What to Wear in Medellin: A Conflict of Interests?
Don’t wear that, wear this instead! Let’s take a look at this surprisingly contentious topic of what to wear in Medellin.
By Kaveh Paymayesh
A straightforward question, right? Well, believe it or not, the answer to this question is actually quite layered (excuse the pun).
The simple answer
If you want to be comfortable then dress for warm, or even hot weather. You might want to avoid fabrics that’ll make you sweat, as that is very easy to do in Medellin.
Silk, cotton, wool & linen. These are great as they are breathable. Stay away from synthetic fabrics; nylon and poly are more insulating.
Medellin has a subtropical highland climate (as per the Köppen climate classification). Due to its proximity to the equator, the weather is largely consistent year-round. In my experience, this makes things a lot more straightforward in terms of dressing.
Having said that, the valley in which Medellin finds itself is home to a large band of different altitudes. Those altitudes provide different micro-climates.
For example, the surrounding mountains are all traversable, with many communities distributed throughout. The climate here is notably cooler. At night, the temperature can be cool enough to warrant an extra layer.
Outside of those higher elevations in the valley, close to the basin, Medellin’s climate is warm, if not hot. It’s gorgeous!
Medellin experiences lots of rainfall, regardless of the month. You have wet & wetter seasons. However, even when raining, the temperature remains warm. A light waterproof would be of good utility!
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Weather is warm/hot throughout the majority of the valley
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Rain is a common feature. Bring an umbrella or light waterproof
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The higher elevations are cooler. Additional layers advisable.
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The temperature is not subject to significant monthly changes
What 'you should' wear in Medellin is about more than just comfort
Well duh! We all know that. Our clothing choices factor in much more than just comfort. Otherwise, some of us wouldn’t be spending hundreds, if not thousands on different logos and brands, right?
Just like anywhere else back home, what you wear in Medellin has implications.
Is it bad to dress like a gringo?
There is a long-held belief amongst foreigners that you should dress like a local; dressing like a ‘gringo‘ makes you more conspicuous. The underlying assumption is that drawing attention to yourself as a foreigner is a bad thing.
My opinion differs from that of gurus, and other foreigners that share this sentiment.
I’m no expert, but it seems that gringos are no more likely to get robbed than locals. I would even contend that well-behaved foreigners are slightly less likely to be robbed than Colombians.
Of course, if you’re dressing like a wealthy baller then expect to be handled like one… However, dressing in shorts for example, in my opinion, is not going to increase your chances of being robbed.
“But aren’t you more likely to be panhandled, harassed, or targeted in general?”
Perhaps so, I cannot say with conviction. What I would add though, is that this is more likely to be affected by OTHER factors:
Where you are & at what times, your behaviour, your knowledge of Spanish, stature & physique etc.
Furthermore, let’s not forget that many foreigners coming to Medellin will stick out regardless. If you are 6ft+ then you are 5 inches taller than the average male in Colombia. Blonde or blue eyed? Do you sound like a Paisa when you open your mouth?
Is it not appropriate to blend?
That depends on you. If you’re like most that come to Medellin, you’ll only be here short-term to medium-term.
A tourist and an expatriate are two very different types of foreigners in Medellin. A tourist is a fleeting visitor. They will naturally be less inclined to observe the local dress code.
By contrast, expatriates and other long-term foreigners will feel more compelled to adhere to local customs, including what they wear. That’s just basic human behaviour.
Of course, a lot can be inferred based on appearance and presentation. If you don’t want to be perceived as a tourist, then your clothes are a good place to start.
Again, the same applies if you’re looking to date. I’ve personally found that Paisa women regard the backpacker look as unkempt and unattractive. Is that enough to make you ditch the flip-flops?
How do the locals dress?
Smart-casual; trousers or jeans with a nice shirt. Shorts are often reserved for Sundays and/or physical activity.
I’ve noticed that in Colombia, or just about anywhere else conservative, people tend to dress formally.
If you want to dress like a local in Medellin then make sure you’re wearing clothes that fit! This is important.
Generally, in the Western world, we dress liberally. We don’t often hesitate over comfort and utility. That’s why in England for example, shorts are a standard choice in warmer months.
Half a world away in South America, people dress to impress. Upon investigating why I found that this is because of socio-economic reasons. With the ubiquity of poverty, dressing ‘down’ is not becoming.
In a classist society, clothes are just one of the many indicators used to suss out status. Nobody wants to be perceived as poorer than they are, or of lower status.
In more economically developed countries, the reality is very different. We’ve sort of transcended this situation hence why it’s hard to discern wealth from our choice of clothing. Bill Gates comes to mind!
What I do not recommend
Accessories; watches, rings, chains. Of course, you can wear them but you’ll quickly discover that being ritzy in Medellin is an uncomfortable experience. If not, you may be obtuse in your observations.
This is a matter of giving papaya, as Colombians love to say. You’d be attracting attention from criminals. Therefore in Medellin, I would skip out on:
- Jewellery
- Flash clothing
- Rings
Again, it’s your choice with what to wear in Medellin. Please be prepared to relinquish those same accessories in the case of an armed robbery. If NOT, you will very likely lose your life over them. This claim is backed by concrete data.
What to wear - my final thoughts
When I first arrived at Medellin, practically as a teenager, I tried my best to integrate and blend. My Persian features made me feel more at home in Medellin than in my own country.
With age, I’ve since appreciated the brevity of life. If you’re retired in Medellin, who gives a toss with what you do or don’t wear. You want to wear shorts? Go for it. Do what makes you happy. You want to dress like a gringo on vacation? Go for it, damn, you’re living the good life as far as I can see.
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