whitneykt

Okay - I've seen a lot of posts making fun of us in the US for what we wear to another country (or anywhere for that matter). gt; Not so many on the Switzerland site but, mostly on the general Europe site. But, it's made me curious about Switzerland.

So here are my questions . . .

What is the clothing style in Switzerland for men and women? Not young adults styles - how about between the ages of 40-55.

What do you wear in winter? Spring? Summer? Fall?

What kind of shoes do you wear with jeans? Skirts? Shorts? Dresses? Trousers/Dress pants?

What kind of shorts? Jean? Kahki? Spandex/licra? Knit?

What are the most popular type of pants? Jean? Kahki? Trousers/dress pants? Capris?

What are the most popular types of tops?
Blouses/dress shirts? T-shirts? Halters? Spaghetti strap tanks?

What about belts? Hats? Purses? Sport coats/jackets? Winter coats? Sweaters?

What colors are in for this season?

What do you wear to a nice restaurant? Cafe/Bistro? Bar?

If there is any other fashion item(s) I've not mentioned, please feel free to add it to the list.

I'm not asking this so that I can go out and purchase new clothes for our trip. I'm just curious.

However, I do want to buy some new stuff while we are there. So knowing the answers to some of these will help me pack some things that I can match with something I buy there.

kleeblatt

Whitney,

Please take a look at the on-line jelmoli catalog for women's clothing.

hose=pants
bluse=blouse
Kleider=dresses
Röcke=skirts
Anzüge=suits

http://www.neu.jelmoli-shop.ch/is-bi...kAAAELQQ1NPCuH

GSteed

The Swiss wear the same styles of clothing as you do. Europeans usually follow American fashions. Particular styles will be 'age sensitive'. While you are visiting there be sure to closely observe 'street garb'. My impression was that tourists were wearing sport slacks and fleece jackets over Tee shirts. Tennis (trainers) shoes abounded. Surprise, some female costumes included 4-5 inch heels and form fitting jeans; age was not a factor!

LalaB

That's what people like to do make fun of each other. you should see the god awful hairdos in the City of London - financial district and the fake tan, miniskirts/generally tart-y businesswear worn by some, not all, women.Swiss dressing is conservative,I think bets to avoid snowy white and shiny new trainers and baseball caps/stripey polo shirts, grey sweatshirt pullovers, for girls avoid the false nails,and open toed sandals, all colours go, it's just that some styles of clothing make the poor tourists stick ouit like a sore thumb and every country has it's way of dressing

Queenie

If you are a woman over 40 I would say the fashions are mostly jeans & boots and a Tshirt with jean jacket or lightly quilted jacket or raincoat.

MAC jeans are popular. Also common shoes are Puma (with the cat on the toe) and fitted trainers such as Bally.

I disagree that the fashions are the same as in the US. The shirts and pants are much more fitted in Switzerland – most Tshirts and blouses do have darts on the side that will fit the piece to your body.

I find Swiss women in the cities are much slimmer than other places in Europe. I wear a size US8, and find it difficult to buy clothing in Switzerland. You would need to buy a 38 or a 40, and anything over that you would generally have to go to the 'big girl' store.

For less expensive clothing try the Esprit stores, or More & More (free standing). Street One, S. Olivier and Tom Thumb brands in the department stores that are less expensive.

Never leave the house without an umbrella, and a very common bag in the Zurich area is the Freitag courier bag made from truck covers and seatbelts.

Shorts are rare – try capris or for men ¾ length pants and sandals.

To a nice restaurant, you can wear fitted jeans or black pants with a blouse, and boots.

sparkchaser

This is what, the 3rd or 4th "what should I wear" thread in less than a week? What gives? Was there a recent NYT or Parade magazine article about dressing for Europe?


<i>Shorts are rare – try capris or for men ¾ length pants and sandals. </i>

Nothing says European like manpris.

swandav2000

Guys, this thread is seven years old.

s

sparkchaser

I didn't even notice that nicholasadam bumped a seven year old post...

nytraveler

I think you will find very limited use for shorts - except for those cute little ones they wear with hiking boots forclimbing up the Alps. It's mostly just too cold.

I used to have clients in Switz and the overall dress was more formal than in the US - both for business and for casual. (Yes, they did casual, but you didn;t see people roaming around cities in the same clothes they used to clean out the garage as you do inthe US - flip flops, jean cut-offs and tees with tweety bird on the front - or the local auto arts supply).

For business we dressed up more than for NYC - men wore button-down shirts and always had a blazer - if not a suit jacket. But full suit and tie were not necessary. Women wore separates - but with jacket or tunic on top of skirt or tailored trousers - not just a casual top and jeans/denim pants or skirt.

Do not have time to go through everytrhng - but if you are doubtful about wearing an item I would leave it home - if yuo want to dress the same way as locals.

lauren_s_kahn

Contrary to what some think, the last time I checked, the European Fashion Police have been disbanded (except, perhaps on the Fodors' board).

You can wear whatever you like just like you do at home. I am continually amazed at the number of Europeans on holiday I meet dressed no differently from people in the US. You do not have to dress like Europeans going to work in an office or to the opera. I do not get it when people say they want to look like locals. The moment you open your mouth, it will be obvious you are not a local--unless you speak fluent Swiss German--so what is the fascination with pretending?