Fashion Don’ts in Caracas – Part Two
The other day, I saw a gentleman get out of the elevator in my building wearing no shirt, swim trunks and no shoes. Guess where he was from?
Yes, a new American family has moved in and this
guy didn’t waste any time getting comfortable. Granted, he was heading to the pool, but that is just something you never see done here. From my first trip here, I noticed how the people on my flight – mainly Venezuelans – were dressed casually, but chic. The men wore nicely fitted jeans with loafers and the women also spruced up their outfits with blouses (as opposed to t-shirts) and accessories. This was a welcomed change because I’ve traveled with Americans who wore pajamas and never understood the rationale behind that.
Which brings me to something people, especially Americans, should be prepared for when visiting Caracas – the effort Venezuelans put into their appearance. Aside from the excessive plastic surgery, Venezuelans look nice everywhere they go. At the supermarket, I never see a woman who looks like they are making a quick stop because they forgot something. Everyone looks as though they got ready to go to the store – makeup and all. It’s nice to look at, but a pain in which to have to take part.
I don’t think I was at all a slob before coming here, but somehow my regular jeans and t-shirt made me stick out like a sore thumb. I didn’t change my entire wardrobe, I just re-coordinated my outfits. For instance, if I am going to wear jeans, I pick a nice blouse and add some accessories. I will never be one to forgo comfort for style, but these changes have been relatively easy and I always feel like I’m a little dressed up.
So, even though the clothes are tighter than what I’m accustomed to, Venezuelans are always impeccably put together and there’s definitely wrong with that.
Photo credits: Selenademi920 and NeoGaboX via Flickr
Tags: Caracas Lifestyle, Cultural Assimilation, Cultural Norms, Cultural Norms in Venezuela, Expat, Expatriates in Venezuela, Getting settled in foreign country, Haitian-American in Venezuela
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chela, Deborah David. Deborah David said: New blog post from Balanced Melting Pot: Fashion Don’ts in Caracas – Part Two http://bit.ly/aKNfIe [...]
I think the trend toward casualness in America has gone WAY too far. I think I’d like visiting Venezuela from the way you describe how people dress!
Mary in Marrakesh´s last [type] ..Differences Seen Between Americans and British in the Workplace
I agree, Mary. The casualness in the states can get out of hand. I once saw a picture of someone standing in front of the White House in their pajamas because they had been traveling the night before and didn’t have time to change. There should definitely be limits to what you wear outside of your house.
Same in Switzerland. High heels when riding their bikes, nice make up and hair at 6 in the morning, fitted clothes, nice shoes…no baseball caps, no worn jeans nor t shirt. Just nice all the time. It requires more effort, but I do it.
Kiki´s last [type] ..How We Spent Our Weekend
Oh yeah, that sounds like Caracas. You know, at first it was nerve wracking, but now that I’ve gotten used to it, I like looking my best at all times.
Haha, this reminds me of when I lived in Dubai for a few years. EVERYONE dresses up properly, even if they’re just going out to chuck the garbage. You feel this subliminal pressure to keep up as well. It’s not just the ladies, same goes for guys too! I remember going to the supermarket near the house once late at night to pick up something. I just strolled in wearing an old shirt and some shorts, expecting to just get what I was after and head home uneventfully. Got the shock of my life when I bumped into a couple of friends. As I chatted with them, I was painfully aware as they slowly scrutinised my crinkled t-shirt and faded shorts.
Never made that mistake ever again.
Black Backpacker´s last [type] ..An unforseen diversion
Definitely, the way people dress is cultural and crosses gender lines. I don’t really think it’s about being stylish, either. It’s more the expectation that you will put some effort into making yourself presentable before stepping out of the house. Tough lesson to learn, but worth it
Americans have taken casual to new depths, especially in my adopted home of Massachusetts. I went to a christening once and everyone was in jeans and t-shirts; a couple even wore baseball caps! I’m from NYC, and while you can certainly find the “don’t-care” dressing mentality, overall people care about how they look at all times. So that’s how I grew up. I never “just run out”without putting my outfit and accessories together. It’s second nature. But people here comment on how well I dress, even when, by my own standards, it’s pretty casual. I hope I never get lazy, with such a low threshold…lol
Jeans and ball caps at a christening – now that’s just terrible. When we lived in South Florida, our group of Haitian friends sort of developed a hybrid to American and Haitian norms. You may see someone wearing jeans to a christening, but they are the nicer, fitted ones with a button down shirt and loafers. This is usually if the event is being celebrated in a house. If being held at a facility, then slacks are the only way to go. It ended up working out – no one was sloppy and everyone was comfortable.
This was in the CHURCH, no less! And definitely no button-down shirts; these were t-shirts. All I could think was that these people had the nerve to have a video camera! haha I don’t think people should be uncomfortable, but come on….
Deborah,
your post remind me a performing of the well known Luis Fernández in Venezuela. He is actually married with Mimi Lazo.
In that performance, which is actually an “stand up”, he talks about how women wake up at 4 am to start all the process of nice long lose hair, great well done make up, fake nails, high heals, tight jeans, push up, tiny shirt (to show the boobs you got after the push up) and all that… and at the end he says: “and then they say that all they want from a man is ‘honest’”!
My boyfriend, which is dutch, always asks why venezuelan people wear so much clothes and even jeans with that weather! LOL
Ley´s last [type] ..No todo es lo que parece
Lol! Very true! I find that Venezuelan men are very aggressive with the catcalls and I think it’s because they’re used to being provoked. If a woman is showing a lot of cleavage, eventually someone is going to make a pass. I don’t wear anything close to as tight as the women here, but they are always put together nicely.
Hello again, I think you just saw the nice side of the Venezuelan people and maybe because the area you live in is in a good neighborhood, I have been here in Venezuela for a year and a half and I only see people like this in malls and fancy places other than that I tell ya the Venezuelan people are a mess not just fashion wise.
Terrible Twos…
[...]» Blog Archive » Fashion Don’ts in Caracas – Part Two[...]…