aries1974

I'm traveling to Spain January 9-19th with my sister and mom. We will be staying in Savilla, Granada, Barcelona, and possibly Madrid.
This will be our first time in Europe and I'm not sure what type of clothing to pack. Can anyone please provide me with specific essentials?
We will be visiting a few horse farms to look at andelucian stallions as well. I don't want to look like a total tourist and blend in as much as possible. Our ages range from 34-54.

Robert2533

It's winter, so pack according. Granada will be on the cool side as there is skiing in the mountains which loom over the city. Barcelona will be a bit milder, but there is allways the possibity of snow in Madrid.

Have you actually checked to see if any of the "horse farms" will be open in January? Most places are closed for the winter season.

aries1974

Thanks robert2533!
Yes the farms know we are coming. My mom is actually looking to purchase to send over to the states for breeding.
Sounds like I need to dress in layers and not forget my winter jacket.

Rubicund

January in any of your destinations could very well be wet too, so in addition to the layers, pack waterproofs.

Ackislander

And be aware that women -- at least the women I noticed -- in Spain tend to be very chic.

I wouldn't mention this but for two things: you don't want to look like a tourist, and your mother plans to do business.

Your mother could probably wear a horse blanket and get away with it if they know she has money, but everyone will be happier if you fit in.

Jeff801

Count on the entire trip being cool,about 40 degrees F, with frequent rain. I get by with a leather blazer and a sweater under a lot of the time.

But, in Granada, you can expect snow flurries and the chance of a little accumulation in the city and at the Alhambra, as well as some unpleasant driving between there in Madrid. Madrid is the highest capital city in Europe and gets several centimeters of snow often in the winter. I think you should be prepared for sub-freezing temperatures there.If otherwise acceptable to you, fur coats among the women are a frequently worn garment.

Alec

I once spent a week in January driving from Seville via Córdoba, Toledo to Madrid. When the sun was out, it was quite pleasant, up to around 50F, but at night temperature plunged to near zero. The only time I saw Sevillians wearing coat, hat and gloves. Madrid was significantly colder. At least no rain when I was there.

ribeirasacra

There are no fashion police in Spain dress what you are comfortable in.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...:Clothing.html

Ackislander

ribeirasacra wrote on Dec 3, 14 at 2:16pm
"There are no fashion police in Spain dress what you are comfortable in."

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...:Clothing.html

Nonsense. Some of those people are perfectly decently dressed; others look as if they are dressed for the Black Friday sales at Walmart, not to buy and sell horses or mix with those who do. All that is missing is an "I'm with Stupid" t shirt.

There is nothing inappropriate about those clothes if one is going to Walmart or the supermarket in one's own neighborhood, but there really, really a lot of very chic women in Andalucia, as chic as any in Paris or Milan, and you are not doing the OP any favor by your advice.

nytraveler

A couple of notes:

Andalusia is in the south : this is only Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Madrid is in the center - but on a high plateau and gets a real winter with some snow. Barcelona is in the north and on the coast so tends to be a little milder - but still chilly rain is very common.

Whatever you do be sure you have a sturdy folding umbrellas and two pair of waterproof walking shoes - once a pair is damp it will often take more than overnight to dry.

As for how chic you choose to be - that is up to you. But in Spain women who are not poor do tend to dress in a more stylish way than many places in the US. If you expect to do business you will be taken more seriously if you look as if you can afford to spend some money.

aries1974

Wow and to think I was going to pack sandals! Thanks so much for all the detailed feedback. We plan on spending most of our time in Savilla and may jet set up to Barcelona to warm up for a few days. We're interested in going to watch flamenco dancing in Savilla and tour a bullfighting arena. I'm in process of looking on tripadvisor for locations.
Im assuming leather boots, (including riding boots), skinny jeans, leggings, scarves, wool trench, rain jacket, and a few sweaters with an umbrella should get me by? Do women in Spain wear hats in the winter?

ribeirasacra

Sorry I am giving advice. These photos have been taken on the streets in Spain. Whist we do not have a shop called Walmart, We still can purchase clothes made in sweatshops form other sources.
I suppose you think everyone goes around like this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Dresses_8.JPG
Seriously have a look at these photos too.
http://boredfastfood.com/malaga-anda...nture-planner/
I stand by what I say no fashion police in Spain.

To the OP:: hats in winter, what sort of hats do you have in mind?
PS it may not be warmer up in the North of Spain ie Barcelona.

Bedar

Aries, your clothing sounds fine. I think the point most people here are making is that Spain is not hot in January. You are well advised to bring a hat, scarf, and gloves. Seville will probably be the warmest spot, not Barcelona. Seville is the place to see flamenco. The bullfight ring may be open for tours, but March thru Oct. is the season for bullfights so you won't be able to see one of those. I'd stick to Andalucia - Seville, Cordoba, and Granada - which will have the best weather. I think you might want to visit the Royal Andalusian Riding School in Jerez de la Frontera, about an hour from Seville. Afterwards, go on a sherry-tasting tour of the famous bodegas there. Go to www.realescuela.org/en/ for info.on tickets, performances, etc.

Christina

There are plenty of women in Spain who are not "chic" but ordinary folks, I see them all the time, on the metro, in the neighborhood, parks, everywhere. I'm not talking about poor people either, but everyday working/middle class. They dress pretty ordinary, not in high fashion.

Bedar

Christina, that goes for women everywhere, no matter the place or the class. Guess it's a part of the worldwide California slobification of dress.

Ackislander

Two points:

Average daily high in Barcelona in January is 56 F. Whether that is warm or not depends on where you are coming from.

Most people who travel are bourgeois (or middle class, if you prefer). They go to venues, stay in hotels, eat in restaurants with similar people. Street photos generally include a wider cross section of society. Most of us don't dress like the Sartorialist, but most of us don't dress like street people either, at home or abroad. Thus making categorical statements about how people should dress based on street photos is not helpful.

aliced

I would definitely bring/wear a hooded jacket-- if you do not have one, then yes to the hat. We will always remember Spain in April --- Madrid was cold -- had to stop in the dept. store for a pair of tights to wear under my long skirt; then we took the train to Segovia where it was snowing. Had to stop in a store and buy a wool hat and gloves (was inexpensive). Barcelona was warmer and Andalucía was very warm (75). Hat & gloves will serve you well in January; you just never know. We always travel w/ merino wool and packable down jackets that double as our airplane pillows, work like a charm.

Dickie_Gr

"Most people who travel are bourgeois (or middle class, if you prefer"

How do people think up this piffle, just a dated view of European travel from the 1950s when Americans would hang around the local American Express office.

Barcelona and Madrid are huge mass market tourists areas, you can wear Walmart or Armani and not a single person will give a damn. However, over the years I have found Spain to be generally more conservative stylish than Italy. Most Italians look like they have bought their clothes off the local market - because they have.

I think you will find most visitors to these cities arrived on Ryanair from Liverpool or Hamburg for a long weekend.

Seville is a more socially polarised city but still very touristed.

I fully agree that it may be an idea to "smart casual" when doing business but you are buying not selling.

I'll second Bedar's suggestion of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, impressive skills.

ribeirasacra

***Most people who travel are bourgeois (or middle class, if you prefer). They go to venues, stay in hotels, eat in restaurants with similar people.**
Never ever judge a book by it's cover. In those photos and the links below please point out who you think is middle and or travelling class
http://www.liquid-blue.com/photos/to...pain%20021.jpg
http://www.lvaic.org/assets/base/images/seville1.jpg
http://www.alyonatravels.com/wp-cont...3-1024x698.jpg
I see no chic ;-)

***Thus making categorical statements about how people should dress based on street photos is not helpful.***
Why not? It is the truth.

Ozarksbill

I'm in the process of a trip report: Spain and Portugal in Depth. Our group was in Madrid, Andalucia, Lisbon in October. Frankly we found it a little cool then in various places. Certainly depends on area...e.g. Madrid in the north and Sierra Nevada range in the south are cooler. My advice having been in Europe many times is layering and be prepared for rain...e.g. it rained all day during our Alhambra walk.
Added advice: take a washcloth and rolls of soft TP!

In my on going trip summary I will soon be talking about a visit to a horse stud farm: coudelariabritopaes.blogspot.com. This is near a village. Wonder if that is where you'll be at. I'm curious as to why you're going to one...for racing or what? You might check out another recent Fodors discussion: Bull Fighting