Understanding Clothing Sizes: A Guide to Shopping in Spain

Understanding Clothing Sizes: A Guide to Shopping in Spain

The Sizing Situation

For Northern European women who are generally taller and larger framed than Latin women, shopping for clothes in Spain might bring some surprises. The prevalent smaller sizes in Spain could make it seem like you've unexpectedly gone up several dress sizes, causing a momentary surge of distress.

But there's no need for immediate panic or drastic dietary changes. Clothing sizes in Spain can differ significantly and tend to be smaller on average. It's noteworthy for taller women that trouser legs are usually longer, and several stores offer a cost-effective alteration service that is widely utilized.

Evidently, clothing sizes can feel different across regions. As a reference, a size 10/12 from the UK-based brand Next translates to a size 42 (14) jeans in Spain, which can feel quite snug. In fact, you might find yourself struggling a bit in Spanish fitting rooms, even when you try on the largest sizes available.

The Fashion Industry and Staff

In contrast to the traditional image of Latin women being curvaceous, the fashion industry in Spain, particularly stores for women’s clothing, predominantly employs petite and slender women. This observation is clearly noticeable in affluent areas such as Marbella, where there seems to be a distinct correlation between wealth and slimness. As a result, boutiques, especially around Puerto Banus in Marbella, mostly stock petite, minimalistic clothing.

Shopping Options in Spain

Spain does not offer the extensive selection of high street brands that many are accustomed to, as the preference is still towards smaller, individual shops offering unique items in a few different sizes. Shopping this way could escalate costs, as these shops do not benefit from the economies of scale enjoyed by large conglomerates, like the Arcadia Group.

Yet, stores such as Zara have found tremendous success by employing Japanese-inspired, automotive methods to their processes. With an average design-to-shop-floor turnaround of just three weeks, Zara remains in sync with the latest fashion trends and is able to replicate popular catwalk looks, contributing to the brand's popularity. However, their main limitation is that they cater predominantly to sizes 8 to 12.

Different Shops for Different Ages

Unlike the UK where trendy shops such as New Look cater to a wide age range, in Spain, one glance at the shop window displays and it’s clear which age group a store targets. For instance, Berska is seemingly against anyone above a size 10 and over the age of 25. Zara, however, aims to satisfy a larger age range by dividing its stores into three sections; Zara Basic, Zara Woman, and TRF, each tailored for different demographics. Quality, design, and pricing vary across the different sections.

Other chains, such as Mango and Promod, target the 20 to 35 and 35+ age groups respectively, with similar quality offerings as Zara, while Massimo Duttii caters to the smart, casual, and successful thirty-somethings. El Corte Ingles, the major department store, carries a range of designers to cater to the needs of 20s and 30s.

Sales and Discounts

Regarding sales, high street discounts in Spain might disappoint. Customers expecting hefty discounts i.e. 50% may be disheartened as most stores only offer about 20%. There are two main sale periods per year: summer and January.

When clothes shopping in Spain, it's advisable to try a range of sizes and not focus too much on the size label since it might not accurately represent your usual size. The focus should be on the fit of the clothes, and remember, many shops offer an alteration service if needed.