Argentine Fashion

Tips:


Fashion Tip #1: When in doubt, wear flats.

[I'm aware that this tip mostly applies to women. I would say I'm sorry for the gender exclusion, but guys got it good already with the expectations of flat shoes 24/7.]

Heel vs. Flat

The situation: I brought two pairs of heels to Argentina anticipating I may like to wear them to a bar or club. Want to know how much time I've spent in either pair? A total of 2 hours, and 1.45 of those hours were sedentary at a restaurant. Needless to say, there's copious amounts of walking here and shoes make a difference. Also, try dancing until 5 or 6 a.m. in 4.5 inch stilettos (this situation is hypothetically speaking, of course). Good luck.  

The solution: Wear flats. Not just any flats though. Go strappy and clingy, like a traditional tango dress.

The compromise: Wear wedges or half-heels. Both are in style here, probably due to the fact that porteños rightfully know the pains of blistered heels and sore arches. However, the greater cause of looking trendy cannot be risked.  

Fashion Tip #2: Try hard to look like you're not trying at all.
[Disclaimer: this post may be generation-biased. Folks above the age of 30 certainly can indulge in Argentine style, however you may want to take caution with skirt lengths and the like.]

Hot shot

The situation: The temperatures are rising and so are the standards for fashion during the summer. Personally, I find it harder to be fashion-forward during these sweltering months because I can't rely on my trusty layering strategy. Instead, you have to make one or two pieces interesting with accessories, beauty techniques or simply standing alone. It's an art, I must say, because when you look hot (literally sweating and panting for some air conditioning), you look like you've tried too hard.

The solution: Suck it up, wear what you want and face the climbing degrees. I've seen many a girl in skinny jeans or leggings this past month holding their heads high and strutting as if they were invincible to weather and fashion critics. 

property of: Scott Schuman

The compromise: I've seen many an airy dress and peasant top here, of which I've most definitely embraced. However, to make the outfit altogether more interesting, I suggest one rely on color, shape or pattern. No pattern is too crazy in Argentina and shapes can help you play with your natural bodily proportions (for instance, I like to dress myself tall with high-waisted shorts). Not to mention, bright colors compliment vacation-tanned skin on the women and men here. So go on, wear your tank-top and shorts (yes, shorts DO exist in Argentina. I don't know where that rumor stemmed from), just branch out and stay cool. After all, who wants to look like style doesn't come naturally?

Fashion Tip #3: Accessorize as if Madonna attended Woodstock.
The situation: I came from the United States where stick straight hair and tamed ringlets rule, simple cinch belts and wristlets complete an outfit, and getting creative comes with a 'hipster' label. Now in Argentina, it's not only that I'm studying abroad in an entirely different country, but I feel as if I'm in a different, warped era of fashion. Madonna's made a comeback y'all, and she's gone all bohemian on us.
The solution: Embrace the hippie-'80s fashion fusion! Go ahead and raise that long ponytail of yours to the crown of your head and flip it to one side. Pair crocheted vests with floral dresses, but even it out with a large plastic cross necklace. And nothing quite says you've made it through the wilderness like clogs alongside neon lips and scrunchies.
The compromise: You don't have to completely blast to the past to be fashion forward. One historic accessory a day keeps the fashion police away. Rock a hair clip with a simple belt or work in some flower power with a pin. The trick is to balance '80s with bohemian... then you can let the good times roll.