How can I dress like a Spanish person?

[OptimismvsRealism]

Going there for a bit (Andalusia) and I'd like to not look like a big fat Brit even though that's what I am. I have a lot of stuff from Zara but fear I still wear it Britishly.

Are you Spanish or Spanish passing? Is there anything you'd recommend doing or avoiding?

I don’t think your issue is British vs Spanish, I think it might be more how you dress and what you like. I don’t understand how you can wear things in a British way? Are you wearing it with pearls and a twinset?

Spanish people, like British people (and German, French, Portuguese, etc.), don’t dress in a uniform way. Unless you’re thinking more flamenco dress?

What do you like to wear, and what bits of your outfit do you think would make you feel uncomfortable in Southern Spain? It’s warmer there than the UK this time of year, so bear that in mind.

I wear trainers usually because I like to walk and I wonder if that's a bit unchic but then loads of Spanish people wear them too!

Also dresses which maybe are a bit shapeless

Maybe it's more my total lack of tan and big pink cheeks that are the problem :(

I'm literally sitting here with my Spanish MIL, who says she thinks you're bonkers! 😁

I'm Irish and I'd love to see you visit my country, just to see if you'd turn up looking like a Leprechaun 👀

Most people like to celebrate diversity! Nobody is going to judge you for not having olive skin. Don’t feel like you have to fit in, embrace your individuality. Wouldn’t you find it weird if people from other countries dressed up in tweed and wellies to visit the UK?

Or Morris Dancers! 😁

Just have a spray tan before you go and wear whatever you like

I have visions of you in a flamenco dress 😊

Thankfully, as far as I'm aware, there's not one typical style, unlike the mythical Parisian woman who doesn't exist, but many on here would disagree. Just wear clothes you love and have a great time.

My husbands spanish we're in andalusia now. You can absolutely tell the British v spain most of the time hense waiters know what language to speak before you say anything. Not in a bad way but a different way. There's definitely a spanish pijo/ posh Conservative way that some women dress. Quite similar to Italian posh - especially for middle aged and older women and very spanish short hair which looks glamorous here but I think would look dated in england on most women but I can't explain why.

Spanish people also dress like its ten degrees cooler than we think it is.

But in general the style isn't thst different now for average people. I think zara mango clothes will do you right. A light blazer if you want one. I get a medium fake tan - I'm super pale normally and this reads as ill to my in laws and declares my English Ness from a long way off!

Are you trying to look Spanish? Because you won't. Having been in Andalucia recently, it's full of American tourists. Just take the clothes you feel comfortable in and that make you feel happy wearing.

I would say don't wear clothes are too tight or too small, get the right size and it makes everyone look better. My Spanish cousins always look well put together, but mainly because their clothes fit properly.

Highlights, navy, camel or brown coat, black/navy jean style trousers, shirt. I can often tell Spanish women by the way they dress ;)

When are you going ? As if it's in the winter you need to be wearing jeans, boots and a puffa jacket. That's when it's a pleasant 20 degrees and the scruffy British tourists are in cropped trousers and a T shirt.

Neutral colours on decent quality, well fitting clothes - Mango and Zara are good. Puffer jacket you can take off if it gets warmer. Good quality comfortable shoes or leather trainers, in good condition - loafers, wedges, ankle boots are good. Natural minimal makeup, some jewellery - nothing garish or loud.

Haha I've noticed the puffer jackets in sunny weather I don't think that would do anything for my ruddy complexion 😂

And actually yes the thing that upsets me is when waiters etc immediately know to speak to be in English. I want to be mysterious and international damnit!!

Maybe I should try wearing a German flag t-shirt or something just to throw them off.

We are in Rome, I agree, they are dressed like it’s chilly )Spanish and Italian) flat shoes , trainers but not chunky, short hair , trousers and a padded coat. There are not many overweight people but I think that’s generally true if a city, but I think wearing long trousers helps you feel more put together, don’t think as the op says the flowery dress and trainers has caught on.

My husband gets mistaken for German. But not in Germany - in Spain and now Italy, especially by the African tat sellers. He’s six foot with a big nose and a defined parting - can you rock that?

Do you speak Spanish though? Otherwise, this illusion is only going to last until you open your mouth.

I have the opposite issue, I speak fluent Spanish but I don’t look remotely Spanish so it always throws them when I reply, and you can often see them thinking “shit, did I say something about that woman that she might have overheard?”..

(Also, if you look any other sort of “international” they are still going to speak to you in English, so maybe you don’t look British necessarily, just “not Spanish”.)

I do speak Spanish! I do find they are nice about it and switch back to let me practice but the assumption that I'm a big dumb guiri is sore on my heart.

Are you Spanish or Spanish passing?

I love Spanish passing!

It’s only because the majority of the waiters speak Spanish and English, and most mainland European countries speak English as a second language - it’s a sure fire hit! Having worked as a teenager in similar mainland Europe popular town, we would speak English to anyone who didn’t look local. Norwegian, British, Polish, German - all would get spoken to in English.

I don’t think people could agree on what ‘British’ looks like. Where I am from originally, British is stereotyped as all jolly hockey sticks, barbours, well-to-do older ladies, horsey, or ultra-cool London vibe. Where I live now (London), it’s a complete smorgasbord of styles, like pretty much any country in the world!

Maybe you’re thinking of more the tourist look of backpacks and trainers (which could be any country), people want to be comfortable when doing a lot of sightseeing.

Well you can’t be that big and fat if you wear clothes from Zara

The Spanish and Italian women are not wearing leather shoes / trousers / a leather jacket/ puffer because it’s cold. They are wearing it because it’s late October. They dress for the season and not the weather.

@OptimismvsRealism how did you manage to learn to speak Spanish without knowing anything about the people?

Surely they are just doing their jobs and know that, statistically, most British people do not speak Spanish? That isn’t an assumption that we are dumb. Their bosses would not be impressed if they made all the customers embarrassed about having to ask if English was spoken.

I never get a bad reaction when I speak in Spanish, they are generally so surprised that they are very keen for a chat to test me out.

Wear what you want!

I lived in Spain and never once thought, I need to fit in or disguise myself.

I did wear a floral skater dress which earned a compliment from two well turned out women last year! Otherwise flowy skirts always work

Spanish women love boots ime. Nice flat leather boots.