“The plan was to just pass through Medellin…but that was four months ago.” The story is all too common here in Medellin. Travelers are either making their way through Southern and Latin America, or come to Medellin for a quick getaway, and suddenly they are hooked. Falling in love with this city is all too common…for guys anyway.
I’ve met at least a dozen guys that have decided to stay in Medellin long term, but I have yet to meet, in person, a single girl that has come to appreciate this city the way the guys do.
The standards for women here are quite different from the standards in the countries that most travelers come from. The problem is, they are very fashion oriented and not very obvious. There is a lot to fashion that I am completely oblivious to, but here are a few tips to make fitting into Medellin just a little bit easier. Looks are key here in Medellin. Sure, other girls care a lot more about it than the guys, but women are the larger part of the population here.
Don’t look like a backpacker. Guys can get away with it, but a T-shirt and shorts will not cut it for women.
Make-up is not optional. It doesn’t have to be super heavy, but unless your skin is naturally flawless, throw on some type foundation and at least some eyeliner EVERY TIME you go out.
Leave the heels at home. Unless they are extremely professional looking, heels are considered tacky, especially at discos. A pair of really nice flats or wedges will go a long way.
Keep accessories simple. Wearing a lot of jewelry will only get you attention from robbers. Keep accessories small, shiny, and cheap looking. Sequence jewelry is the most popular style I see here, and earrings are the most common accessory in Medellin.
Nice jeans are a staple. A simple skinny jean is popular right now, as is a boot cut that has many elegant embellishments. Make sure they are dark wash or white. Shorts are much more rare, and should be as formal as possible.
Tops must shine. They don’t have to be metallic, but they should be at least slightly attention getting. Something that has much attention to detail, a great pattern, and/or flashy colors is what you’re going for. T-shirts must be extremely fitted if worn at all. Tank tops and spaghetti straps are great, but make sure you keep your stomach covered. A small gap above your pants is ok.
Skirts are great but be careful with dresses. Skirts are not as common as jeans, but they are pretty much a free ticket. Keep them a few inches above the knee or longer, unless you have a tiny frame, and any style, color, or material is acceptable. Dresses are just less common. A simple sundress can be worn pretty much anywhere that is casual. Keep them simple for during the day. Dresses are not always common at a disco or club. I would stay away from them unless you know for sure.
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I have a few older single male friends that have been to Medellin and decided to stay.
From what they say Medellin has a LOT of prostitutes, they are young and they are cheap. And pretty.
Maybe thats why it is harder to find a female traveller that has settled down there?
I have been in South America for a few years and thats just what Ive came to know Medellin as; A beautiful place filled with cheap prostitutes.
Hi Aune,
Thanks for stopping by. I was in Medellin for almost 6 months, going out several times a week to clubs and the main nightlife areas, and while I did see the obvious 50-year old white guys with diminutive Colombian women, it was not as often as your friends might make it sound*nothing* compared to the hordes of prostitutes in Thailand, many of whom will aggressively try to solicit their male customers on the streets of every pretty beach and island, let alone Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Yes, there is a sex tourism thing happening in Medellin, but the reports I got were that it was much worse in the bars of Cartagena, which makes sense as that is where the cruise ships dock, and the worlds' tourists go because they deem it the safe city in Colombia.
I can assure you the average Colombian women doesn't think positively of the sex trade happening - who would? I'm not convinced that is the reason female backpackers don't stop there to the same degree the guys do. I'd be curious to hear Holly's take now that she's been there a few months.
Aune,
You are an idiot. It is people like you who contribute to the false notion that Medellin has nothing to offer other than prostitution. Prostitution has existed in most every place inhabited by humans for thousands of years. Please do the world a favor and stop sharing your pin-headed observations.
Regards,
BD
Holly -
I noticed many of these fashion do's and don's, however I'm so glad you wrote about it. I wouldn't have been nearly so eloquent. :)
It has taken awhile to get back to the American fashion sense, but two months in, I'm still dressing in my Medellin style vs. how I use to dress before leaving home.
Dave,
Can you shoot me an email. I am an American thinking about moving to Medellin.
Thanks
Will do Brian. I removed your email address from the comments in case of spam.
Dave-
Will I stand out if I wear dress on a day to day basis while in Medellin?
Dolly,
Dresses are always a good idea especially when its hot in Medellin. Keep them flowy and be smart about the length. Most dresses around here are knee length but the occasional maxi-dress is always welcome. I would bring a few options other than dresses if I were you because it can get cold or rainy sometimes.
This article is a bit older and fashion in Medellin has changed since. There are more shorts, dresses and skirts. Check out the latest article on this subject. http://medellinliving.com/womens-fashion/
Holly,
I tell you what, I read a couple of your entries and they are really cool, guess what kept me interesred? That great picture on your home page of the RXN that adorns your page, Medellin kicks ass!
hi!!
i really like this report about medellin. And by the way, im also from here...and I agree with you that is logic that in all places you can find prostitues and all that, but is like you say...is obvious to see that case, much with the old man around the young girl.
Thanks also for noticing how we dress!! jeejej and your suggestions as a foreign...is not that complicate, just more like jeans, blouses...and yeah, not too many skirts..
and as for boys, you guys are just used to shorts. On that case, thats how we know the guy is not from here, besides the look, of course. (is not the latin-colombian one)
(:
thanks for loving my cityy!!!
i´l keep cheking your blog.
Ivy - I returned back to the USA with little desire to wear shorts ever again!
Interesting. I'd be fine there! I'm always in dark jeans/sparkly tops/skirts and I rarely wear heels ( I'm already tall at 5'8'' ).
Tips like this are great for lady travelers. Based on the info ...Medellin must just have a ton of attractive women.
Hi Amanda, nice to see you over here at Medellin Living!
I hope to feature more from the female perspective over at GoBackpacking too.
Really enjoy the post. Maybe hiking gear would assist someone out there.
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I wish I'd read this before I went to Medellin! I was there for 2 mos and while I would love to go back, I wouldn't move there. I was there with my boyfriend, I'm 5'8, he's 5'10ish, we were considered an appropriate couple in the states, looks wise. When we got there he was swarmed by tiny, really attractive, smart, cool women who wondered if he was married, and a lot of very nice, smart, cool guys who were anywhere from 6 inches shorter than me to my height exactly and gay wanted to be my friend. Eventually a woman who didn't know he had a girlfriend kinda jumped him and he went for it, and a month later I made out with a genius musician who obviously was looking for the exotica factor. Simply put: guys there are much shorter than in America, and the culture is macho enough (cool! forward thinking! but macho) to where if you are considered a tall drink of water in the states you kinda won't be able to get a date there. wah. Still not a good reason not to go though.
Cool article.
I'm from Medellin but leave in europe, and every time I travel with friends... the same story...
cheers,
olmo
Hi, I am a female and will be traveling to Medellin soon. I found this article helpful but my concern is that it was published 3 years ago. If you are still responding to posts from this, my question would be, 'is this still the fashion for 2012?'
Thanks much,
Donnita
Ho Donnita and other with the same question regarding style of dress today 3+ years after the original post was written.
Born and raised in Medellin, moved to the US at 6 years of age, lived 14 years in NYC and back in Medellín for the past 7 years.
As usual you can wear what you like and what suits you well - it's a free country but the original poster did say quote:
"but here are a few tips to make fitting into Medellin just a little bit easier"
So in Holly's post
Don't look like a backpacker, unless you are and in that case, well what can you do?
Make up is not optional - check
Keep accesories simple - check
Nice Jeans are a staple - super check!
Tops must shine - somewhat
Skirts are great but be carefil with dresse - check
Boot cut jeans are out and not even that popular a few years ago. That one made me scratch my head a bit.
Heels, are more common today than three years ago with wedges still #1. All depends on where you are going and who you are with.
Sneakers are right out as are:
Hats of any kind
Sweatpants
Cargo and cropped pants
Any kind of socks showing
Team sports wear unless a local team (verde o rojo parce) the day they are playing
Don't wear shorts or miniskirts unless you are looking for 'customers'
Colombia is not a place for tomboy looks or girls who look like softball players. Women here are extremely feminine compared to the Europe and North America - it's not even close.
In short you can't go wrong with a dressy pair of jeans, a single colored or simple print blouse (skip the flashy sewn in ornaments unless you are under 21). off the shoulders is fine (don't forget a simple necklace), minimal costume jewelry, mani/pedi and showng a little more skin than in your home country is acceptable reagrdless of age or where you are going.
More and more blacks and greys are becoming more acceptable and slowly making their way into the pastel blue and yellows of the 2000's.
No up dos unless going to a wedding, barets and hair clips are in but not really scrunchies (OK around the house but not out) and more and more bangs are in. Long hair still out numbers short cuts and bobs 100-1 for women under 45.
Thanks for the update parce! When I visited Medellin two months ago, after a year away, I noticed more girls in heels then in past years. Hope that trend continues :)
Hello Dave, I visit Medellin last November for about a week. What's a good dress
for a man in Medellin. I want to start visiting Medellin everyother month before I move there in two years. I have some other quations about Medellin. Shoot me a email. Thanks
Jeans and a nice t-shirt are fine for most occasions, day or night.