What should I wear in Barcelona, Spain?

Old May 1st, 2010, 01:27 PM
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What should I wear in Barcelona, Spain?

I am a twenty-one-year-old male college student who will be studying in Barcelona from late August until mid-December. I have never been to Europe before, and would like to know what I should wear so that I will feel stylish, blend in with the Catalans, and not be targeted as a tourist.

I know that it will be warm when I get there (though not as hot and humid as where I live near Washington, D.C.) and rainy and chilly when I leave. I am aware that I will have to pack for basically all kinds of weather. The clothing items I plan to pack are lots of button-down shirts, polos, dark jeans, and V-neck sweaters. I would also like to bring blazers, slacks (black, gray, pinstripe, white), cardigans, heavier sweaters, vests, scarves, leather gloves, and a peacoat. In regards to footwear, I plan to take loafers, boat shoes, wingtips, and boots.

What do you think? What should I wear? How would guys my age from Barcelona dress? How acceptable are items like shorts and flip-flops? I also feel like I shouldn't use a backpack as I do here in the U.S., but rather invest in a messenger bag or some kind of tote? Any feedback you could please provide would be much-appreciated. Thank you!
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Old May 1st, 2010, 03:45 PM
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I'm also going to Barcelona for 10 days next month, but as South American I can tell you I would leave the flip flops and shorts here, unless you go to the Beach. We Hispanic are more conventional or formal to dress, American are more casual and they give away for the way they dress (you don't want that, as you can be an easy target for thieves, so blend in). We wear more earth colors and fresh light fabrics, linen, cottons, no shorts.

In the following website you have a summary on how to dress for casual times and for business. I hope that helps you.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...a-clothes.html
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Old May 1st, 2010, 04:12 PM
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Of course you can wear flip flops and shorts when you go to the wonderful Barcelona beach, ( which you probably will be doing often as it is a great people watching strolling area). But otherwise, they are too touristy for walking around and living in this cosmopolitan city.

you will find, however, that students your age dress in many different ways, from dressy to casual to" freakie/gothic" with darker colors and better shoes/boots than most US students.

It sounds like you are taking a LOT of clothing options. I would take many fewer items and treat yourself to an outfit or two once you observe the fashion scene yourself and decide there.
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Old May 1st, 2010, 05:54 PM
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Wing-tips - I never heard of a 21 year old wearing wing-tips. Unless you're planning on job interviews I think they are definitely overkill. Students dress pretty much the same around the world - although europeans may be somewhat more sophisticated stylishh within the same general scheme. Shorts and flip flops are for the beach - not for any city - unless you live in San Diego - or Fl.
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Old May 1st, 2010, 07:12 PM
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I think you are over thinking this.

You are a foreign student in another country. You hair, eyesglasses, wristwatch, belt, shoes and general comportment will give you away.

The clothes you describe will set you apart. A lot of jeans and chinos but well tailored. To tell you the truth I have rarely seen a student in a blazer, but many seniors will wear a jacker when out.

The winters are warmer.
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Old May 1st, 2010, 07:18 PM
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I think you are taking too many 'dressy' clothes. You don't need wingtip shoes. You do need some sandals or sneakers to wear in the summertime into fall. It's warm there. A student using a backpack is perfectly OK.
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Old May 1st, 2010, 07:23 PM
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I was really sad to see many young men in Spain wearing the super-low, super-baggy jeans on my trip last month. Up until my last trip this horrible fashion didn't seem to have reached Spain (I only saw one example of this last fall). I just don't see how wearing jeans that don't fit on your waist is attractive.

So, please try to bring some nice fitting jeans - maybe you can start reversing the trend
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 07:49 AM
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Hi Cathy! I agree totally

But the op is 21 and well there freedom in that I guess.

CJ are you for real? 4 shoe options including blazers,buttondown shirts,cardigan and wing tips...not the average 21 yr old....
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 07:49 AM
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Oh I add if you are for real bravo!
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 08:01 AM
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CJ are a student at Georgetown?
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 09:03 AM
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pookymimi--That's what I thought the case might be with shorts and flip flops. Also, thank you for the link. I did find it helpful. I hope you enjoy your trip to Barcelona!

lincasanova--I've heard great things about Barcelona's beaches, and I definitely plan to check them out! I would like to buy a few clothes while I'm over there to make sure that I dress somewhat like the Catalans.

nytraveler--I'll sometimes wear brown wingtips with jeans. I think they look pretty cool, but I guess they really aren't necessary since I can only pack so much. I really don't often wear shorts tin town here either. What would someone my age in Barcelona wear?

Aduchamp1--Yes, I probably am worrying more about this than I need to. I just didn't want to stick out too much. When you say "set you apart," is that a good thing or something that I should try to make sure doesn't happen? No, I don't go to Georgetown.


suze--You're probably right. What would be considered acceptable dress for someone my age studying abroad in Barcelona?

CathyM--I don't plan on wearing saggy, baggy jeans. Those that I wear are fairly slim and well-fitted.

amsdon--Oh, I'm for real. I wear things like that to class or going out around here.


Thank you all for your responses. Any additional feedback would be appreciated!
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 09:21 AM
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CJ setting yourslf apart is nothing you can control. You are a foreigner. It is neither good nor bad, it is what you are. And the more uncomfortable you are about it, the more you will make others uncomfortable about it.

We have traveling to Barcelona since 1972 and although he lost track of friends we made there, we are still friends with people we met in Madrid. Enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Catalans and other Spaniards, and do not concern yourself with how you appear.

Barcelona is at once a very cosmopolitan and provincial city. They are proud to be Catalans but they also proud of their knowledge of the world. They have unique sense of design and style that you will easily see and appreciate. In many ways Barcelona reminds me of San Francisco.
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 09:45 AM
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Would would people your age in Barcelona wear?

Jeans, not baggy, crisp, not faded.
Polo shirts in warm weather.
Cotton shirts in cooler weather.
Sweater (cashmere?) over the shoulders in the day and ready for cool evenings or tweed (etc) jacket over the jeans.
What you don't much see on European students is logo -- university or other -- sweatshirts and T shirts. No sweat pants, ever, no long baggy shiny basketball shorts, ever.

I think our fall/winter/rain gear (Goretex North Face parka, for example) fits in well overseas, esp in dark colors.

Take a look at some recent Spanish movies to get more detail.
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 01:50 PM
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Ackislander--Thank you, this is very helpful. What kind of shoes would they wear?
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 06:34 PM
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I agree with the others. I've never even been to Spain(!) but have friends who live in Europe. For dress-up the guys wear slacks, nice shirt, sports jacket, decent shoes or boots. For weekends or casual, jeans, sneakers or boots, plain colored tshirt or pullover, windbreaker. Obviously coats in winter, not in summer.

for shoes - sneakers, sandals, boots, leather lace-up... just depends the occassion. What do you usually wear at home? Probably those are OK.
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Old May 2nd, 2010, 07:08 PM
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The good news: Youthful style in Europe is casual, as in the US.

Point #2: Take washable things. If you can wash stuff, you can cut your packing in half. Cotton = good. Wool = not so practical.

Point #3: Choose the stuff you want to take, then reduce it by 50%. Seriously. See point #2 above.

Point #4: I generally pack only black or black plus one other colour (other than white) for a long trip. That also helps me keep down the number of things I need to take. Try to integrate everything -- you want things that complement, you do NOT want a host of disparate colours and styles.

Finally:
"Boat shoes" and "wingtips".... "button-down shirts".... It all sounds very 1980. You know, "preppie", Definitely NOT a European look.

PS: I can't be categorical but I don't think anyone in Europe wears boat shoes...nor have I worn them, since at least the turn of the century.
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Old May 3rd, 2010, 04:06 AM
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The shoes are tough. If I were 20 and cared how I looked, I would wear one pair over and wait until I got there to buy more.

For casual wear, people, esp young ones, seem to wear "athletic influenced" shoes -- shaped like running shoes but slimmer and a lot less padded, usually in a dark color, often with stripes in the main body color but different textures (say, suede over leather). Do a search on "Mephisto Runoff" to get an idea of what I mean. "Runoff" is a padding system that offers a lot of styles. These cost a lot in the US; they and equivalents are lots cheaper over there.

Sandals seem more popular for guys there than here. I have seen lots of fisherman types, Birkenstocks, and some really weird cloth items that look like the slipons they give you in the hospital.

So again, wait until you get there, though be aware that european shoes are generally a different shape from ours, so you may have to try on quite a few.
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Old May 3rd, 2010, 05:25 AM
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I've posted before that I think the conventional wisdom is, well, wrong.

Shorts and flip-flops are certainly fine during warmer weather. During winter, jeans, jeans and more jeans, and, while the ultra-baggy look is not that popular in Spain or elsewhere in Europe, standard-issue Levis are fine - no need to hunt down super-skinny jeans, but if you have them, feel free to wear them. T-shirts are also quite popular, with Superdry seeming to be especially popular these days.

As to the preppy look, I would note that this look is actually very popular among a certain type of Spaniard. Indeed, Polo, Hilfiger, Henry Lloyd, and Gant are staples on pretty much every main shopping street in Europe. I would think that this would cause you to stand out because you are among students (Spanish students affect dreadlocks and wear Che Guevara t-shirts, too, you know), not because the styles aren't popular in Europe.

As for outerwear, a typical Gore-Tex shell from someone like North Face or Arc'Teryx would be fine. The styles of this sort of thing are pretty universal - only the brands change. North Face for Americans, Peak Performance for Swedes and Danes, Jack Wolfskin for Germans, Haglof for Norwegians, Mammut for the Swiss, etc, etc.

Regarding the backpack, vs messenger bag... Personal preference.

I posted about this company before, but it seems relevant to this thread, too. Here is a very successful Barcelona clothing label aimed at young adults:

http://desigual.com/

Most of the outfits run afoul of the conventional wisdom.
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Old May 3rd, 2010, 09:11 AM
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I just returned from BCN yesterday, and I thought everyone there (tourists and locals) dressed quite casually. Although I think the Catalan/European definition of casual is different and more fashion forward than here is the US. They definitely lean toward slim-fitting styles, not baggy. As for shoes, I kept noticing Chucks everywhere on both males and females. Even at nicer restaurants at night we never saw men in blazers (so glad I decided at the last minute my husband didn't need to pack one.)

cj, I love the idea of a messenger bag instead of a backpack, but I think you should wait and buy it there. It will be a great souvenir that will always remind you of your time there. Tons of youth oriented shops in Barri Gotic and El Born. (Desigual has locations all over town; very cool prints, bright and colorful.)

Have a great time! BCN is so inexpensive in terms of food and alcohol, so should be a great place for a student!
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Old May 8th, 2010, 07:24 PM
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Thank you for all this helpful feedback. I look forward to my semester in Barcelona.
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