Hi, everyone, I read the thread about heat with interest. Now I would like to ask about the cold. There was some description about Madrid winter weather; that it is cold there.
What I am wondering is:
What do you wear in the winter in Madrid? (What type of coat, pants, shoes, sweater, etc)
I am coming to Madrid in September from San Diego, California, USA, and am wondering what I should bring/buy/wear to get ready for the Madrid winter. I would love to hear any advice from those of you who have lived it. (Yes, I know it's going to be a big change for me, but that's why I chose Madrid. I want something different! My first real winter!)
Thanks in advance for any info you would like to give.
Posts: 34 | Location: Madrid, BABY! (was San Diego, Calif) | Registered: 01 April 2006
Got to agree with Jer. I'm from the UK and its always cold! Its all very good getting wrapped up like an Eygptian mummy but as soon as you get on a bus/metro or step into a bar the heat is on.
Personally I just wear a jacket and t-shirt in the winter and have never been really really cold.
Exactly - cold is relative. I'm from San Diego and I love Madrid's "winter". I wouldn't even call it a winter weather because to me its more of an extended fall (cold was when I spent Jan, Feb and March in Siberia... now THAT was cold!)
During the day its usually not cold at all, fall jacket is good enough but late at night or very early morning can get much colder so then layering (or a chupito of tequila) really helps...Take very comfortable, covered shoes - remember, you will do lots of walking in Madrid and it rains here, although not much anymore (maybe even less than in San Diego), don't bother with thick warm sweaters, just light sweaters and long sleeved shirts are good enough. Also since you are coming in Sept, remember that it will be a summery, hot weather here, so you will need some summer clothes as well.
Posts: 197 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 02 November 2004
This is only my opionion, but you guys are setting her up for a fall. It's true that you may not need a ski parka on the streets of Madrid, but not everyone has central heating and it can get damn cold in the winter. I would not have survived with out my feather duvet (you can buy them much more cheaply then I did at the Ikea) nor my sweatshirts, which I lived in most of last winter when I wasn't working. You'll need, gloves, a hat, a scarf and a decently warm coat, if it's long even better. And plan on lots of layers. If your going to be working as a teacher light sweaters are good, but I wore my sweatshirts around the house all the time. I'd also highly advise warm slippers as most floors here are not carpeted (ours are tile).
Cheers, Bonnie
Posts: 435 | Location: Italy | Registered: 25 November 2003
I have to agree with The Nanny on this one. For a Queensland boy, winter in Madrid is cold and looooong. If I didn't have a cosy Madrilenna to cuddle up to, I don't know how I would have survived.
as i said before, as a general rule, layering is good since you can peel em off or add em on if need be.
and as i also said, cold is relative. this has been proven by the comments above, normske, Ola and myself who think the winter here not that cold and Bonnie and Steve who think it is.
both where you are from (what you are used to) and whether or not you get cold easily come into play here so it is a tough topic to answer well.
As a former English teacher, I can say that layering does help because you never know if you walk into someone's office and it's hotter than Hades.
Everyone has given good advice here and the person who started this topic should bring clothes to get started and then buy as she needs. That has helped me a lot.
Shawn
"Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down" - SONG OF SOLOMON, Toni Morrison
Posts: 1255 | Location: Richmond, VA but in MADRID now | Registered: 10 February 2002
i personallly am a bit scared for the winter. after 3 years in miami, i think i´m practically a cold-blooded alligator. i freeze in DC even just during the fall. ya veremos...
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
i freeze in DC even just during the fall. ya veremos...
