How To Dress Like A Brazilian?

In a previous post about safety issues in Rio, I mentioned that one of the best things you can do to have a safe time in Rio is to blend in. And what better way to that than dressing like a Brazilian. So how does a Brazilian dress? And where in Rio do they buy it from ? Read on my friends.

First, as mentioned before, no designer things, no expensive watch or sunglasses, no bling bling such as bracelets, gold chains or fancy cell phones or ipods. For the day time activities, if close to the beach, just get a short that you bought at one of the many stores in Ipanema or Copacabana. Buy a pair of flip flops, a local T-shirt and you're set. If you're away from the beach, then again, a simple pair of jeans along a T-shirt bought locally and some running shoes. All of course locally bought. I can hear now asking, "where do I buy these things in Rio?"

I'm glad you asked. There are a lot of options, but one of your first option would be to go to Rio Sul Shopping in Urca, close to the Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf). But don't buy your items from the expensive/imported or designer stores. Buy from a local brand store called C&A, which is very popular among the middle class in Brasil. They have some relatively nice looking things, not very expensive and most importantly, they help to blend in quite nicely.

Another option would be to look at the stores lining up Nossa Senhora de Copacabana street, which is the 1st street paralel to Avendia Atlantica, and has a good local selection of clothing.

If you want a truly local look with an added "adventure" to it, then hop onto the Metro and stop at Uruguaiana station in Centro and go to the Saara market at Rua da Alfandega. There you would find everything you'd need at rock bottom prices, read local prices, plus you'd also find all the touristy stuff you would ever wanted/needed at  half the price of Copacabana's going rates.

As much as what to wear is important, it is also as importantly critical as what NOT to wear in Rio. Besides the obvious designer clothing with bling blings, one thing that makes someone sorely stand out as a gringo is the capoeira pants, the Brazilian futebol/soccer national shirt, a Copacabana hat with colorful parrots on it. And the worst of all, not only the biggest give away but also the most ugly sight, that is to be wearing socks with sandals. This is quite a popular "fashion" attire for Germans and Brits. Guys, first, if you really have to wear sandals, wear the local types and secondly, PLEASE, no socks with them!

And by far the most important piece of clothing one must have if they truly want to blend in, is to wear a tan. A real one. :-) So spend your first day at the beach, working on your tan. Of course after having stopped at the local pharmacy to pick up a nice local tanning and sun screen lotion.

Of course, there are a ton of other places to buy local clothings in Rio that would help you blend in better. As you spend more time in Rio and get to know real cariocas (the name given to Rio residents), or as they're called, a carioca da gema, then a whole new world will open up before your bewildered eyes. And that's one of the most charming and enchanting aspects of Rio, the Marvelous City. Speaking of which, as I am writting these concluding lines, all of a sudden, I hear the famous marchina (old carnaval song) which has become the anthem of Rio de Janeiro play in my head...

Cidade Maravilhosa, cheia de encantos mil,
Cidade Maravihosa, coração do meu Brasil