topics
tools
editor's choice

Checklist for moving to Germany

German immigration and residency regulations

Learning German: Passing the critical stage

Public holidays in Germany for 2012

O’zapft is! German Festivals in 2012

Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.44 0.28
DAX 6339.94 0.38
IBEX 30 6543 0.13
CAC 40 3047.94 0.32
FTSE 100 5351.53 0.03
AEX 292.76 0.23
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13154.8 0.36
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4081.2 -0.61
Hang seng 18713.41 0.25
Straits Times 2772.75 -0.24
ISEQ 20 500.94 1.55
You are here: Home Employment Employment Information Expert tips: Dress codes in Germany
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


17/03/2009Expert tips: Dress codes in Germany

Expert tips: Dress codes in Germany Expatica intercultural expert Hilly van Swoll offers four tips on how to dress in Germany, at home and at the office.

German fashion is just as diverse as its landscape and dialects. Yes, there are Lederhosen in Bavaria and yes, manual workers often wear their blue overalls (Blaumann) with pride but there are many other cultures and varieties of German style.  

Err on the side of conservative – but don’t be afraid to go bold
While there is more flexibility and individuality in a private setting, dress codes in the workplace are dictated by their corporate cultures. Bank and insurance companies, for example, tend to be more conservative in dress – this means a suit and tie. Combination suits are usually for everyday wear, whereas two-piece suits are for slightly more formal occasions.  

Be aware that the German taste for ties is more elaborate than in America; it is often an important fashion statement. Shirt colours can also be more pronounced and can be checked or striped. For the most part, the “safe” shirts are a shade of blue or white.

It is ok to get comfortable, sometimes
If your job does not require contact with clients, for example a data systems engineer, then the dress code is much more casual: chinos and shirt/polo. Quite a number of office staff have clogs (Birckenstock) for the office. Workers slip out of their more formal shoes after arriving at work in order to get a little more comfortable. Speaking of comfortable, “casual Fridays” are slowly becoming more popular in Germany, allowing workers to wear (clean) jeans to the office.

For the most part, (facial) piercings and earrings for men are permitted in the German workplace. If client contact is frequent, companies may encourage the removal of piercings. However, this depends on the culture of the company.  

Polish your shoes!
One big tip is that well-polished, solid shoes still make a big impression in Germany. A German executive mentioned to me that he invites his potential new recruits to sit at a glass conference table, giving him a good chance to check out the state of their shoes!


Know your context and be true to yourself
Do all these codes mean you have to change your personal style? Not really. However, it is important to be aware of your context and to feel comfortable incorporating elements of the German dress style into your personal one. But do not go overboard. Wearing Lederhosen in Munich will not necessarily make you accepted – remain true to yourself.

In the end, as the old German proverb goes: it is all a question of taste said the monkey, and bit into the bar of soap. (In German: "Ist ja eine Frage des Geschmacks, sagte der Affe, und biß in der Seife")


Next time, Hilly van Swoll offers advice about meeting and greeting in Germany.


0 reactions to this article

0 reactions to this article

Looking for a job?

Browse all jobs
ask your question
find the business you need
Discussion Forums

Family in Germany

English Speaking Parents/Playgroups in Bielefeld

Discuss German Culture

anybody try to exchange HK driving license in UK or France

Legal Problems in Germany

What is the cost for filing bankruptcy in Germany?

Relocation to Germany

BUY NOVELTY DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD, PASSPORT

Irish in Germany

BUY NOVELTY DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD, PASSPORT

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
The ABCs of the German school system

The ABCs of the German school system

What you need to know about German schools and daycare.

German immigration and residency regulations

German immigration and residency regulations

Want to move to Germany but haven’t figured out the details? Check out Expatica’s overview of the German permit system.

Driving in Berlin: Rules, habits and fines

Driving in Berlin: Rules, habits and fines

In part one of our two part series, we cover the driving culture in Berlin, where to park and buy gas and, most importantly, the laws.

Looking for work in Germany: The in depth version

Looking for work in Germany: The in depth version

Our comprehensive guide includes information on how to find work, recruitment agencies, employment contracts and labour law.