Discovering Madrid in Style: A Journey with @jealizee
We had the pleasure of sitting down with the beautiful Alicia, a Madrid local, to explore a snippet of her insider tips for the ultimate travel guide through the heart of Madrid. We also dive into how the vibrant culture and surroundings of this iconic city influence the evolution of her personal style.
How long have you lived in Madrid, Spain?
My first move to Madrid was in my early 20s, right after completing a Tourism & Hospitality degree. I decided to make the leap to Spain's capital to pursue my passion for fashion. After almost four years working in the industry, I felt the need for a new adventure. I traveled through South America for a few months, but ended up falling in love with Chile and staying longer than expected. Now, after nine years of living there, I’ve returned to Madrid to continue where I left off.
How does living in Madrid influence your personal style?
Living in a vibrant city as Madrid makes me think a lot about the possibilities that fashion offers. Coming from a little city in the north of Spain and have been passionate about fashion all my life, Madrid gave me the “freedom” I needed to find my own style and express myself through fashion until what my style is today.
If you had to capture your style in three words, what would they be?
I should say effortless, 'minimal with a twist' (this is more than a word but if defines perfectly how I feel about my style) and classy.
What are some local Spanish brands you love shopping from?
Most of my clothes are from foreign brands. I have to admit that Spanish fashion is not aligned with my style as it usually has a lot of color but there are a few minimal brands that I've been wearing for years now: Adolfo Dominguez, Massimo Dutti and Cordera
What’s your go-to places for shopping in Madrid, especially for unique or local fashion finds?
If I'm looking for something unique I go vintage. One of my favorite shops in Madrid for vintage clothing is called Friperie, they have such a unique selection of vintage Levi’s and leather jackets that I absolutely love. Also, on weekends, I usually go to El Rastro, a vintage market where you can find the most incredible clothes and furniture. Last time I went I got myself a perfect brand-new vintage Loewe set that I can't still believe is in my closet.
Your top local spots for a bite? Any hidden gems?
If we talk about spanish food, I love sitting in the terrace of Gran Café Santander, in the heart of Chamberí. It's the perfect place for a lunch with friends on a sunny Sunday. You should try some of their dishes like the anchovies brioche with smoked butter, the traditional ́pincho de tortilla or their fried squids.
Los 33 has always been one of my favorite places in town. It ́s the perfect mix between a casual, but a super cozy ambience in a beautiful interior with the most amazing hispanic - uruguayan dishes. If you like meat this is your place.
For a perfect autumn morning, I'll go to Acid Shop, in Calle Barquillo. It ́s a cozy little café (scandic inspired) where you can escape from the noises of the city center and have the best kardemommesnurrer in town.
What are must-see spots or experiences would you recommend to someone visiting Madrid for the first time?
For someone coming to Madrid for the first time, I would recommend to check the art galleries calendar in advance. There are always some temporal exhibitions from Spanish painters and many European artists that anyone would definitely enjoy. Then, Museo del Prado is, no doubt, a mandatory to contemplate the Goya ́s and Velazquez ́s paintings and, from El Prado, I would take a short walk to Barrio de las Letras, which is one of the most unique neighbourhoods in Madrid.
City Hall, in Plaza de Cibeles, is one of the most beautiful institutional buildings I've ever seen in my life and from there you can easily walk to Parque del Retiro to enjoy a boat ride and visit the Glass Palace. Afternoon is for the Royal Palace and for having some typical spanish food at Mercado de San Miguel, next to Plaza Mayor.
