The Lantern The student voice of The Ohio State University
Courtesy of MCT
Forget Panama City, Barcelona is the Spring Break capital of the world — or at least it should be. With a party scene that lasts until 6 a.m. and sandy beaches galore, it’s the perfect place to mimic local fashionistas when packing for your week-long getaway.
When it comes to Spring Break essentials, think about clothes that you’ll be comfortable in for long periods of time. It’s likely that you’ll be out and about until the wee hours of the morning, so a dress might not always be the best option. Instead, opt for a pair of comfy Chino or linen shorts in a bright yellow or pink. Barcelonans pair these with leather flip-flops, wedges or espadrilles.
This is not to say that a sexy dress won’t come in handy. Now that you have the perfect Spring Break bod — courtesy of Winter Quarter at the RPAC — look for curve-hugging dresses with bold color-blocking patterns. The solid lines will create ideal curves for any body type. You’ll want to save the sundresses for beach-bumming: women in Barcelona know to avoid them on breezy nights — no one wants to channel their inner Marilyn Monroe for eight hours straight.
When it comes to their hairstyles, women in Barcelona have the right idea: doing less is more. Don’t bother with your flat iron since the humidity will undo all your hard work. Think beachy waves and ponytails. The only products you should consider bringing are texturizing spray, a clampless curling iron and some hairspray. You’ll also always want to bring a hair tie with you everywhere — your hair will be up by the end of the night whether you like it or not.
Men’s fashion in Barcelona is similar to just about everywhere else in Europe. It’s also perfect for Spring Break. Shoes might be the most important things to consider when packing. A good pair of dark leather flip-flops will go a long way. They are extremely versatile and will be a great investment in the long run. Boat shoes and white canvas tennis shoes are also good options to consider. Both look nautical and can be paired with anything.
V-neck T-shirts are very popular in the Mediterranean, but might be intimidating to Americans. Try wearing a brightly colored one under a neutral polo shirt or button-down instead of a basic white undershirt. If you’re worried about the heat, you might want to consider linen or Chino pants instead of denim jeans. Denim is a heavy material while linen is much lighter and breathable. Gray or khaki bottoms are versatile color options or check out seersucker patterns for something more unexpected.
Barcelona style is sexy and confident without being trashy. It’s a fine line that people cross more often than not. The key is to consider how comfortable you are with your outfit. Being able to exude self-confidence will determine “hot or not.”
