I am traveling to Germany this year for Christmas. Since I have never been to a cold Weather country before, and live in Florida, I have no idea what clothes to bring to keep warm. Keeping in mind that cold weather clothes aren't sold in stores here, what should I bring, and where can I find warm clothes online?
Anonymous
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I love Christmas in Germany. The Germans really know how to celebrate Christmas right. Just an FYI that I learned the first time I went to Germany at Christmas time, most places close for the holiday and stay closed. Some places will stay closed until New Years or later. The first time we went we nearly starved to death. We went out in the morning on the 22nd and the hotel asked us if we would be back for dinner. Not knowing better we said no thinking we would find a restaurant. Every restaurant we went to was closed for the holiday. This meant no breakfast, no lunch, and no dinner. We couldn't even find an open gas station in the town we were staying in. By the time we got back to our hotel we were starving. They had closed the kitchen early and the staff had had their Christmas party. Nearly everyone had gone home. Luckily one lone employee was able to find some cold cuts and rolls for us. It was a very memorable trip.
At any rate, chances are it will be cold, rainy, and snowy. People in Germany, in the winter, tend to dress much nicer than most Americans. I would invest in a nice long overcoat. Heavy wool with a nice lining. Gloves are required. Isotoner has some nice lined gloves. You'll spend most of your time inside so you don't need heavy mittens or ski gloves. A scarf keeps drafts out. You should have a small umbrella. If you like hats I would certainly wear one. Most of your heat loss is through your head, it keeps your head dry, and once inside you can take it off. Shoes with a good gripping sole are required. In many touristy places you'll be walking on snow and/or cobblestone. Very slippery.
While it's best to try it on first, Amazon carries everything you need. national and regional department stores may not stock cold weather clothes in store in Florida but they certainly have them on their website (Macy's for example) or in their catalog. Most won't charge you for shipping if you ship it to the store. Pays to ask.
Anonymous
Flip flops are very common down here, especially in the summer. Honestly, other than just about everyone wearing sandals, clothing is pretty much the same as summer attire anywhere else. Unless you're moving to Miami, but why would you want to do that? Great place to visit, not somewhere I'd consider living. Clothing there is still a little Miami-Vice, lot's of pastel's and Tommy Bahama shirts.
Anthony
Hi,
First of all, you will want to have pants/blue jeans, not shorts.
Second, you will want to by a sweatshirt, or long sleeve shirt. Also, you may want a hoodie. If you get a long sleeve shirt, you may want a t-shirt to wear underneath.
Third, you will want a winter jacket, hat, gloves, and or scarf. Depending on how cold it gets in the part of Germany you are visiting. If you are talking 40 degrees Farenheit or colder, then you will want these things, especially if you are not use to the cold. Also, don't forget boots, or boot/shoes, and warm socks!
Good websites to check out are:
JCPenny's, Target, Macy's, Kohl's, and perhaps even zappos.com (for boots)
Being from Michigan, I get to deal with the cold weather for a majority of the year....I envy you down in Florida :-)
Hope this was helpful, you may also want to bring hand lotion incase you get chapped/dry hands.
Best of luck on your trip to Germany, I've heard many great things!
Anthony
Anonymous
Hats
Scarves
Long pants (Jeans should be fine)
Long sleeve shirts
A winter coat ( something really warm and thick)
Sweaters
Thick socks
Shoes that are totally enclosed
And since you are from Florida you will probably feel colder than most people there, so you might want to bring some long underwear. It's kind of like tights for your whole body.
Have fun and good luck!
futureparamedic
Hi! weeeell I think as far as online to www.TheNorthFace.com when my husband and I went to nyc in dead winter we had coats but they were NOT cutting it so we went in to the north face store and their hoodies were warmer than our coats! I would also deff. get some gloves, scarf and a hat of some sort! Especialy since ur from FL and u dont really deal the cold. Well good luck warming up and have fun!