Spain, Catalonia: Seasoned posters please read :)
 

Hello,
My husband and I will be in Barcelona for several days. We then leave for a car trip through Catalonia to Montserrat, Cardona, La Seu d'Urgell in Pyrenees Mountains (2 nights), Aigua Blava on Costa Brava (2 nights). My question is weather and fashion and any other tips from you pros. I am a Northern Californian and we live in our blue jeans. I am in my mid forties, and wonder what to wear on this trip, especially Barcelona. A friend told me to leave the blue jeans home and dress elegantly to blend in as I would like to tour the city on my own while my husband is at a conference in Barcelona for several days. If I had to buy a few pieces what would they be? A jacket and matching pants, to mix and match with blouses, t shirts and scarfs? I do have one pair of dress black pants, and lots of very dressy evening attire for my husband's business events, but the rest is very casual clothing. What weather should we expect in the Pyrenees in late April and early May? Anything we shouldn't miss or definately should miss? Thank you in advance for any help! We are celebrating 20 years of marriage!
Sincerely,
Leslie
I did read the thread on jeans in Paris and I am not a 30 something who turns heads in her jeans anymore.

To be honest, if you're not a "30 something who turns heads" then it really doesn't matter what you wear. Nobody is going to care unless you wear something totally outlandish or something...

I was just in Vienna last week and couldn't tell you what anyone was wearing, except for the dorks in capes who were pushing opera tickets...

You can believe whatever you want but you will see many folks wearing denim in Spain; it was that way when we were there last Summer and the year before that, etc.

You realize, of course, that Barcelona and surrounds are very, VERY humid so dress accordingly if you are there in warmer months.

I'm certain you know how to dress to make yourself look wonderful but i can tell you that depending on which part of Barcelona you are in I somehow doubt you'll feel you are in "elegance central."

Hi,
I am quite comfortable with my looks :) My purpose for the question is not how to turn heads ;) I don't want to look like a tourist and thus be a target of pick pockets etc . . . If I want more time in Barcelona to see the sights, instead of lounging around the hotel, I will have to take a 20 minute commute to the city Center from the Hotel Princesa Sofia by myself. My friend said to look like a local, dress elegantly, and I am at a loss as to what that means in Barcelona.
Thanks,
Leslie

You are absolutely right that you don't want to be the target of pickpockets, so my advice is first of all, don't carry a purse but carry instead a small grocery bag for your hairbrush, camera, map, etc. Don't carry anything on you other than one credit card, a photocopy of passport and a small amount of cash to get you through the day. Leave everything else in your hotel safe.

Most of Barcelona is very casual, but it's also true that some of Barcelona is like an European or even American capital: During the day you will see any number of well-dressed professionals or affluent "ladies who lunch" on the streets. Many people in your hotel will also be dressed for business.

If it makes YOU uncomfortable to be in your jeans while others are in their best office wear, tailored pants and tops with scarves should do (skip the jewelry). If you are not planning any fancy lunches and could care less about what people in a hotel think of you, then dress comfortably for the weather.

On the coast, you are likely to have a warm days but cool nights, and you can't rule out the possibility of rainy days and chill. In the Pyrenees, it's often cold well into May. You should check with the hotel where you are going, but I would guess -- and I'm only guessing -- jeans and a down vest or fleece jacket is the minimum you would need, and you might need more if you are thinking of hiking.

We were in Barca last April - the weather was very nice - a light sweater or jacket was appropriate. I took jeans but ended up not wearing them- khakis or a pull on above the knee black skirt, bermuda shorts worked as well. You will see jeans everywhere so don't worry. The only time I got any guff about my wardrobe was in Madrid where we were not allowed into a restaurant for happy hour because I was wearing 'soft soled shoes'!! Jeans were ok, merrills were not..amazing.

www.travelsmith.com has so many clever mix-n match pieces that wash easily, dry quickly, and look smart without making you stand out - you can't go wrong.

WK

You may have already read this one, but the What to Wear/Pack Part II thread has some good advice on clothing, but note that a packing was for a trip that included biz meetings. Still, it gives you a flavor and lots of interesting advice from seasoned travelers:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34689133

Thank you for the good travel tips! Carrying a shopping bag instead of a purse is a great idea!

We were in the Pyrenees hiking at the end of May last year and were glad we had fleece vests to wear under our jackets. Early mornings and nights were quite cool. I even put on my gloves several times.

>> I don't want to look like a tourist and thus be a target of pick pockets etc

If you think clothes are the only factor, then you are very naive.

The pickpockets and other scum also look for things like body language, disorientation, etc.