1.  Everybody looks so damn casual, so T shirts are a must. Generally, all the cool looking girls on the Metro are just in well-fit black, white, or grey Ts. The color palette never really gets too wild for the general population. And crop tops ABOUND, that’s why included a few here.
   With simple clothing, you can get away with fun details and still look like just another Spanish babe, so the twist in the grey shirt here is A-OK.
   The mint tank top is a bit of a departure from the simple colors, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like this occasionally on the metro, especially on a rather warm Sunday out at El Rastro.Just keep it simple, silly.
2. Jackets.
   Leather, and in the left corner, denim. Obviously in summer during the day you won’t really need these, but it may get cool enough in the evenings and late nights in Madrid to warrant throwing one on. Beware: Madrileñas dress for season not weather a lot of the time, so even if its unseasonably cool one evening local girls may still be out in short sleeves, no jacket, just because its summer. Very odd to me, but c’est la vie.
   The jackets are as simple and standard as the rest of the Madrileña’s wardrobe. Leather and denim are common, hip, and hard to go wrong with, regardless of geographic location.
3. Jeans, or bottoms in general.
   I was once told that if you wanted to be identified as someone from the US, wear jeans.
   It seems that is no longer true– everyone everywhere seems to wear them. Chic Madrileñas wear them skinny, and often black. Not so different from fashionistas in the US. Also common in the warmer months are cut offs, more so than any other short style I noticed.
   Another huge commanality, with no representation in the above graphic guide, are black leggings, often in faux leather. They’re everywhere, especially on not-so-warm nights clubbing. Heads up.
4. Shoes.
   I don’t know if you know this, but Europeans walk freaking everywhere. If not all of Europe, sure as hell Spain. And definitely, definitely Madrid.
   Wear smart shoes. Not flip flops. You need something with a back, even if it is a sandal, it needs a back strap, because flip flops up a hill– no arch support included– is very frustrating and obviously not local.
   EVERYONE seems to be in Nike Roshes, Adidas Stan Smith’s, or Chelsea boots (often in black). With dresses, with shorts, with jeans, with jumpsuits– they wear them with everything.
   Some night you’re going to be standing in line at a club, see some Spanish vixen in a backless velvet maroon long-sleve mini dress and it’ll make you choke she looks so effortless, then you’ll notice she’s wearing this with white Converse Chucks and you will be overwhelmed with how cool she is. Be prepared.
5. Small bags with cross-body straps.
   You need one.
   I’m not arguing with you.
   You will get one before you go to Spain, or you will regret it.
   Small, because anything too large will make your shoulder feel like it’s going to tear from its socket after the fifth mile you’ve walked that day.
   Cross-body strapped because then it makes it harder to be stolen if its slung across you. Also, this style is easier to carry in front of you so no one can slip their hand inside it while you’re not paying attention.
   And they’re in.
   And there are really cute styles in them.
   Don’t fight it, just get one.
6. I included a bikini here, not because it’s likely you’ll swim in Madrid (public pools sketch me out, and private pools are often at highly exclusive clubs I don’t feel like paying to get in to, thanks).
   I included a bikini, because when you eventually wander out of Madrid it is very likely you’ll wander to a beach town. Barcelona, Malaga, Sevilla, La Palma de Mallorca– you get it.
   Most Spaniards aren’t going to wear much while swimming, if anything at all. So, you know, if you go to the beach prepare to see and be seen, and just embrace the wearing of not-very-much.

Have fun attempting to blend in with possibly the prettiest population on Earth.