The 12 Outfits I Wore in Barcelona That Got Me the Most Compliments

When I tell you Barcelona brings out a different version of me, I mean it in every way—including the way I dressed. If you like traveling as much as I do, you’re constantly yearning for the kind of trip that shifts your perspective, and after spending the past few weeks in Barcelona, I can confidently say this one did. New York is my home, and while it’s a place where you can choose many paths, I’ve chosen glamour. But Barcelona? It’s one of the more relaxed cities I’ve visited in my travels. A soft beat was rare during the day, and no one seemed to be dressed up just for the sake of it. It was the break from New York polish that I didn’t know I needed.

I started to dress down more, outfit-repeated shamelessly, and explored what my off-duty personal style really looked like. At the same time, I found myself doubling down on the classic trends that have ruled 2025 so far. The pieces I packed—everything from a pop of red to a billowing skirt—felt bulletproof. And apparently, others thought so too. Whether it was a compliment from a friend or a stranger stopping me on the street, these are the outfits that got the most love. I linked everything I could still find (and will forever be hunting dupes for the pieces that are now sold out).

One of my favorite outfits of this trip came out of a styling moment that was completely unexpected. I had intended to wear this cape dress as is with accessories, but somehow a white tank top got involved, and it ended up being a summer layering moment. I had been feeling a bit shy to show too much skin on this day since I was exploring a local town, and the tank top I had been lounging in was already on. When I put it underneath my dress, I was surprised by how chic the results were. This made me feel like I had an outfit that I hadn't seen before, and I was naturally obsessed. The dress is sadly sold out in white, but I love seeing it in red.

I've owned this swimsuit for quite some time but haven't packed it for a trip in a while. I knew when preparing for this trip it was certainly one to bring because it comes with a whole lot of confidence. Lucky for you, it also happens to be on sale right now.

If I were invited to a wedding this summer, I would've worn this dress. However, since I'm having a wedding-free summer, I still need to take advantage of my opportunity to wear it. I had a fun dinner with friends next to the beach, and this dress is something that had to come with me for the special occasion.

I don't exactly have an affinity for one-pieces. I tend to save them for family occasions or moments where I'm hoping to come across as more modest. However, this one was so flattering it still felt like a fun statement to make on a beach day. I felt amazing in it and found the bustier and cutout details to be so flattering.

This dress got me the most compliments. I chose it because it reminded me of Gaudí, an architect famous for some of Barcelona's most iconic buildings. If you know Casa Batlló and Park Güell, you'll see the resemblance in this dress. I wore it for my first visit to Park Güell and fit right into the beautiful scenery.

There is rarely a day where I didn't want to be in a bikini, because of how hot it was in Spain this summer. Another very flattering swimwear pick that also felt classy was this swimsuit from Solid & Striped. The black-and-white contrast is very Chanel-esque and felt truly designed for a European summer.

This fun, statment floral dress couldn't have been a better choice for a Saturday in the city. I spent a lot of time exploring, getting lost, and discovering new things while wearing it, and I felt it made the perfect statement.

What do you do when your plans involve both hiking and going to the beach? Dress for both. This was a fun outfit for me to put together because it had many layers. On the outside I wore a T-shirt, denim shorts, and sneakers, but underneath I had a fun bikini. As the hike went on, and it got hotter and hotter, I began to shed my layers until finally jumping into the ocean. The perfect day and the perfect outfit to wear for it.

One one of my last days in Barcelona, I had lunch by the beach, and this outfit came together naturally. Part way through my trip, I felt like I was running out of clothes and so I made a quick impulse purchase of this very flattering top that paired perfectly well with the white bubble skirt I had been wearing on a weekly basis. Cue two summer pieces that are so fun to style.

An outfit that felt counterintuitive yet fit in perfectly with my surroundings was styling a bikini with a high-waisted pair of linen pants. I tend to go with a lower rise in the summer, but I had this style on hand and felt like switching things up. For exploring a cute beach town outside of the city, I can't think of a more perfect look.

For a quick and casual dinner in yet another beach town, I wore this linen halter dress from Reformation I have long adored. While it has sold out, there are many similar styles that I would be all over if I were you.

This long-sleeve crochet dress is another item that has had a long life in my closet. When you have a cover-up like this, you can pack it for every trip and find a way to style it that feels brand new.