Blending in with the locals:)

I am studying abroad in Spain this summer (Universidad de Deusto). Anybody have any advice on typical spanish dress? I don't want to stand out as an American if at all possible:)

Something americans never realise is that you will look american no matter how you dress or what you do

What's more, there is nothing wrong with it You will meet more people and perhaps catch a girlfriend/boyfriend if they realise that you are different.

But to ask your question: We dress in a very similar way. You may fine tune your dressing when you come here, buying some clothes (and asking for advice to a spaniard).

Enjoy the experience!

Fernando

differences are that clothes tend to have a more tailored look, emphasis on flowing color combinations, clean lines, accessories are big. trends/styles come from europe (nyc is the exception) so spain is at the front of what is hot now..check these spanish fashion clothing, shoes, jewelery sites out..i love to shop in spain..its less expensive, high quality and you know what you are buying won't hit the streets in the us for at least a season..or two..and in the case of camper shoes..years!!

Camper

Zara

Mango

Cortefiel

Tous

kelar419 writes: Students wear 'jeans' a lot but the ones sold in Spain have a different cut than U.S. jeans. The Spanish students love the U.S. Levi's. Spanish shoes also tend to be 'dressy' (leather shoes like one would wear with a dress suit). So they also like Reebok's and Nike's, but not the very colorful ones. So, if you're a student and you wear jeans and athletic shoes and a loose fitting golf shirt (no logo) you won't 'stand out.' You will be more conspicuous if you dress up to go to classes (or after school activities). Just dress like you would dress at home.
BTW
These bits of info are directed to the male student.

In bilbao in the summer a lot of young guys wear jeans and surf-style clothes like they do in the states, maybe a few more shirts with collars. The difference might depend on where you are coming from as to your level of "normal" dressing. Also, it wouldn´t be a bad idea to wait and buy clothes in Spain if you were thinking about getting some clothes for the trip. Often clothes are cheaper here or at worst, similarly priced. It is also a cool way to remember your trip when you get back to the states.

I agree...buy clothes in Spain if you can! I still wear a dress I bought at Zara in Spain in 1990, and get compliments EVERY time. The cut is just different enough from what we buy here, and it doesn't even look out of style yet!

If you are going after Christmas you should buy clothes there. Rebajas offers incredible prices on almost all clothes. I bought 3 sweaters, 2 shirts, and two pairs of pants all costing a little over $100.

I think that fitting in is very impotant. A friend of mine(madrilena) told me that I didnt look spanish but european. When I roamed the dtreets of segovia, when I studied there, in baggy jeans and american styles, I was constantly stared at. When I dressed more "european" i seemed to blend in far easier. I also thought it was easier to start conversations.(learning spanish is THE BEST WAY to fit in.

Hope this helps

Haaluegoo
Chris

i suggest to blend in you wear a chulapo or a flamenco dress....this way you wont stand out from the crowd of chulapo wearers....maybe a boina (beret) would look typical. hahahahahaha
seriously........guys some of us will never blend in, but in places such as madrid that does matter an awful lot. there you will see all manner of people from all over the country and the world. gothic types to americans. jeans = dressy shoes even if they aren't exactly new (the shoes) and most likely a dress shirt. football jerseys are cool too.

Thanks for all your relpies-- just some more info-- I am female -- Thanks again!

Sorry, couldn't resist it - this man was really trying to blend in wasn't he? Complete with map and hanky ... not British by any chance do you think??



(Of course I was blending in perfectly, sitting behind him, on the Madrid Vision bus )

Jo

I love it!!! Jo, he's got to be a Briton, we Americans wear the Baseball caps!!! Florida Marlins all the Way!!!

hahahaha this is my old post. reading this thread brought me back to my freshemen year, the first time i was preparing to study in spain and wrote this, asking a zillion questions on this board... then again goin back the second time for sophmore semester...and still asking a zillion questions... and even this last summer working in costa rica, i still found answers on this board! my has college gone fast- im a senior this year, crazy.
Anyways, I suppose better late than never than to thank all of you board members for helping me out all those times, seriously!!!!!!! and dont worry, il be back with a zillion more questions when the time comes for my next little adventure:-)
GRACIAS A TODOS!!!
Kelly

Jo - You made my day! Send this to AF with some ridiculous comment - he will appreciate it beyond a doubt! Only one question - I thought all Brits got sunburned....

"Something americans never realise is that you will look american no matter how you dress or what you do"

whys that?

Due to the way they behave and dress...

It was a joke an american may look almost like a spaniard if he wants to... at least until he opens his/her mouth

Fernando

To blend in, buy your clothing and shoes upon arrival. Go with an empty suitcase. Then, get your haircut in Spain. Lastly, if you wear eyeglasses, bring a prescription and buy there.

Of course, once you open your mouth you may give yourself away as a foreigner. I was often mistaken as someone from Germany because of the accent when I spoke.

When in Spain, I have been known to look at a person's shoes and decide they could speak English or not. The sneakers are the biggest give-away of USA origin. Once I was so exhausted that I wanted to speak with someone from my homeland. She was a easy find because of the footwear.

Quintos........I am originally from South Carolina and have a heavy southern drawl, I work and live in Madrid, and it always amazes me that when I speak Spanish(I am by no means fluent yet) they laugh and talk to me in English. They know I am American from the way I talk.