Barbara Geier: A German’s best autumn friend

TEXT & PHOTOS: BARBARA GEIER

Another year, another autumn, another occasion for the much-beloved Übergangsjacke. Yes, it’s time again for a piece of clothing that is as German as Stoßlüften (more on that another time) and Abendbrot (regular readers of this column should be familiar with that!).

Anyone who’s ever lived in Germany, might have heard this mysterious word Übergangsjacke which, in true German fashion, doesn’t hide what it’s about. A compound noun as good as they get, with the literal meaning of transition jacket. This in-between jacket is a staple in German wardrobes for when the seasons cannot decide between warm and cold in autumn (and, of course, also in spring).

As German autumn weather can be a bit of a Wundertüte (another good one, literally meaning wonder bag) and you never know what you get – sunshine, cold winds and rain, preferably all in one day – a good Übergangsjacke is your armour against the elements.

Finding the perfect one is a quest that Germans take seriously. It needs to be light but still keep you warm, wind and rain resistance is a must, being able to combine it with sweaters and scarves (Germans without scarves? Unthinkable!) goes without saying. Then, there are the necessary big (enough) pockets and, of course, an agreeable colour that works with whatever else you might choose to wear that day.

Some people might search for years to find a perfect jacket that meets all of these conditions and is not as heavy as a winter coat and not as flimsy as a summer jacket. Oh, yes, there’s an art to the German Übergangsjacke, just as there is to Stoßlüften and a proper Abendbrot. And should you say, “hang on, we’ve got that in the UK as well, we just don’t have that word for it and call it autumn jacket or similar,” I’ll say, that’s exactly my point. Germans take this type of jacket so seriously that they grace it with its very own term. And with that, I’ll leave you to get hunting for your perfect Übergangsjacke, your best friend when the weather can’t decide which way to go…

Barbara Geier is a London-based freelance writer, translator and communications consultant. She is also the face behind www.germanyiswunderbar.com, a German travel and tourism guide and blog that was set up together with UK travel writer Andrew Eames in 2010.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Discover Germany, Switzerland & Austria.

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