WtW/WtD in Barcelona? - YouLookFab Forum

I just made very last minute plans to go to Barcelona for the first time from July 12-16. Yay!

WtW? I'd love some general thoughts about clothing. The weather app shows highs in the mid-80s, lows in the mid-70s (in other words: perfect). I'm so excited, and now I need to plan what to wear. I know better than to wear shorts and sneakers (too casual and touristy).I have several cute comfortable sun dresses (two are similar to the photos), but I plan to cover my shoulders when outside. Would a cropped (lighter) denim jacket be too casual for sight seeing? That is: how formal is Barcelona overall? I also have a short sweater that I could wear instead, and a couple of bigger scarves. Thoughts? I can dress up my black dress with different sandals and jewelry for the evening.

WtD? I have perused top-10 lists and want to hit the major sights: sagrada famillia, parc gruell, picasso museum, casa batllo, la boqueria etc. I plan to go to Sitges one of the days (maybe not the whole day)? My hotel is near the Placa de Catalunya, but the bus and metro look easy to use. If anyone has something they love to do or eat in Barcelona, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks in advance.

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Zappos

FitFlop The Skinny

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7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

How exciting! I 'feel' one has to dress nice for Barcelona. Fine fabrics. Lol. Don't know why. Like someone majoring in either architectural history or criticism. A silk scarf needs to be involved. Lolol. Is that too 90s?

UmmLila (Lisa)

<https://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/356/30

not a real life view but fun. And the pants are the best thing ever (also not real life due to price)

Net-A-Porter

Baja East Layered crepe tapered pants

$995.00

Omg. Love those apron pants!

old chic

Active Member

Never fear. You can get away with casual chic in Barcelona. The Tamblas and Barceloneta are full Zara territory. Do not miss the Gaudi apartment building La Pedrera.

I meant the Ramblas. Very touristy. But still. Don't miss that wonderful bridge at the end out to the water. Placa de Catalunya is the perfect place to start.

There's also a wonderful place for purses in the shape of the Gaudi tiles on the fanciest street in Barcelona. Check out Calpa at Ferran 53: http://barcelona.salir.com/calpa_ferran_53

The shop is in the Barri Gothic. Also check out the old, old synagogue in the Barri Gothic.

jenanded

I was there 2 days ago.. it is warm and full tourist season. It was shorts and tops with sandals, sneakers or dresses and sandals...

It is a lovely city, one of my favourites. Yes Gaudi, Miro museum, Picasso museum in El Born, the beach...

Ps yes bus and metro are super easy. The food is brilliant... jambon, bread, croquettes, tapas of all the lovely vegetables and seafoods.. drink vichy catalanya fo a lovely water, cava is the local drink like champagne. Check out the bombonieres for unbelievable cakes etc... one near placa d'angel on via laiteana near Jaume metro station for example. There is so much more than the zara and burger chains so just explore...

Elle

I was in Barcelona last fall and think your proposed wardrobe (denim jacket included) will be fine. It's not super formal. I wore mostly black dresses & pants, added a scarf/necklace for dinner and felt comfortable everywhere.

Besides everything listed above, I liked the food markets (Santa Catarina, and Boqueria), Miro museum, and a walking tour of the old part of the city. If you are there on a Sunday at noon, there is dancing in front of the Cathedral that is amazing. I recommend making advance reservation at the most popular places (Sagrada Familia, the gaudi houses, Picasso museum). The architecture is wonderful

Have a fantastic trip

Adelfa

I remember Barcelona as casual but super pulled together. So someone might be in simple chinos and a tee, with orange sneakers--but the orange sneakers were very euro-looking, and tied in to the orange stripe on the tan messenger bag. Like that.

It was hard to go wrong with a restaurant choice. The food was amazing. Some of the restaurants had menus only in Catalan so you had to puzzle things out.

My favorite things were the Gaudi sites, Las Ramblas, tapas, and Montserrat. You can get there by taking the metro to a bus to a tram thing that takes you up the mountain. Breathtaking.

anne

Have a wonderful time!

ClaraT

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses and the reassurances.

Rachylou: Scarves to liven up my black dress (and cover my shoulders) are a great idea.

UmmLila: Love that link (those pants!)

Old chic: So much good info, thanks. Wow, I adore those purses. I'm going to try to go to Calpa. In this global economy, finding something that is specific to a certain place (and also beautiful) is hard. I'd also forgotten Zara is based in Spain. I appreciate all of your tips, so thank you for taking the time to share.

Jenanded: Can't believe you were just there. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for the good tips, too (and now I'm hungry!) Cakes and cava yum. Maybe not together but definitely both.

Elle: Good reminder to get advanced tickets. You inspired me to book a walking tour. I'm doing the black + accessories thing that you did I think.

Adelfa: Your example of a pulled together tourist outfit is spot-on and what I hope to do. I was wondering whether tram to Montjuic was worth it so thanks for that tip.

Anne: Thanks!

Anonymous

Barcelona is so much fun. We enjoyed especially exploring the Barrio Gottico area. There is a wonderful cafe there where Picasso hung out: the Four Cats Cafe. It's definitely worth a visit. We also very much enjoyed our day trip out to Sitges, so I'm glad to hear you're going there. It was very warm but the sea breezes made it quite bearable. We took the train there, and it was an easy trip.

Thanks for your comments, Xtabay! I have made a note of Four Cats Cafe.

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