Everyday Fashion in the USA vs The Netherlands 

Funny, I think Dutch people are the most relaxed about fashion in all of Europe. The style usually is neat, but underwhelming and fit for cycling.

Haha, I thought there was a fluffy pillow in the chair….. until it moved 😂

An American coworker of mine once told me: Americans are usually either dressed up or casual, the Dutch are usually in the middle. Kings of utility/dressy casual.

I'm Dutch. I don't think baggy clothes are comfortable, I much prefer the feeling of a snug fit. I don't really care about what others wear and I don't care what others think about what I wear, just do you. That said, I do see dressing choices as a reflection of a person as it's a choice they've made, and it is in a way a visual way to get a sense of a person.

Also Dutch. I blame the weather 😂. You’ll need layers to be snug and comfy. And with layers it’s easier to look like you matched an outfit in the morning (tree pieces rule). Furthermore: no space for a big closet in most houses so you need to be picky about what you actually want to keep/store. And the old one: never buy an expensive piece (like an Italian wool wintercoat, leather boots with heels, etc) in the trendy colour or in a contrast attention getting colour. Because then you’ll be ‘the woman who wears the evergreen red/green coat’. You buy those pieces in tan, camel, black, grey, navy, white or army green (because timeless) in a classic model (again, timeless) and add colour with inexpensive things like a scarf, sneakers, tote bag or statement earrings. Your vlog reminds me of my one year high school in the US. Being young, we stayed with a guestfamily. The mother just looking at me every morning: ‘Oh sweetheart….just no… don’t wear that cardigan. It’s a beautiful day you don’t need it’ 😂. And then my mom came over for a visit and she thought it was one big sporty family, everyone in leggings, t-shirts and sweatpants 😂😂

Crazy theory but it might have to do with North America's car dependence. In the US you only are in public for small moments of time. Only in the destination itself. while in Europe you will be walking everywhere or taking public transportation.

Another dead giveaway that someone is American in Europe: college hoodies. They'll wear that with anything!

100% off-topic, but what an absolutely adorable luxury floof you have draped across the chair behind you.

It's interesting that most Dutch people aren't really aware of their own sense of fashion. I think it's definitely so ingrained in our culture that we aren't very conscious that we're doing it. But compared to other countries in Europe even I can definitely see it. My parents live in Germany and my mother often looks 'overdressed' just because she puts a nice dress on and puts on some jewelry that fits with it. She gets a lot of compliments on her clothing all the time. I had the same when I lived in England for a while. Just the fact that we tend to look at colour combinations and have our jewelry, shoes or bag fit our clothing is often enough. Also we seem to be a lot braver when it comes to colour choices and certain styles that are more 'out there' for people of these countries. When I was in England, one time, I was asked if I bought my trousers in Camden (which is an area where they sell more alternative clothing) just because they were a hot pink colour. But I bought them in H&M in the Netherlands. I think Dutch people really pay attention to the accessories. When it comes to Americans, I feel they would either wear very comfortable and casual clothing, like jeans or sweatpants and a t-shirt and wear no jewelry or add anything to it. Or they would dress up for a night out and they suddenly go all out with make-up and hair, not very subtle. Dutch people might wear jeans and a t-shirt aswell but tend to put a little attention to their shoes, bag or jewelry that goes with it. When they go out in the evening or go to an event they make sure there is a balance between casual and formal. They might put on a nice dress (which fits well and isn't too short perse) but keep their hair and make-up more simple and natural. Or they might still wear jeans but put a bit more effort in make-up, hair, jewelry, put on some heels to elevate the casual look. It's seldom that someone does it all... the dress, the heels, the hair, the make-up... unless it's for a special or more formal occasion like a wedding. So I think to us Americans often either look underdressed or overdressed.

I recall an American in Amsterdam asking me for directions - It was snowing at the time and he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. He explained to me that he hailed from the north of Alaska and used to a far worse climate 😉

As an American who moved to NL last year, this has been tough for me. I'm starting to feel some pressure to wear different clothes, even though nobody has said anything about it to me. I think part of it is since I'm new here, I want to fit in. I'm learning Dutch, I partake in cultural and social events, and by extension, I want to fit in visually as well. In the US, I dressed very utilitarian; whatever was comfortable and clean. In the Texas summer, I wore shorts and flip flops 7 days a week for 4-5 months! Heck, sometimes even in winter because it was comfortable. I have a feeling if I went to AH in flip flops in February on a rare winter-sunny day I would be stared at constantly. Maybe not ideal when you're trying to blend in.

I’m a Dutch woman and I noticed that the sweatpants some women used to wear all the time is replaced by the sports legging. Usually I saw that happening with teens and and people in their early 20’s but now I see it more often that people wear a sports legging as normal pants. I even saw an older lady of like her mid 40’s-50 wearing a multicolour sports legging with mesh as pants. To be honest I still find it a bit odd but at the same time I’m all for comfy clothes. Now those “pyjama” pants with wide legs is a thing, also for upcoming summer. Honestly I’m looking for one of those too which still look kind of stylish and look nice on me. But that’s because I like more loose fitted clothes in the summer. But yeah every time I see some footage of the US a see a lot of capri leggings, with crocs or similar and a basic wide shirt for women or longer wide shorts with slippers and a shirt for men. Sometimes I think such a pitty but if that makes them happy who am I to judge? The most weird thing though was when I saw a guy on slippers and boxershort in the AH. And I thought going to the AH in your house slippers and bath rope was the most extreme. My mom once told me that she sometimes sees a woman walking her dog early in the morning in orange crocs and pink bath rope 😂

I'm almost 50 so no, I don't have any clothing from high school but I do wear everything as long as possible. And even when it's too worn out to wear in public I still wear old T-shirts at home and I keep a few older pants for when I have to do some painting or gardening.

The other day, my neighbor came to me in the evening and asked if I could help her with something at her house. Even though she lives just a few houses away, I felt the need to change my outfit from a big t-shirt with leggings to a casual summer dress. I never thought about that being a cultural thing.

Over here as a man, when you wear the baggy sportswear with for instance a baseball cap, people will say that you are wearing "Camping Smoking" and that is not a positive statement. Basically they mean that you look like someone who is not very well off and possibly a bit on the less educated side of average. So most people try to avoid looking like this.

As a Belgian I find, when I go abroad, it’s so easy to pick out fellow Belgians just by their clothes. People in this country are so boring. They all wear the same stuff. Not like everyone wears the exact same shirt. But it’s the style and brands. As a European I find the Italians are some of the most stylish. Scandinavian too, but in a very understated way, the very opposite of Italians. The British are dressed the closest to the Americans. Leggings and yoga pants are very common. Brits are then also very easy to pick out on mainland Europe. I grew up in Bruges. American tourists are the best, they need to walk around a small medieval town. Yet by the looks of them they are prepared for a hike in the mountains. Makes me laugh every time 😃

I went through this in Tokyo. My wardrobe had to change very dramatically while working there. And I have family in the Netherlands who want me to visit... Thanks for the heads up!

It's so true about most Americans. One time I went out for dinner with two mates and I felt extremely overdressed and I wasn't even posh!! But they went in a sweatshirt I couldn't believe it. I was wearing a peacoat...

I wish you had inserted pictures to see or a side by side.

Hey Ava, I noticed that if American women go for the extra mile in appearance it usually means extra make up and high heels and a dress while women in the Netherlands will overthink if they are going to stand straight or need to walk a lot ..and decide to go for flat more expensive sneakers. And for the new more fit pants. The American way of dressing up is only for the weddings and ceremonial moments.

When it comes to fashion, I think it's mostly sprezzatura that the Dutch took from the Italians. I don't think the nonchalance is fake, it's just there is awareness how good some understated clothes can look, pretending you don't know how good you look is fake. A long time ago, it was fake, it was cool to act like you didn't give a shit about your looks. That has changed, especially in Amsterdam. Wearing the same quality clothes is all right, but what is not done is wear it the same day of the week. You really have to randomize you're washing schedual. You cannot show up every tuesday in the same place with the same shirt. Then you become the one with that shirt and people chuckle about that.

Do you have a new cat, Ava? I was surprised to see that your rug in the chair came to life.

What I noticed having been in the USA many times being from Netherlands is that Americans wear their clothing more roomy/bigger. Over here clothing is more fitting/tight. Also people are way more comfortable wearing a pyjama at Walmart. Here it would be a bit out there. But I enjoyed Americans don't care and be themselves. Here people will judge faster if you have a different style and sometimes I feel lazy and don't want to prepare all the time to look good.

When I first went to the Netherlands, I would notice that the people I interacted with everyday, especially the women, would wear one set of clothes on Monday, the same clothes on Tuesday, perhaps with a different belt or scarf. Then a different set of clothes Wednesday and those same clothes Thursday. Then maybe sometimes a third set of clothes for Friday. Americans would wear different clothes everyday of the week.

Well, when I'm going out the door, to work or the shop or anywhere, I do want to look somewhat respectable. But if you want style, go to Italy. They have this whole "bella figura" thing going on.

Dutchie living now in Luxembourg. I must admit that after the Covid I have now the tendency to always buy shirts that make me jump out of my PC screen. I think of it as my silent protest against the drab, boring shirts men always wear in the office. either white, blue or ...gasp... pink! . Now, it should be a bold print, a shirt from Eden Valley (Culture) or Ledub does it for me.

5:30 then all of a sudden the fucking cushion started moving😂

I usually buy two or three trousers when i buy new, 3 the same... same with T-shirts.. So Maybe it looks like I wear the same cloth...but I don't.

Having lived both in the US and the Netherlands, i also think a lot of it is utilitarian. - Dutchies (and Europeans in general) will layer because of the ever changing weather. It also needs to work on a bike. The loose fit style of US "straights" doesn't. - In the Netherlands, most bars and clubs will offer a coat check; and you don't dine without coat or jacket if the temp may drop significantly. Those things are still influenced by fashion but more related to utility. And just like the USA, cities follow trends in a different way than the countryside, as well as they're being far more established sub cultures in the Netherlands in my experience. Ymmv, but going to a food court in sportswear is really a no no, and i don't get it when they do that over in the USA.

I thought you had a nice fluffy cushion on your chair until it started moving 😹

I'd say good fitting clothes are often more comfortable though. It feels uncomfortable to dress "slonsig" as we call it here. Its probably due to a difference in culture where in the US people like to stand out and do their own thing while people in the Netherlands may take more comfort in fitting in to not stand out. There is a difference in social "control" so to say which is not suprising considering the size difference between the US and the netherlands. What is normal in NYC may be absurd in LA and thus people don't notice when others don't fit in so much because there is way less of a general middleground due to the differences of people in the US. In the netherlands there is this difference when it comes to the randstad and the rest of the country but that's pretty much it. Just my 2 cents, i have no clue about fashion anyway.

Congrats on the house! Great video again.

Congratulations on the new house, Ava... Enjoy! For myself? I'm not too much into fashion, cause I suffer from color-deafness.. So I've got no idea how colors will combine nor how they will suit me. I've got my wife for that. BTW I love your jacket. Thanks for the video!

Wearing the same thing more than once. The mindset has two layers: (a) if you buy quality in cloth, and making, and design, then it will be more expensive but give more pride and it will wear less over time, (b) you do not foolishly spend money

Ava, when you mentioned the Blue Cafe of Amsterdam I immediately thought of the Chris Rea song "The Blue Cafe". Have you heard it ? The lyrics go "The cost is great, the price is high, take all you know and say goodbye. Your innocence, experience mean nothing now."

I was walking around on Kingsday in Amsterdam and I swear I saw you. Was probably your doppelganger as she did look like a massive fashionista.

I don't get people that buy a shirt or a sweater just to wear it once because if they wear it more often "what would people think". I think like with so many things, clothing in the Netherlands is a matter of "Doe maar normaal". Sure, it needs to look a bit nice and fitting for the occasion but there are two types I see among Americans very often (well, at least in the portrayals on internet and tv) that I don't see in the Netherlands (often) which are the "Change 5 times a day" on one and the "People of Walmart" types on the other hand (For those not knowing what "People of Walmart" are, just type it in RU-vid seaarech and be ready for a laugh). Heck, I have been homeless for year and working with them for many more and even among them, the walmart types are sparse.

You know that great jeans can be comfortable and you look nice. Dont have to be expensive to look nice

I do really believe that it is a personal choice and this tends to evolve and adjust according to the living environment and culture. If you always from childhood on are used to wear neat esthetic clothes, you will do so in any enviroment unconsciously. If you are a highly educated person, you may tend to wear chic outfits and silhouettes that reflect the school and the education you attend (unconsciously). Also at shopping, picking pieces that are sustainable, high quality and reflecting the personal background and education (most of it goes unconsciously).

I'm..... not sure it's a dutch thing, that being looked at because you are under dressed. City slickers tend to be a bit more uptight about looks. Specially in an "On the town" setting I guess you may get some weird looks. But usually the looks are about the cultural group you seem to be associate with.

I remember when I was in university, here in the Netherlands I was part of a international student workgroup. And one time we had American students comming over. We had to entertain them took them around the city, stayed with them in the hotels, attending and orginizing masterclasses etc. Very fun to do (I got extra course credit to this obviously). And one day these Anerican Students told us tgat everybody at uni looked so stylish and every one did their hair nice snd even put on make up I was like okay that is normal. But they told me tgat in the US most students go in sweatpants and a hoodie to school and don't wear any make up and just put tgeir hair up because most of them lived on campus so it was easier. I was amazed because when I watched movies of series the students always look like they are going to a party instead of college 🤣🤣

A day in autumn, some 40 years ago, I was going to visit my mother, 125 KM drive on my light motorbike. I didn't feel like getting suited up and was just going to take my time getting there. The weather forecast was dry and sunny. I arrived in Lelystad wet, not just a little moist.. completely soaked. $@!@$#$! .. shit.. Drove over to a fashion shop, stood at the door and waved over one of the personnel, a girl. I handed her 300 Guilders (150 Euro, today it probably wouldn't be enough, back then it was) and ordered 'Dark blue Tripper jeans 32/36, any shirt/sweater that you think goes well with the jeans and size 42 sneakers. If you will like it, then it is fine with me, finish the payment and please hand it to me here'. Done, I had dry cloths 🙂

Most other European countries think the Dutch are very underdressed. 🙈😅 I don't mind people wearing leisure clothes. It might just be friends upon at work.

I'm an American who's currently biking all over the Netherlands and have noticed this too. Also, women in their 20s-30s seem to often be wearing blazers-- at least in Rotterdam.

It's really funny that Americans think it's normal to wear gym clothes and pajamas everywhere. 😁 Nothing wrong with that, of course, people should be free to choose, but the effort required to put normal clothes is the same.

It's so crazy how different cultural perspectives can clash so much. I'm an American who is currently spending a lot of time in Amsterdam after living in London for the last few years. Compared to London, Dutchies never ever dress up and their style is just sort of casually European, even for nights out. (With that said, as a rule, Europeans have farrrr better style than people in the U.S., especially men.) I have to consciously make an effort to look less nice here than I would in London because it seems like no one dresses up for anything, ever. I end up feeling overdressed 99% of the time anyway, even on a Saturday night in the city on a date. I dress what I consider super casually in the U.S. whenever I go home to visit and my American friends still complain that they feel the need to dress up whenever I come home to visit. London has apparently permanently warped my idea of what "casual" means.

'Oh no, we are not stylish, etc etc' Damn, that was exactly what I was going to comment on the video lol

I guess it depends on where you are. I have seen people in their sleepwear with bathrobe or 'huispak' in the grocery store XD And tbh, no one cares, as long as you are wearing clothes. I've had American colleagues upset that I would only bring two pairs of trousers with me on a business trip (one extra because otherwise I would of course spill a cup of coffee over it within five minutes and have nothing else to wear). Why? The trip is less than a week and will be airport-hotel-conference centre rinse and repeat anyway? Why would I bring my whole wardrobe? The suitcase is heavy enough as it is :') 'but you can't wear the same clothes for more than one day!' I agree for underwear/socks and shirts/hoodies. Not so much for vests and trousers... I am not going to change my wardrobe multiple times a day unless I really had a wardrobe malfunction (there goes the cup of coffee again) or I have been very sweaty/soaked due to rain/etc... too much effort :')

Dutch wear a lot of dark blue and black. It kinda goes with the rain. We could use more colour imo.

I might be a bit different to most dutchies but i will wear what i wanna wear. im really into sweatpants with a jacket and a tanktop underneath. so thats what ill wear most days. and for my work i wear different clothes and i wont bother changing before going to the store if i have to unless they are really dirty xD. but going on the street in my pjs makes me feel a bit uncomfortable ye. even going to the mailbox in my pjs feels a bit odd which i still do sometimes.

I love the color of your wall. I just got a new appartment, and chose a similar color. A little darker, more like ochre.❤

Well, this goes to show it’s all relative 🙃 From a Dutch perspective, we don’t tend to dress up, but we also don’t tend to dress down (from our perspective that’s sporting clothes). I have several central and Eastern European (Polish, Ukrainian, Russian) acquaintances and I know for a fact that at least the women would be horrified at the idea of going on a quick grocery trip without a full face of makeup and a nice dress on. The men, not so much though lol And I can offer you the reverse perspective as well. Most Americans I meet are in the line of work. And I work as developer so as a group we tend to dress quite casually, at least by business standards. Just jeans and a T-shirt or polo shirt or sweater or something. But our foreign visitors usually wear at the very least a nice pantalon and a buttoned shirt in the business casual or business professional range. Even the developers that come over are often dressed smart casual at least.

After a change of clothes I'll always look exactly like before it. Because I always buy several of exactly the same pants, or t-shirts, or socks, or whatever. And it's always all black! And when I go outside, an all-black kaftan or djellaba is worn over everything else. Sweaters are the exception, though: whenever I wear a sweater or vest on top of it all, it could be any color on the darker side of the spectrum. No pastel colors, and no white, yellow or green. 'Fashion' means nothing to me. I do not care about what people think of my attire. Personal comfort is my only concern.

I honestly love the mindset around clothing in the US. It recognizes the variability of a person's mood and respects that people put their effort in different things. Really appreciate that I can be wearing head to toe ann demeulemeester walking around with a friend wearing ripped fishnet tights, corset, and combat boots & we simply read as a group of eccentric and fashion-forward people. I totally see myself in the Netherlands one day, but I'm going to miss being able to walk to the library in a pair of ugg boots and sweatpants if I'm just not feeling it that day.

Up until the very last few seconds of the video, I hadn't noticed your cat having been in the picture the whole time!

Hmm my mothers was oh no you don’t go outside in that clothes we must change before going to the shop

One thing that immediately stands out is the emphasis on comfort in American fashion. Americans are known for wearing casual clothing, such as athleisure, which is a blend of athletic wear and leisure wear. This type of clothing is not as common in the Netherlands, where people tend to opt for more stylish and put-together outfits. Americans tend to wear sneakers and sandals for everyday wear, while the Dutch prefer more structured shoes like loafers and ankle boots. And while both cultures appreciate quality clothing, the Dutch value sustainable and ethical fashion more than Americans. American and Dutch fashion have their unique styles and aesthetics. However, the Dutch emphasis on sophistication and sustainability adds a certain elegance to their everyday fashion that Americans can learn from.

I think there's also an underlying difference in how different cultures approach bodies. In the US, bodies are a spectacle. If you're dressing up, you must be looking for attention. If you're showing skin, it seems to be some sort of implied invitation. In the Netherlands from what I've seen, bodies are just...bodies. Wearing clothes that fit and are tailored to be snug and look nice is just normal. I see lots of midrifs. I would never dare to show that much skin in the US but here it's no big deal. So if you take in the different approaches to how bodies are perceived, it then follows that different clothing would be purchased more often, and therefore push fashion in those directions. Example: when we moved to the Netherlands, I was short on comfy around-the-house clothes. I planned on getting sweat pants and sweat shirts, but they weren't as common as other options, so my casual wardrobe is now a lot snazzier than it used to be!

BOUGHT a house?? In Amsterdam???? 😳

As a European I never thought about the Dutch as being stylish but I guess comparing them to slobby dressed Americans it's true 😂

Sweetie, they looked at you because you are beautiful!! That was all. I live in one of the neighboring countries and am plus size. I wear what I want, even if it's a garbage bag!! I'm 64, so I've had quite a few years under my belt, and I've 'earned' it (haha) to wear what I want. And, I'm a rebel, I hate being put in a box. Because that's what society likes to do and I oppose it, in my own way! For example, my hair (despite the fact that I am so old) has been dyed bright pink for +- 25 years (I have ultra short hair, preferably straight) and I also like other people who like to color outside the lines, outcasts, lone wolves, etc., but only from people with a good heart. When I came to live in this little town people looked odd at me because of my hair and because I love to wear long dresses and skirts (not all hippie-style but also chic-style.) but now they do not mind anymore. I even would wear a long tutu if I could find one in my size (in a bright color or in purple of wine red). To go grocery shopping!!! Why not? When my husband still worked, his colleagues kept making comments to him when they had seen me on the street, when driving to work, and asked him if I had to go to a party that day because I looked so 'dressed up'!?!? And that bothered my husband every time and he let me know he did not understand why I did it. And made him understand very soon HAHA. Now more women do it in this town, why keep your fancy ('good') clothing tucked away in your closet when you are my age???? And we never go out or to feasts. I also love clothing, love fashion although I do not follow it exactly, only what I like and when it's out of fashion I still wear it!! And WhyTF not people???? Keep all those pretty things for when you are dead?? You can not take them with you so enjoy them now is my opinion. So, do that too, no matter what other people think of say: IT IS YOUR LIFE!!! Love from Pinkie

Talk about sizes. Women can be "anal" about the numbers and I know this 91 year old woman who cut the labels out of her clothes because of these numbers. Between countries in Europe there are significant differences. So if you are a woman with a petite frame then it is easier to buy clothes in France or Italy, but you have to be aware that confection numbers are different over there. Dress size 36 here in the NL may be called 40 there. There are other average national differences. If a Dutch man has a high instep (the height of the foot at the metatarsals) then he may not be able to buy fitting shoes with a so-called "Oxford lock" in the NL and always have to revert to the "Derby lock". A higher instep may be more common in Germany and the Dutch man might want to shop there, for shoes with an Oxford lock.

Ava, this is a great video subjects as American and Dutch/European people definitely have different approaches to clothing and fashion. I lived my teen and young adult years in The Netherlands and have lived my adult life in The US, so I feel that I can speak to the issue. Some Dutch people are not going to like my comments but I mean no harm. I will only comment on men's clothing, I am a man. When I moved to The US, actually the day of moving in 1984 at age 22, traveling from Schiphol to Atlanta airport and then my final destination of Columbia, South Carolina, I wore clothes that were in fashion at the time in Holland, too much to call casual, too little to call "dressed up", also my hair was, not just cut but, styled. Arriving in ultra conservative and religious SC, in the midst of the Ronald Reagan era, people starred me down. Later, when I made friends with whom I would have meaningful conversations I learned that my clothes caused them to think that I was homosexual, my attire evoked no such first impressions in Holland. American men dress more conservative, there's no doubt, less attention seeking. Proof of this is in traditional tailored suits. Suits, on the store racks before they are altered to a perfect fit have, what is called, a "drop". The drop of a suit is the difference between the shoulder size and the waste size and there's known and accepted terms being an "American drop" (6 inches/15cm) and a "European/Italian drop" (8 inches/20cm), meaning that an American drop suit, size 54 will have size 48 in waste, an Italian drop suit size 54 will have a waste size of 46. An American suit objects to shape in a straight line from the shoulder to the hem whereas an Italian suit objects to more closely follow (and show) the contour of the body. The more conservative approach is also true for much more casual life. Ava, while in collage in The US how many guys did you know who were "jeans and T-shirt" guys? You have 3 pairs of jeans (Levi's, Wranglers, brand loyal NOT fashion jeans), 20 or so T-shirts (and the print on the shirt says something about who you are), 2 pairs of Khaki's, a pair of loafer dress shoes and some colored and/or patterned dress shirts for nice cocktail and networking functions, one blue suit with a white shirt, a few striped ties and black laced dress shoes for high profile job interviews, funerals and weddings and "Voila", your wardrobe is all finished...FOR LIFE! I forgot, 3 belts and an assortment of athletic attire. Girls love these guys, during binge movie watching nights they wear their boyfriend's T-shirts and dress shirts. This conservative dress follows natural biological sexual attraction laws. What do women find attractive in men? Confidence, decisive, goal focused, intelligent and on. A man who is always in the latest, ever changing fashion is a man who follows societal woes, a conservative dressed man follows his own path and will, is unaffected by whatever others try to dictate to him. Wearing the latest fashion consistently is expensive and like cars is a bad investment, the value diminishes at a fast rate, conservative men invest in value growth. Conservative men aim to express their worth by their deeds and real accomplishments, not make an intangible impression with their clothes. Fashionable men change their outlook, their direction frequently, they are directionless, wobble insecurely all over the place, conservative men are resolved and steady and confident in who they are. I am not saying that this is all true but it is the sexual attraction image of a man and his meaning of fashionable clothing. Shopping for clothes is a real cultural family event in Holland, I learned there. Many whole families go on Saturday to the various shopping centers, make it a family outing and everyone gets some new clothes but in my opinion there's a "Bling" effect at work. The Netherlands is an economically thriving country and many things are very well run in Holland but there are many things that Dutch people can't afford compared to their neighbors Germany and The US, big cars, big houses and yards and certain freedoms that come with prosperity. In The Netherlands there;s quite a pressure to toe the line, conform, not stand out expressively (do dan maar normaal, ben niet A-sociaal). And buying fashionable clothing is something that many Dutch can afford and maintain and store, it is a means of showing off (bling) status, all be it in typical Dutch manners of understated elegance. A last comment about dressing neatly in defense of those who do, or the lack of neatness, pajamas at Walmart, dirty cloths, woefully ill-fitting cloths. When a person steps out of the door in the morning into a shared society, dressing well is not only for themself. Care and attention to how you look, how you are dressed tells how you care about your society, your civilization, you care not only about how you look but also how well civilization, in which you partake looks, you care enough to contribute to it.

I think most Dutch people don't really care what other people are wearing. A guy could wear a pink tutu and walk at ease on the street without receiving comments. I often see people with really odd fashion choices with other people walking by like they don't care. I usually look the same. Same colors, same type of clothing. My clothing is old too. I barely buy new clothes. I have a jacket. It's over ten years old but I still wear it. I don't care how I look.

In the US i see people in shorts and flip flops in a restaurant. That is a big no no here. But here they go in jeans and a T-shirt to the theater which is not done in a country like France.

dutch fashion style = 'casual look'

Hey, where've you been? You've been missed. I love your videos. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

Quality over quantity and clothes are a way to express that attitude. "Goedkoop is duurkoop", is what my granny always said. If you want better quality, you'll always end up with more style in clothes. Good quality clothes are also fine as second hand or hand downs. A 100 year old granny bike is a prized item of quality. Old houses attest to quality of the building that withstood time. Wearing tonnes of make-up makes you less attractive as nobody wants a partner to waste hours of precious time and having a plastered face is considered to be a bit deceitful, like wearing a mask. Dutch women excel in making it look like they don't spend hours on their looks, whereas anyone who lives with them can attest that's not quite true. But as in any society, there are things you need to conform with as well. You can't build a house that sticks out too much from the others and getting permission to build some extension to an existing house is a process that involves a "beauty commission". Clothing is often an expression of culture of peer groups and every subculture has its own dress codes. In that regard not that much has changed compared to the regional outfits or "klederdracht" like you will still come across in some places where it is mainly worn for touristic events. And legging were in fashion a very short time as well, but somehow showing your booty and having a camel toe seldom was considered an asset. I guess that walking around more than the average American exposes one more to the public look of disapproval.

I wear Mountain tshirts only👕🪶

In different you tube video's i saw policeman in a bermuda trousers. I have never seen that in The Netherlands fortunately.

Sorry, but it's like you're talking about a completely different country because I don't recognize this at all. People here walk around in t-shirts all the time and even today you see people in shorts or jogging pants and t-shirts. So it's probably because you live in a city but that's not 'The Netherlands'.

I thought it was a pillow or blanket... and then the CAT moved.... 😂

Waar is vosje. Heeft hij de verhuizing overleefd? 😢

Especially during carnival or world cups

I even go to events/news/supermarkets and whatnot in my pyjamas. So yeah #Dutch

Hm, Amsterdam. And a specific part of Amsterdam, actually. Your next supermarket visit should be in Zuid-Oost

As for the athleisure here in the United States; there are a LOT of Americans who should NOT be wearing it because it merely highlights how UNathletic they are and/or look. When 35% of the population is obese and 74% are overweight, athleisure really REALLY shouldn't be a thing. Full disclosure, I'm 67, 6 foot tall and 165 lbs. Love your videos BTW.

"White sneakers" (like Adidas's Stan Smith model) have been popular around 1990 IIRC. The NL have all sorts of sub-cultures to which people confess by what clothes, styles, they wear. There's also an implicit social class division in there - purely related to what people can afford on the one hand, and on the other wearing extremely expensive brands as a way to compensate. Showing off with expensive logo's (real or fake ...), expensive cars, or watches and jewellery may be looked down upon in some circles. That's a legacy of the French Revolution that made modest middle class into reference class (as a survival strategy of the very rich that had not forgotten about the guillotine). Nothing to do with the spirit of enlightenment. Note, when you see those "modest" Calvinist Dutch people portrayed in Golden Age paintings wearing black coats or dresses, that "black" dye was incredibly difficult and would easily bleach in sun and washing, so for the common people of those days, these black clothes communicate "filthy rich" (in the same way that having your portrait made would also communicate this). As example of brands and style associated with sub-cultures, a certain brand with recognizable Tartan like patterns in the cloth of their clothes, in the NL have been associated with "white supremacist" for some time. In the way the punk music movement became commercial because of the large media companies managing the main performers, an d transitively became more socially acceptable and turned from anti-bourgeois-society into just standing out being different, that happens with clothing sub-cultures time and again. Or, yesterday's prejudices did not work that way 30 years ago, nor do they today.

I agree, the Dutch are generally stylish.

Fashion is a thing that does not apply to me. Basically I wear the same kind of things as I did in the eighties. They have to be black, though.

Not-fashion is very different. Dutch like a certain community conformity and neatness that we'd probably think of as banana republic. Americans also love jeans, but also tend to be overweight. Slim fitting chinos or what we'd call dress pants are way more every-day wear in europe. With men dressing more formally, women arent going to walk around in yoga pants. There are also different professional breakdowns (between NL and US), higher median income, and less self-differentiation based on material stuff, so less expression through clothing. But dont you dare take away their plastic rimmed glasses - need some expression, but moderated. Architecture reflects this too with 2 general styles, either old and traditional or new (geometric and colorful).

Your do it great and your cat Sleeping good behind you 👍

I think that the main reason why Americans dress so sloppy is that work consumes so much time and energy, there isn't much left for taking care of the way you look.

Cycling! Yes, too baggy trousers do not work very well on a bike, can get caught along the pedals. I guess status plays a role too: you are how you dress, so not 'poor'. Sports garb seems ok, but part of your sports effort ... ;) Cultural thing indeed! People would think you are all sweaty too in sports garb and don't expect a cleanliness - many go play soccer (voetbal) or so in sports garb, change afterwards because they go all in and shower (!) before wearing 'regular' clothes. Is it the implicit expectation of smell ..... ;) My guess is yes. ..... ;) I have felt this often wearing sports garb (sweat shirts!) and then changing after outdoor sports. Many people play team sports or organized sports, teams are not school based but home town based.

This, like a lot of expats, is more "Amsterdam vs" Amsterdam is a city with a lot of tourists and expats. Therefore its in a lot of things not a good example of The Netherlands as a country. Even clothing in Amsterdam is different from the rest of our country

Lots of flannel and kiwi jackets in countryside. Zero fashion rules

If Dutch people can wear shorts in the winter we can wear what we want lol

Why do some Dutch men wear red trousers? Is it a particular Dutch thing? I ask from ignorance....

Kan je ook een keer een vlog maken in het Nederlands????

Being conservative is not the same as fashionable. Besides, there is no country in the world where women were jeans as much as in the Netherlands. Finding a woman wearing a dress is unfortunately a rarity. I would suggest go visit Eastern Europe and then do another vid.

Dont you shower after a workout? Before going into the city?

I thought it was a pillow, but it's an actual living thing. Now I wanna see more of it... I love cats. Certainly big ones. I wanna cuddle with them and photograph them. I can't keep my eyes of it, so sorry I am not looking at you xD

huh? It depends on where you look. Walk around on Utrecht Central Station at 8:30 or 16:30 and you will see a lot of different outfits, not all fashionable. You can rate my outfit tomorrow at 8:30 🤣 Those that are fashionable are often not of native Dutch origine. Usually Turkish ladies are more fashionable dressed. Go to a Saturday market in a more rural area and you see people wearing relaxed ugly outfits. My wife does not allow me to go to the office in outdoor walking gear so nice pants and a shirt it is. Only need to find some new shoes that are comfortable and can stand a rainy bike ride. Fashion advice?

I regularly see people in training clothes on the streets. Especially tokkies

The Dutch aren't bad, but you want style? Go to Paris. Or Milan.

I see a lot of American men (adults) walking around in t-shirts with prints on it like super heroes and stuff. Here it's okay if you are a child but an adult wouldn't. As someone in a wheelchair I got traumatized by severely obese women walking around in leggings. Seriously you don't need to see all of that.

American fashion is wearing tents, because normal clothes are too small for the average American.

Many Dutch don't like to throw away clothes, that's why they wear it again and again

Dress to the occasion (even if doing your grocery shopping) but don’t overdress…

Prioritizing style over comfort? Uhm.... does the US not have nice looking clothing that is also comfortable? Are all stylish outfits there uncomfortable?