What should I wear in Barcelona, Spain?
#21
Join Date: May 2007
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Barcelona is very popular not only for tourists but also for students from all over Europe and the rest of the world. It's not necessary to adjust your style to a Catalan uni dress code since there is none.
No exchange student from Sweden, Germany, or France would give this one second of thinking (except for those adjustments due to the weather).
From a very brought perspective, the clothes you mentioned do sound a bit on the preppy side for everyday uni life - but if you feel comfortable in it there is no reason to go for grunge. You will probably "stand out" more in preppy clothes than in a mix of beaten-up faded trainers, jeans, and an old A&F T-shirt
I would not pack "a lot" of shirts and polos etc but a smaller/reasonable amount that lets you mix from very casual to formal (if the latter is required for whatever reason.. interviews or similar).
There are tons of clothing stores oriented at young adults. Desigual is a bit on the far high end for my taste and the usual student budget. Unless you have a good deal of money to play with, I doubt that you want to spend €70 on shirts or €40 on T-shirts. Nevertheless, there are lots of inexpensive options/ chain stores from ubiqitous H&M to the more local Springfield or Pull and Bear. Springfield is the casual/"younger male" branch of Zara, so what you will find there is a bit more common than flashy Desigual. Besides that, the more "alternative" neighborhoods like Raval have lots of small independent stores with a huge variety of styles.
Re. footwear: I'd just pack one pair of "good"/formal shoes and take a pair of trainers or chucks instead. You will definetely walk much more in Barcelona than where you are right now.
The messenger bag has a slight advantage over the bagpack since it's a bit harder to pick.
And bring some swimming gear - Barcelona got great city beaches!
No exchange student from Sweden, Germany, or France would give this one second of thinking (except for those adjustments due to the weather).
From a very brought perspective, the clothes you mentioned do sound a bit on the preppy side for everyday uni life - but if you feel comfortable in it there is no reason to go for grunge. You will probably "stand out" more in preppy clothes than in a mix of beaten-up faded trainers, jeans, and an old A&F T-shirt

I would not pack "a lot" of shirts and polos etc but a smaller/reasonable amount that lets you mix from very casual to formal (if the latter is required for whatever reason.. interviews or similar).
There are tons of clothing stores oriented at young adults. Desigual is a bit on the far high end for my taste and the usual student budget. Unless you have a good deal of money to play with, I doubt that you want to spend €70 on shirts or €40 on T-shirts. Nevertheless, there are lots of inexpensive options/ chain stores from ubiqitous H&M to the more local Springfield or Pull and Bear. Springfield is the casual/"younger male" branch of Zara, so what you will find there is a bit more common than flashy Desigual. Besides that, the more "alternative" neighborhoods like Raval have lots of small independent stores with a huge variety of styles.
Re. footwear: I'd just pack one pair of "good"/formal shoes and take a pair of trainers or chucks instead. You will definetely walk much more in Barcelona than where you are right now.
The messenger bag has a slight advantage over the bagpack since it's a bit harder to pick.
And bring some swimming gear - Barcelona got great city beaches!