Ropa Española

Ropa ( clothing) here en España is un poco diferente que ropa en Los Estados Unidos. Especially here in Adalucia (the south Spain) where Granada is situated. After traveling to Madrid this past fin de semana (weekend), a more international city located at the heart of Spain, my gap of how Spainards dress and how Americans dress was lessened. However, because our programa es en Andalucia en Granada, granadinos tend to dress up more than Americans on average. Sweatpants, white socks and sandals, and sports clothing are worn in the house, while working out, or once you have reached 80 and thus the right to wear whatever you please. On the other hand, I would say that the older the granadino, the more style they sport. Some trends that I have picked up on first are pastel jeans, jean jackets, closed toed summer shoes, and sheer light "frescito" tops. Something also unique to Spain is that household members have chanclas ( flip flops) or zapatos para la casa ( house shoes). It is seen as odd to walk barefoot in the house and families sport their comfy shoes and generally more relaxed clothing while in the comfort of the walls of their apartmentos o casas.

Madrid clothing in front of a Coca-Cola protest

Fellow guiris ( tourists) at la Plaza del Sol en Madrid

Bachelorette part in Seville, flamenco dresses

Flamenco dress shop in Granada

Above are depictions that I noticed in Madrid, among the plethora of guiris ( tourists) like myself. I would say that in Madrid due to the influx of international residents and visitors, people in las calles (streets) tend to dress fairly similarly as those do in the U.S., however jeans, long pastel pants, and closed toed shoes are much more common during the summer months. However, in both Madrid and here in Granada ( or Grana, how locals pronounce the city) baseball cap and tennis shoes are tourist telescopes. As well, above are classic Adalucian dresses, Flamenco dresses ( a type of dance, song, and culture of southern Spain). These dresses are worn for festivals, parties, or for partaking in Flamenco and not worn daily, however they are a unique and special type of ropa housed in Spain. Below is an example of a typical outfit I see on my walks to class, tapas, and throughout Granada. Bright colors are common in the summer months, as we are entering verano, and generally nicer material and nicer shoes are worn daily. As our program director stated on day one spaniards dress up for events and going out, and going to class, work, or meeting with friends is classified as such.

All in all, I would say that the conglomeration of spainard ropa is vast and diverse however, on average I would say that they dress up more frequently and are more conscious of their appearance and quality of clothing than Americans ( especially myself). I look forward to coming back to the states and noticing the difference in culture from the other end as well.

Hasta luego mis amigos,

Grettie