What do you pack for Madrid in the fall? Is it cold? Hot? How do you look like a local…and not a confused American? I lived in Madrid for 7 months, and this is what you need to know!

At 7:30am, I slipped out of my apartment to greet the slowly waking city of Madrid. The streets were quiet and only inhabited by those who had to be awake: workers, students, and dog-walkers. I wrapped my jacket around my shoulders as the morning breeze nipped at my nose. The street light turned red, I crossed the street, and headed to my favorite cafe to sip a coffee before the day began.

“Buenos dias! Que tal?” The waiter called as I entered the cafe.

“Bien!” I replied, smiling. “Y tú?”

“Bien, bien. Un cappachino con leche sin lactosa?”

“Si!” I smiled. I had become a regular.

Once my coffee arrived, I sipped it slowly and watched the people in the street. Each one was bundled warmly as if it was December. However, I know that, come mid day, these same Madridians would mimic Russian nesting dolls and slowly discard each layer as the city slowly warmed.

How do you dress for a fall day that is hot? Bear legs feels out-of-season, but bundling heavily is impractical. All I really want to wear are cashmere sweaters and boyfriend jeans, but that might inflict a heat stroke. How do you harness the “fall feels” with the lingering summer heat?

The answer is illusion. My current autumn look is a simple, black blouse paired with checked shorts, tights, and boots. The long sleeves block the morning wind, but the blouse is breathable when it gets warm. Additionally, the tights allow you to wear shorts without appearing “out-of-season.”

Are you enjoying fall? What isn’t there to love?

If there is one thing my study abroad friends and I miss it is pumpkin pie. (We miss family too, of course, but this is pumpkin pie we’re talking about! If you’re desperate you can get extremely over priced pumpkin puree at Taste of America….I did it and it was worth the arm and leg I paid.) Many Americans traveling to Europe don’t explore the sweet, local coffee shops. Because of this, my friends and I made a pact early during our time in Spain to avoid Starbucks. However, each of us have caved at least once. Those big, shiny, plastic signs advertising PSLs and pumpkin bread really know how to lure desperate, pumpkin-craving American students. Oh well. Eat lots of pumpkin on my behalf!