Amsterdam: How to dress and act like a local
Maybe it’s because I’m American, but I can spot our style from a mile away. I see it all over Amsterdam: The baseball cap, the oh-so-handy cargo pants, and a sporty, all-weather and near-fluorescent windbreaker. We stick out like sore thumbs in Euroland.
Of course, standing out is not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s certainly a practical way of dressing. We are all for Cheapos embracing the style that makes them feel the most comfortable. But it’s also nice to blend in with the locals and not be automatically treated as a tourist.
And best of all, you don’t need a million bucks to spruce up your wardrobe to match the Amsterdam style. It only takes a few simple tricks. We’ve given tips on how to dress in Madrid and Florence, now it’s time to turn out attention to Amsterdam.
How to dress like a local in Amsterdam
So, if you’ll excuse some blatant stereotyping, here are seven sensible tips to help Americans blend in a bit better in Northern European countries like the Netherlands:
1. Men: Your college sweatshirts do not impress anyone
Look, I know college sweatshirts are comfortable, and many of us have lived in them for years. But leave those stinky and stained pieces of thick cotton with bold letter embroidery behind. They take up a lot of room when packing, and men here usually wear sweatshirts only when going to/coming from sports.
Instead, a zip-up hoodie with a solid color or cool pattern works just as well, is easier to roll up and is more practical for traveling.
2. Women: Pack some tights
Black, medium thick tights that end at the ankle are a staple here for ladies’ fashion. And when packing, they’re lighter and take up less space than a pair of dress pants. Women wear them under dresses, skirts and sometimes shorts. Tights dry faster than pants, make your legs look slim and still cover your lower torso when bicycling.
Tourist fashion in Amsterdam. Photo: Bruce T.
3. Men: Ditch the white sneakers
European men wear sneakers, but not chunky, white basketball shoes that engulf your feet to the ankles. Colors are good, comfort is important, and try on a pair that’s roomy and low cut. From Converse to Puma, Adidas to Nike, men here love their sporty brands, especially if it resembles a soccer shoe. And go for the ankle socks (what are you afraid of anyway with those high cotton socks, scratching your lower calves?).
4. Women: These boots are made for walking
Chances are you won’t need a pair of hiking boots in Europe unless you plan to spend a good week trekking the Alps. Even a day trip can be easily achieved with a normal pair of sneakers with good soles on a walking trail. Land is flat in much of Europe, and filled with hand-laid cobblestone. So stay away from thin Stilettos, leave the expensive hiking shoes at the shop, and go for a comfortable boot with a thick heel that can handle the streets (and bad weather, like fake leather).
Slap on a pair of those tights and a short skirt with a slinky top and you’re ready for a night out. A good, cheap buy is a thin sole insert that can make any shore supportive.
5. Both: Baseball caps and golf visors are a giveaway
I’m just saying, again. I know they’re practical, but no other culture over-wears them quite like we do. There are many cool and fun hats in Europe that are affordable, just as useful on bad hair days and make for great souvenirs.
6. Both: Don’t flip-flop
While we’re at it, save the flip-flops for beachwear only. If it’s hot, find some sturdy sandals.
Sometimes you just need to embrace being a tourist in Amsterdam. Photo: oxlaey
7. Both: Shhhh…
Think before you decide to yell across the bar/restaurant/train car/street for your friend’s attention. You could just walk over there. That’s what the locals would do. Or they would wait until their friend approaches them, avoiding any attention-drawing actions altogether. The last thing you want to be is that stereotypical loud-mouth American whose call out leads to a lot of rolling eyeballs.
Your advice?
Have any tips for acting more like a local? Don’t care at all if you don’t look like a local? Share your thoughts in our comments section!
What about fashion do’s and don’t’s for the elderly?
Hi Audrey – good tips, but I’m going to say that American pop culture baseball caps, kicks, and purses, are much in demand among young people in Europe. I had a fancy baseball cap from Mint, a brand that is a mash up of Hong-Kong-Toyko-San Francisco influences. I made instant friends with a young man in Paris (who I just started chatting with when he helped me with my bag) when I gave him my hat. For me, it’s $15 to buy one in SF, for him, it’s a special cool accessory! Let me add, I’m a 55 year old woman who lived in Paris for a long time and all my friends and their children go ape s#!t when I bring Cali surfer clothes, stickers, & hats as gifts when I visit. I don’t know much about Amsterdam, but Paris has a large population of young people whose parents moved to France from N Africa and the Middle East. Many of them are really into American hip-hop and streetwear. As well as French hip hop, and parkour streetwear, which are great! Anyway, Europeans are getting more casual everyday, but your wardrobe tips are good advice when visiting religious sites and going to a nice restaurant.
Regarding men’s sweatshirts: Dutch guys love to wear them, too. I’ve got a great one with the Ajax logo written in grafitti. Especially during football matches, Dutch guys give me the ‘thumbs up’ as they head to the pubs to watch the matches. Their sweatshirts are lighter, by the way. You layer other stuff beneath.
Who cares?! It’s not like the European Fashion Police are going to swoop down and haul you away. Wear what you are comfortable in . The locals don’t give a hoot what you’re wearing. I certainly don’t when tourists are visiting my city in the U.S.
Leave the American flag apparell at home. It is offensive to other countries to have the flag waved in the face of your host country. Most everyone is proud of where they live and every country has something to offer. Politeness goes much further than flag waving for generating good will and being an ambassador of the US.
I don’t see why hoodies would be recommended. Doesn’t every american
Gangsta wear them? Personally, I think they look horrible. Get a jacket
and hat. Or no hat. If it rains, it rains. Go into a cafe and wait it out.
I live in Berlin and have a few items to add..
* keep sweat pants at home…
*forget wearing pajama bottoms in public
* and the biggest sin.. those pants with zipper that convert into shorts..why not just pack shorts and long pants..
*fanny packs are a dead give away too..
So True! I have frequently been embarrassed for my country by the loud and boorish Americans one can spot a mile away. When traveling to Europe, which I do frequently, I wear a lot of black clothing, Sandals in summer, good walking shoes year-round. Europe is a bit dressier than the USA and I like to fit in rather than stand out. Good article!
I love to pack SUPER light, then buy clothes when I hit the continent. Find the your host country’s version of Target and you’ll be able to pick up casual clothing at reasonable prices. Shopping where the locals shop, not at Gucci, will give you a more authentic experience. Some of my favorite clothes I own are “souvenirs” from the places I’ve been in Europe. I still have a pair of fleece gloves I bought in London for £1 that I wear every winter, and I’ve never found a pair of gloves in the States that cost less than $2.
Chinos are a national epidemic! When will American men stop wearing them?! 1. They make every man look fat. 2. Beige makes white guys look washed out. For darker men, see reason number one. Instead of buying seven pairs of chinos, opt for two pairs of dress pants. Instead of buying 100 pairs of crappy shoes, buy a few pairs of well made kicks.
Love this.