Hello! About the author: Audrey Sykes hopped across the pond from the US eight years ago for a Masters degree in global journalism. So, if youll excuse some blatant stereotyping, here are seven sensible tips to help Americans blend in a bit better in Northern European countries like the Netherlands: Look, I know college sweatshirts are comfortable, and many of us have lived in them for years. Want to know more? Your financial support has helped us to expand our coverage of the coronavirus crisis into the evenings and weekends and make sure you are kept up to date with the latest developments. Yeah, the Dutch are a casual bunch!

Chances are you wont need a pair of hiking boots in Europe unless you plan to spend a good week trekking the Alps. So in general, I would advice to not go too wild with your colours and accessories, not even when you go out for drinks, unless its something like a big themed dance party where youve bought tickets for. Again, its mainly the wind youre trying to keep out. We have a saying that goes April does what he wants, so that can be anything from sunshine to snow on the ground. Determine your audience: who are you writing to, talking to or trying to contact? advises Joost Fortuin, managing director of recruitment agency PageGroup Netherlands, who trains his staff in correct etiquette via role playing. From Converse to Puma, Adidas to Nike, men here love their sporty brands, especially if it resembles a soccer shoe. May often is the sunniest month of the year, but this month also tends to have as many cold days as it has warm days. Sometimes the finesses of a language you cannot translate and I make it a point never to discuss emotional issues or difficult topics by email.. Its perfectly acceptable to walk around town in thin-strapped shirts, but its not a super normal thing unless its over 30 degrees. 2022 by Over There Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In March, the weather is very erratic and can range from dull, drab and cold to bright, sunny and warm for the time of the year. Go to NEW Netherlands questionsor browse older Netherlands travel answers. If it is a hot summer day go to the beach at Zandvoort and wear nothing at all. This is a nice one and a great piece to have if you travel to colder climates. If someone is too polite and you dont know what they are thinking for example, they say yes but think and act no that makes it really complicated to deal with, she says.

I compare communication with dating, says Fortuin. Long-sleeved tops or sweaters. Privacy Policy. Dont do it just anywhere.

This post contains affiliate links which means this website may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. Chinos are a national epidemic! Im from the States, have a mixed black, white and Cherokee Indianbackgroundbut if someone looks at me, they just see black American, and wonder if I came from the ghetto. Youll still want a wind and waterproof jacket and maybe some kind of sweater or warmish jacket underneath. In terms of business dress, the first impression really matters, and again its important to think of the company context and the client. Expect brief showers and temperatures between 1C and 10C (33,8F and 50F). The BSN Language Centre fields frequent requests to teach business social talk. Five rules for dealing with Dutchbirthdays, Place: A look at someone searching for home, 'I really like how people here enjoy the small things in life', Atheism still not always easy in the Netherlands, Part of me wants to hide: Dutch director traces great-grandfathers Nazi war crimes, I am amazed: 101-year-old Dutch woman reunited with painting looted by Nazis, 02-year-old veteran wins campaign for Dutch citizenship after 70 year wait. Regarding mens sweatshirts: Dutch guys love to wear them, too. Bring an umbrella, just in case. Now tell us, what is you most decent piece of clothing? Since 2001, our mission has been to make your time in Europe affordable and memorable. Photo: Bruce T. European men wear sneakers, but not chunky, white basketball shoes that engulf your feet to the ankles. Theres going to be a big difference between early spring and late spring. You could easily still wear some boots, but likely people are switching to sneakers by spring. So somebody familiar with this, please help me out "Since it is hardly unlikely that you will be the only tourist, you wont be the only one wearing a short either. Instead of buying seven pairs of chinos, opt for two pairs of dress pants. A nice 3-in-1 type jacket is what Sean uses and loves it. A good, cheap buy is a thin sole insert that can make any shore supportive. I have been known to wear shorts in Amsterdam but I do not recommend it even though a pair of cargo shorts are very practical on a hot summer day, if you can find one in Amsterdam. This is so different in the Netherlands, probably because its usually quite cold at night. Simple as that, right? Must-have is a winter-proof, waterproof coat or jacket, hat, scarf and gloves. Around here, due to us cycling everywhere, we avoid shorter skirts and stick to around knee length or longer. and I never wear them. Woltering says that on her etiquette courses, dress is a frequent subject of conversation, especially when junior employees see senior partners in jeans and sneakers. Her passions are festivals that showcase the local culture, food that is made with love, and wine because it's awesome. * keep sweat pants at home 2022 DutchNews | Cookie settings | website by Vindustries. July generally is the warmest month of the year in Amsterdam, with temperatures ranging between nighttime lows of 13C (54F) and midday highs around 22C (72F). Tank-top base shirt. August is the sunniest of the three summer months, but also the wettest, so run into a cafe when it starts pouring down (usually not that long, so umbrella not really needed). *forget wearing pajama bottoms in public Ive definitely switched shoes canal-side before a party. I hope this short guide helps with the answer on how do people dress in Amsterdam! Pack warm clothes, such as a winter proof/waterproof coat or jacket, a hat, scarf and gloves. The traditional ones are the yellow/blank wood ones (see in the background on the photo below), but you can get them in any colour these days. Its about money, actually. Save the shorts for the beach or mountains. Companies that work internationally say they are fine with the technical terminology,basicemails and phone calls, says De Bresser. Im Jessica, an American who made Amsterdam her home in 2014. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Try to interpret how your message would come across. You need to build a relationship and get to know someone as a person.. If youre looking to fit in instead of standing out, well let you know what the locals are wearingand what they arent. Black, medium thick tights that end at the ankle are a staple here for ladies fashion. I worked on a couple of primary schools and there wasnt really a dress code. Im all about planning ahead and knowing what Im getting into, so Ive put together a post on how to get from the airport to Amsterdam city center and how to use the public transportation once youre in Amsterdam. If its not your style (its not mine), just regular long-sleeves are completely fine. The world is out there, and its less expensive than you think. First of all, while the Dutch definitely encourage people to dress according to their personal taste and personality, usually they dont get too crazy with their outfits themselves. When will American men stop wearing them?! Not kidding. Of course, standing out is not necessarily a bad thing, and its certainly a practical way of dressing. The last thing you want to be is that stereotypical loud-mouth American whose call out leads to a lot of rolling eyeballs. functional Yes, when it gets to about 8 degrees Celsius and the wind is blowing, Ill put some fleece leggings on under my pants. Who cares?! Pants/trousers kind of goes without saying. The DutchNews.nl team would like to thank all the generous readers who have made a donation in recent weeks. "I just dont want to be the only one wearing shorts when everyone else isnt. Theres not a lot that Id say you shouldnt wear in Amsterdam. The Travel Tester is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

While were at it, save the flip-flops for beachwear only. In most shops people are dressed casual and the more bigger bars and restaurants usually require the standard black pants/shoes with white shirt or company shirt. Yep, youll still need them. If theres a misunderstanding, pick up the phone or walk over, she says. Its also about taking a relaxed view on the receiving end of unexpected behaviour. If its hot, find some sturdy sandals. There are a couple of things you should think about before you choose what to wear in Amsterdam, or the rest of the Netherlands.

They are very uncomfortable and, well not so fashionable. 2022 by Over There Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Most work places in the Netherlands are quite casual, so you can wear pretty much anything as long as it doesnt show too much flesh, really. He replied that he wanted to know where I had bought the shorts!

Written communication is another serious topic at the BSN Language Centre, which trains individuals and businesses in English and Dutch language and culture. Some Fashion Dos and Donts from a Local, thetraveltester.com/mini-cruise-amsterdam-to-newcastle. By loading the photos, you accept that Holland.com uses cookies to share data with third parties as described in our privacy statement (holland.com/privacy). Thanks! It is offensive to other countries to have the flag waved in the face of your host country. functional The flowers are out now, so if you want to see tulips and the like, this is the time to go! There are many cool and fun hats in Europe that are affordable, just as useful on bad hair days and make for great souvenirs. Weve given tips on how to dress in Madrid and Florence, now its time to turn out attention to Amsterdam. Probably I wouldnt have found their language informal if they had sent an email.. and hat. It is really important to understand the culture you are working in, to find the right tone of voice.. Wear what you are comfortable in . You could just walk over there. This is one of the best months to visit Amsterdam actually! April is usually also one of the driest months of the year, but April weather can see sharp contrasts.

The key for footwear here is that you will want to wear what makes you comfortable on cobblestones because they are everywhereand always be prepared for rain.

Cheaper accommodation, fewer crowds, more local/authentic vibes are all great reasons to visit during winter and weve even created a whole post on winter in Amsterdam and spending Christmas in Amsterdam. The weather isnt very pleasant in the winter, so youll want to stay as comfortable as possible with a jacket that will keep the wind-chill and rain out. Sorry, an error occurred and your subscription request could not be processed. In the winter, fashion boots are pretty much all around. Politeness goes much further than flag waving for generating good will and being an ambassador of the US. Fortuin adds: There are some areas where if you come in a suit you may be taken less seriously as people will think you havent correctly interpreted the culture there. If you have not yet made a donation, but would like to, Street life in Leiden: The big, bad, bureaucratic bench battle, Seven unique cinemas to visit in the Netherlands this summer, Inburgering with Dutch News. Even today when apps like Tinder are popular, people never make a connection unless they have met up. Get a jacket :). The locals dont wear shorts (only if its really really hot) maybe the teenagers will wear the baggy oversized shorts but thats about it. Still perfect to wear your favourite summer wardrobe! Good article! Working in a British environment where people have a different etiquette from the Dutch, all email traffic is very sensitive, she says. Required fields are marked *. It gets pretty chilly, so I recommend wearing an extra layer under your long-sleeved top. belted stocklots They take up a lot of room when packing, and men here usually wear sweatshirts only when going to/coming from sports. But in the more rural parts of the country or when working in the garden, you can definitely still see people wearing them. Just last week I received a WhatsApp from someone that said: Hey Joost, I know you must be very busy so thats why I didnt call you. For the most past its shorts/skirts and T-shirts. domesticar seamfree shaper

So bring warm clothes! You should look like a lawyer for your clients, she says. The locals dont give a hoot what youre wearing. Share your thoughts in our comments section! For her, that meant moving abroad and traveling as much as possible. Baggy and over-sized tops are pretty popular here.