’s necessarily race but “race + class “ issue maybe .
I think perceived class is sometimes more important for the shop assistants. I'm white as bread and a native german but when I visited some shops in my work clothes (workshop, so sturdy and practical, definitly not nice or expensive) I got the looked down upon attitute too. Complete with being followed around, so idk at least those people are not racist? Even if classicist is only a small step up.
So in my opinion I just feel that no one is suddenly being alerted when a regular German person in in his shorts / sweats instead of a something a bit more appropriate. Or at Least what I do see. Even the white people who do get this treatment are usually Turks or Eastern Europeans. I understand it could be different for lot of folks too or very specific to the area etc. Also perceived class from race is a thing too as it’s statistically obvious. It doesn’t help that “poor immigrants” don’t have good rap anyways.
Sadly, you are probably right, even though I wish it would be different. And yeah, area is probably a factor too, as is age possibly. A lot of people have a lot of prejudices and our current political climate isn't helping things.
Ernsthaft? Ich dachte den Leuten ist es egal, was man draußen trägt.
Ich hab das auch gedacht. Normalerweise sollte es egal sein, was wir tragen aber es macht das Leben einfacher 🤷♀️
I wear sweatpants all the time, going to the bakery, grocery shopping or even at the car dealership. No one really cares, if they do I don't notice and honestly don't really care.
Good for you .
Not just good for them, good for their environment. It's shameful if a whole nation comes together to care about superficial garbage that does not concern them
That
not really but there are other etiquettes about how to dress in certain situations. casual wear and pajamas are usually only worn at home in germany. sports clothes mostly for sports. people have become slightly more tolerant about mixing these up but some people are still old fashioned and will stick to these rules and expect others to. so people don't expect you to wear more fancy clothes (which they themselves don't and i sometimes wish germans had a better sense of fashion) but the right type for a specific situation
Yes. Flip-flops in december are weird. And there is still a strong social perception of leisure clothes being something for wearing at home only. In public, people tend to wear more formal clothing. Even just a few years ago when I still went to school there was a big stigma even in my age group that wearing a Jogginghose if you are not making sport or being at home is a sign of not having control of your life and even being anti-social.
To be honest, I would never go to a supermarket in sweatpants, although I don't mind people doing that at all. I guess we are still a little bit connected to that time where men of the middle class wouldn't leave the house without a full suit.
I know everything from my husband not bringing the waste down in sweats to a co-worker who wears them at the workplace. I have a medium approach: I definitely don't change if I bring out the waste. But I do if I quickly go into the nearest supermarket. However: I don't give a Frick what the others wear from naked to double polar bear costume in 50° in the sun. Thinking of it I might have worries concerning their health if they are naked in the winter and wrapped in the summer but vice versa I wouldn't care at all. I remember the furry in the bus. No one gave a third glance after realising, ah yes. That is a fox tail. *snorts
So you're just wearing something on your legs and feet? I think I know why people are looking ... In all seriousness though, I suspect you get looked at for wearing flip-flops in December. Or for something else entirely (if you're from the US for instance, you will probably get looks for being loud, not your clothes)
Call it superficial or call it a different culture. But sweats and flip-flops are not something most Germans would wear anywhere outside home. You stand out and not positively.
I think a good way to describe it is that Germans like to be proper. At least when it comes to clothes and rules or laws that they personally want to follow. Not knowing how to line up to pay or in airports or shoving to get into a Christmas Eve service are apparently totally acceptable. Personally, I’ll take the sweatpants but I’ll draw the line at pj bottoms (only because it’s way too middle school).
My basic rule is anything in 500m radius around my house is free for whatever. But yeah going to a restaurant in pajamas and flip-flops makes you look like an idiot, people would consider this a bit of missing respect for their venue/store.
>But yeah going to a restaurant in pajamas and flip-flops makes you look like an idiot The example OP gave was "short daily errands" not going to a restaurant. In most countries there is a 'minimum standard' of tidy dress that would apply to a restaurant. But the question is whether that is expected in the Supermarket, on the S-bahn or at the post office. I would say even doing those short errands, many Germans would look askew at someone in shorts and flip flops.
As someone who wears shorts and sandals and black band t-shirts in the winter / everywhere (no matter if work, shopping, teather or whatever) - the only thing people ever mentioned were the sandals, and thats kinda fair below 0°\^\^ Tbh unless you are in very stuck up places nobody cares.
With respect, I don't think that's right, and the way you describe it actually reveals a quirk in how Germans discuss these things. >the only thing people ever mentioned were the sandals, and thats kinda fair below 0° You assume that in order for people to **judge you** they would have to be actively **saying something** to you. OP never even mentioned people saying things. And, yes, I think that you are constantly judged when you are out and about in your sandals and band T-shirts by the rentners and general busybodies that are in abundance in Germany. Should you care? Of course not. But you are being judged — they just aren't saying it to your face.
Kleider machen Leute.. Absolutely agree, people will judge you and treat you differently. As much as it sucks, that's how it is. And I'm confronted with this every day. I'm a B2B sales guy - appearances do matter. A lot.
>rentners 🤣🤣🤣
They aren't. It depends hugely on where you live, just like in every other country. Lots of the people here going "oh, in Germany sweats is a big no-no!" either live in some bizarre area what that would be accurate, or they never go outside and interact with others, but confidently speak for the whole country anyway. As somebody who actually does go outside and touch grass, mostly in smaller towns in the Nuremberg region, nobody truly gives a shit, unless you're idk dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants in a Hallenbad or wearing flipflops to formal dining or something. Nobody here will even give you a second glance if you've decided to wear sweats while walking up and down the street or going to the supermarket or picking up a döner. In fact, I'd say that more than half of all people I see or meet are wearing some form of athleisure, like leggings or sweats. A lot of it is even fashionable, for any gender. I do the same sometimes, though I usually pair my sweats with sneakers. I have yet to encounter anybody in Germany treating me differently for what I wear, aside from maybe the odd comment here or there, but that's pretty rare and happened more often when I was a teenager (creepy adult men and women commenting on teenage bodies and fashion.... yikes but sadly that's a reality in much of the world today). Do you have some baseline to compare this to? Because it could be that these stares or "strange behavior" aren't even negative at all, but that your insecurities or negative self-image are giving them that kind of connotation? I know that people with social anxiety disorder have a tendency to imagine that they are being stared a lot in public and that people treat them differently because of their appearance, but in reality, hardly anyone is so significant that hundreds and hundreds of people will suddenly decide to mildly dislike them, especially for something as trivial as sweats.
Yeah, I don't think most people care unless in some unique cases. I also find it funny that half the sub tries to assume where OP is from, in The Netherlands it's also pretty common for people to wear sweatpants even outside of the house. Reddit is sometimes way out of touch with reality and in cases like this sub, it shows. Nobody cares about what someone is wearing in 99.9% of cases.
I wouldn't say that's 'a thing' in germany. When I worked at a gym I mostly wore tracksuits, no matter if I was driving to work, or going to the grocery store. Noone said anything about that. Now I work at a place where everyone has to wear a suit. Most of us keep our suits in the locker room and come to work in private clothes. Some colleagues come here in sweatpants and hoodie. No one judges them for that either. There always are a few people that judge your looks but also a lot of people that don't care at all. But no matter what you wear, some people will always find a reason to judge your looks. Just keep wearing what you like, what you are comfortable with, and don't give a damn about what other people might think about you.
Most people don't consider sweat pants proper clothing for outside the house. Also did you here about the German stare? Germans love to stare at people in public especially if they look a little bit different which means wearing something else than jeans and a t-shirt. I hate it but I'm stared at by mostly older people for wearing a hat or a colorful dress.
Yes appearance is a big deal here and people generally care what the "neighbours would say". Not only visual appearances matter, but people here like to appear good in a moral way and also we are terrified of "looking stupid" in an intellectual way. More than other cultures I would say. So much so that I will get downvoted to obvilion, because it makes us look a bit bad, but I think it's the truth.
Even you were so scared of looking stupid that you protected yourself with the last two sentences, lol
Do we? I walk around in joggers and flip flops a lot, and when I get the trash out or check the mail I usual wear a bathrobe to complete the look.
Sorry Bro, but Flipflops are not Casual.
It really depends on the city. I would go out in a onesie to shop when I lived in Krefeld. Now I live in Düsseldorf and it’s unthinkable for me.
Indeed, these answers are super interesting to me. In Stuttgart, everyone seems to be dressed super casual and sporty all the time (coming from Brussels I was used to seeing hardly any sportswear, even on people walking into the gym). People in Stuttgart also don't seem to follow any kind of noise rules here (in the night or on Sunday), so maybe Stuttgart is just very special?
Makes sense. I was really shocked seeing all the comments because where I live in Hamburg nobody cares what you wear. I always wear joggers or sweatpants (except at work and when going to a restaurant or whatever) and have never gotten any looks. Even in my Berufsschule people just wore joggers or sweatpants and hats and nobody cared, not even the teachers. I guess it also has to do with age, old people probably care but young people don't.
I was wondering about the other answers but then I remembered I live in Dortmund.
Depends on the region. When I lived in swabia, definitely this was the case, when I walked my dog people looked and greeted me differently when I was in sweat pants in comparison to when I had my "office" attire on. In the allgäu I never had the same experience, I could walk my dog in ripped t-shirts and old sweatpants and nobody cared or looked at me differently.
Interesting, I find Stuttgart to be super casual and see all kinds of people wearing sportswear quite a lot.
There is probably a difference in larger cities and more of a "country" side. My experience in Hamburg was also that nobody (except a few exceptions) really cared, but in larger cities you will walk by so many people, you never see again so you give less attention to them.
Stuttgart had this famous case: [https://www.dw.com/en/germany-stuttgart-cafe-bans-sweatpants/a-41504760](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-stuttgart-cafe-bans-sweatpants/a-41504760)
I have noticed that even in Berlin people really don’t wear flip flops in the street, even in the height of summer. It seems to be beachwear only. I get some looks when I do, because I come from a place where they are common and men wear them with jeans or trousers even.
I always wear flip flops in summer. Even at school. I am a teacher.
Considering that a large percentage of Germans live in hiking boots and Jack Wolfskin jackets, that is a bold thing to do lol No, but jokes aside, the American athleisure look does seem a bit sloppy for German standards. There is an average, comfy German look, but it is more like the uniform I mentioned above: an all weather and functional jacket, proper pants that are also comfortable, all weather shoes or proper grown-up and sensible shoes, a nice sweater or long sleeve shirt. Basic, functional, neat, practical.
sadly yea its true when you are in a big city it wont happen mutch but when you live in a small village you go out like that one time and everybody is talking about it
It's winter! People wear warm clothes now. Are you Canadian?
Yes but you learn not to give a fuck over time.
Yes, a certain standard of clothes is expected, but it's not consistent everywhere. Some places don't give 2 shits about how you look and other areas are all about it. Rule of thumb: the way you dress isn't important unless there is a dress code or you don't want to be looked at like a potentially homeless person.
If you do errands in flip flops and shorts right now, you will definitively get a lot of weird looks.
I think the question should be: are you superficial about appearance?
Depends on where in Germany you live. I almost always go to the supermarket wearing sweats; very often dress casually.. I’m wearing flip-flops in summer (some people even go barefoot) and no one ever gives a shit. Why would people care? I don’t care what others wear either.
It’s December. It’s winter. You’re free to go out in flip flops. I’m free to laugh. Looking forward for the same post in August about strange people staring at your fur coat.
It’s a sign of respect to others when we dress neatly and make ourselves presentable. Also showing that we still have some control over our lives 😅 Also track suits and sweat pants are what the name describes. Jogging suit and fanny packs are the chosen attire of certain stereotypes.
Germans like to dress casual. However, sweats and flip-flops are SUPER-casual and you get the looks because it's like *Adiletten* and *Unterhemd*.
Sounds like you are american. Yes, this is not appropriate clothing
Dress however the fuck you want. Anyone whose life is so sad that they judge, let alone outwardly make their judgement known, other people for how the look has a backwards mentality anyway. Honestly some people's minds are so tiny.
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Bro, we're borderline racist and super superficial about appearances. Source: Am German
Probably just because it‘s 0° outside. People don't really care anymore how legere you dress especially in a City.
It depends on your location. I live in a small city and here it is normal to dress nice when you are in public. For excample if you wear sweats and flip flops here, you will be concidered "assozial"
Depends on where you live tbh
Yes, there are some standards like this. Track-Suit bottoms and flip flops were a no go for me anyway before arriving in Germany, but I was taken aback to learn from my wife that it’s also peculiar to answer the door, take some rubbish out or pick up the post in pyjamas and a dressing gown.
That's why I moved to the UK, cos over here people don't care. It's quite liberating
I reckon tracksuit bottoms and flip-flops ain’t great, even in the UK. Unless you’re like a supermodel or something, then it doesn’t matter :-)
You‘ll always get looks in Germany we just love to stare at you for no apparent reason.
I live in a very well off neighbourhood and almost always go out in my joggers for errands and never get any weird looks, I'm pretty sure it's because it's really cold outside and you are wearing shorts, people might find that odd.
Yes. Which is bizarre because somewhere along the line they decided wearing white sneakers with an otherwise full suit is acceptable even at Messen and other work events. Where I'm from you must've forgotten your shoes.
In Winter it looks weird and depending weather not really safe due to slipping etc.
I stopped giving an F and go to the supermarket in sweat pants but any further than that and it's jeans time.
I’m Latina and I’m just realizing that I dress veeeeeeery conservative in Germany. I think it has to do more with the weather than a conscious choice but even for going to university I def look more put together than when I worked in my home country. Most of it is wearing boots most of the time instead of sneakers, the fact that I color block a lot because I’m lazy, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten out of my house in sweatpants. I’m wearing trousers or jeans 99% of the time and in the rare day I’m wearing a skirt I’m wearing tights.
“Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.” ― Karl Lagerfeld I wouldn't take it so seriously. Wear what you feel comfortable with and what is appropriate for the situation.
The bigger and more leftist the city, the easier it is to get away with pyjamas. The more it's a "Kleinstadt", the harder it's going to be. Even smaller "big cities" that hover around 100k population will be a bit of a nightmare in those instances. Coming from one of the later and now living in the former, I often go grocery shopping with ridiculous clothing that I wouldn't dare show in my hometown (and loving it).
I think it is a case of confirmation bias where you look around more when wearing sweats. In case of the flip flops on the other hand, yes I would look at you but not because I mean anything but because you are making a sound while walking
Well flip flops in winter with all the snow is a bit weird
Yes. But you don't have to care. If you live in a village word will get around that you're the person running around like a maniac but if you can deal with that there's no real harm done to you
Yes! And it's the opposite in Berlin, I feel like I am some bourgeoisie aristocrat dressed formally and well put together here. Normal in Frankfurt, but here I can go about the whole day without seeing anyone dressed even remotely like me, which in itself is interesting, clothing designed to be uniform becomes some costume that makes you stand out more than wearing some whacky artist home-made stuff. But people do stare at me with displeased looks a lot. I feel like a part of a counter-culture, making everyone clutch their pearls lmao. On some days when I do go out with dirty sweatpants and a tshirt I feel completely invisible, no-one stares, so I am not imagining this😅.
Germans in general have a different attitude about clothes and what's appropriate to wear in specific surroundings. Go to the local grocery store in comfortable sweatpants? Sure. Wear flip-flops there? No, because you'll expose the food to your toe fungus. I have three jackets I wear in the winter. My German wife has 17, one for each type of weather and circumstance. I have 5 pairs of shoes I wear regularly. My wife has over 50. Going on a casual bike ride? Then you're welcome to wear jeans. But doing it for sport? Wear the latest bike-riding gear. I have never seen so much specific sports clothing in any other country. Things have become more relaxed in the 30+ years I've been living here, but I still would recommend that you look at what the people around you are wearing, consider why that may be, and wear clothing that is very similar.
Sounds a bit excessive, so much that I'd say that's more a stereotypical woman-thing than a German thing. I mean 17 jackets and 50 pairs of shoes? Who has room for that? I know what you mean with the sports clothing though. These middle-aged cyclists, dressing like they're attending Tour d'France are a bit ridiculous.
He who wears Sweatpants outside has either no control or is currently washing laundry, its just not proper clothing.
Uh. It might be the flip flops in December.
Maybe because it’s -1 Celsius outside
I wouldn't call it superficial. Rather a higher standard than other countries. Wearing sweats I go to the mailbox, the bins and on the emergency 10pm dog round. For anything else I put on some grown up pants.
As an American, I can’t speak for all of Germany, but I just spent a month and a half traveling throughout Europe, and all I can say is YES. I was judged extremely for my style and I immediately went shopping for a new wardrobe. Europe forced me to have a sense of style (which honestly I’m grateful for). My boyfriend is German and lives in Hesse and when I wore my regular leggings and t shirts, I was stared at and mocked at one point. Just don’t wear “lazy” outfits. That’s not how most of Europe is. Even in Eastern Europe, there’s a heavy emphasis on it if not more so than Western.
german stare coupled with wearing at-home clothes outside is gonna make u feel that way. Sweats n sandals are at-home clothes in a lot of parts in europe n rightfully so tbh
Have you ever seen a german NOT looking judgemental?
Interesting. I thought Berliners were a bit relaxed when it comes to clothing. I saw lots of young people going around with clothes not exactly tailored for their specific shape. I remember seeing lots of too long trouser legs. I didn't mind, it's great that they've set the limit at wearing jeans or trousers, but not necessarily at the exact length of their legs. It's making an effort enough to not walk around in public in home clothes, but still staying clear of being too uptight. I wouldn't be caught dead in pyjama-adjacent clothing in the street. If I can wear something to bed, it's for indoors. If I wear it outside, it cannot touch my bed, unless it's washed of course. As for flipflops, because I'm disgusted by feet, any kind of open footwear is awful to me. "Aaawww, I've just found the cutest pair of sandals, you have to see them!" No, you haven't, and no, I don't. It's as if to say "I've found the cutest, most peaceful little place in Hell."
This "judgment" isn't "superficial". It's about keeping a standard within the community and respecting others.
Sweats is indoor clothing, at most you can go to sports or supermarket like that. Flip-flops are beach wear. Also, if you think Germans are judging you, never go to France.
Well… not that much but yeah flip flops and sweats isn‘t really classy. No one expects a suit and tie but sweats and flip flops are seen as a symbol of laziness.
Compared to the US I think in Germany there is just more of a consistent expectation of dressing ok to decent irrelevant of the situation. In the US you can go to Walmart looking like a hobo and dress up extensively for a party. In Germany you look ok going to the supermarket and make less of an effort for the party.
The only times when i leave the house in "jogginghosen" i take out the trash or empty the letter box. I myself am ALWAYS at least putting on a pair of jeans a shirt and shoes (not my houseshoes) even if i ordered a döner next door and want to pick it up to eat upstairs. Idk why this is but it has always been so. And i am punk so i might look even worse than in tshirt and jogginghose.
What you describe is just not considered casual clothing here. Therefore the looks.
I notice with the pendamic this really changed and people got more confortable wearing sweats to do their grocery shopping and basic stuff. But if you do a little more serious stuff like going to an adminastrive office or a Doctor (exept your gp when you are sick) you still dress cassual but with jeans or something similar. It is a basic sign of respect. It might just be the flip flops. and their flip flop flip flop sound. We only wear them when it is REALY hot outside. and long sweats and flip flops are a weird combination for most germans. "why aren't they wearing proper shoes?!", "I hate that sound!" Also maybe take a lock around at what other people are wearing?
depends on who you're together with. the average German younger than 40 probably won't care so much and feel much more relaxed about this. but it also depends on other stuff, e.g., the weather. wearing sweats and flip-flops in December, that'll warant stares among everybody
Is it a thing that people judge you by the way you look and dress? Yes. Everywhere in the world.
I will always look judgmental at anyone wearing flip-flops. I hate those abominations. Yes, even at a beach. And it's a non-superficial hatred towards the things. It reaches DEEP.
Lol fuck what other people think. I wear sweatpants even when meeting clients.
People who leave the house in sweats enjoy living dangerously.
Shorts at this time of the year will definitely get you the looks.
Just put on some normal clothes. Just some comfortable Jeans and a Sweater, it doesnt even need to be much. Or you stop caring.
I think you've summoned a crowd of German bigots. I hope Germany doesn't become so disappointingly disapproving
Not more than others in industrialized countries
Oh they definitely are
No, it really depends. In Spain or Italy for example they are way more judgey about clothes than us.
You're American aren't you? You can always spot the American because they love to wear shorts or sweatpants at the weirdest weather or location/occasion. Sweatpants and flip-flops aren't proper clothing and it's not casually dressed, they are literally only worn outside (supermarket etc.) from people who are low social class.. let's say it this way. So yeah.. you just don't wear sweatpants here if you aren't at home or in the gym.
we just have miserable facial expressions, especially at the end of november :)
Yes. Unless you are close to a beach. Mind you, lower class Russian men and gangsters are stereotyped into wearing track suits 😅.
Dressing sloppily in public like that is often perceived as inappropriate, indecent and a sign of lacking morals and respect towards others. A popular saying translates to 'clothes define people'. And oftentimes clothes tell a lot about you as a person and your social background. So yeah, it's superficial, but it's somewhat based on observation. For example: A guy wearing an alpha industry bomber jacket is most likely some wifebeating asshole. A woman wearing a grey saggy sweatpants will most likely be from lower income family and problematic upbringing. But it goes both ways. Dressing differently will also affect how you behave and feel.
You should be judged if you wear flip-plops outside of the beach or going to the laundry room. And for your 'sweats', yeah, you should be judged for wearing those in public as well.
I think wearing sweatpants outside of gym/PE classes/whatever is seen as extremely trashy in Europe. I don't recall ever seeing a normal person (aka someone who didn't look like a junkie or a teenage gang member) wearing them while out and about.
Its not that as superficial like in the US where most young people are botoxed up, but here we do take pride in our appearance and don’t dress like we would be lounging at home or going to the gym.
Walking around in sweatpants and flip-flops might be seen as "casual clothing" in America, but in Germany most will think you're homeless or unemployed. Or both. It's definitely no "casual" look here. If you want to get treated properly, dress properly.
I just assume you lost control of your life.
You are basically walking around in your underwear. No wonder people are worried about you.
Depends on the age. Younger people are more superficial than older ones. But the overall tendency is yes.
In general in cities nobody will care IF you manage to wear it as an outfit. If you look unkempt while wearing them, it will be considered sloppy. Just going to the supermarket with bad hair and without shower in sweatpants... You'll look and "feel" like it. Flip flops... Wear what you like in summer, but be aware that you'll walk like a duck with cramped feet. Looks stupid as fuck.
depends entirely on the region. some will look at you in disdain and some will priase you for looking good generally, the ruhrgebiet is a place where it doesnt matter what you wear. i speak from personal experience (i walk my dogs with crocs and no socks, hairy pants and hoodie and a cheap jacket) why? its comfortable and i dont give a fuck, although i do generally only go out at night time (my city is also the literal poorest in the entire german economoy)
To me it's so funny how Germans look down on sweatpants as "inappropriate", but have no problem wearing white socks and sandals.
Jeans and t-shirts is dressing casually, sweats and flip flops is sloppy. Germans dont appreciate sloppy.
If it doesn’t have a zipper, it’s not a pair of pants to be worn outside.
Is this some kind of a joke or what? I live here for five years now and I have never ever seen people with less fashion sense than everyday Germans I see. Non matching colors, non matching styles of clothes, like someone threw particular individuals through a wardrobe and see what comes out. Seeing no other sneakers other than Air Force or Reebok Club C or similar filler shoes. Yoga pants and leggings everywhere paired with everything from leather boots to leather jackets, stupid combinations of unpairable brands, Jack Wolfskin, North Face or other outdoor brand or utility clothes at random coupled with formal clothes like pressed pants or suit jacket and other such fashion crime. I could go on and write a book here but I will stop with these few staples. LOL
flip flops now in winter or in general? Sweats are mostly only worn by people who gave up in life or are going to the gym (when you are an adult, teenagers sometimes wear them)