Spanish Fashion Report! and Short Update

Life Update:

Since Nick left and Jolene returned to work I really haven't done a lot of anything worth talking about. I feel like there is nothing new to see in Madrid that I haven't already seen. I would love to go shopping more, but I have no more room in my suitcases and it is kind of a waste of money, plus I want to be able to buy at least one currently "in-style" piece from every country that I visit.

The one piece of good news is that I have my passport back with my indian visa stamped in it! After the hassle and the commute I am very glad to have it in my hands. I feel life I can actually start planning and talking to my friend about what I would like to see and do with my time there. Apparently I am going to be in Calcutta in the height of summer, right before monsoon season.... should be interesting to say the least!

Jolene and I are planning a short overnight trip to La Rioja (the famous wine region) for semana santa and will hopefully go and visit Anguiano, Spain! Small problem- neither of us drive stick very well and you can pretty much only rent manual cars.... it will be an adventure!

I have also been fortunate enough to spend more time with actual Spanish people in Madrid. Courtesy of Jolene's boyfriend, Alby, we went to a spanish house party that was supposed to be pre-discoteca. We ended up staying until 4 am, hanging out and then a spontaneous dance party broke out- much like Boulder! I was forced (for my own good) to speak spanish a lot. I also met with an intercambio (someone who wants to trade their spanish skills for my english) yesterday and it is interesting to hear how people from Spain think. It seems like a lot of people are interested in the USA youth culture. I think I will keep doing intercambios in London to meet new people and practice spanish.

Now back to fashion.

Jolene and I discussed that we believe fashion trends are getting closer together in the US and abroad with the availability of the internet and global shipping. Nonetheless, there are a few things that stand out from home.

For Women- well people my age:

1. Drop-Crotch pants and jeans - yes this is a real term, look below for a photo
2. Jean skirts and shorts with black tights - wish I had brought mine
3. Long shirts and leggings
4. Long sweaters
5. Men's style button down shirts in blues - glad I stole one from Josh!
6. Skinny jeans are still in, but I have seen more boot cut
7. Slouchy jeans that are light wash and rolled up at the bottom
8. Short cropped jackets, especially with asymmetric lines
9. Northface fleece coat - taste of Colorado!
10. Scarfs
11. Ankle boots - suede and other colors
12. Converse shoes with skinny jeans - also didn't bring those
13. Over the knee suede boots in interesting colors
14. Not very much makeup, except heavy eyeliner
15. Heavy front hipster bangs - haha Jolene :)
16. Long wavy hair with short layers
17. Side- swept bangs

Drop-Crotch Pants

Now for the Men (young men):

Flashback to high school...

1. Abercrombie - especially t-shirts and long sleeved shirts
2. Gap sweaters - according to Jolene, I haven't seen them much
3. Polo shirts
4. Tighter than US jeans- they look soooo much better
5. Nice brown or black shoes
6. Leather jackets
7. Faux-hawk hair

I haven't really observed men's fashion that much, because I don't care as much....

Now if you are a woman over 60-

we call them Franco women, because that's the last time they bought clothes or changed style since that time:

1. Long coats to the knee- either fur or camel colored wool
2. Peinado (means hairstyle) - very short, blonde, always curled and done
3. Flesh-colored tights
4. Square - toed shoes
5. Gold blingy earings
6. Look on their face that they are annoyed, bothered by youth

For everyone in general- people wear very neutral and boring colors around here. The brightest thing I have seen is a red pea-coat. The best thing to wear to stand out - my very bright pink rain jacket! Seriously it's the brightest thing within ten miles!

I'm trying to post at least once a week, this one was a stretch.

Cafe Solo- I'm learning to like it!