I'm going to Germany in December 2011, what kind of special clothing will I need to purchase as I currently live in Texas USA?
 

Oh oh

I know I'm gonna have to have some special clothing when I go to Germany in the beginning of December. I'm trying to figure out now just what I need so I can order it & break it in for the trip. I figure nearly a year should give me plenty of time. I haven't been to Germany since I was 8 years old so was wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

What do you mean by Oh oh? Bad time of year to travel there?

Unless you're in the alps (which will probably be very cold and snowy) the weather will probably be similar to New York or Chicago - cold and often grey/rainy, with the chance of colder and snowy.

You will need a winter coat (not the siberian 60 below kind) just a normal winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves and waterproofed walking shoes or low boots. (If you get a lot of snow - just get snow boots on the spot.) None of this needs to be "broken in" except the shoes - and you would need similar to go to many places in the world except in high summer - so you probably have a pair.

Get some "cuddle duds" or other type of silky long johns. I'm cold-blooded, and I wear them all year long under my sweats or pants.

Nytraveler's suggestions sound good. I lived at Heidelberg for five years. It got pretty cold.

No, I won't be going to the Alps, I don't think. I'm actually planning to go to Ulm/Neu Ulm & then go to Lauphiem for a day trip & then well, I haven't figured out for sure what else I'm gonna do. I do want to visit the Christmas market is Ulm & maybe go to some of the smaller markets around there. I'm also playing with the idea of going to other countries while i'm over that way as it's some much cheaper to go from country to country instead of always starting out in Texas. As for the boots, I got a pair of steel toed work boots for working in the pasture lot so cows don't step on me but my last good pair of boots blew out on the side after 10 years of Ren faires & being worn to work.

okay, so what do you mean by silky long johns? The only ones they have aroung here are the kind lumberjacks & welders wear to work in the winter time. Anywhere you suggets to find "silky long johns"?

Robin Are you male or female? If you're male, disregard the silky long johns...if you like. If you are female ...or male... and want the silky underwear, you can get Cuddle Duds at department stores like Dillards or Macy's. Online-- Land's End and LL Bean.

google cuddl duds - for microfibre underwear. sara_qc

There is nothing you need to buy that needs to be broken in. As other have said you'll need winter coat, hat, gloves & scarf. If you'll be spending hours on end outside then long underwear is advisable to wear under a pair of pants.

You don't need special boots - any normal closed toe walking shoe is fine. Sneakers/tennis shoes are just fine too.

Germany in December isn't quite Siberia or Minnesota in February. Snow is uncommon before Christmas. Not unheard of, but it's still fall, not even winter yet when you'll be going.

Long John's can be found at Target in my town also. They are just thin long pants that go under your regular jeans/pants. I bet Walmart also has them.

I would get some non steel toed boots, those will get pretty heavy after miles of walking. Maybe a pair of Merrell boots or something waterproof and lighter weight.

Contrary to common perception you won't need any lederhosen or a dirndl. Such peculiarities are only worn in the deep South.

Sandals in combination with socks luckily aren't a likely temptation in December - so you can omit that common German fashion crime easily, too.

A decent winter coat (waterproof would be good) is the only necessity. Depending upon your sensitivity to the cold, you can add any of the following: hat, gloves, scarf, long johns, wool socks, or insulated boots.

<i>Anywhere you suggets to find "silky long johns"?</i>

rei.com
jockey.com

December was cold with lots of snow. January so far until yesterday was WARM, 60F during daytime in Munich. Now it's getting cold again, but not really just a little below freezing.

Whatever they tell you here, nobody knows, they have no idea either, almost anything is possible between Houston and Chicago weather.

So what do you do? You'll be prepared and check the forecast before leaving. Who knows if it's Italy or Russia in winter 2011...

Most likely, it's a mix between Houston and Chicago, a week of Houston, two weeks of Chicago followed by 10 days of Houston.

Does that give you an idea about weather patters over here??
If so, what do you expect to be the answer to your question :-)

It was getting down to -15C (5 F) a few weeks ago, in Frankfurt. I don't consider that very warm.

Yes, the next day it was +10C and downtown was flooded. It's funny when you walk around in a T-Shirt with all those piles of ice around you. It was so nice during the recent days and still, it's not really cold.

<i>It was getting down to -15C (5 F) a few weeks ago, in Frankfurt. I don't consider that very warm.</i>

Yes, my flight through Frankfurt was cancelled because of snow. Usually January is a colder month than December, but this winter it's been the reverse.
Moral - you can't tell. But any thick winter wear you buy will still be useful during the winter months, to the end of February.

Just have some long underwear, maybe a fleece vest, a warm hat/scarf and a decent coat