A pair of short, some flip flops (or thongs!) and a white singlet – that is my go-to outfit. And based on that outfit alone, you could probably hazard a guess that I’m Australian, or rather, from Brisbane in Australia.
In Brisbane especially, we’re known for our laid back approach to life, fashion included. It’s often said that people from southern states like Victoria and New South Wales come to Queensland on holiday and gasp at the lack of our fashion prowess. “People in Brisbane just don’t make the effort!” I’ve heard people from Sydney say.
It’s the proximity to the beach, the hot weather and the small town kind of vibe that invites people to be pretty relaxed about their personal attire. But what about in Colombia?
What to wear in Colombia:
What do people wear in Colombia? Does it vary from city to city? Having travelled throughout the country I can say with certainty that the way people dress varies depending on the region that you’re in.
In Bogota, there’s the daily threat of a downpour, broken up by moments of blue skies and bright sunlight. All these elements combined force you to wear layers of clothing that you can slowly peel off as the weather changes.
In Cali, the brighter the clothing the better. Colourful jeans are a must, big earrings are your go-to fashion accessory and shoes which are easy to dance salsa in are perfect, too.
And when it comes to Medellin, there’s a big gym culture over there, so that sporty vibe filters its way into the everyday street wear. Don’t worry, you don’t have to actually be sport to dress sporty.
If you’re heading to some of these different areas of Colombia and want to know how to dress to fit in with the locals, here are my tips for what to wear in Colombia. Take a look below and let me know what you think!
Bogota: 1. Hot-looking sunnies
Cali: 6. A smokin’ pair of Aviator Sunglasses
Medellin: 11. You’ll fit right in with a flat cap
What do you think? What do you wear in Colombia? If you’re an expat in Colombia, do you try to fit in with the locals, or just dress as you normally would back home? Let me know in the comments section below, I’d love to hear what you think.
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Hi Sarah! I live in Bogotá and have spent time in Medellin and think your suggestions are right on. I come from southern California, the land of flip flops and yoga pants, and definitely had to adjust my wardrobe a bit. That said, I still have moments when I revert to comfort!
Hi Danielle! Ooh yes, the yoga pants! Living in Bogota I found nothing could beat a good pair of jeans. But it took a while to kick the flip-flop habit. 😛
Great suggestions here, both for blending in and feeling comfortable with the weather conditions.
Unfortunately, no matter how I dress people figure out right away that I’m a foreigner!