Appropriate Attire in Germany
 

We will be visiting Germany this summer between 6/7-6/21. Since the climate can vary from summer to summer, I am assuming that it will range from 75-85 degrees F. and possibly be humid. I plan to pack jeans, a couple of skirts and a couple of capris. We don't "dress up" when we vacation because we like to eat in casual restaurants. Is it appropriate to wear capris in the following places?

** Mosel Valley
** Baden Baden
** Rothenburg
** Pinswang
** Salzburg
** Munich

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions for packing (clothes, shoes, etc). My husband and I never check in luggage, as we pack very lightly when we travel.

Thanks!

The max. temperatures can be between 60 and 100 F. Believe me, anything is possible, especially in June. We can get a heatwave or cold air from the north with rain/showers. It has happened that it was freezing by night in June.

What to wear doesn't depend so much on the cities/towns where you are but where exactly IN these cities/towns you are and what you're going to do. For attending a concert or opera always dress a little up.

I.

Agree that temps in June in Germany - esp at night and in the mountains, can be quite chilly. You also need to assume some rain. So make sure you have a light jacket, at least one cotton sweater, comfy waterproof walking shoes and a sturdy folding umbrella.

Agree that formality s a function of event or activity - not city.

Sorry -

Have been in Lucerne in early June when at night it was windy, raining and about 50 degrees. Wore a turtleneck, cotton sweater and lightweight jacket - and I was still cold - and I like cold weather.

Of the places you are going, we visited Munich and Rothenberg - the rest of our itinerary included Nuremberg and the Alps near Fuessen. It was July and hot - just about every woman I saw was either wearing capris or a skirt with a blouse, tank, or knit top. A few women wore jeans or slacks, but they became fewer as the temperature rose. A lot of men were in capris too. So if the weather is warm, that will do fine.

We spent three weeks in those areas last summer. I wore capris almost everywhere, but was also happy that I packed a couple of skirts for the really hot days. Packed jeans and a sweater, but only wore them on the plane. We did need light rain jackets, though.
I agree with the other posters, that it really does depend on where you plan to go. You'll find the dress code is much the same as at home.

Bring bathing suits for the Caracalla or various hotel spas in Baden-Baden. But you won't need them for the Friedrichsbad spa (it's a nude spa). You might want to pack a pair of flip flops.

If you want to go to the main casino in BB, you will have to dress up (but you can go as casual as you like to the basement slot machine casino).

If you want to look like a German rather than a foreign tourist (not that I think that's important), you might want to get a fanny pack to wear everywhere. I think they are required of Germans, particularly those on vacation.

We were in Germany in late May and early June in 2006. It rained every day and got so cold in Fussen that it snowed on June 1st. I had brought capris and light blouses but never wore them. Instead I bought a pair of jeans and wore them along with a warm sweater, leather jacket and scarf every day. In Salzberg on a day trip from Munich, I even bought wool gloves to wear! I expect it was a very unusual year but I wouldn't take the chance on going without some warm clothes in case.

Men were in capris?? I'm not even sure I know what capris are!
How about shorts for men AND women?

Between Füssen or Salzburg and the Mosel Valley or Baden Baden can be significant difference in temperature. As others said, climate is unpredictible: 80F in April, 60F in August, 80F in October.. last two "summers" were more like a rollercoaster ride.

I'd also pack one more or less rainproof jacket. If you don't want to spend space on bulky pullovers, you'll find inexpensive fashion department stores everywhere to stock up if needed.

Besides the very few locations already mentioned, you can go casual any place else.

NeoPatrick, that fanny pack rule is only valid OUTSIDE Germany. ;-)

A general hint: The Northern side of the Alps used to be well known for a lot of rain in June. I remember our holidays in the Salzburg area in the 70s when it rained twice during a 3 week vacation: The first rain lasted almost a fortnight, the second a full week, and we got one bright sunny day in between. With the recent changes of climate, predictions have become impossible, but do bring a rainproof jacket and umbrella.

pichulita: Wear whatever you are comfortable with. The only place along your route that will hit you with strict dress code regulations is the casino in Baden-Baden, if you plan to see that thing. For the guided tours in the morning no one cares, but for the gambling in the afternoon and evening men are required to wear jacket and tie, women appropriate.

Note: Jeans are made of cotton. They do not hold heat. Consider a suit of long underwear to wear under the jeans.

Hi P,

No one will care what you are wearing.

Why jeans in the hot and humid Summer?

((I))

Now, people start to exaggerate.

Leave your long johns at home.

Temps will be, as Ingo has said, between 60F and 100F. Usually, there is beautiful weather with bright sunshine in June, but we may have chilly and rainy days. So, be prepared. A light raincoat and an umbrella is always a good idea north of the Alps.

Re: dress code. When you are in downtown München or Salzburg dress like in downtown New York or Chicago. When you are in Baden-Baden dress like in Palm Springs. When you are in the other places dress like a tourist visiting a tourist attraction.

Thank you everyone for your recommendations. I think I will bring a couple of jeans, a skirt and a couple of capris. Being that I am very thin and a big "wooz" when it comes to the cold, I will also pack thermal underwear (Cuddly Duds), a rain jacket and sweater.

We went to Vancouver and Victoria last June and it was suppose to be in the low 70's. It was mostly in the 50's, windy and rainy (the kind of damp cold that goes into your bones). I ended up wearing all the shirts (4 of them) that I had packed under my sweater and light jacket every day. I felt like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Brrrrrrrrr