What type of clothes/coat should I pack for trip to Buenos Aires in May?

Question

I'm headed to Buenos Aires for the last two weeks in May. I've been checking weather sites and reading travel sites to get an idea of climate, but most people seem to write about March or June. I have NO idea what to pack for May- especially with regard to the type of coat I should bring.

GENERAL: Since it will be autumn there in May, I was thinking of bringing black boots and mostly jeans and sweaters. Maybe one really nice outfit (black slacks & a nice top, and a black dress). Would I look strange, or will this be acceptable attire?

*COAT: I'm mostly stymied on the coat - should I bring a down coat with a hood? A black dress coat? Or a wool coat and raincoat? I can't bring all of them, so if you had to pick one or two, what would you bring, given the climate there in May?

Thanks!

Answer 1

In Buenos Aires we do dress with very nice clothes, European style, not like the the American slobs, do not bring to Buenos Aires your stupid flip-flops t-shirts and shorts, or people will laugh at you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Well, it's early May now and I'm here in Buenos Aires.  If I could only pick one, I'd bring the black dress coat, if you want to fit in.  In the city, most people dress pretty nicely all of the time and you don't see anyone but backpackers looking like, well, backpackers with big coats. Also, the days are still pretty nice here especially in the sun. Rather than thinking of traveling with a big coat, you might want to think of traveling in layers.  I'll go out in a long sleeve jacket thing, but I might have two cami/tanktops on under my main shirt to keep me warm.  People do wear jeans, but not a ton - unless they're snazzy looking jeans.  Buenos Aires is a lot like NYC in the way people dress on the streets  - you can usually tell the tourists by their sneakers and f***y packs.

I wouldn't worry about the rain coat - just buy an umbrella if you need one when you get here.

-JamieSue

Check out my blog about Argentina at http://jamiesue.typepad.com