photo the style bar 2010
I have always loved shopping in Seville. For me, it’s the perfect package for a few days’ shopping, south of Spain style.
photo spankmoto 2010
I don’t know if it is the village atmosphere, all the shops clustered together within a few charming, narrow streets of each other; or simply the fact that everywhere you look, everything around you is bathed in that particularly Sevillian hue. It somehow makes even the drabbest brown suddenly seem beautiful (and ah, that blue sky! Winter or summer, it’s always there).
photo the style bar 2008
Or maybe it’s just that, whenever I find myself in towns – as opposed to cities – where everything is in easy reach, I tend to slow down and relax a little more. And when you are in that frame of mind, it usually makes your shopping experience that much more successful.
photo the style bar 2010
Now, I am not going to lie to you and pretend that the added advantages of nightly – and authentic – flamenco shows, fantastic food at half the price of Barcelona, and a beautiful setting are not all a big part of the attraction.
I mean, who doesn’t love to stroll around a town that has trees casually laden with ripe oranges; or walk down streets where every second house has a flower-filled patio and a tiled entrance? And that is all before retiring for aperitivos along the river lined with tall wavy palms, bougainvillea and jacarandas…
photo the style bar 2010
Let’s face it: they ARE the attraction. But that, for me, is really the whole point.
photo the style bar 2010
Add to all this the fact that you can stay a few blocks from the centre of town in a fun and lively ‘barrio’ like Macarena, with your own private rooftop terrace – and you can see why it’s so irresistible!
photo spankmoto 2010
Sevilla 5 have a great range of affordable short-term rented studios like the one I stayed in (air-conditioning too - very important in summer when it’s above 35 degrees every day!)
So when the call came to go and assist one of my most faithful clients with a few days shopping in Seville, naturally I jumped at the chance.
photo spankmoto 2010
All the big brands are at your fingertips, but there are lots of smaller shops too, many with a flamenco theme – as you would expect for the capital of Andalusia. Markets are also all over the smaller neighbourhoods – great for well-priced earrings and fans!!!
photo spankmoto 2010
We had great success fulfilling the sartorial requirements of my style bar aficionado, and after a late lunch and apero (and a few hours enjoying the terrace on deckchairs), we celebrated with a night out at a local peña watching flamenco!
photo spankmoto 2010
photo spankmoto 2010
photo spankmoto 2010
I love the way people in the south still love to get dressed up for the occasion…
photo spankmoto 2010
And I had forgotten how much colour there is – everywhere in general! – compared to the muted tones of the buildings and city dressing of Barcelona.
photo spankmoto 2010
photo spankmoto 2010
All in all, another successful style bar tour!! Sevillian stopover, anyone?
Happy (southern) styling!
Rubi
