The process that I follow to plan what I'm wearing when I travel is the following: after I have the itinerary lined up, I check the weather for every day that I'm going to spend in my destination, I get a calendar and write down what I plan to wear every single day from head to toe. That way I don't over-pack and I don't forget anything.
What to consider when traveling to Spain
Weather: many people think that Spain is always warm which is wrong. The weather varies a lot from north to south all year but specially in winter. Temperature can also change a lot from day to night. You'll need lots of layers in the north like what I'm wearing in these photos which were taken in Leon, and if you visit northern regions like Galicia your umbrella will be your best friend. If you go to Andalusia you will still need a coat but you'll probably be able to wear it open or even take it off some winter days. Even though snow is rare, pack a scarf, hat and gloves.
Cobble stone streets: apart from all the walking you are going to do, bear in mind that there are plenty of cobble stone streets in Spain, especially if you are visiting smaller towns.
Look like a local: Spaniards like to dress well in general so, if in doubt, dress up instead of down. If you want to fit in I advice you to keep it on the preppy side. Casual clothes that are comfortable but not sporty: long sleeved button downs, sweaters, cozy knits, jeans, skirts with thick tights...
Dining out: in big cities people wear really nice clothes when dining out at a fancy restaurant, in smaller places you can keep it a bit more casual. If dinning at a cute restaurant is among your plans, add a casual dress and a thick jacket suitable for evening wear to your packing list.
What shoes should you wear in Spain in winter?
I recommend the following types of women's shoes to wear:
- sneakers
- boots similar to UGGs
- lower heel booties
- oxford shoes
Make sure your shoes are not brand new. I learnt this the hard way. I have plenty of horror stories involving blisters...
Items that can give away you are a tourist
The following items should be avoided if you want to keep your outfits as non-touristy as possible.
- Swap rain coats for trench. Never wear one of those plastic covers with a hoodie.
- Socks with sandals are a big no-no in Spain.
- Tracksuits and trekking clothes should be avoided unless you are going to the mountains.
This is related to weather as well: wearing inappropriate clothes for winter will surely make you look out of place. So if you don't want to freeze to death and look like you've never been to Spain, leave your light-weight clothing at home.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and that they will save you a lot of time when packing for Europe.
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