That’s an Interesting Question…
Before we moved to Spain, we had a picture in our minds of what life here would be like. Some of those expectations turned out to be spot on. Others… not so much.
One of them involved clothes.
Our preconception was that Spaniards tended to dress better than we were used to. More stylish, and overall, more put together. We expected that we’d be needing to step up our game a bit if we wanted to blend in.
As it turns out, the reality is both yes and no.
At least here in Valencia, most people dress pretty casually. During the summer, shorts and T-shirts are everywhere. Some of that is tourists, of course, but plenty of locals dress the same way. Athleisure has certainly found its way here too. Once the weather cools off, people generally look a little sharper, but jeans remain a staple.
What we have noticed, though, is a group of people, mostly women but certainly some men as well, who always seem effortlessly well put together. Our friend Vickie told us she had heard someone describe this as arreglada, a Spanish word that’s often used to describe someone who is neatly dressed and well presented. Not flashy or overdressed, just more polished.
It’s less about wearing expensive clothes than looking as though you meant to look exactly the way you do.
As for us? We haven’t exactly become fashion icons. Neither of us has become more formal. We’ve simply become a little more… considered.
I’ve always liked linen, and living in Valencia has simply given me a much better excuse to wear it. When it’s 35° C outside, linen shirts and linen trousers stop being a style choice and start feeling like survival equipment.
We’ve also found ourselves drifting away from sneakers more often than we used to. Not because anyone suggested we should, but because we’ve come to appreciate a good pair of walking shoes. One of our favorite discoveries has been Pikolinos, a Spanish company that somehow manages to combine comfort with good looks. They fit our lifestyle perfectly.
The bright colors, however, aren’t going anywhere.
Years ago, when I worked at Nike, I wore a Hawaiian shirt every Friday for years. Every single Friday. It didn’t matter whether it was July or whether there was snow on the ground. Friday meant tropical prints.
These days there are fewer Hawaiian shirts, but no shortage of color. Friends and family have been known to look at a shirt and say, “That’s a Phil shirt.”
They’re usually right.
Of course, the beard and moustache don’t exactly help me disappear into a crowd. Between them and the colorful shirts, I have a feeling I’m easier to spot than most people.
The funny thing is that we came here thinking we’d need to blend in.
Instead, we’ve discovered there isn’t really a single way to look Spanish.
Some people are impeccably dressed. Others live in tennis shoes and jeans. Some embrace linen. Some prefer black from head to toe. Even at the symphony, people generally dress nicely without making it a formal occasion. A pair of slacks and a good shirt, or a nice casual dress, is more than enough.
Nobody seems particularly interested in whether you’re following a dress code. People seem perfectly comfortable expressing their own style.
What matters more, at least to my eye, is that whatever you’re wearing looks intentional.
So yes, we’ve changed a little. We’ve added more linen to the wardrobe. We’ve bought better shoes. We’ve probably become a bit more thoughtful about how we dress.
But I’ve also kept the loudly colorful shirts.
After all, if your friends can see a shirt in a shop and immediately say, “That’s a Phil shirt,” it would seem a shame not to wear it.