Madrid weather can kill us all, literally. I have lived here for a few years, and the weather is a bit of a struggle, not only for me but for many people I know. Especially in the cold months, from the end of October and the beginning of November, when the morning temperature is super low, only a few degrees, and then suddenly around 11 or 12 the sun is heating us up. Mainly, we don’t know what to wear. How do we not get cold in the morning and not feel the heat in the afternoon?
For a few months now I have been running a WhatsApp group, The Spoiled Queen Fashion Madrid, for women who live in Madrid (but anyone is welcome to join), where we tackle all kinds of fashion issues. One of the most common questions is how to dress for Madrid weather, especially in the colder months. One of my ladies, Denise, asked how to layer without looking frumpy. Marjaana mentioned Madrileñas walking to work in the morning in their blazers while she was in her wool coat, which is indeed great for the morning, but what do you do with it when you start melting around noon? And then the eternal question: are beanies even allowed in Madrid?
I love my ladies’ questions, but not so much the problematic Madrid weather. But I live by the maxim that there is no problem we can’t find a solution to, and I believe the best way to tackle these months in Madrid is simply layering.
So here are my easy rules for Madrid layering.
Rule 1: Every layer has to look good on its own.
In the morning you wear everything, but at 1pm the coat comes off and maybe the knit too. So what is underneath has to be a real outfit.
Rule 2: Think in three layers.
- Base: thin and warm. A merino long sleeve, a thermal top or a fine turtleneck. Choose merino over cotton. Cotton holds the sweat when you walk in the sun, and then you are cold again in the shade.
- Middle: your afternoon outfit. A shirt, a fine knit or a blazer. Make it the nice one.
- Outer: your morning piece, easy to carry. A trench, a light wool coat or a quilted jacket.
The thick wool coat? We say yes to it, but only from December to February. Want a blazer like the Madrileñas? Wear a thin quilted vest under it and a coat on top. At noon the vest goes in your bag and the coat over your arm.
Rule 3: Thin inside, thick outside, and only one bulky piece.
A chunky knit or a big coat. Never both.
Rule 4: Show your layers on purpose.
A shirt collar over the knit, a belt at the waist, one color family.
Rule 5: Accessories are your thermostat.
A scarf, gloves and a beanie do the morning work and go in your bag in seconds. So take a bag big enough for all of it.
Rule 6: Dress your legs for the whole day.
You can’t take off your tights in the street. Wool trousers or a midi skirt with knee boots work all day. Shoes… that’s my next article, so stay tuned.
Rule 7: Too plain? Add color and details.
If you feel your clothes are a bit too plain because you focus too much on the fabric, the simple fix is to choose cardigans or knitwear with some color, or add some patterns. The other thing is jewelry: nice rings, a bit bigger than normal, interesting earrings, bracelets. Those details boost any look. You can also add a little silk scarf or a key chain to your bag. Small elements can make a big difference. And one outstanding accessory will always be a scarf, silk or a big wool one.
And the beanie?
Yes, you can wear it in Madrid. A fine knit in a neutral color won’t stand out. Or try a warm knitted headband instead. It keeps your ears warm, doesn’t ruin your hair, and fits in your pocket at noon.
So what do I do personally? I like to combine Scandinavian style with the Madrileña way of dressing. From Scandinavia I take the function: warm fabrics, neutral colors, good layers and shoes I can walk in. From Madrid I take the dressed-up part: a blazer, a good bag, gold jewelry and earrings. The Scandi part keeps me warm in the morning, and the Madrid part makes me look put together when the coat comes off at noon. For me it’s the best of both worlds, and it works perfectly with Madrid weather.
Two stores I can recommend for basics and layering are Uniqlo and Oysho. They both do light outerwear but in warm fabrics. In Uniqlo you can find thin cardigans made of cashmere, merino or other wools, at good prices. Their Heattech tops are a great base layer, and the Ultra Light Down vest is perfect under a blazer because it folds into a tiny bag. Oysho is perfect for jackets and more sporty outerwear, light but warm. When it comes to affordable accessories like scarves, beanies and gloves, Parfois is a good choice, and you can find the bag there too.
And if you want to add a little Madrid twist, here are a few local places I like. Malababa is a Madrid brand that makes bags and leather jewelry in its own workshops here. Aristocrazy, also born in Madrid, is great for statement rings and earrings. Bimba y Lola is a Spanish clothing brand that also has fun jewelry and accessories. And for something different, visit Lorna Earth, a Spanish sustainable brand with a boutique in Madrid. Their prints are a great way to add color to your neutral layers.
I hope these rules will help you survive the Madrid cold months, and stay stylish while doing it. If you have more questions, join my WhatsApp group, The Spoiled Queen Fashion Madrid. We help each other there, and your question might become my next article. The next one is about shoes you can actually walk Madrid in, so send me your shoe struggles.
And if you need more help, you can book a personal styling session with me. We go through your wardrobe together and build outfits that work for you and for Madrid weather. If you prefer to shop, join me for a fashion tour in Madrid, and I will take you to the stores I actually shop in. Just send me a message on WhatsApp or email and we will find a date.
