Frequently asked questions about Buenos Aires:

Dress Code for Women:

CoogeeChic:
Hi there
Am packing for my trip and hoping to get some advice re appropriate clothing for women in the evening - restaurants, bars and clubs.
Am assuming jeans, capri pants and shorts are ok for during the day?
Will be mainly in Buenos Aires before heading off to Peru.
Thankyou! (November 27, 2008)

marulandia:
Sound good and reasonable. Though wearing jeans on a hot day is not recommended....pack also a skirt or a dress.(November 28, 2008)

ScarlettO1:
I rarely see adult females wearing shorts in town.
Marulandia is SO right.. it has been very warm here , skip the jeans.
Light cottons, skirts and dresses are what you will see here..and of course, "nicer" casual things for the clubs and restaurants.(November 28, 2008)

patitoaway:
If you are young and have good legs, shorts are very in at the moment, specially with heat. Although you would not wear this downtown. I´ve seen women / girls wearing them around Palermo / San Telmo areas both day time and night time.
For evening a good couple of dresses is always good, one short one long (not dressy, just those 70´s type that are fashionable this summer). And you dress them up with heels or down with flat sandals or flip flops. (November 28, 2008)

MichelleAlison:
I am in Buenos Aires at the moment and I have noticed that both men and women are wearing shorts. I suggest you wear what you feel comfortable in. I always do.(November 28, 2008)

ScarlettO1:
Obviously, I am in the wrong neighborhood lol
Skirts and dresses and the long tunic kind of dress over short leggings and capris are what I see in Recoleta..including the parks.. but I do see "shorts" in the shop window on the corner of Las Heras but they go all the way to the knee. Bermudas , I guess.
It has been Soooo hot, it is supposed to cool down to normal hot any minute now so wear what is comfortable and shop when you get here :) (Nothing like a perfect excuse to shop)(November 28, 2008)

bethy2120:
So glad someone asked this question! I assume it's pretty warm in February as well - therefore a similiar dresscode, correct?(November 28, 2008)

karmalaw:
February is hot also.. but starting to cool a tiny bit.. TINY being operative.
What you will not see in Buenos Aires is the lumpy androgynous look that's permeated middle-american "fashion". Argentine women dress very stylishly -- feminine with fit and flair. So if you don't want to scream "tourist" -- don't wander about in ill-fitting shorts, clunky shoes, or baggy, drab clothing. (November 28, 2008)

CoogeeChic:
Thank You everybody for all of your advice.
One more question - sleeveless and strapless tops/dresses OK?(November 28, 2008)

wojodew:
Just got back...BA was like 90 degrees when we left and most women were in skirts...in regards to what to wear, i have to sort of laugh as you will see just about anything walking down the street. I think you could go out in just about anything...usually less was more where I stayed(November 28, 2008)

MichelleAlison:
I don't think there is a dress code as everybody wears what they feel comfortable in. Last night I was in a nice restaurant in Palermo and some people were dressed smartly, some were in jeans and some in "shorts". (November 29, 2008)

Older posts, let's start with Karmalaw's (my favorite posts)

You'll definitely want to bring your hip, chic, wardrobe with you. The girls in Buenos Aires are very stylish and chic.. whether they're going for the uptown look or the deconstructed urban rocker look.

Avoid:

The Androgynous Lump type of casual so accepted in the USA will make you look just like that in Buenos Aires: a lump.

The Laura Ashley type look will just make you look like someone's grandmother's bed cover.

The 6 square inches of lyrca and spandex daytime look will get you propositions of doing things by the hour for too little pay that you may not want to do.

Think:

Nice jeans, hip figure flattering pants, great boots, body flattering tops, dresses, leggings (bring your leggings from home -- they are far better in the USA). A great jacket

Bring all the socks you'll need from home -- socks seem to be of inferior quality to what you can buy in the USA -- and the good ones you'll find will be far more expensive in Buenos Aires.. ditto with good bras and underwear.

On May 11, 2008 ScarlettO1 posted:

1- clothing can be layered, you should bring casual clothes, and tops and sweaters and just layer as you go.

The winters are not horrible here at all, last year we were here with only fall clothes ( having just moved) and I managed fine with good scarves and sweaters under a light quilted jacket.

You will need good walking shoes..boots are the winter shoe of choice here..

Clothing- A little more formal than in the US

Amount of Cash- keep a little on you, but take from ATMS as needed. I always keep a few bucks on me JUST IN CASE I get myself into a situation and people want something to steal. Never happened, but it is a piece of advice that keeps me comfortable.

Race- OK, I am a very liberal California girl. This is to be honest. Race can be quite an issue in Buenos Aires. People are very nice, but have not had lots of exposure to race. The refer to bad people as black people. This is a common phrase, and they don't realize how wrong it can seem to others. You may get a few looks, but that is just that. Have you seen many albinos walking down the street? Probably not, so lack of exposure makes them at least catch your eye. With that in mind, BsAs is a very friendly city, just remember it is a little different culture.

Older posts

SandyHibiscus asked in November 2007: How can I get some idea of what the women are wearing on the streets of BA so I can make some attempt to "blend" in, if there is such a thing. I already know to leave my jewelry home. Plan to buy a few things upon arrival, but I would love to view an "on street" camera just to see the people walking about to get an idea. (I wish!) People watching in advance!

karmalaw answered: okay... it´s pretty easÿ: leave the androgynous look at home (if you have it). Women in Buenos Aires are very feminine (with exception of the rare lesbian punk rocker). Jeans are common --- but they are stylish, super tight, and designed to show off the body rather than cover it. Pants, if worn, are worn with a very feminine cut jacket and blouse. I´m not a pants or jeans wearer myself -- so I wear skirts and dresses and when the weather is cooler I layer them over leggings or tights. Shoes are likewise feminine -- sports sandals seem to be the clear mark of a tourist (although Crocs have now caught on as fad in Buenos Aires also). Be warned, if you plan on shoe shopping in Buenos Aires, you will have to look long and far for comfortable shoes -- and arch support is almost non-existent. I find myself bopping around most of the day time in my privos. At night I wear boots (if it´s cold) and very nice pumps or very nice sandals if it´s warm. (Noveber 2007)

ScarlettO1: Sandy, it seems the majority of females here wear light cotton trousers that are very fitted with light summer tops or skirts. I got a couple of skirts today that are great, a pencil skirt that looks good with both ballet flats or heels and a skirt with a gored hem, very soft and light.. It is pretty warm now..evenings are breezy but still warm. When you get here, figure if you wear a cute summer top and summer trousers/capris/skirt with sandals or ballet flats, you will be good to go shopping :) As for jewelry- long ropes of beads are being worn everywhere and all ages.., Yesterday at Patio Bullrich, it seemed that every single female was wearing black and white. One thing the ladies do here and I really like it ... they match things up a lot. Color of shoes, bags etc One lady was wearing a nice white shirt with black trousers, white shoes and the best white handbag.. my husband had to restrain me, I wanted to run after her and find out where she got the bag LOL..you will have fun here :). (November 21, 2007)

GAUCHORETOBADO

Updated: November 2008