Country Costumes: Germany

Ah, Die Mannschaft. Traditionally one of the most successful teams on an international level, Germany have three World Cups and three European Championships under their belts. I don't have very strong memories of the team until 2006, when they played on home soil. Although the first time I'd watched them play was back in 2002, I was barely 9 at the the time and the only memories of the final against Brazil I have are both of the latter side. I only remember Ronaldo's strange hair and the nickname we Chinese had affectionately given him - Alien. (And of course their performance at Euro 2004 was less than impressive).

Starting from 2000, Die Mannschaft have had a bit of a rollercoaster ride in the major tournaments - crashing out in the group stages of Euro 2000, reaching the World Cup final in 2002, and again crashing out in the group stages of Euro 2004. Their talent has finally seemingly reached a steady level with third place in 2006, second in 2008, and again third in 2010. The newest talents like Müller, Özil, Kroos, and Badstuber came in and melded almost seamlessly with the first wave of new talents that had arrived a few years earlier in the form of Podolski, Schweinsteiger, and Lahm, together phasing out the aged (or injured) "old guard," as I like to call them.

I found myself pulling for Germany in the third place match back in 2006, deeming it the lesser of two evils as I was bitter as hell over Portugal having knocked my precious Oranje out of the tournament. Everyone probably still remembers the Euro 2008 final, where a lone goal by Fernando Torres (what is he up to beside flopping like a fish out of water these days anyways?) was enough to bring Germany down, and of course Spain again triumphed over a psyched out Germany in the 2010 semifinals.

In recent years Germany have morphed from a nation that once played effective, boring football to one that plays beautiful, effective football. I remember being shocked by the change in the group stages of 2010, as I watched Germany take apart Australia's physical side with little effort, bleary eyed in the early hours of Beijing. I've taken this shock into account with the white printed dress, the black print resembling a chaotic field of wildflowers and paired it with red pumps, a red clutch, and yellow retro shades, much like the standard German kits of white accented with yellow, red, and black. Accessories include the asymmetrical white and pale gold two-toned bangle and eagle charm necklace, a reference to the DFB eagle.

Dress, Dorthy Perkins, £43;

Pumps, Steve Madden, £50;

Clutch, Lanvin, £860;

Necklace, Lanvin, £1120;

Bracelet, Marni, £249;

Sunglasses, Mango, £20

One True Look: Christoph Metzelder/Sebastian Kehl

Back to our much-loved One True Look, and we decided to stick to our safe and classic route now that we know the many hits we've had for the Gerrard/Alonso look. Because we're hit whores like that, truth.
No, really - for all the bromances/fuckbuddies/huggingmates/grindingfriends we've seen in the fandom, it's those that have survived multiple transfers and the birth of questionable new pairings that deserves the spotlight. For those girls who has been football fans prior to the 2006 World Cup, we all remember there was a time in the fandom where Germany was today's Spain. Fangirls were springing from here to there riding on the Die Mannschaft wagon - many thanks to the now divorced "Schweinski".

One of the pairings frequently mentioned was "Metzelly" - a colloquial word that the girls came up with that combined Christoph and Sebastian's nickname: Metze and Kelly (Kelly was a nickname given by Chris to Seb). The two were (at the time of Germany '06) both playing for Borussia Dortmund and were both called up to the national team to represent in the World Cup. Vocal about their relationship off-field, they were frequently interviewed together and came to create a charity that raised awareness for child abuse. Both a practicing Catholic, they also had the opportunity to meet the late Pope John Paul II together as the face of German Roman Catholics in the footballing world . Other small, minute, unnecessary details includes Kelly's announcing of Metze sleeping naked while they were roommates in Dortmund and writing blogs dedicated to each other...

The two are quite known for their clean-cut, put-together, sartorial dressing, especially Christoph Metzelder, who had been voted as one of the top 5 best dressed footballers by GQ alongside David Beckham and Thierry Henry. To stick with the look that are identical with the two, we created a Casual Friday work look that is still fashion forward but not forceful. We start with a stretch-cotton trousers in khaki, pair with a simple white pocket tee and cover with a structured leather jacket that has still a relaxed appeal. We accessorise with a luxurious tote in black botox-treated python, stacked cocktail ring, and yellow sling backs to add colour. The black and yellow is also tribute to Borussia Dortmund's colour.

Tee, Rag & Bone, £65
Trousers, Etro, £220
Jacket, Haider Ackermann, £1700
Bag, Zagliani, £1942
Shoes, Jimmy Choo, £553
Ring, Repossi, £358

Team Togs: FC Bayern Munich

Another trip to the Bundesliga*, and it's only understandable that we tackle the biggest club to come out of Germany: Bayern Munich. Though they're that classic team you love to hate much like Manchester United and Barcelona, there's no doubt they're big for a reason. Their domestic success is reflected in their record for holding the most Bundesliga wins (21 titles) since the league's creation in 1963. Success and fame has easily lined them up to be one of Europe's football powerhouses. Their presence in the Champions League is expected and while their last winner's medal was over ten years ago, there's no doubt they still deliver in the European stage as they came out as runner ups in 2010 against Inter Milan. 

Being a team hailing from Bavaria, it was only necessary that we infused the proud Bavarian culture into our look. (After all, the team's crest bears the Bavarian flag in it). I thought about the turn of spring into summer, and after slight contemplation I wanted to focus in the important tradition of the maibaum in Germanic countries. The Maypole is erected in Bavaria on either the 30th of April or the 1st of May to celebrate May Day. It has often been debated as one of the most significant remnants of Germanic paganism that survived Christianisation. 

The image of Spring festivals is often filled with young girls in white dresses and floral crowns dancing around the maypole and we wanted to take that ethereal, airy, spiritual, almost fairy-like quality into our Munich look. It is also a modern take into an ancient festival that has been going on for centuries and we think football is exactly the same, it's face is changing but the traditions and passion is all the same. The traditional colours of Bavaria and Munich are used as accents though there is a tendency for their away colours of white. 

We start with a modern spin on the traditional white dress, a thigh-high split dress in beige that we cover with a beautiful lace waistcoat to add texture. This dress is both comfortable, easy to wear, and at the same time edgy for a festival day. Pair with crystal-beaded sandals to give the illusion of wearing nothing but jewels on your feet. Accessories are symbolic, the traditional home-made floral crown in the Munich home colours of red (with infused burgundy) and a blue and white checkered ribbon to tie around your wrist to pay tribute to Bavaria. Finish with a handy wristlet in a pyramid shape for another modern representation.

*ETA: Kay's brain has forgotten we had covered Borussia Dortmund before. 

Dress, Stella McCartney, £237.50 (on sale)

Waistcoat, Biba, £55

Sandals, Antik Batik, £140

Bag, Jil Sander, £315

Crown, Bloom Design Studio (via Etsy), £80

Ribbon, find all kinds of ribbons wholesale at Renaissance Ribbons!