National customs are of little importance in our globalized and digitized world.

We are celebrating Halloween and baby showers, while in other places in the world in a few weeks you will be back with mulled wine and gingerbread at the German-style

christmas markets

.

And while we had to do without the Oktoberfest (again) this year, the atmosphere at the Oktoberfest in Cincinnati (Ohio) was definitely great.

Fashion also reflects this attitude: sandals by Birkenstock, once clearly belonging to us Germans, like the very short mini skirts in winter to British women, have long since become everyday items of clothing.

Not only do Americans wear sportswear in everyday life, many people in this country do the same today.

Jennifer Wiebking

Editor in the "Life" section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

  • Follow I follow

The men's vest could be a so far neglected exception to the modern national costume.

"For the German men," said an Italian PR woman the other day during a digital collection presentation, holding a down vest in the camera.

They mainly produced these parts for the German market, especially the German men understand the West.

For example, models like the one with a quilted look, blue on the outside, yellow on the inside, by Woolrich.

Or the one in hazelnut brown made from light down by Herno.

Or the slightly thicker one from Stone Island in red. By the way, these are all western Italian manufacturers.

And the French are also taking part, see the model in glossy black by Karl Lagerfeld.

All for us!

It goes without saying that something must also come from local manufacturers, for example from Marc O'Polo from Stephanskirchen with a vest made of sea-green cord.

Such a vest is already practical.

Even if it is provided with cashmere, like the model by Brunello Cucinelli, it blends in with the rough charm of the large construction site of the new FAZ Tower.

There should soon be editorial desks where pipes are being laid and wheelbarrows are being parked.

The west is already here and it will stay.

That's just how we Germans are.