With the ‘Cruces de Mayo’, Corpus, and San Juan just round the corner, our resident fashion expert, Freya, gives her top advice on dressing to impress while also remaining comfortable…
THE ELEGANT architecture, the history, the vibrant flamenco, guitar chords floating through the air while people gather to eat the late-night tapas, Spanish fiestas are fun, loud, and addictive! And they are plentiful. So, whichever fiesta or ‘feria’ you choose to attend this year, enjoy it to the full!
But… how to dress for such a spectacle? Honestly, now, it’s not important. In my lovely, eccentric, local, village – Órgiva – we celebrate what’s known as ‘El Cristo’, a wonderful fiesta full of noise (from the ‘cohetes’!) and life. With such a huge gathering of people of all nationalities, cultures and tastes, style can vary wildly.
This year, I saw lots of people from our local, hippy community wearing fun outfits and handmade items, some people in fancy dress, and even blokes – with fabulous legs – sporting ‘feria’ dresses. The youth were running about in crop tops and flares, as usual, and some of the teenage girls were wearing modern, on-trend outfits like we see in the magazines.
Traditionally, however, this is a formal event. Particularly during the daytime part of the fiesta, many women choose to wear formal trousers with a pretty blouse and maybe a matching blazer (the weather is mild here now) or a knee-length dress with heels. Styles are kept slightly conservative (this is a religious festival) but usually glamorous and perfectly turned out. In my shop the week before the fiesta, I sell lots of accessories, particularly sparkly hair clips, chiffon scarves and special, dressy earrings. Accessories are a great way to update a previously-worn outfit, and give it a new lease of life! Heels shouldn’t be too high! You’ll be wandering around enjoying the free tapas and vino, so nothing you can’t walk in! Some people slip a pair of flats into their handbag for later in the evening when the dancing begins.
Image: J. Chip / Midjourney
Men dress formally too. Lots of crisp white shirts tucked into jeans with those lovely Spanish belts you can buy in any local market. Patterned shirts can be popular – again teamed with a freshly-washed and ironed pair of trousers. With this look, you’ll be comfortable and elegant. Don’t forget to take a jacket, though, as the nights still get cold.
Above all, it doesn’t matter what you wear. What really matters who you go with, who you see there, and the fun you have. Whatever you choose to wear, it should make you feel confident and comfortable in yourself.
- The Armario de Freya is at Calle Correos, Órgiva. Opening hours are every day 10am-2pm (closed Sunday) and 5pm-8pm Wednesday afternoon.
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