Khakis in Germany in January?
 

Living in Florida, khakis are pretty much appropriate business casual wear all year long.
I notice that when I travel up north in the winter, everyone wears much darker colors.
I am headed to Berlin next week. Can I wear khakis as business casual wear and not look out of place (read: tourist). Also are blue jeans ok night time wear?
Or should I go to the local goth shop and get all black clothes?

Speaking as a fellow Floridian, I can assure you that you will stick out if wearing khakis--not only in Europe, but in any northern city stateside.

would you wear khakis in minneapolis when it's 15 to 30 deg F and snowing?

if so, you'll do fine in berlin in january

personally, i'd wear flannels/woolens in some nice cheery shades of black to fit in with the locals

jeans are fine if you are 15 or 16

if you go to a nice restaurant, or even a hotel lobby, jeans are not normal

yes, in a trendy/young/hip place, maybe

there are "with it" sections where you can do your own thing- but it will still be cold!!

and leave the sneakers home unless you are jogging

I did know to leave the sneakers at home. The jeans were going to just be local pubs at night, but now I guess not.
And yes, the khakis will stay at home as well.
Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

I've been flamed for saying this, but I never pack jeans for Europe. There's just not enough situations where they're appropriate. I take black, olive or dark gray chinos.

I would put your jeans in the bag, they should be no problem for bar crawling, and I doubt any problem in any hotel lobby or bar

Talking as a former resident I concur with Norri - jeans are perfectly OK as casual wear.

Nothing wrong with jeans or khakis at the local bar or the neighborhood Irish Pub. You might have a hard time getting into the nicer nightclubs though...some of them enforce a strict dress code.

perhaps some of the above posters with feminine-sounding handles are younger women who are "stylish" or "in" with their jeans

but a 50-ish plus gentleman would be woefully underdressed or look like a workingman in another setting

so a lot of it is related to who/what/where and can't be generalized

but for those who do not know Europe, it's a kick to see a streetsweeper or a bricklayer working in a suitjacket!!

basic rule- you can't go wrong overdressing

(you will see people in finer restaurants in formalwear- perhaps going to the opera- but they are comfortable "dressing up")

For men, gray slacks generally seem to be safe in any urban or suburban environment when outdoor work and woods play is not in the works.

If you´re heading to Berlin you should be fine whatever you wear. I´m sure they´ve seen it all. But in Bavaria you definitely should have your Lederhosen on, even in the winter. ;)

Chino trousers aren't formal
 

I notice a lot of Americans in Europe wearing chino khaki trousers. They look like they are trying ot make an effort to be smart looking (bless) but it just looks underdressed or strange.

I think in the US- the "uniform" of chinos, white button down shirt (eg Ralph Lauren Polo Oxford style shirt), stripey tie (often red silk) and navy blue blazer can look appropriate. In Europe it just doesn't look right.

IMHO anyway- I find chinos less formal looking than a finer wool trouser. A perfect Friday trouser- but not a business trouser.

Jeans- depends on your age and style.

It is depending on the situation.

I you are on a more formal Business trip and do not have any leisure time, you should leave the Jeans at home. As written by previous posters, in winter you wear more dark coloured clothes than in Spring or Summer. The other side, especially in Winter and rainy / snowy weather conditions dark pants have some advantage as they do not get dirty as fast a beige pants. And the clothes should be warm, especially Berlin could be really cold in January and February.

Shirt with tie and dark blazer should be okay for business. The IT business is a little bit more casual, while the financial business it more formal dressed. Government people dress formal, at least if they have a meeting.

If you have some leisure time, Jeans / Khakis and shirt (without tie) or turtle neck are okay.

Living in Germany, I have had not problem to enter a bar or restaurant in a upscale hotel like Intercontinental, Westin, Kempinski etc. in Jeans with shirt.

And it is depending on the age. Younger people dress a little bit more modern while elder people stick with dark colours and white shirt with tie.

So what's wrong with looking like an American, if one doesn't mind
looking like one? Chinos are about the most formal slacks I own,
and except when I got to a reception at the Handel House and may
be coerced to wear a tuxedo, I'll most likely be in chinos or jeans for
my entire stay in London later this month.

I'm in my mid 50s, slightly overweight. Tough noogies if people
don't want to look at me, or want to look at me strangely.

I agree...

I also live in Floirda, and Chinos are not acceptable for casual business to me. Casual business means no tie (maybe a polo shirt instead a dress shirt), BUT NEVER CHINOS.

I went to a meeting last week, and there was a guy wearing the chinos, white oxford shirt and red tie... He looked so cheesie. Some americans should go out more often or buy a fashion magazine... (Specially in Florida where beacause of the warm weather all year long, there is not much of a fashion concept).

Now going back to the chinos. They are ONLY acceptable in casual environment (like weekends, college students...). They should never be acceptable in a professional environment.

Blue jeans are acceptable all year around in a casual environment. Take note that wearing jeans does not mean that you have to wear a cheap or cheesy shirt, docker shoes or even tennis shoes. You can wear jeans with a dress shirt, dress shoes and jacket. Just be sure that the jeans are nice and fashionable and not from walmart.... In fact, I will waer jeans on a casual business environment 10 time before I wear chinos.

Finally. I always wear jeans when on holidays in Europe, but will never go to an office in Europe on jeans. Not even on a Friday.