One thing that we have learned about Berlin is that while anything goes, you also need to have some sort of fashion sense. Yes, you can slog around in sweats or running gear…but people will be convinced you are a tourist. And since most Berliners find tourists highly annoying, that’s not the best look to go for.
Since I rarely left town when we were living at the farm, I didn’t get too worked up about fashion. In fact, I still don’t go too overboard with it. But with Mack starting school and me meeting new clients and attending more conferences, it’s important to me that I step it up a notch. You won’t find me shopping at KaDeWe or Ku’Damm (the equivalent of Rodeo Drive) exclusively anytime soon (unless we win the lottery or something), but we have been taking a few more fashion adventures. I’ve even been browsing online because it seems like a nice option – not having to fight with the crowds and not needing to go out in the winter weather.
I’ve always been a bargain hunter at heart. And recently a clothing store in our area was going out of business. At first, I just thought it was some sort of marketing ploy. But every week, they slashed the prices even further…and the final weekend they were open, they were selling designer jeans for €20-30 bucks instead of the usual €70-150…so I had to go check that out! The first mission was to grab every pair of jeans I could find in my size and length…and then I got to wait in line to try them on. I must have tried on 10 pairs of jeans in about 3 minutes, some just obviously not being my style the moment I put them on…and ended up with two pairs of jeans that I LOVE. In fact, it couldn’t have come at a better time, because the jeans I was wearing all the time that I bought in the US last Christmas officially died last week, thanks to a big hole in the back of them.
ONLY Auto Low Bootcut Chiara Jeans
We also recently went to the German version of one of my favorite stores in the US, TJ Maxx. But over here, they call it TK Maxx (it would sound really weird in German as “tee-yot maxx” so I think that’s why they changed the name). There are a few scattered around Berlin, and one only a few minutes drive from us so since Stefan really needed a new fall jacket, we went to see how it was. First off, I don’t recommend ever going in there on a Saturday. It looked and felt like the world was ending. Second, if you’re looking for extreme bargains, you’re either going to have to look super hard or just go elsewhere. There are some discounts but the stuff is still expensive for the most part. But we managed to get a jacket for Stefan, I got something more stylish for the winter weather, a pair of shoes for Mack and a couple of sweaters. One of them has already become a favorite of mine…the other I haven’t put on because it’s thick wool and it (thankfully) hasn’t been cold enough here yet to warrant it…but I know that weather is coming very, very soon!
Superdry Longisle crew neck sweater
Last week, I had to get some new stuff for Mackenzie, like even more shoes since she’s outgrown all her shoes at once, and decided to also treat myself to a couple of new long sleeved t-shirts. I had a 10% off coupon which made them €9 each and they were totally worth it. I’m loving rocking the layered look in these and they are super comfy while also being cute and stylish. I also picked some up in bright magenta…and I think I might have to see about getting some additional colors because I really, really love these.
Layered t-shirts from H&M
So this is a sampling of what I’ll be sporting this autumn with lots of layers, layers, layers…but if you’re wondering what the fashion gurus are promoting, just know that shiny is the new black, an over-sized long winter coat rocks, and rockabilly lives. 😉
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