I'm a nineteen year old american student spending six weeks in Madrid this summer, and I was wondering if anyone has suggestions as to what Spanish young adults (especially women) wear. I've heard pants, jeans, and dark tops. Is there any particular item of clothing that would identify me as an american (I'd like to avoid that)? What do they wear in terms of casual and dressy, and clothes to go out at night? I appreciate any advice.

White or colorful running shoes would lead a lot of people's list of items that will identify you as American. <BR><BR>If you were my own daughter I would say no better way to "look local" - - and learn a lot about local culture as well - - than to spend several whole afternoons bargain shopping for clothes there. How better to spend an afternoon than to find the equivalent of the "Goodwill" and buy five new outfits for fifty bucks. Our kids love doing this here in Ohio.<BR><BR>And come back here and tell us all about your experiences!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Uh, Rex, according to my relatives there, the Spanish have a hangup about secondhand clothes. I've never seen a Goodwill type of shop. Maybe it's the temperatures? <BR><BR>Anyway, by way of advice, my (Spanish) 16 year old niece wears sleeveless black shirts with jeans 90% of the time. In general, she looks just like an American teen. Lots of girls wear cotton shirts tailored like a man's, or a nice looking lightweight sweater. Platform shoes or sandals complete the look.<BR>

Okay - - there's still bargain shopping.<BR>

topping<BR>

My experience in Madrid is that everyone dresses up . i am serious. i am in my 30's ansd was very self-conscience about my very casual wear. This was mostly at restaurnats/bars and shopping areas.<BR>I was warned by my French freind who lives here now, and i really did not believe her. Well she is correct.<BR>It is more fashion forward than Paris or London.

When I was in Barcelona last summer I noticed significantly more color than in the wardrobes of Parisiens or New Yorkers. The pant color last summer was tomato red--not kidding--but I'm sure it's changed by now. Try Zara. They have a website where you can browse and there are several stores in NYC, so maybe in other major US cities too. The clothes are really fashionable, pretty well made and so cheap. I'm kicking myself for not picking up things while I was in Spain as they are twice as much here, but still only about $25-35 for most pieces.<BR>I was pretty comfortable wearing my everday clothing: a khaki-colored loose skirt, some designer jeans-dark rinse, tees and tanks from Banana/Macys/bebe. I took one nice dress for fancy dinners, a little denim miniskirt for clubbing/bar hopping, and some fashion sneakers, black with little bumps on the soles and some gray suede insets. Avoid athletic sneakers like the plague and t-shirts with slogans/ads. I wouldn't take shorts either. I felt a little funny the day I wore mine. BTW, I'm 21, so I think we are probably on the same style wavelength, at least a little.

Jess is right. Zara is incredible in Spain. I live in Chicago and I wish there was a Zara here. The prices are fantastic Zara and the quality is very good.<BR>Go to Zara and load up on clothes and the best part is that you will get the newest styles that the U.S. is behind on. I bought styles from Zara that my friends back home couldn't find for at least a year.

There are a few Zara shops in NY, so you don't have to go all the way to Spain to be in/hip/cool/etc. <BR><BR>Cheers!

The Spaniards do dress better than their european counterparts. So keep that in mind when packing your clothes. Comfortable & Chic attire is required.

Agree with previous message - Zara and Mango as well are very good shops. Do bear in mind Madrid will be very hot (can be up to 42 C) in summer so jeans may not always be an option during the day. Smart lightweight trousers would be good both for evening and daytime. At night spanish people do smarten up, but not in a formal way, more smart casual. As everywhere, some clubs will not let you in with jeans or trainers.

I'm a couple of years older- but when I went to Barcelona last year I saw a lot of color in the clothing- something very different from what I'm used to in NYC. Skirts and summer dresses are a must- as well as tank tops. One thing that pops to mind that I remember about the clothing there is that the women in Spain all had the bras with the clear plastic straps- they were everywhere. Although heels are pretty commonplace - I would try to stick with as stylish shoes that you can get away with that are still comfortable to walk around in.<BR><BR>Have a great time!