https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:15:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952731 Sun, 02 Sep 2018 02:45:29 +0000 K.M. 1952731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>:) Fashintern, thanks for sharing. This has all made so much sense to me (I'll send you a PM). You lived in/through the most mythical places and times of the city! And I'll have to look up the 90s exhibition--I wonder if they have anything online about it. If you do go, please let me know! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>PS. the worst wind I ever felt in Berlin was exactly on the way back from the Staabi to Potsdamer Platz where I caught the subway! <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952554 Sat, 01 Sep 2018 08:56:13 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>At risk of further alienating those who came here for fashion, not my Berlin biography, I was all over Berlin.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, I stayed in Oderbergstrasse (right next to the wall) with a friend who had a bike shop in a squat on Helmholtzplatz, an area that I think became very "in" when the expats and yuppies took over Prenzlauerberg. They drove to Holland every month to get bikes to fix up. Then I moved to&nbsp; a sublet not too far from some of the co-op squats in Friedrichshain. After a couple months, I was in a Plattenbau on Stokowerstrasse for a few weeks. It was not as depressing as I expected pre-fab housing in a huge complex to be. Then I (finally) got my own apartment, on the border of Pankow and Prenzlauerberg, in a building that has since been gut-renovated so my apartment isn't recognizable. I had a sleeping loft a friend built for me as well as some amazing pre-war wooden wardrobes and a couple groovy East German chairs from the 70s that the former tenant left. I pulled up her linoleum and sanded down my floorboards, like everybody was doing. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I dated a guy in Kreuzberg. He was a Somali refugee who'd been here 17 years, so I met lots of Somalis and East Africans. Our usual weekly outings were to an African drumming show sponsored by the Berlin Senate and reggae night at ACUD, a creative collective on Rosa Luxembourg Platz that I think was also a squat. I was doing my diss research at the StaaBi, so walked past an incredible forest of tower cranes at Potsdamer Platz daily and in the National Archives in Dahlem. I worked as a translator at a software company in a former factory in Wedding. When I needed surgery, it was in Charite, where Robert Koch had worked. I was amazed at the 19th century courtyards that I had access to while I spent a week recuperating. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was amused recently to see that there is an exhibit on Berlin in the iconic era of the 90s. I haven't been to it, but think I may have lived it. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When you come to Berlin, please do let me know so we can meet up.<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952508 Sat, 01 Sep 2018 01:40:07 +0000 K.M. 1952508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Fashintern, thanks for sharing more about your life in Berlin and also the shoes (I've had my eye on that brand for a while). So you lived in Berlin during the amazing 1990s time when everything was changing! In retrospect I realize that in 2003 I still caught the tail-end of it, but the 90s must have been really exciting. I haven't been there since 2010. I hope to return in the next few years... will let you know when I do!</div><div><br /></div><div>I also loved Christmas time (and I'm not Christian!). Especially the markets! I loved the food and mulled wine and lebkuchen! <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Just curious, if you don't mind--what neighborhood are you in? When I lived there East Berlin was all the rage, but I loved being in the unfashionable West! <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952419 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 19:04:57 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Jenn, nope. His first 7 years were in Fairfax, Va, coastal Ga, the High Plains in the Tx panhandle, and East Germany. But most of his memories are from Florida, and he really has lost all calibration for what cold is. I have a lovely part cashmere scarf for him. I'm hiding it until Christmas, because it'll mean a lot more to him than now.&nbsp;</div><div>When we were in Jena (Germany), he and I went to the sauna a few times, and his preschool had a sauna (it was in vogue in preschools/schools there) that he went to every couple weeks. He has very vague memories. The funny part with a teenage boy will be that saunas are generally completely nude. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Firecracker! Not many have responded to my question about pink, so I'm glad to hear that from you. Do you come to Germany periodically?<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952398 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 17:38:20 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1952398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are doing great, Fashintern. Those dark jeans especially look so good, in both outfits. No need to wait on the pink jeans outfit, either--it looks good, too, and I love the color and shine together. I'm a bit envious of your move to Berlin. I love Germany. You and your son look happy! Looks like the new surroundings really agree with you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952378 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 15:20:29 +0000 Jenn 1952378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the idea of taking your son to a sauna this winter. There’s something to be said for getting warm—really warm—all the way through in deep winter, especially if you’re not used to the cold. Has he lived in Florida his whole life? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952320 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 07:23:15 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jaylynn, omg, yes, you will have to keep warm! What do people in Bremen even mean when they say “summery”? I remember visiting friends on an island in the North Sea in June; wearing 2 pullover sweaters was normal, and they slept (in their tent—this was vacation) under 2 sleeping bags in a tent rated for warmth and wind protection. In June! Beware the wind up there, and have a great trip! </p> <p>Thanks Jenn! That choker has many disguises, and my thin cotton cardi can morph into a jacket I think the eclipse last year is the only time I’ve worn it before—expect it will get a lot more use now. Good luck to you with your move in the opposite direction! </p> <p>Thanks Shevia! </p> <p>Jane, mmm-hmm! (Can’t talk—my mouth is full) </p> <p>KM, those shoes are one of my recent purchases—I really was not prepared for the heat when we arrived! </p> <p>I lived here 1995-98. I am much more on the outside now than then, though we’ll see how things progress. I wasn’t consciously aware of street style then, but I do know that’s the first time i ever wore black, and when I learned that winter dressing doesn’t have to mean becoming an amorphous blob—there are ways to stay warm and have a recognizable shape. </p> <p>“the wind got inside places I didn't even know existed!”. Lol, yes! A friend gave me his leather biker jacket (he’d given up biking). A real, authentic, black leather moto jacket. I was sure it would be perfect on those days when the chill got into my bones. Very soon, i discovered that it was not. It had a standard metal zipper, uncovered. The wind whistled right through the teeth of it! I had never considered a zipper to be permeable before, but that one sure was. I went back to my LL Bean bomber jacket, with thinsulate lining and a *covered* zipper. It is much warmer! </p> <p>Both jackets are on their way here now. I thought the friend would appreciate his back as a nostalgic gift. When I saw him recently, he asked if I still had it. Turns out he doesn’t want it at all, but says it suited me well and he’d be happy to know I still wear it. Hmm. The LL Bean jacket now has a patina and authentic wear on the shoulders, particularly the side where I carry my bag. </p> <p>And the light! I remember my first winter, how dark and depressing it all seemed! I’ve been through 2.5 German winters since then (left Jena in late Dec). Here’s what got me through:<br /> getting outside in the light! Days when the sun rises after 8 and it’s dark well before 5, this can require a bit of planning, maybe going out for lunch, maybe something more.<br /> Keeping track of the whole swing. Yes, the shortening of the days is palpable as the solstice approaches, but so is the lengthening of the days after it. Once I’d gone through the cycle, I was able to look forward to it much better.<br /> Sparkly winter/Christmas decorations. Sounds cheesy, but these can be so lovely. Soaking up the coziness and candle glow really made a difference to me.<br /> Keeping warm, all the way through! Might have to take my Florida Boy to a sauna.</p> <p>Sorry to get so long, and I hope I didn’t sound preachy. I’m just appreciating remembering. Come back and visit! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952315 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 06:27:41 +0000 Jane 1952315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well done with the move! It suits you! Delicious looking cakes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952295 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 02:31:01 +0000 Jaime 1952295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on your big move and happy birthday. You both look happy - love the first picture. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952292 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 00:32:08 +0000 K.M. 1952292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>PS. Since you moved there from Florida... Get a sunlight therapy lamp for the winter. I wasn't prepared by how dark it would be. Short days, and some days I had my lights on all the time. Also get very good windbreakers for you and your kiddo! The temperatures weren't horribly low, but the wind got inside places I didn't even know existed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952291 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 00:28:54 +0000 K.M. 1952291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I'm impressed! You look so put-together and with such variety, even though a lot of your stuff hasn't arrived yet! I love the bicolor sandals in picture 8. Yummy color combo, plus they look comfortable--and Berlin is such a walking-friendly city!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also a little jealous. Berlin is one of my favorite cities EVER. I lived there for a year more than ten years ago. Back then skirts over flared pants were all the rage. I was never able to do it right, or to pull off the general edginess of Berlin style of that time. Although I felt unfashionable, I still loved living there. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, the food floor at KaDeWe!!!! Looking at your noodles I am also reminded that one of the best Vietnamese restaurants I've ever tried was in Berlin. Enjoy this wonderful city I'd be curious to know if the street style has changed, since the city as a whole is a lot less rough around the edges now. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952278 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 21:08:14 +0000 Jenn 1952278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You’re clever to use that choker/headband piece in so many different ways! It’s fun to see you in something other than hot-weather clothes... bet it’s fun for you too! My favorite is the dress and jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952275 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 20:35:01 +0000 jaylynn 1952275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Thank you so much, Fashintern! We'll only be in Berlin for a few days, then to visit friends in Bremen, then to visit their friends in Coburg, then to Belgium. I will take your advice to heart re clothes (and shopping!). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952255 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:28:42 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Liz A, life is good :). Check your messages for the more technical response. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952253 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:18:39 +0000 Liz A. 1952253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern, I'm so happy for you and jealous at the same time.&nbsp; How are you able to up and move to Deutschland?&nbsp; Do you have an EU passport?&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952249 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:34:19 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, so many compliments! Thank you. I am indeed happier here than pretending it’s winter in Tampa. I’m working on how to coordinate what I wear with my hair. </p> <p>Cjh, thanks! The best part so far is how much my son likes it here. Btw, when he saw me in #2, he said “I’m not used to my mom not looking like an old lady/librarian kind of person”. From him, that’s a compliment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952248 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:30:52 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for the support and birthday wishes!! My birthday was Aug 18. </p> <p>Anchie, if it suddenly gets really cold, I’m putting on the outfit in 2&amp;3 with the leggings in 10, the jacket in finds, and my one long-sleeved undershirt and running to the store, because that’s the closest to warm clothes I have right now. </p> <p>Sterling, I need your attitude. </p> <p>Bijou, that cake is probably why I’m wondering about the tummy, lol. My son thinks my pink pants and stripey top make me look like the pink one. We do indeed have fun together. </p> <p>Rachylou, thanks! </p> <p>Joylynn, welcome! To the forum and to our new hometown. That food section covers an entire floor of the department store. It is quite amazing. Besides the restaurants, there are also gourmet-type groceries for sale. <a href="https://www.kadewe.de/food-restaurants/" rel="nofollow">https://www.kadewe.de/food-restaurants/</a><br /> The store (Kaufhof des Westens or “store of the West”) was started during the Cold War to show off the best that the economic system in the West could produce, so the other floors have equally jaw-dropping displays of whatever goods they’re selling. It is on Tautzienstrasse/Kurfürstendamm, which is filled with luxury brands. A similar collection of luxury brands is on Friedrichstraße, south of Unter den Linden. If you go, know that it is extremely busy on weekends and after-work rush.<br /> As for what to wear—the weather is a tossup every day! I’d say bring sleeveless tops you can layer under shirts under sweaters and dresses/skirts that you can wear with or without leggings and toppers, pants that the leggings could fit under if it gets that cold (hasn’t yet), then pull layers on and off all day (Germans say this is the onion style of dressing, because of how many layers of skin onions have). What kinds of activities are you planning, and what type of transportation? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952246 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:24:00 +0000 cjh 1952246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job. Good luck with job hunt and start of school. Lots of family adjustments. I like you in #s 1 and 2- very classy and streamlined. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952243 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 16:11:14 +0000 Angie 1952243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Happy belated birthday, <b>Fashintern</b>. You and DS look happy and settled in Berlin. - that's not easy. WELL DONE and wishing you many more happy and fun adventures. </p> <p>You've never looked better to my eye. Clearly, this where you are meant to be! I particularly like #1, 7, 8 and 9. Loving the candy stripes in #7, and your hair looks pretty in # 9/10. Rock on.  </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952238 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 15:40:05 +0000 jaylynn 1952238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your looks, especially the fun jacket over your dress. This is my first post in the forum. I'm going to Berlin next week and have been flummoxed by the weather forecasts and our (northern) German friends talking about how unseasonably summery their summer has been. Any advice for my travel capsule? </p> <p>Happy Birthday! And where is that amazing food hall? Should we go?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952171 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 10:56:50 +0000 rachylou 1952171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well done! And Happy Birthday! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952170 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 10:43:23 +0000 Bijou 1952170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look great, I love the attitude in #10 and #7 is super cute and can definitely be worn now, you look slim and fit. How amazing that your son has grown so quickly - no wonder he needed a completely new wardrobe. You look like you have such a great time together and I hope you got to try those amazing cakes for your birthday.&nbsp;</p> <p>Happy birthday! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952169 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 10:29:30 +0000 Anonymous 1952169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are doing great!!! &nbsp;Fabulous, in fact. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952165 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:35:09 +0000 anchie 1952165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are doing great - I especially like outfits in 1 and 2. And happy belated birthday. Hope you are ready for some colder weather that can come suddenly.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hot-cold-and-unadorned-in-berlin#post-1952161 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 08:42:12 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1952161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How am I doing, people? These are outfits I’ve pulled together out of clothes intended for a brief resort stay and overseas flight, a suitcase of mostly tops, and a few purchases. Pants, skirts, dresses, long sleeves, tights, leggings, boots, hats, mittens, scarves, and coats/jackets are on a slow boat and will be here in a couple weeks. Temperatures have been swinging between low 60s to low 90s (50s some nights), sometimes in the same day. </p> <p>My Florida boy literally didn’t have warm clothes, especially because he’s grown 4” in the last year, making even what he wore “up north” in December too small. I’ve spent nearly €600 outfitting him, so am trying to limit my own purchases. The next two I’m thinking of are shoes (not boots or booties—plenty of those are on the way) that I can wear socks with (bought some) and a professional-looking bag. So far, my job-hunting is all online, so no particular clothes required. </p> <p>I don’t think of myself as a fussy, jewelry-wearing person, but I miss it and find myself trying to add bling in other ways.<br /> 1. I told myself those bright buttons were my “necklace”.<br /> 2-3. One of the first chilly days, with temps around 60. I was glad I’d bought the jeans! My headband is a choker purchased years ago that I decided at the last minute not to part with. That bag contains pastries from the famous food floor.<br /> 4. That same headband, this time as a pearl bracelet. The top is hard to see here, so I’ve added a (slightly) better pic from finds.<br /> 5. Cheating as an outfit photo, but don’t you all want to see my birthday cake?<br /> 6. For my birthday, my son tried something new. He liked the chicken, but not the soup &amp; the noodles were “gross”. I appreciate the attempt!<br /> 7. The pink jeans from #4 with belt bling. I decided not to wear this outfit out of the house again until it’s cool enough to add my jacket in the find (it was 65 when I took this) or I lose a bit of belly. My son says it looks like “Candyland Cosplay”. What do you think?<br /> 8. Over 90 degrees. I’m glad the skirt made the trip.<br /> 9-11. 59 in the morning of his first day at school, 80 that afternoon. Hair down is warmer. Is the flash of white skin between legging &amp; shoe ok, or should I add black socks?<br /> 12-14. KaDeWe pasteries! </p> <p>Comments and suggestions appreciated! </p>