Western Clothing in Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Western look and culture is very popular in Europe and particularly in Germany. Even country and western music has a following.

Just don't wear athletic shoes and don't wear shorts.

Athletic shoes are really popular in Europe right now, esp. Paris. A lot of people wear shorts now, too. It’s not like it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Western look and culture is very popular in Europe and particularly in Germany. Even country and western music has a following.

Just don't wear athletic shoes and don't wear shorts.

Athletic shoes are really popular in Europe right now, esp. Paris. A lot of people wear shorts now, too. It’s not like it used to be.

yeah but it has to be stylish, not like your going on a hike or a quick run to Walmart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Western look and culture is very popular in Europe and particularly in Germany. Even country and western music has a following.

Just don't wear athletic shoes and don't wear shorts.

Athletic shoes are really popular in Europe right now, esp. Paris. A lot of people wear shorts now, too. It’s not like it used to be.

Sure, something like Veja sneakers. Leave the running shoes at home.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go overboard, but mixing in clothes that reflect your culture and history is perfect. I'm thinking simple black dress with turquoise jewelry ... cowboy boots with a skirt ... an off-the-shoulder top with slim black pants.

[Anonymous]

Spain is so great for horse things. Not a horse person myself, although I do have some Valverde boots because who doesn't like treating themselves to some fine leather goods?

There is such a lot of horse culture in rural Andalucia. You might even end up adding a traje de corto to your equestrian wardrobe. El Rocío has sand streets, to me it looks like it could be a western movie set, and a lot of wild horses. They have a Saca de las Yeguas like the Assateague Pony Swim. Jerez, of course, has the horse ballet. Horse racing on the beaches of San Lucar de Barrameda.

Even daily life has a lot of horses. I spend some quality time in a small pueblo in rural Andalucia where people still ride horses to the central plaza, tie them up, and go into the cafeteria for a drink. (Also a lot of burro culture although nobody seems to ride them, they just carry things for old farmers). Every small town festival has people on horseback—Cruces de Mayo, the romerías, the ferias, the pilgrimage to El Rocío. As the day wears on, a lot of drunk people on horseback (not such a great combo with the evening fireworks.)

Anyway you probably know all this already. Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce while waiting for the EU borders to reopen to all. One question, do you know why the women ride sidesaddle at the festivals? It seems pretty uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spain is so great for horse things. Not a horse person myself, although I do have some Valverde boots because who doesn't like treating themselves to some fine leather goods?

There is such a lot of horse culture in rural Andalucia. You might even end up adding a traje de corto to your equestrian wardrobe. El Rocío has sand streets, to me it looks like it could be a western movie set, and a lot of wild horses. They have a Saca de las Yeguas like the Assateague Pony Swim. Jerez, of course, has the horse ballet. Horse racing on the beaches of San Lucar de Barrameda.

Even daily life has a lot of horses. I spend some quality time in a small pueblo in rural Andalucia where people still ride horses to the central plaza, tie them up, and go into the cafeteria for a drink. (Also a lot of burro culture although nobody seems to ride them, they just carry things for old farmers). Every small town festival has people on horseback—Cruces de Mayo, the romerías, the ferias, the pilgrimage to El Rocío. As the day wears on, a lot of drunk people on horseback (not such a great combo with the evening fireworks.)

Anyway you probably know all this already. Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce while waiting for the EU borders to reopen to all. One question, do you know why the women ride sidesaddle at the festivals? It seems pretty uncomfortable.

OP again. Thank you very much for your response. I had no idea about this region. My husband’s family lives close to Madrid and I’ve only ever spent a brief visit in Andalusia. Now I am very excited to check this unique horse culture out. Will also look into the reasons for the sidesaddle thing. I used to be a competitive rider but now just enjoy getting out on trails mostly. I love our nature, climate and mountains here in New Mexico. At least parts of Spain are fairly similar. Also native New Mexicans (comprising part of my family) consider themselves Spanish. We were a remote outpost in the Spanish colonial era, became part of Mexico for just a few decades before finally ending up as part of the US after the Mexican/American War. Part of my family are more recent arrivals from Mexico.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go overboard, but mixing in clothes that reflect your culture and history is perfect. I'm thinking simple black dress with turquoise jewelry ... cowboy boots with a skirt ... an off-the-shoulder top with slim black pants.

Definitely. I don’t dress in costume even here. I do wear a lot of colorful, fun clothes. I’m a big fan of Oaxaca designer Silvia Suarez and have a few of her dresses and blouses. One of my cousins in Mexico turned me on to this brand. Would these work in Spain?

https://www.instagram.com/suareztextil/?hl=en

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parisian here.

1. Which part of Europe? Urban or country? We’re not one country, you know. Some provincial areas are more conservative, the south of Europe may be more climate-friendly for your wardrobe, and big cities, particularly Paris, always love dark solid colors.

2. Wear what you want, within limits of climate and decency.

3. If you want a job, not in an artsy folksy community, you’ll have to tone it down a bit.

4. Sorry to mention it, but of course part of looking good in France, and especially Paris, means being slender. You could wear a trash bag and heels and walk down the rue de Rivoli in a jaunty fashion and be thought to look good... if you’re slim and carry yourself well. Overall weight perceptions in Europe are not as skewed as in the US.



4. Big smiles, friendliness and a dogged willingness to wait for the grumpy natives to accept you will go a very long way to making your stay more pleasant

OP. Thank you for your response! Very helpful. I will not be living in France but Spain. I am a Spanish speaker and hoping I won’t be too ridiculed for my accent. I wouldn’t describe myself as extremely thin but am slender and very athletic. I hike or ride pretty much every single day. Very much hoping not to live in a big city because I want to have outdoor access. Not sure if I will be able to have my own horse. With remote working, we are hoping to be within a reasonable train ride to Madrid. I’m generally very friendly and informal. I smile a lot but had heard that would make me appear dim to many Europeans. I’ve visited quite a bit pre-pandemic with my husband but never for more than a month at a time.

This move is extremely difficult for me. I am close to my family, love my state and its weather, food and unique culture. Thanks for the responses. It helps with the anxiety.

Sounds like a dream life. As an European myself, I did notice while living there that sometimes American women would try to fit in by smiling a lot, being always agreeable and making themselves small - if that makes sense. This absolutely doesn't work over there. Europeans like share their opinion of everything and like to disagree for the sake of discussion. They will say stuff that can come across as inappropriate or rude. Don-t take it personally. They will love you if you show your authentic self and don't try to be perfect. I have to say though that Spain (the southerns part specifically) struck me as more racist than what I was used to in France, Switzerland or Germany. That probably won't affect you though.

Thank you! I have worried a bit at being labeled a “Sudaca” for having Mexican roots. A very ugly slur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I really felt judged about when I lived in Europe was shorts... Europeans hate shorts and think they look foolish. I love them so wore them anyway.

Weirdly enough my family in Southern Italy wears a ton of shorts (but they live at the coast- I think coast vs. cities makes a difference). I have seen lots of women in the cities wearing shorts but they can't be just random khaki shorts and sandals they are always sort of in place of a mini skirt- so dressed up/structured and with heels.

I disagree to get rid of all your stuff OP. You will be the sort of quirky American with your own definite style. It may even draw people to you because you will come off as different/authentic to some people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parisian here.

1. Which part of Europe? Urban or country? We’re not one country, you know. Some provincial areas are more conservative, the south of Europe may be more climate-friendly for your wardrobe, and big cities, particularly Paris, always love dark solid colors.

2. Wear what you want, within limits of climate and decency.

3. If you want a job, not in an artsy folksy community, you’ll have to tone it down a bit.

4. Sorry to mention it, but of course part of looking good in France, and especially Paris, means being slender. You could wear a trash bag and heels and walk down the rue de Rivoli in a jaunty fashion and be thought to look good... if you’re slim and carry yourself well. Overall weight perceptions in Europe are not as skewed as in the US.



4. Big smiles, friendliness and a dogged willingness to wait for the grumpy natives to accept you will go a very long way to making your stay more pleasant

OP. Thank you for your response! Very helpful. I will not be living in France but Spain. I am a Spanish speaker and hoping I won’t be too ridiculed for my accent. I wouldn’t describe myself as extremely thin but am slender and very athletic. I hike or ride pretty much every single day. Very much hoping not to live in a big city because I want to have outdoor access. Not sure if I will be able to have my own horse. With remote working, we are hoping to be within a reasonable train ride to Madrid. I’m generally very friendly and informal. I smile a lot but had heard that would make me appear dim to many Europeans. I’ve visited quite a bit pre-pandemic with my husband but never for more than a month at a time.

This move is extremely difficult for me. I am close to my family, love my state and its weather, food and unique culture. Thanks for the responses. It helps with the anxiety.

Sounds like a dream life. As an European myself, I did notice while living there that sometimes American women would try to fit in by smiling a lot, being always agreeable and making themselves small - if that makes sense. This absolutely doesn't work over there. Europeans like share their opinion of everything and like to disagree for the sake of discussion. They will say stuff that can come across as inappropriate or rude. Don-t take it personally. They will love you if you show your authentic self and don't try to be perfect. I have to say though that Spain (the southerns part specifically) struck me as more racist than what I was used to in France, Switzerland or Germany. That probably won't affect you though.

Thank you! I have worried a bit at being labeled a “Sudaca” for having Mexican roots. A very ugly slur.

If you don't take anyone's shit (even if you are dying inside and self conscious) it will go a long way. You have a good body and a funky style and while racism is alive and well in lots of Europe (as is here) there is also a lot of friendly live and let live in southern Spain. I would move in a heartbeat and I would pack my 3 pairs of cowboy boots and wear them when I was feeling a little sassy,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Western look and culture is very popular in Europe and particularly in Germany. Even country and western music has a following.

Just don't wear athletic shoes and don't wear shorts.

Athletic shoes are really popular in Europe right now, esp. Paris. A lot of people wear shorts now, too. It’s not like it used to be.

yeah but it has to be stylish, not like your going on a hike or a quick run to Walmart.

Well, yeah but that's not stylish here either. I never ever wear my gym or running sneakers as shoes. I have tons of sneakers.

[Anonymous]

It’s probably not a great idea to stand out as an American in Europe due to terrorism. You should try to blend in as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

Bwahahah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go overboard, but mixing in clothes that reflect your culture and history is perfect. I'm thinking simple black dress with turquoise jewelry ... cowboy boots with a skirt ... an off-the-shoulder top with slim black pants.

Definitely. I don’t dress in costume even here. I do wear a lot of colorful, fun clothes. I’m a big fan of Oaxaca designer Silvia Suarez and have a few of her dresses and blouses. One of my cousins in Mexico turned me on to this brand. Would these work in Spain?

https://www.instagram.com/suareztextil/?hl=en

Oh gosh I would hope so - those are gorgeous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go overboard, but mixing in clothes that reflect your culture and history is perfect. I'm thinking simple black dress with turquoise jewelry ... cowboy boots with a skirt ... an off-the-shoulder top with slim black pants.

Definitely. I don’t dress in costume even here. I do wear a lot of colorful, fun clothes. I’m a big fan of Oaxaca designer Silvia Suarez and have a few of her dresses and blouses. One of my cousins in Mexico turned me on to this brand. Would these work in Spain?

https://www.instagram.com/suareztextil/?hl=en

Oh gosh I would hope so - those are gorgeous

OP again. Thank you! I’ve never been one for a lot of black and love color. She ships to the US too!