Fashion Emergency! What is the Dress Code for Women in Argentina?
A fellow reader needs your help! Post your reply in the comments of this post to help her out. Local Argentines and expats are both encouraged to reply, here is her comment.
Hi all,
I've been looking through this site because I will be in Rosario, Argentina for a few months. I'm in my 20's.
My question is what is considered appropriate or the norms for women's clothing:
1. In beaches or pools
2. length of skirt
3. business clothing
4. to wear outside on the street
5. for "going out" [at night with friends/a date]
I don't want to look sloppy but at the same time I dont want unwanted attention either or want to stand out too much.
Labels: Argentina Travel, Living In Argentina
posted by jammer at 3/31/2008 05:45:00 PM
16 Comments:
haha Sorry to tell you but if you are good looking, I can guarantee you will get unwanted attention and whistles etc ... no matter how you dress, this is Argentina!!! I guess it also depends when you go!!!
Hey fellow reader,
I'll try to give you some idea of what Argentina's women are wearing. I'm a guy so I've been quite observant! I'll just go down your list.
1. As far as swimsuits go be prepared to buy a new bottom. The typical bottom worn by most American women is laughed at by younger Argentine generations. It's often described as diaper-like. It's common to see thongs but Brazilian cut bottoms are the most popular. And young women to older women 45+ wear them. If you don't know what I mean by Brazilian cut, imagine something between a thong and an American swimsuit bottom.
2. Skirts are worn short by most younger women. It's a fine line between sexy/stylish and slutty. Observe and immitate.
3. Business clothing is similar to an in fashion young professional in the US. But the difference is that theres a little more sex appeal.
4. Jeans and a t-shirt are common. Converse flat tops and Havannas are worn everywhere. Some teens and young 20 somethings wear baggy jeans often sagging them about 1 inch to show their colorful underwear/boy shorts. While this may been seen as sexy, most girls and boys recognize this as a kind of playful fad. A kind of retro throw back to the 80's punk is currently in fashion but may be dwindling.
5. Nice skirt in the summer/fall. Sleeveless blouse. Large necklaces and big earrings. Bangs were popular for a while but may be dwindling in popularity. In the colder months expensive and extremely tight jeans are worn primarily.
My best advice is bring extra money and buy whatever you see and like. Observe and immitate. Usually Argentine's are very aware of fashion and have the newest looks out of Europe quickly. Whatever you buy in Argentina will probably be in fashion in the US 6 months later so if you want to be a little ahead of the curve shop it up. Good luck.
If you buy in Argentina, it won't last 6 months. Quality is sooooo very poor here. Tops....extra tight, Jeans are worn subdermal and tighter. So shape up now. What ever you bring will be fine. Relax.
Argentine girls/women tend to exagerate the sexy side. At first contact you will think.SLUTTY. But as you get used to it, it's just normal. Business attire is business attire universal.
My wife and I call the cut of American bottoms and underwear the "Valkyrie look", and basically anything sexy or revealing, we have to order it from Argentina.
I am still amazed at how Vctoria's Secret, for example, a brand supposedly sexy, is able to desex the model it uses on commercials.
I can't say much about style, except most people I know in Argentina are very fashion conscious, especially the younger set. As far as attention goes, you will get it whether you want it or not ... just remember half of what you hear is guys showing off for their friends, the other half is them wanting what they cannot have!
When I was in Argentina I didn't really see women wear shorts very much tho...I never wore the shorts I brought with me, I felt too exposed and my host mother thought they were tacky
if you're going to Rosario ,known as the Chicago Argentina...there alot of everything, ...Buenos Aires and Rosario are like any other city in the world, only different is that they are in Argentina, and it shows, people that can afford it have a sence of style ,remember that many came from european roots, but you also have other mortal that make the rest of the collage,,,be ready to immitate what suit you best,,,and if you go out on weekends stay away from soccer stadiums, in this way, there are some that are still not civilize...yet...specialy if your alone---matter of fact= don't go anywhere alone...
your uncle,,,
Uh, excuse me. WHAT? Don't go anywhere alone? As a single girl who has just accepted a job in Buenos Aires, I'm disappointed to see that. Tell me that's not true, because otherwise this girl is going to reconsider her contract!
Tropicgirl,
Don't listen to your uncle. As in any American city, as long as you are aware of your surroundings and don't venture alone in dangerous neighborhoods, you will be fine. I felt a lot safer in B.A. for 21 years than I do here in D.C.!
Buenos Aires is a very fun city. Enjoy it!
Hi! I'm a 37 year old Rosarina who lives in LA. The second comment here is actually very much on the money! The only thing I disagree with is the "shop while in Argentina" idea...Clothes ARE poor quality and sizes are way too small. Just relax, have fun and pay a bit of attention to your looks since everyone else does too. Rosario is a very nice city and people are very friendly to visitors (not so friendly among themselves, though). Of course is OK to go out alone, just be always aware of your surroundings and ALWAYS take lincesed cabs (do not use "remises"). My entire family is in Rosario and I visit twice a year and I can tell you the city is getting better and better!!! Enjoy your trip!
Reader needs to do a bit more research about Argentina! If you don't want to stick out, try this:
Speak Spanish, and if you have to speak English, do it quietly... Know that some things happen differently & try to find out how before you start complaining... Don't chew gum constantly... Find somewhere to sit down if you are going to eat or drink... you're not in Kansas any more, but you're not in Khartoum either...
Wear whatever you like, this is a modern, Christian country and the cities are just as safe as any other city in the world!
"Wear whatever you like, this is a modern, Christian country and the cities are just as safe as any other city in the world!"
I strongly disagree that BA is just as safe as "any other city in the world". With all the violent crime going on here, I highly doubt it... Watch the local news... I'm sure that will change your mind...
Silly! Don't watch the local news! Everyone knows that the media loves to exaggerate and exploit the bad news. I have been living in Buenos aires for 5 month now and even though I am a blond swede I have not had any trouble at all. Unless you are really stupid to venture into doggy areas you are totally fine (and you will notice if an area is bad, besides what would you do there anyway!). Basically if I was affected by the local news in Sweden I would be really scared there too. Argentina if great and there is a friendly police officer on each block for everyones safety!
"Silly! Don't watch the local news! Everyone knows that the media loves to exaggerate and exploit the bad news. I have been living in Buenos aires for 5 month now and even though I am a blond swede I have not had any trouble at all. Unless you are really stupid to venture into doggy areas you are totally fine (and you will notice if an area is bad, besides what would you do there anyway!). Basically if I was affected by the local news in Sweden I would be really scared there too. Argentina if great and there is a friendly police officer on each block for everyones safety!"
Sorry to burst your bubble, but there are NO safe areas in Buenos Aires. Crime is everywhere, even in the nicest areas like Recoleta, Palermo, etc... Contrary to what you think, the wealthiest neighborhoods are specially vulnerable since the thieves know that is where the rich people live, and therefore where the money is...
On the other hand, I would never think of a victim of crime as 'stupid'. For your information crime can affect ANYONE, at ANY time, and personally I don't think victims are to blame for what happens to them. They should be treated with respect, not insulted. Besides, according to your logic most of the Argentine population must be stupid, since it is a known fact that the majority of Argentines have either been victims of crime themselves or know someone who has been...
As far as the media goes, they just report what happens. I for one think it is impossible to fake murders, kidnappings, robberies, violence, etc... Do you realize the news report real life? Just in case, next time you see a dead body covered in blood on the news please realize they are not shooting a movie... It is FOR REAL. I'd like to know what you think when you turn on the TV and see a mother crying because her child was murdered... Would you say she is exaggerating, too?
As for the police, not even the Argentines trust them. I've had many locals tell me that the police are very corrupt and that they suspect that the cops themselves are involved in crime... Go figure
Regarding the long creepy rant by Anon:
Strong emotions SELL: Sex may be the best example, but horror movies is another.
News coverage in Argentina is futile and outright stupid but let's consider this:
Islamic Terrorists exist and they have attacked the Americas (first twice in B.A., then as we all know in the states). That doesn't mean that America is an insecure country.
Argentina is not the main target of terrorists, therefore the local news must be filled in with other kind of horror stories.
The best neighborhoods in B.A. are indeed the safest.
The best advice is to try and blend in. Remember the population of America and Argentina pretty much share a common ancestry. Our Polish, German, Irish, and Italian great-grandparents in most cases couldn't chose whether to dock in Ellis Island, Melbourne, or Buenos Aires!
Some friends of mine from Utah came to B.A. for a couple of weeks, and on their last they a kid tried to mug her purse menacing with a knive at broad daylight on a transited street. She just shoo him away with a tiny drop of character.
HOWEVER NEVER TRY TO CONFRONTATE A CRIMINAL IF ALONE OR IN THE DARK.
Police is useless.
I'd say B.A. is plenty safer than D.C. or L.A. I mean... c'mon!
Ok....
I live in Rosario, Argentina and have been here 5 years now. I still dress the same way I did in the states. T-shirts and jeans. As far as for swim suits....wear whatever you want....fat or skinny the women wear what they want with no worries Bout what people think. Trust me, I have seen some pretty hefty women wearing bikinis and thongs...not a big deal here. Crime is everywhere in the world. Doesn't matter if you're in a good neighborhood or not, it is all around. Be mindful of your surroundings and try to remain with at least one person at all times. If you must go out alone, remember not to look afraid. You will be an easy target. The girls here don't really go to places with a purse...they stash their necessities in their pockets or bra. Usually a safe bet. Suits aren't really worn here unless you work for a company that is required to wear them. Suits are suits....pants or skirts all the same. The girls I notice don't really wear lipstick...they use quite a lot of eye makeup (eyeliner, mascara, etc.) I speak English all day every day...at my job, in the park, in restaurants....no one bothers you. They may glance at you once and then ask you where you're from. But that's about it. There are quite a lot of people here who speak English, but you would never know it. They feel a little out of place when they speak in English. It is better to speak Spanish though to make the people here feel more comfortable. I speak both now but didn't when I first arrived. :-) As some of the people have said, the police are corrupt, so don't expect too much help from them. Make sure that if you come here, you have copies of all your documents because if something happens and your get robbed, at least you will still have your documents in some form to get home or to Buenos Aires and to the U.s.consulate and get new documentation quickly. Good luck and enjoy your stay wherever you decide to go.
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