Stylishly Effortless: Dutch Street Fashion

Is Dutch street style boring?

Absolutely not. The colour palette of Dutch fashion probably matches the Dutch weather, though. Most of the time, on the streets of The Netherlands, we will see combinations of neutral-toned clothes, as well as dark pants, coats and jackets. Bright and eye-catching colours are a rare sight. But! Make no mistake, 'boring' is not the right word to describe Dutch fashion.

Stylishly effortless. A simple combination of words is apt to describe Dutch street fashion. In the Netherlands, cycling is the preferred mode of transportation, so clothing prioritises practicality over everything else.

The fashion style in the Netherlands is primarily characterised by being straightforward, comfortable, and practical. People there prefer a relaxed and pragmatic approach to clothing, and while they may accept some modern elements, they generally avoid anything flashy or attention-grabbing.

Of course, we are not talking about the crowded streets of Amsterdam or Rotterdam, which are full of tourists who bring their fashion sense from abroad. Take a look at neutral, simple yet classy outfits of model Doutzen Kroes, for example.

Model Doutzen Kroes

Second-hand all the way

The Dutch value convenience, comfort, as well as vintage clothes. Therefore, when you find a second hand boutique in The Netherlands, do not pass by.

Many vintage pieces were seen at the Amsterdam‘s fashion week a few years ago. @dr_dreps was able to capture the most colourful people at the event. When the Dutch dress brightly, it draws attention. But, it is usually a statement piece; for example, green striped pants, an orange jacket or a bright red handbag.

Amsterdam fashion week SS20, photos by @dr_dreps

But, of course, there was a lot of stunning black outfits:

Black outfits at the AFW SS20, photos by @dr_dreps

You can check out photographer's full gallery here.

Denim for days

More like denim for weeks, months or years. It‘s worth noting that denim is particularly beloved in Dutch fashion, with the average person owning around five pairs of jeans. This is partly due to the Dutch climate, as jeans can be worn comfortably in most weather conditions. The Dutch even have denim days festival that is held every April! This year, it's on 14-15 of April, so if you‘re in The Netherlands during that time, swing by and I'll see you there.

You can find out more about the festival here.

Denim Days in Amsterdam

Words by Karolina Iljinaitė

(@karolina.ilji on IG)

Edited by Lucy Eaton

(@llucyeaton on IG)