Street Style Spanish Fashion: Here’s What to Wear in Spain for Tourists
Traveling to Spain and don’t want to sound the tourist alarm? Everyday street fashion in Spain obviously changes with the seasons, but there are some staples and basic fashion etiquette that each of the largest tourist destinations follows.Here’s a quick look at fashion in Spain today by popular destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville / Granada, and the Basque Country, followed by a list of what not to wear in Spain as a tourist. Look like a local by following our advice.
What to Wear in Spain: Madrid
Wondering what to wear in Madrid, Spain’s bustling capital?
Madrid is well-known for its expansive parks and gorgeous artwork. The tourist attraction that garners the most amount of foot traffic is the Plaza Mayor, with over 6 million tourists every year, just in Madrid.
The style in Madrid varies from bohemian chic (usually the 20-30 year-olds) to fancy or “pijo/a” (preppy in Spanish).
Fashion for Women in Madrid
For women, polka dots, colorful sundresses dresses, and espadrilles are hot in the summer, with jean skirts making a comeback from the 90s. Black coats, boots, and jeans are dominant in the winter looks.
Fashion for Men in Madrid
For men, black, white and grey t-shirts and button-downs are staples with jeans or black pants and a nice watch.For both men and women, white kicks and Vans (or other comparable sliders) are very popular, but you’ll never see flip flops in Madrid.
One thing is for certain when it comes to the dress code in Madrid:Fashion is ruled by the season. Even if it’s hot in winter, you won’t see people in shorts. That’s démodé.
This illustrious city isthe capital of Catalonia, a proud pro-independence region with a rich history, gorgeous architecture, and amazing wine.
Barcelona is very well established in Spain as thefashioncity. This reputation was edified in the very popular Spanish movie (Ocho Apellidos Catalanes, 8 Catalan Last Names), in which they joke about how well-dressed andpreppy the peopleare in the streets of Barcelona.
There is not a particularly wide gamut of styles – the style ranges from slick-looking button-downs, long sleeves, pants, and chic accessories.
Fashion for Women in Barcelona
For women, pants, button-downs, jackets, and sweaters are definitely the norm. Colors don’t stray all that far from white, beige, light blue and black. Women also load up on accessories: classy, dainty necklaces, small handbags, hats, and sunglasses are very common.
Fashion for Men in Barcelona
Men often wear T-shirts, button-downs, and black pants. A casual look for men from Catalonia would be slim jean shorts (or jorts).
Again, for both men and women, white sneakers and Converse are still in.
Tourist Fashion Tip #2:
Even though you might feel like you are at the beach, wearing shorts and flip flops with socks will definitely send signals that you are a tourist in town.
In Seville and Granada, Andalusia’s most visited cities, the charming Moorish influence draws millions of tourists every year to ogle the impressive architecture and colorful tiles. It’s also the home of flamenco, the most passionate and seductive dance in the world (according to Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory).
Spain is generally conservative when it comes to clothing and culture (politics aside), thus even in hotter weather, the dress code tends to lean towards billowy pants, longer skirts, and nothing too flashy.
Fashion for Women in Seville / Granada
In the South of Spain, the climate is HOT. Women often wear cotton or linen clothing that is flowy and colorful. Red and orange hues dominate the color palette, and white tops or skirts help keep cool in the raging heat of the summer.
Spanish Fashion for Men in Seville / Granada
Men often wear shorts in the summer (not basketball shorts, but European style shorts, which are shorter and slimmer than American shorts) with simple cotton T-shirts. The more fashionable men will rock short-sleeve button-ups with a colorful pattern.
Tourist Fashion Tip #3:
Since linen is impossible to not wrinkle while traveling, bring long, cotton skirts. They are even more comfortable when walking around than shorts and will still keep you relatively cool.
For men, if you can’t find fashionable shorts at home, you can buy a cheap pair of black shorts (European style) that double as swimwear in Primark or H&M when you get to Europe.
What to Wear in Spain:Basque Country
Because of the tumultuous Spanish history, there are many regions in Spain that are pro-independence, meaning they want to secede from the nation, like Catalonia. The Basque country (Euskadi) is one of them.
Euskera(the language spoken in the region and still taught in some schools) is one of the few European languages that does not have Indo-European roots. Common Euskera names differ from Maria and Ana to Arantxa, Iñaki, and Nekane (try saying that three times fast)
Walking through the streets of Navarra, tourists see graffiti everywhere saying “This is Basque Country – Not Spain”. The culture definitely has its own style and fashion.
Fashion for Men & Women in the Basque Country
It’s very common to spot the old punk style on the streets. Unlike the economic powerhouses of Barcelona or Madrid, you’ll spot the townspeople sitting on the ground, throwing back some beers with their purple hair and short, edgy bangs. Classic fashion items include a plaid scarf, short sleeves, and earrings.
Here are some classic scenes from the Spanish cult classicOcho Apellidos Bascos(8 Basque Last Names), based in the Basque country.
Fashion for Women in the Basque Country
There are, of course, exceptions to this trend. Some Basque fashion influencers rival those of the big cities but still remain a bit more punk and retro.
Tourist Travel Tip #4:
For a trip to the Basque country, feel free to pack more casual clothes and T-shirts. One pair of Converse or Vans should be good for the whole trip. You might have to dye your hair and get a cool name like Irati to fit in though!
What Not to Wear in Spain
Similar to many other European countries, Spaniards dress more conservatively. Think pants, long skirts, collared shirts. These rules apply to both men and women.
If you don’t want to be seen as a tourist, avoid the following items:
Extremely short mini skirts/shorts
Shirts that show excessive skin (chest or back)
Flip flops
Sport tennis shoes that are meant for the gym
Leggings
Flashy colors or patterns
Excessive makeup
Basketball shorts
Baseball caps
Cargo shorts
Now That You Look Good, Here’s How Not to Sound Like a Tourist in Spain
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Our advice would be to save your shorts and sarong for the beach; wearing them elsewhere will label you as a tourist. Also, skimpy or tight-fitting clothes may result in unwanted attention. A loose cotton shirt makes a great cover-up over swimwear and looks equally good away from the beach too.
Baggy shirts and shorts just won't cut it in Spain. Quality and cut are key to mastering the Spanish style, with locals choosing high-quality fabrics and fitted ensembles. Keep it classy. As a rule of thumb, the Spanish tend to avoid mini-skirts or skimpy outfits, and swimwear is usually reserved for the beach.
Dressing for the Mediterranean Climate. You'll find that most Spanish people tend to dress up a little more than the average American. You will see young men wearing jeans and t-shirts or soccer jerseys, but you'll also see a lot of people in nice pants and nice shoes.
For the cooler fall and winter months, Spanish women wear pants and jeans.In the fall and winter months, a typical outfit for a Spanish male can consist of woolen pants or jeans, with button-down shirts topped with a sweater, and dress shoes or sneakers.
Unless you're visiting an island resort, you should avoid wearing tank tops, baggy shirts, shorts, and other overly relaxed clothing. Wearing athletic garments from head to toe is also a big no-no. If you want to fit in, it's advisable to elevate your casual outfits so that you'll look nicer and smarter.
Sun dresses, shorts, tank tops and even crop tops are perfectly acceptable ways to dress throughout Spain. If you plan on going into any museums or churches, just be sure your stomach and shoulders are covered so as not to offend. The evening brings a reprise from the heat, but you still won't need any pants.
Long, thick, brunette hair is characteristic of beautiful Spanish women, as well as natural and subtle makeup that emphasizes dark, sultry eyes. You won't see Spanish women hitting the streets in sweatpants, sans makeup, like we do in much of America!
One thing to keep in mind is packing shoes for the nightlife! The Spain dress code for a night involves dressing up! You'll see heels, nice sandals, dress shoes, loafers, leather shoes or nice sneakers. Whether you're visiting a club or bar you can't go wrong dressing up.
Most traditional Spanish clothing is reserved for special events and celebrations. The most common pieces, still used today, include: the mantilla, the peineta, and the gilet. - The mantilla is a traditional Spanish veil piece that is often worn during religious celebrations such as Spanish weddings.
Spanish people have the typical Mediterranean look, with brunette hair, light brown skin, and aquiline noses. One of their standout features is their amber eyes, a rare color appearing in only about 5% of the global population.
Spain is generally conservative when it comes to clothing and culture (politics aside), thus even in hotter weather, the dress code tends to lean towards billowy pants, longer skirts, and nothing too flashy.
They are not a huge part of European fashion and are normally only used for exercise or going to the gym. So If you want to wear leggings during your trip, I would say it totally depends. If you are planning to walk or do something active, they are perfectly acceptable.
Wearing jeans that are too distressed are considered inappropriate unless you are going to a night club. One or two rips is fine, but stay away from extremely tattered jeans. Also remember that jean shorts are not normal here, even when it's hot so save those for the States.
The most common is usually a t-shirt or shirt, with a pair of trousers. But a skirt or a dress is something that you will also see a lot, especially in the summer season. As for footwear, we usually wear shoes, sneakers, sandals if it's summer or winter, and a good pair of boots.
Spaniards don't wear shorts or sneakers for anything other than sports, so if you aren't planning on working out, leave these at home. Light fabric pants, capris, skirts, dresses are all fine for summer.
Starting today, February 7, citizens, as well as travellers visiting Spain, will no longer be required to wear a face mask on public transport as such a requirement has been officially lifted.
Go big on top, narrow on bottom. If you like the idea of belly camouflage but want to show some shape too, let opposites attract. Pair any full-cut top, blouse, jacket or tunic with a slim base of trim pants, leggings or straight or skinny jeans (here's where the latter come in handy even if you no longer love them).
The United States established diplomatic relations with Spain in 1783. Spain and the United States are close allies and have excellent relations based on shared democratic values, including the promotion of democracy and human rights.
Men. Long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, cardigans, and hoodies are all a go! Men wear scarves mostly if it's necessary i.e. it's cold!, so you'll see fewer male scarf-wearers in the spring. It's more acceptable for men to wear more fitted tops and bottoms, and not so baggy like American men wear their clothes.
There are vast regional differences and variations in hair type and eye colour. Fair skin, blue and green eyes, light brown, blond and even red hair is common in many regions.
The majority of Spaniards have light to olive skin, light to dark brown hair, and brown eyes. Some Spaniards have blond or red hair, blue or green eyes, and pale skin. Some have pale skin, dark hair and green eyes.
In Spain, people greet each other and say goodbye with a kiss on each cheek. Don't be mistaken - these aren't wet, sloppy kisses! In fact, these aren't really proper kisses at all. People usually touch their right cheeks together and make a kissing sound, then repeat the process on the left side.
Clothes. Pack lots of casual, lightweight clothes plus a few cardigans and a jacket. In the summer, the temperature in most of Spain is scorching hot and dry during the day then breezy and slightly cool at night. Given that, you will want to pack mostly shorts, summer dresses, skirts, tank tops, and short-sleeve tops.
There is so much to see in Barcelona, and whilst it's a city that can be explored on foot there are some long walking distances between the major sites. Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime, and smart flats would be more in keeping that sneakers – try Hotter shoes, for total comfort along with style.
But without a doubt, the MOST famous Spanish costume that references Spanish culture worldwide is the flamenco dress known as “Traje de Flamenca” or “Traje de Gitana.” It's a dress you will see in many Andalusian fairs.
Amber. Amber eyes, which have slightly more melanin than hazel eyes but not as much as brown eyes, account for about 5% of the world's population. People of Asian, Spanish, South American, and South African descent are most likely to have amber eyes.
1 A Light Breakfast First Thing – Highly Likely at 8am
Remember if you work here, there is very little of the 9-5 timetable in Spain. The working day is either 8am-3pm or else 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm. Even if you are on holiday, these times will impact on your day typical day in Spain – so pen them down somewhere.
Spanish people tend to be extrovert and friendly as is typical in Mediterranean culture and they place modesty and personality foremost to professional or business success.
Jeans are always popular and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Wear them with cool layers such as camisoles or a t-shirt for the summer, or warmer ones e.g. a long-sleeved shirt and jumper in the winter. However when the summer temperature heats over 40C you may want to opt for a lighter weight fabric.
Wear things you feel comfortable in. Jeans, especially skinny jeans, are worn by many Europeans, but they don't make for great travel pants, as they take very long to dry. Build a European Fashion capsule wardrobe for your trip with pieces that you can layer and mix and match and wear with each other.
You don't have to ever stop wearing ripped jeans. You can wear ripped jeans over 50, ripped jeans over 60, and even ripped jeans over 70 – you just need to be aware of the number of rips. Make sure you look appropriate for your age and that you're not trying to look 20 or 30 years young!
Although Barcelona is coastal, you won't see locals wearing short shorts or flip-flops around the city. It can be tempting to wear skimpier clothing like tank tops and mini skirts, especially in the summer months, but it will definitely make you look like an obvious tourist.
You will need light-weight fabric clothing that is preferably light in colour during the day. During the evening you can wear darker coloured clothing if you want. The weather can be pleasant and sunny during this time, but it is becoming cooler - especially in November.
Casual is basically a non-dress code, and you can wear comfortable clothing. For Him: Think Homer Simpson. Tee shirt, jeans and sneakers are appropriate. You may also opt to step it up a notch with khakis, cargos, a polo shirt or henley and still fit in just fine.
You won't necessarily be turned away if you're dressed casually, however, an evening out in Barcelona generally means you should be looking good and well dressed. Avoid wearing casual shorts in the city, save them for the beach, wearing them elsewhere will generally label you as a tourist.
When deciding what to wear in Spain, pack at least a pair of jeans and a pair of thick leggings. If you plan to explore the north of Spain where some of the most fantastic cities are – like Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Asturias you may even want to layer your leggings underneath your jeans.
Men often wear shorts in the summer (not basketball shorts, but European style shorts, which are shorter and slimmer than American shorts) with simple cotton T-shirts.
Throughout Spain the locals really care about their personal appearance, and Barcelona is no different. On the whole they dress smartly and make an effort when they go out in public. Jeans are very popular here – but make sure they are smart and clean.
The reality is that driving shirtless can actually land you with a fine if the traffic officers believe that it may be impeding your driving, and since the law stipulates that any action which poses a distraction or risk to either passenger or driver may be sanctioned, wearing flip-flops and going without a shirt could ...
Wearing jeans that are too distressed are considered inappropriate unless you are going to a night club. One or two rips is fine, but stay away from extremely tattered jeans. Also remember that jean shorts are not normal here, even when it's hot so save those for the States.
First, don't dress like a tourist. Wearing a fanny pack, a backpack, or clothing that references America, are prime examples of what not to wear while traveling in Europe. To not stand out as a tourist, wear what the locals wear--- neutral colors, scarves, and layers.
Europeans tend to dress up a bit more than Americans and they prefer a sleeker and more fitted look. Shorts, oversize styles and athletic wear like sweatpants and T-shirts are not acceptable to wear out in public. Think tailored, classic, and neutral and you can't go wrong.
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