Another Wardrobe Question
 

My husband and I are leaving for a month long trip through Spain in 5 weeks. We are in the process of putting together our clothing choices for travel. I understand shorts are not recommended and sometimes not allowed. Are Capri pants a suitable alternative? Are they common in Spain or only seen on tourists? <BR>Thank you.<BR>Kelley

I just returned and the only people I saw in capris were Americans. However, it was still cool. The Spanish were wearing very chic dark clothing with beautiful scarves. The women wore mostly pant suits, which are perfect for wherever you go, and no open toe shoes. Then men also had dark clothing, with great looking sweaters or jackets. Again, this was late March.<BR>My son had warned us not to bring shorts. Have a wonderful trip.

I definitely would not wear shorts except perhaps in a coastal beach resort. I also have just returned and only saw capris on Americans and really not many of those. But summer might be a different thing. I felt very comfortable in the cities in my black slacks and sweater twin sets. Again definitely no open toe shoes--too much gross stuff in the streets.

I was in Spain for 2 weeks last June. I agree, no shorts, ever. Not even for men. My husband wore light-weight khakis the entire trip. Barcelona is a very stylish city. I think capris or fashionable jeans are ok if they are neat and clean, but generally the people of Barcelona do not dress causually. In Sevilla and Grenada it can be so hot that you will probably prefer skirts. Again, people do not tend to dress casually (meaning, women tend to wear skirts, men always wear pants and a collared shirt). I found that Madrid had the widest variety of styles, people on the streets were often very casual. You're not going to totally blend, but the more you can do to avoid wearing sneakers, t-shirts, etc., those hallmarks of American travellers around the world, the less out of place you will look. We also picked up a few items of clothing along the way too, once we noticed what people tended to be wearing on the streets. Enjoy!

Where exactly will you be for the month? The people who have responded are only talking aobut the large cities. If you are out in the country and intend to do some outdoor activities I think it is a different story. People are not going to be hiking in their dressier streetwear. Also, I always take skirts to Europe in the summer, and think they are more comfortable than shorts anyway.

I spent a semester in Spain a few years ago and wore shorts when it was hot out. shorts are hardly more revealing than the microminis my Spanish roomies wore. I was never turned away from a cathedral or museum.<BR> <BR>And anyway, Spanish exchange students at my school don't alter their wadrobe when they come here - they are very obvious in their tight jeans, leather deck shoes (no socks), white oxford and pullover sweater - be it 10 degrees or 80.

This is such a sujective subject I have no qualms about putting my two cents worth in. I am a 63 yr old frequent vistor to Spain. <BR><BR>You may wear whatever you want. But like all the choices we make in life, thewe choices have consequences. If you are there to look at the sights and are not really looking to interact with the locals, it doesn't matter what you wear. However, if you want to improve your chances of meeting locals, it does make a difference. Shorts, capris, etc are not the norm in Spain except in beach areas. However, you will not be stoned for wearing them. You will however, be immediately marked as someone who doesn't have the respect for local customs that others may have. You will still be treated politely but you will not feel the warmth of the local people that someone may feel if they &quot;tip their hat&quot; the local lifestyle. <BR><BR>My recommendations would be no shorts, no baseball caps, no tee shirts, no tennis shoes or sandals with black sox [they may think you are German]. I travel in black or gray with an occasional khaki. You would be amazed how often I am asked directions etc by tourist and locals alike. It is very difficult to blend in, but you can improve your chances. I recognize my approach may be viewed as &quot;extreme&quot; by many but it works for me.

But who want to wear black, brown and gray in the summer!!!Spain in the summer is HOT!!! Just wear summer clothes, dresses, skirts and capri if you want..You are going in vacation not in a fashion show...Enjoy.. and tell me what is wrong to look American anyway?..

If you are young, thin, and sylish, you can wear anything. If you are older and have bad legs, don't wear shorts or capri pants--you will look ridiculous because the Spanish have great bodies. They also wear their clothing very close to the body, nothing baggy. If you really want to fit in, wear stylish, strappy sandals and tie a cashmere sweater around your shoulders. Carry a BIG purse with short handles. And remember, one of the most important accessories you can choose are your sunglasses. Versace, Chanel, Loewe, Balenciaga, and Cutler &amp; Gross are de rigeur. Spanish women also paint their toenails. (But, don't paint them the same color as your fingernails. This is a major faux pas.

I found that in Madrid the women like to dress up all the time. I brought my two nice outfits and the rest khaki shorts, etc... Well, I felt under dressed and uncomfortable. WE were staying w/ freinds who live there, and she said &quot;be prepared to see the ladies here dressed up&quot;. I wish I would have brought a few more dressier thingss.<BR>Oh well, c'est la vie<BR>Just have fun!

Check Vogue, W, etc for proposed spring- summer fashions and then buy where you can afforD. The best idea is to buy AT HOME there if you find fun things you can afford and pack lite. Some European countrys just don't get fashion but Spain is not one of them but more conservative than Italy or France. THINK LEATHER!!!!

Wow, thank you for all the recommendations. We will be touring through the regions of Granada, Ronda, Sevilla, Extremadura, Toledo and Madrid during our month stay. Living in a cool coastal climate, I am a little concerned about wearing dark colors in the heat we may encounter. I have also noticed in the stores that all the spring lines are very light in color with many being quite floral. Don't the Spanish women wear color other than in scarves? By the way, I'm 45. I want to look nice, but also want to be comfortable. I'll leave the shorts and capris, if I take any, for lounging around the hotel or pool.<BR>

Hi,<BR>you might like to have a look at what is being sold at the moment in some of the spanish designers and chain shops :<BR>http://www.zara.com/<BR>http://www.cortefiel.com/<BR>http://www.adolfo-dominguez.com/<BR>http://www.robertoverino.es/<BR>http://www.hola.com/moda/<BR>I�d say that people in the south use more colour than in the north. This year there are a lot of cargo pants in the streets, a lot of khaki green, a lot of chinese influences also. Not really bright colours, but muted, and the most strange sleeves you can imagine. Capri pants are coming, but I don�t know if they are going to be very in fashion this year.<BR><BR>Rgds, Cova<BR>

We just got back from 18 days in Spain, our first trip there. Having completed our trip, I think I spent way too much time worrying about wardrobe ahead of time. Everything I heard and read was similar to above posts, however, our experience was that almost everywhere people seemed to dress pretty much as they do here. The only exceptions would be: no loud or logo t-shirts (few t-shirts in general), no baseball caps, no ratty jeans, and few white tennis shoes. Also, we only saw shorts in beach areas, but lots there. I never observed any restrictions on shorts. In fact, I was surprised to see that, even in the cathedrals, lots of students and teens wore shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, etc. (not that it looked appropriate, of course, but it didn't seem to be monitored). We saw tons of people wearing capris, and that's what I chose much of the time, as they are cooler and take up less space. It seems that alot of people worry about looking like tourists but, let's face it, if you're visiting the sights, it's pretty obvious. Overall the Spanish seem to dress a little classier than Americans when going out, and we returned committed to wearing more scarves and paying attention to matching accessories! Take what you like and what's comfortable &amp; have fun! Natalie

Natalie,<BR>We leave in 3 weeks! I have begun my clothing purchases. Mostly black, nice pants, skirts and sweaters. What was the region you visited and what was the weather like? I am concerned I may be packing too warm of attire.<BR>Thanks, Kelley

I think wearing black in the &quot;hot&quot; months is a myth!. I have lived in the<BR>HOT south for 15 years now and wear light weight black year round. I happen to think black is a very classic color and enjoy wearing it with some bright or pastel top or scarf. I travel in the same cloths that I live in at home and work. I am going to Seville in May and am sure that I will be comfortable in my black there also. Wear the black if you have it and enjoy some color accent for changes. Black travels well and does not show the dirt that travel can bring! Enjoy yourself no matter what you wear.