I'm leaving for Madrid in 4 days and will be travelling throughout Andalucia as well. I'm having difficulties choosing what to bring to wear. I very much would like to blend in without going to extremes.

Is there a particular type of pants and shirts a typical man would wear during the day? Also, can I get away with wearing nicer leather sandals?

Hi, Andalusia is pretty accustomed to receiving tourist, so you really shouldn't worry about blending in.

The weather is usually quite hot, maybe a little chilly in the early morning and late afternoon until the summer hits. Short sleeve shirts, polos and shorts are fine, jeans, slacks (chinos) are also.

Casual wear is acceptable everywhere, and if you plan to wine and dine at nite a little bit of formal wear might come in handy, depending of course of what type of restaurant you plan to visit.

The sandals are no problem, but....... if you can wear them without the socks.....much better, hehe...

But if your trip is short, don't give it too much thought, just some comfortable clothes that you will fell free to move in while you enjoy your stay.

Have fun

The reasons why I want to blend in are as follows: First, to show respect for the people of the country and, two, to be treated better by them. I know I won't have a problem wearing what Albert proposed, but I would love to look like a local who is showing his cousin from America (that will be my wife, hehehe) around.

Yaron

Hey Yaron,

Nobody is going to think your disrespectful just because you have your own dress code. Please keep in mind that Europe is constantly bombed with publicity stating that the cloth sold here are actual US trends, and in the states, it's vice versa.

I still remember when I bought all my cloth to move to spain and when I got here, I realized nobody recognized my brands!! Because they don't sell them here!!!

So it really doesn't make a difference, just as long as you are well groomed, your cloths are clean, and well mannered or polite, people will respect you here in spain and just about anywhere.

I'm pretty sure that if you want to impress family members, it's not going to be because of your cloth, it's going to be on how you treat others, your manners and your level of etiquette, your behavior, ect ect.

So don't worry too much on what to wear, just use common sense, that'll get you through.

Have fun and enjoy your trip

I guess what you are saying is that as long as I was polite, nobody would care that I was wearing jeans shorts, tank top, and sandals with socks, right?

Thanks for your advice.

haha!!! more or less...

just make sure not to wear white socks and should be fine!

i'm going to madrid for 9 days in june but i'm only taking a carry-on bag. i budgeted for buying clothes every few days. my college age friends who've been to spain before recommend zara. any other stores i should check out?

Temperatures are nice and warm right now in Andalucia and you may find this archived info helpful, or maybe you won't! :p It made me laugh anyway looking back at it! Have a great trip. maestroyaron!

shopping in spain? heheheh

well, ive not been there yet but in 2 weeks, i will. I am looking forward to ZARA, MANGO, PRADA and CAMPERS.... woohooo

these are brand names but i got a feeling that there are some other really cool unique smaller 2nd-hands stores which will be appealing too waiting for me.

oh my god - forgot all about this discussion - LOL
http://www.madridman.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000079&p=

Think it was visions of numrerous board members in speedos let alone the some of the other comments -

And, please do leave white socks - and any socks with sandals - at home .....

There are quite a number of nice "good value" brands popping up everywhere. One of my favorite is Massimo Dutti. You can also find some cheap buys at Springfield, and if you have a chance to visit the suburbs, you'll find that there are a number of brand outlets becoming popular too.

If you plan on walking in Sevilla, try to find a pair of lightweight cork-soled sandals (w/thick cork soles). They could save you from getting the soles of your feet burned: the pavement gets very hot!

I was in Madrid during April, and most guys I saw wore black or tan pants with button down shirts. Because it was unusually cold, they wore jackets as well, but you shouldn't have that problem...When I was in southern Spain last summer, I didn't notice many shorts or tank tops on guys. Usually khaki pants with dressy t-shirts. Have fun!

I just came back from 9 days in Spain. My first and foremost advice would have to do with shoes. If you are planning to walk a lot (which I think is the best way to get to know any place you to go) make sure to wear solid shoes with a good, thick sole. This is important because you will be walking on lots and lots of cobblestones of various sizes in most of the older neighborhoods and tourist attractions outside madrid. After 4 days of walking on cobblestones with my sandles I was starting to curse at them - they really wear down the bottom of your feet.

Yaron

Just stay away from any store that says "Todo por 0,99 euros" or anything similar on the outside.

Years ago I like Cortefiel, but frankly I don't even know if they're still as big [or even in business!] as they used to be.

Regarding shoes, do they still sell "Paredes" there? I remember all the little Hessian kids getting them. They must've made a mint in Barakaldo alone.