Three signs that Spain is a world-leader… in style

Spain is a world leader in design, fashion, football, architecture, cuisine... the list is endless

A recent article by respected magazine Monocle named the UK as the world’s leading soft power. This does not mean that Britain is the best at pillow fights (although I bet we’d hold our own) but rather, the influence of the UK’s culture is a force for good diplomatic relations around the world.

Last year’s London Olympics, and the previous year’s Royal Wedding, helped beam positive symbols of modern, confident Britain around the world. Since then, in any corner of the world you are likely to see the Union Jack adorning the shoes, bags, t-shirts and other pieces of apparel of the fashion conscious.

But this isn’t massively surprising. With the power of the English language, and following in the slipstream of that cultural behemoth the USA, the world has always had a soft spot for British culture.

Spain, on the other hand, seems to fit into two easy (and lazy) categories. On the one hand, it’s the land of bullfighting, bullfighters (quite literally, sometimes), flamenco, paella and short moustachioed men singing the Macarena. On the other, it’s an endless strip of beach resorts serving cheap lager and English Breakfasts.

You may not know this, though, but Spain is a global power in something that shapes your everyday experience – style. Sure, you don’t spend every waking moment dressed like a matador, but many things in your life were shaped by Spain, and here are three examples of how Spain is a world leader in the style stakes…

1. Football
The English wish they could play football like the Spanish. Every nation does. They are the benchmark; double and current European Champions, World Champions, and hot favourites for next year’s tournament in Brazil, too.

They’re all conquering (even if Brazil did overpower them to win the Confederations Cup final on Sunday), yet widely loved and respected. Which is rare. Bullies are usually despised, or at best, grudgingly feared. Spain’s football team, however, demands and receives universal respect and almost-universal love. Their tiki-taka is now being mimicked by nations throughout Europe and beyond: they have elevated the beautiful game to another level and, if the performance of their under-21 team is anything to go by, they’re getting even better.

2. High street fashion
Spanish chain Mango announced this week its plans to take on H&M for Europe’s high street, affordable fashion crown. Makes sense, right, to team up with its Zara partner and launch a pincer move on the stylish Swedes. But let’s back up, because Mango actually has no links to Zara. None at all.

Zara is part of Spain’s Inditex Group, and is the largest fashion retailer in the world. Mango, on the other hand, is a Barcelona-based independent. They may both sell ties, but the two chains have no ties. That’s right: two of Europe’s biggest and best high street fashion stores hail from Spain. Who knew?

3. Property
While the Spanish way of funding and financing large scale building projects may no longer be en vogue, the architectural stylings so synonymous with Spain are popular the world over.

It doesn’t matter where you are – The USA, Africa, Russia, the Far East, New Zealand – if you’re after luxurious living you can bet your bottom dollar that the local listings will boast of ‘Spanish style’ villas. Those terracotta tiled roofs and white walls are everywhere, except the very coldest corners of the world.

And the best thing about these three benchmarks of Spanish style and quality? All are cheaper, better and easier to come by on the Costa del Sol, which is both a cultural and international symbol of modern Spain, and one that is beloved by people the world over.

So what are you waiting for? Hop on the Spanish catwalk and sashay your way to a life in the sun today.