Look Like a Local: Switzerland

Surrounded by Italy, France, Germany and Austria, Switzerland is a modern European country with a tendency to follow Western trends. The Swiss experience hot, muggy summers and cool, snow-filled winters. Since Switzerland is home to the Alps and contains many high altitude cities, dressing in layers is one of the most important things to keep in mind when traveling to Switzerland.

Curious about  what else to pack so you can blend in and be comfortable in Switzerland? Take a look at these five tips.

Wear Layers upon Layers of Layers

Yes, the word "layers" appears three times in this heading, so you better believe it's important. Bring clothes that can be easily layered, including T-shirts, light-weight long sleeve shirts, heavier long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts and a coat. The need for layering isn't due to a blisteringly cold winter; layers should be packed because the weather in Switzerland can change throughout the day, especially if you travel from low to high altitude. Layers make getting dressed for the day easier: they're a back-up system. Too warm? Take off a layer. Too cold? Put on a layer. It's foolproof.

Choose Environmentally Friendly Fabrics

You don't have to go out and buy a wardrobe made of organic cotton, but it might be of interest for you to know that environmentally friendly clothes are trending in Switzerland. So what fabrics are considered environmentally friendly? Alpaca, linen, hemp and bamboo (yes, bamboo) are a few examples of fabrics that are approved by Mother Nature. The Swiss are proud of their beautiful nation and are very environmentally conscious. If you want to earn cool points with the locals, wear natural fabrics.

Dress up in Large Cities

In general, people in Switzerland dress casually. However in large cities such as Geneva and Zurich, it's almost impossible to dress too nicely. If you're heading to a larger city, be sure to have at least one classy outfit in your wardrobe. The Swiss consider black and darker colored fabrics to be stylish. Just like the style guide for France, when in doubt, wear black. A dressy outfit or two is nice to have in case you go out to dinner or go to a concert.

Have a Clean Look

The Swiss value clean, simple outfits. Don't get too messy with accessories and styled layers. When you do layer, do it for comfort, not for looks. People in Switzerland have a tendency to dress in dark colors such as black, gray and brown. Most Western styles are perfectly acceptable in Switzerland,  but if you want to blend in, don't go around with boxers hanging out of your pants or extremely colorful, clashing clothing.

Bring a Coat

If you travel to Switzerland during the winter months, be sure to pack a coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Switzerland isn't as cold as some people think; on average the temperature is around 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius) during the winter. You won't need incredibly warm gear, but you should pack winter accessories to stay comfortable. In most cases the Swiss only wear sporty, ski jackets while skiing, which makes sense. So if you don't want to stick out, pack a coat that is made out of a nicer material such as wool or tweed. Pea coats, car coats, military coats and trench coats are all popular choices throughout Europe.

Have you been to Switzerland? Share your fashion expertise with us in the comments below!

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