ccrosner

Our family of four will be spending a week in Andalusia this May. Am now starting to think about what to buy/pack. Have read several threads here that say shorts are out for cathedrals/museums. So here are my questions:

1. Can our 11 and 14 year olds wear shorts day and/or night time without offending people?

2. Are shorts "outlawed" from cathedrals and museums or just frowned upon?

3. My husband will definitely give me a hard time if I say he has to wear long pants and non-sneakers to sightsee. Does he really have to?

I will happily wear skirts, capris and comfortable but stylish shoes. Just wondering about the rest of them. My kids are growing like weeds right now so I'll need to be ordering things soon!

wolfmisc

Andalusia is warmer as most other parts of Spain or Europe. But in May the average temperature is just around 70s during the day and can go down under 60 during evening and night. So anyway shorts wont be the nonplusultra. I would also pack some warmer/longer things.
If you visit the well known cathedrals and museums in Granada, Seville or Cordoba imo there wont be any problems. Not so in smaller towns, where people still are somewhat oldfashioned. But children normally are not facing any problems at all regarding clothing.

josele

Your kids in shorts will offend no-one. Your husband will look as a tourist. I may suggest long trousers you can zip off the legs, as if you are not used to the sun, you may get sunburnt, I see it every summer. And you can use them to visit religious buildings. The clothing issue in churches has been debated here before. I do not think you'll have any problem with shorts. It is not a fashion, but a matter of respect.

ccrosner

Thanks for the good and quick advice. I can tell you that my husband has never in his life worried about being fashionable....but he would want to be respectful. He could care less about looking like a tourist. I, on the other hand, care to look presentable while being comfortable.

We understand that it will probably be in the low 70s while we're there. But coming from Boston, that seems tropical to my family. So we will also bring long pants.

Cowboy1968

1. Yes, unless the outside temperatures make them freeze in higher elevations.

2. Museums are places for sightseeing. Unless you walk in butt-naked, no one will care. Cathedrals and churches are places of worship.

3. Come on. A grown man does not seriously want to travel half around the world in short pants only. Josele mentioned those zip-off pants. Sounds like a good idea.

P.S. Sneakers are definetely not an issue. No one will care. Spaniards are extremely tolerant. They have to.

nytraveler

I would look at the temps carefully a few days before you go. We've been twice -in April - and both times daytime temps were in the 80's and the pools at our hotels were mobbed. (Seville esp is VERY hot - in the summer often over 100).

suze

1. Yes they can, no they won't. They're kids.

2. I have never heard of any type of dress code for museums.

3. There is no reason your husband cannot wear sneakers to sightsee. That's crazy. If he must wear shorts, at least get him some of those cargo type that come to or past his knee, not his running shorts.

amsdon

Hi There ccrosner:

Where are you from? What is the average temp in May where you live?

We went to Madrid in Mid May 07, & it was beautiful, around 70 degrees. After few days it got into the 90s and quite hot. I was told it was unusually hot & not typical. A few days later, pouring rain, but very pleasant temps. Andalucia is warmer still, as others have said.

Best to take layers, clothing that can be added on cool days and removed on warm days, rather than big bulky items. Light weight, quick drying, neutral colors to mix and match simply for the sake of packing light.

I don't think the public will be offended with your kid's shorts. Does your family wear shorts all the time at home? Will they be uncomfortable in anything else?
Are we talking the low slung shorts 3 sizes too large worn so low that they practically hit the ankles?
Will any undergarments be showing over the shorts? Thongs or boxers peeking out? Is your 14 yr old a girl? Spandex? Hot pants? High heel pumps? Will they have tatoos showing devils and skulls and the like? Bare midriff's with pierced body parts?

You get the point CC I think,
a matter of comfort yes, but also taste. Just be reasonable & comfortable.

Moderate weight clothing is the most comfortable. Avoid bulky things that are heavy.

The Spanish are quite stylish in the big cities. They dress nicely, and businessmen look very professional in downtown areas.
In Madrid the lunch crowd dresses even better than dinner crowd in business areas. But you are on vacation, don't worry.

For evening your DH might consider a pair of comfortable lightweight wrinkle free slacks, and a sportcoat or jacket in addition to his day shorts.

The tourist areas of Andalucia are filled with all sorts of shorts and tennis shoes. Be sure your shoes are clean but well broken in for comfort.

ccrosner

Thanks to all of you for the thorough and helpful replies.

Amsdon--you gave me a good chuckle! Yes, much of what is appropriate has less to do with the type of clothing and more to do with how it's presented. Thankfully, my children have bought into my somewhat strict "appropriate clothing" guidelines and only rebel now and again. And their public school has very strict guidelines on what summer wear is o.k.--no spaghetti straps, no boxers or bellies showing and no short shorts. So they don't own much that would be considered inappropriate.

My husband will be fine. Let's face it, I buy his clothes and suggest most of the items going in the suitcase, so we're safe there. And he would never think to wear anything but long shorts (had to chuckle with the idea of running shorts--YUCK!).

We live in Boston so we understand how weather can change and the need for layering. So all of your advice is well taken. You have really helped me!

Thanks.

Viajero2

I agree w/Josele and cowboy. People who ask about shorts in church are a bit clueless to me; churches are primarily places of worship, not museums. If you get that, you don't need to ask what would be appropriate attire. Josele-- I got your point about not being a fashion matter. Kids younger than 12 y/o, different story. You don't say the gender of your 14y/o; I've seen what's considered shorts for young female teens and I would not step in the parking lot of a church in those, let alone go inside a church. My opinion, thank you.

By the way, on your reply to wonderful Josele you said (in reference to your husband) that >>"He could care less about looking like a tourist.<< That means he cares about it quite a bit. Did you meant to say "He could NOT care less"? Just semantics, but don't want to assume.

Again, Andalucia is a relaxed region with beautiful beaches and scenery, which shorts and relaxed attire are perfect for. When you step from that on to the smaller towns, specifically if planning to go into places of worships, then a bit more clothing is adviced.