Fashion in Spain is distinct from that in the United States for a major reason: people actually care. This means no sweats, work out gear, or tennis shoes UNLESS you are actually going to the gym! Actually, the fashion in Spain is one of my favorite parts of daily Spanish life. I appreciate seeing los Granadinos in the streets looking very "put together" - a concept that I myself struggle with. There is something about Spanish street style that is trendy, classic, yet somewhat effortless. Most people in Granada always have perfectly coiffed hair too (while I barely remember to brush my hair in the morning...oops). However, I think the most important accessory that los Granadinos have is their energy and love for life, which create an aura that cannot be recreated anywhere else.
After traveling to Barcelona this past weekend, I noticed that although the fashion is similar - the people in Barcelona were more exposed to Western fashion and took more risks with their fashion. Just like in any metropolitan area, there was a wide variety of fashion in Barcelona. I can definitely say, however, that Granadinos are more preppy than Catalonians!!
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| More typical in Barcelona: these are classic jeans and top looks but with added "flair" that turn the classic look into something so cute and trendy |
I would say that on a daily basis, Spanish women usually wear jeans even though its super hot outside! The classic jeans and top look somehow seems 100% more fashionable in Spain than in the US because of the way the Spaniards dress up their looks. I noticed this trend in both Barcelona and Granada. I admit it, I definitely spent a few consecutive days in Zara trying to find cute outfits that mirrored those worn by locals (and bought 2 new pairs of jeans in the process), and I realized that its what the Spanish women wear with jeans that make them look so trendy. Shoes-wise, sandals are very popular in summer, but so are converse, and even heels. How the women can rock heels all day beats me - but they do it for the fashion!
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| My new jacket from Zara (I'm trying to fit in with the locals!!) |
In the US, most people choose to wear leggings or sweats on a daily basis - a very "comfortable" look that is not very fashionable. Americans, I feel, are always looking for something that is comfortable and easy before it is cute and fashionable (unless you are a celebrity). During the summer, young women wear super short shorts, skirts, or dresses with crop tops - the "festival" fashion. During the school year, I notice many students wearing leggings, sweatshirts, converse, or some variation of clothing that is quick with little hassle - I mean, we are students after all and fashion does not take priority! A big difference here in Spain, however, is that women opt for a more classy and trendy "fashionable" while young women in the US interpret "fashionable" way differently. The students that I see around our classroom in Granada interpret fashion in a more "grungy" way (I often people watch on my way to class and notice the University of Granada students taking a smoke break outside, wearing their grunge). Somehow, even this type of fashion makes me love Spanish street style even more! I would say, however, that young Americans and young Spaniards do have similar "going out" clothing, however, Spaniards like to dress up a bit more for the discotecas.
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Me in Ann Arbor - flannel and leggings
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| Me in Granada - LBD!! |
It is definitely quite easy to spot the "guiris" - a colloquial term used by Spaniards to call foreigners - because of the way they dress and act. Of course, my first few days in Granada I acted like a guiri, always holding my map to try to figure out where I was going. However, in major Spanish cities, guiris and tourists are EVERYWHERE. Thankfully, Granada is not a major tourist hub, like Barcelona is, otherwise I might go crazy. But often tourists dress so unlike the fashion of the country they are in and they resist looking fashionable in favor of being comfortable. I completely understand this feeling, but I feel like "when in Spain, do as the Spaniards do" is pretty applicable here.
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| Guiris outside La Boquería in Barcelona (a huge tourist hub) |
Living in Andalucía, I have noticed the extremely preppy clothing of the men and the beautiful dresses the women wear during Corpus Cristi and La Feria. I actually LOVE the preppy outfits that Andalucian men wear because it looks like they put in the time and effort to dress nicely. The dresses the women wear during Corpus Cristi are also so beautiful and a bit excessive but they don't wear them every day!
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| La Tarasca during Corpus Cristi models the latest "fashion" - but actually, the dresses are usually very ugly! |
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| Rafael from Sevilla in the film Ocho Apellidos Vascos |
What I have described mainly applies to what fashion I see women in Spain wearing. So far, I love it and can't wait to look into other Spanish stores such as Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti, or Blanco (to name just a few brands I see on the streets of Granada!)!!
Besos,
Niyati
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