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Wearing Levis jeans coming off the plan in Barcelona (75 degrees and sunny)

I'm trying to do my best as a US citizen to fit in while I am in Barcelona and wondered if I wear Levi jeans with a button down nicer looking short or long sleeve shirt arriving by plane into 75 degree and sunny weather if it will be ok or I will look stupid. I realize they will know I'm from US but trying to balance comfort on plane, with fitting into Barcelona while arriving and taking in Sun and warm weather into consideration (I'm a jeans and TShirt or Shorts and TShirt kind of guy but I don't want to be cold on the plane and I am dressing a little nicer than usual when in Europe visiting Spain/France/Monaco/Italy all for the first time). I am going directly from airport to hotel to check in and I can change clothing types to have my clothing more closely match what someone would wear in Europe & Barcelona once I get to hotel, so any guidance would be appreciated for this newbie traveling in Europe. I have been to Europe 2 other times (UK/Wales/Scotland before) but never to Spain/France/Monaco/Italy.

Posted by
9110 posts

Google maps, street view, anywhere in Barcelona.

See what you think.

Repeat for all other places in the world.

Posted by
1527 posts

Stupid is as what stupid does; not on how you look (unless you choose to wear a tank top, blue jean cut off shorts and flip flops). Dressing a little nicer can be appreciated in cultures which value appearance/fashion, but just be yourself and enjoy a great trip.

Posted by
10218 posts

I have worn Levi's on every trip I've made at one point or another. Jeans are jeans, and lots of people wear them. Don't worry about it.

Posted by
12172 posts

I don't pack jeans, but only because I don't consider them a travel friendly pant (too heavy, bulky, don't dry quickly, too hot in warm weather, and need to be machine washed/dried to keep their fit). I bring an Adidas warm-up pant as a substitute very casual pant (also doubles as pajamas, going down the hall to the bathroom, or something to wear on laundry day pant).

I have no doubt many people will be wearing jeans and you will fit right in.

To some extent, the jeans worn in Europe are slimmer and better fitting (not saggy, loose fit, or showing underwear). If I were packing jeans, I'd go with a dark thin-fabric Levi's 514 over a heavy pair of faded, relaxed or loose fit, jeans.

Posted by
8439 posts

lg, you're a guy. No one will look or care about what you are wearing. Be comfortable.

Posted by
1178 posts

No problem....you will look just like me...I was there last fall and that was my outfit. Go to be comfortable, not to impress people you do not know and will not see again in this life time in all probability!!!

Posted by
25 posts

In my experience, we Americans just don't tend to wear the slim, tailored clothes that many Europeans do and its apparent pretty quickly that we aren't locals. But that's OK - it's an international destination! What I'd suggest to minimize standing out if that is your goal is to skip the T-shirts and opt for comfortable, lightweight clothes like polo shirts or the travel shirts that you can find at REI for example. Those are great if you need to wash and dry quickly, btw. Have a great time!

Posted by
9099 posts

While Levis was founded in the US, it's now and for many years been an international clothing conglomerate with offices, manufacturing facilities. and customers spread all across the world. Wearing Levis jeans doesn't label one American any more than wearing an Adidas t-shirt labels one a German. Spaniards wear Levis at more or less the same frequency as Yanks do.

Posted by
33 posts

Thanks mark-Diane and everyone, that is what I was planning just needed your reassurance that my plan was solid.

I would appreciate if u look at my posting on Barcelona rental cars from back to back postings from me as I need assurance there even more since I am leaving in less than 24 hours and I am FREAKING OUT last minute thinking I need to request a bigger sized car which I have no problem doing and paying a higher price but I need to make a decision fast because I only have 24 hours to go --- HELP from anyone on advice :( .

Posted by
1178 posts

Denim....the material for jeans originated in Nimes, France...de nimes, means "from nimes"!! So you are 'going local' with jeans...wait until you see the colors there.. green, yellow, pink, blue, whatever!!

Posted by
8049 posts

half of the people on any street in Europe are wearing Jeans. This was not true 20 years ago in places like Paris but it sure it now. Jeans are great travel pants in less than hot weather because they are tough and resist dirt -- for a short trip of a week or two you don't have to worry about washing them usually -- and if you do, there are laundromats with high powered dryers. They do take a couple of days to dry hanging in many places. for young men, I would guess that 85% of the people you see on the street will be wearing them until the weather is hot.

Posted by
9110 posts

half of the people on any street in Europe are wearing Jeans. This was not true 20 years ago in places like Paris . . . .

This same statement was made in 1994 while advancing the same argument. Previously it was made in 1974 for the same purpose. Some of us were happy in jeans in Paris in 1964. Some of us wore jeans in Paris as kids in 1954 without being stoned by the natives.

Posted by
16893 posts

Jeans are no faux-pas, but may be warmer than you need to wear and heavier than you need to carry. From now through at least the end of September, I would expect the high temp to be above 75 in Barcelona and most of Spain, so you might want a lighter style of pant. Airplanes usually provide blankets.

Posted by
33 posts

Wore jeans the first day in Barcelona coming from Chicago to Dublin Ireland to Barcelona (75 degree weather but did not want to be cold on plane). Everybody is wearing jeans, shorts, dressing up etc.

I changed out of Jeans (too hot lugging luggage) and put on shorts to stay cool.

I love Barcelona - it is waaaaay cool.