Hi everyone! My husband and I are going to Spain for the first time in October...and we are VERY excited. I'm aware that the dress code is not as casual as the USA; I'm not planning on even packing a pair of shorts. However, can we get away with nice jeans at times? I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb!
Thanks so much!
Suzy

Hi Girlshark,
I wore jeans when I was out there last year, but it was my first trip to Spain. I didn't get any strange looks, but I probably had "tourist" plastered all over me.

When I was in Madrid last summer, my Spanish friends was wearing jeans (even at work - teachers). So I don’t think you will feel strange with jeans on. But it might be different on the country side???
Hilde

Spaniards seem to know how to make jeans DRESSY whereas we "Americans" "compliment" them with a T-shirt and white tennis shoes. Spaniards most often wear jeans, at least the men, with a sport jacket or long-sleeved button-down shirt (even in the summer) and always with nice leather shoes (black) and a black belt.

As for women, you'll always see lots of jeans on women. But chances are, these jeans will appear "painted on" (i.e. VERY VERY TIGHT :p ) as is the custom/fashion in Spain now.

My ladyfriend from Madrid comes to visit me here in Columbus, Ohio, USA most summers and she often buys Levi's (they're still just a little cheaper here than there in Spain) and when she tries on her size she always asks, "Don't you think these look a little loose??" Also, it seems difficult to find a pair of women's Levi's here in the USA to FIT SNUGLY. Seems the makers now only/mainly manufacture the "loose fit" jeans for men and women.. guess they know we "NEED" the extra space. In Spain, even the men's jeans fit much more snugly than those worn in the USA, but they aren't "painted on" as for women.

So YES! Wear your jeans, but wear them "smartly".

Saludos, MadridMan

I don't think so...

I have a pair of Levi's 501 hanging in my closet. Jeans are common in Spain, though not as much as in the US, but I think that the same as in other european countries as UK and Norway.

No problem, unless you want to go to a more selected environment.

Fernando

Suzie -you might want to pick up your jeans in Madrid - Zara is all over - the the jeans fit great - last and last without that "baggying" affect that Gap jeans seem to suffer from. Prices are reasonable (unless this has changed in that last 12 months - pim/chica/etc.????)

I agree with MM...but I want to know what's wrong with "painted on" denim???

I noticed that the denim w/sport coat w/dress shoes style hasn't changed one iota since the late '80s, when I first saw it.

To me that's not super fashionable, but it is something that you can expect to see with regularity.

CaliBasco [Who is also "not super fashionable" but never complements his jeans with a t-shirt and white tennis shoes]

Thanks for all the info guys! My husband was in Germany last year and said he could tell the tourists by thier blinding white sneakers...ha ha. So I'll definitely go sneakerless, and i'll find my most "paintable" jeans ; )
thanks a lot !
Suzy

Girlshark, there's a long, informative thread from last year entitled " Jeans to wear or not. " which you'll find useful as well, I'm sure. Have fun "in the paint"! :p

Saludos, MadridMan

Do women wear capris in Spain? I was planning on bringing a couple pairs, but don't want to stand out too much. Is it too hot for jeans now (Late June) or will they be OK to bring?