Dressing for the traveling Grandmother
 

This 65+ grandmother needs to travel fairly lightly to Germany for a month in July/Aug. What is the most age-appropriate day wear and also footwear for appearing in public and sightseeing?

I find your question difficult to answer. 65+ grandmothers come in all shapes and sizes, plus different levels of fitness.

Can you offer more specific information? I know 65+ grandmothers who think a thin-strapped tank top and a pair of shorts would be appropriate day wear in the heat of summer (and, quite frankly, you would be surprised at how good they look).

A nice slacks or skirt, cotton blouse or knit top, walking shoes or sneakers and one pair of sturdy sandals. Maybe a hat and sunglasses? Make sure the colors are coordinated so everything can be worn with everything else (helps to pack light) and that the fabrics pack well w/out wrinkling too much.

I'm a 71 year old spinster lady, and I spent 9 weeks in Europe last May and June, 6 weeks of which was in Germany.
Wear what you usually wear, unless you wear shorts at home, in which case your legs must look better than mine do.

I dress quite frumpily and am fairly often asked for directions in various German cities, so obviously I look pretty much like the Germans.

I usually coordinate my wardrobe around black or navy pants with various colored tops, so I bring black or navy walking shoes made by SAS (a Texas company, by the way). They are not at all stylish, but they're very comfortable. I also have a pair of black sandal-ish shoes that I wear for dress-up.

I traveled with a carry-on size suitcase and was able to get on and off trains with a minimum of fuss. I also discovered, to my surprise and delight, that people often helped me schlepp my suitcase around. I keep forgetting that I have gray hair and am very obviously no spring chicken.

IMHO think "Talbot's" type clothing -
conservative and co-ordinated. I've
found more ladies in this age group
wear skirts.

There are hundreds of suggestions for shoes on the site, but the main criteria is that you are comfortable -
esp. in high summer when Germany can be
very warm.