One of the best ways to experience a city like Barcelona is to leave your personal style at home and blend in as one of the locals. You do not want to be an obvious tourist.
Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean that you have to respect a specific fashion style and you have to wear the stereotypical Spanish dress. It just means that people in Barcelona usually dress in a specific way at different times of the year. If you can replicate that, you automatically become a part of the local crowd, even when you are on private tours in Barcelona.
The Most Important Thing When Blending In
People in Barcelona are quite forward thinking and you can definitely see numerous different styles and clothes. However, the truth is that modesty is valued and Catalans do usually dress conservatively. The older generations wear clothes that have conservative and muted colors. Younger generations wear clothes that are semi-casual, like t-shirts and jeans, combined with sandals or comfortable shoes.
Catalans do care a lot about personal image and appearance. Different clothes varieties will be present but overly casual clothes are not worn. People just love to look really good and appreciate designer clothes, but what they like the most is fitting and quality. Great quality clothes are available all around Barcelona at reasonable prices.
Fabric Type
Material type is usually important in regards to fabric weight. Because of the fact that the weather is usually hot, clothes are normally made out of fabrics that are lightweight and breathable. It is always a good idea to buy clothes that feel cool and light to wear, all while getting the right sun protection.
Seasonal Clothes
Most tourists visit during summer months so lighter clothes are often preferred. However, what is usually not known is that specific colors are preferred. When you go to tour Girona Figueres or other popular attractions, tourists often stand out because they do wear clothes with colors that attract heat. You want to choose lighter colors to keep your clothes cool. During winter, autumnal-type colors are preferred.
You may want to avoid jeans if they are heavy. If you absolutely want to wear a pair of jeans, the best thing you can do is to buy them in the city since fabric is lighter and prices are highly affordable. Basically, locals want to be comfortable and you want to take a page out of that book when visiting.
Based on season, you may also want to know the following:
- Winter – Months are cooler so heavier denims can be worn. A jacket and some warmer clothes are recommended. Although not much rain hits Barcelona, light-weight jackets that are waterproof are a good idea, together with the umbrella.
- Spring – Although the weather is warmer, it is still a little cool. You have to be ready for both cool weather and warmer sunny days.
- Summer – Barcelona is humid and hot during summer. During August, humidity is at its maximum. Light-weight fabrics are preferred and you should go for lighter colors. Darker colored clothes should be reserved for evenings.
- Autumn – Similarly to spring, weather becomes cooler so you have to be ready with some clothes to deal with cooler days.
Some General Things To Remember
Barcelona is quite bohemian and cosmopolitan but there are still some things that you should be aware of:
- Light-weight fabrics are great between May and September.
- Heavy cotton denims that are popular in USA, Canada and Northern Europe should be avoided during the summer months.
- Lighter colored clothes are great during summer.
- Always respect religion. If you want to visit a church in Barcelona, you do not want to be scantily dressed or wear shorts.
- When going for supper, you want to dress up a little. Although you are not usually turned away when casually dressed, you do not want to stand out.
- When in the city, do not wear casual shorts. These are better reserved for a day out at the beach. If you wear shorts, you are automatically labeled as a tourist. The locals do sometimes wear shorts but they are mostly conservative.
- Check out local shops in order to see what is currently on sale. This allows you to quickly see what fabrics and styles are preferred when you go to Barcelona.
- Never wear bumbags.
- When visiting the city center, avoid mini skirts, shorts, bikinis and strappy tops.
- Fitted styled clothes are always recommended because Catalans do fit their clothes really well.
- Avoid garish colored, bright clothes. Catalans generally prefer autumnal, muted colors. Going for burgundy, yellow ochre and green is usually a safe bet.
- Catalans do love shoes so be sure that you wear a pair that matches the rest of the outfit.
As you can see, there are many different things that are common sense when it comes to blending in as you visit Barcelona. The tips above will help you to feel like the locals.
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