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?

Oh yeah. Capris are *the* thing to wear now in Madrid. Following on the jeans thread though, I do notice that most women here tend towards very sexy, tight capris and that they are not "sporty" but rather stylish.

picara, wishing I had more money and more shopping time. sigh. :p

I still haven´t figured out how the women pour themselves into those tight jeans and then feel comfortable walking around in spikey heels, in the heat, on cobblestoned streets. And then climb up on those bar stools to have tapas? Screams uncomfortable to me. Oh well.

Yes, Zara would be the place to go shopping if you are a US women´s size 10 or smaller. If not, try El Corte Inglés.

I am LOVING the shopping here in Spain...Especially ZARA!!!!! However, when I first got here, I felt like I stood out in my "American" jeans. I have since bought jeans from Zara, Mango, Truco (they do kind of have the "painted" thing going on, they are a blend of cotton, plus some spandex like material)...they just somehow "look" more formal than your basic Levis. I have found with a pair of "Spanish" jeans, decent black dress shoes, a funky belt and "nicer" shirt (aka- NOT a t-shirt), I fit right in! Have fun

I thought that the original subject line, Jeans appropriate in Spain was pretty funny. Of course, jeans are totally international!!!! But it's definitely the BRAND, the WAY YOU WEAR THEM, and THE STYLE. i.e. how baggy as previous posters including MM mentioning his ladyfriend trying on US jeans saying they were too baggy. This is my take on Spanish ladies and their jeans..see if you fit in: (by the way, I consider myself to be a fashion plate..I was born to shop, and consider it a high priority on any trip!!

Here in Canada we are pretty conservative and if we try on a pair of jeans, that shows a bulge or a body part protruding out too much, we are not likely to buy them. BUT then spanish ladies, I find are alot like the Mexicans in fashion. REGARDLESS of their shape or size, they squeeze into their tight fitting, low slung, hip fitting jeans so they are so skin tight, you couldn't grab an inch of fabric if you tried.

I really feel that the Spanish are not as fixated on looks as we are. They don't starve themselves to look good. They accept the body they have and wear whatever fashion comes in, although it may not even suit them in our mind. They definitely dress more sexy and chic then us North Americans.

I found Zara a very trendy reasonably priced store and they are everywhere. If you're there for a few days, why not take some time to pick out a pair of jeans from the many trendy stores around the city. And when you bring them back home, you'll always be a season or 2, or 3 ahead and be the fashion leader.

And about that statement regarding shorts in October hahaha!! I'm glad she passed on that thought real quickly. Firstly, yes you'll definitely look like a tourist. I went in May and it wasn't that hot. Stick with the dresses, casual pants / capris, jeans idea.

Yes I'm aware jeans are international ; ) But if you look at all the message boards out there, some of which contradict each other incidentally, you begin to wonder just what you're supposed to wear. The only universal no-no's seem to be white sneakers, shorts, baseball hat's in restaurants, fanny packs, and T-shirts. That leaves a whole lot of gray area. What's a tourist to do? Of course we want to blend in and respect the culture; that's why this board has been great.
Thanks a lot everybody : )
Suzy

Suzy - as another poster said - Spanish women - like the French/Italian, etc. - i.e., continental European women just to seem to have an extremely well-developed flair for looking "right". Reading some of the above comments I can see where you might get confused - as in "painted on". Because I've spent a lot of time in Spain, I understand exactly what other board members are saying - but based on words alone - it can be really misleading. Pick up a copy (or browse in your favorite bookstore) of a European edition of a fashion magazine - that should give you some guidelines. Accessories can do wonders- example: many women in Madrid wear scarfs.

Most important and so often said - common sense your best guideline - Have a super trip!

Puna thanks! That's a great idea! I'll have to get down to Barnes and Noble!
Gracias!