Three Points about Summer Street Style in the Netherlands - YouLookFab Forum

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Three Points about Summer Street Style in the Netherlands

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

For those who are interested:

1. Women of a certain age do not wear shorts. They wear dresses, skirts, culottes and cropped pants in the Summer. VERY occasionally, you'll see a lady wear knee-length shorts. It has nothing to do with conservatism or modesty. The Netherlands is one of the most progressive countries in the world. (Nudity on the tele is not censored at all. Ever).

2. Zero Athleisure

3. Lots of Fashion Sneakers (Sporty Luxe is alive and well). Sneakers are the shoe of our generation.

I noticed the same when I lived in France. Also, as I was helping clients build travel capsules for Italy this year, they came back and mentioned the same two points. It's Euro dressing culture.

IMPORTANT: I am NOT saying that Euro style is a better way to dress. Shorts and Athleisure are very acceptable and inspired ways to dress in the US and Canada - and in the same vain, it's part of the culture here. I'm merely fascinated by the dressing differences across the globe, and wanted to share them. As long as we as women have a choice, it's all good.

Off to work with a client so I'm posting and running.

Dressing

53 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

JAileen

Veteran

Angie, what is the certain age? I'm probably above whatever age that is, and I'm wearing shorts right now. I dress for a very hot summer. BTW, my 93 YO mother wears shorts when it's very hot. It's rarer in her area, but still. Oh, and she has great legs, not just for a 93 YO.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No need to defend shorts wearing, darling Janet. I am ALL for you and anyone else wearing what makes them happy. If it's shorts - go for it.

As for the age question - it's VERY hard to judge age. Older than Millenials.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm trying to remember when I've ever seen a a woman "of a certain age" wearing shorts on the streets when in Europe. Same goes for yoga pants, leggings worn as pants, and other sport-influenced wear. As you say, Angie, it's not about covering up their bodies--these same older women are quite willing to sunbathe topless in a family park, wear a a jacket with a lacey bra peeking out, or even wear a mid-thigh skirt with total aplomb.

As you say, no need to defend our choices, but the cultural differences are fascinating.

Anonymous

Interesting. I can understand and appreciate those differences, and actually like that. I've dressed in athleisure for so long now I'm pretty much over it. It was fine for my lifestyle at the time, but it doesn't feel as organic now, and almost feels costume-y at times. Shorts - yes, for around the yard, but that would be it now.

Mirjana

Veteran

Yes, Angie you noticed right. In Europe, I think in most countries, young girls wear shorts on the street, but not so usual. But for vacation, for the beach, seaside shorts is very common and lady wear them usually knee-length shorts. I wear that kind of shorts in my summer house also.
Lots of Fashion Sneakers also on the street, all generations.
There is certain difference , but the world is global, the same brands all over the world and the same cloths .

MsMary

Veteran

Huh. Good to know! I love shorts but I also don't want to put a "tourist" label on myself if I don't have to.

DonnaF

Veteran

Other than for exercise (walking around a track), I haven't worn shorts for YEARS, and I am definitely *of a certain age* or beyond. I would never wear shorts on the street, but I would consider wearing shorts for camping or hiking because a skirt or dress is not a practical and cropped pants might still be too hot.

In Europe, do older women wear shorts while hiking?

JAileen

Veteran

Angie, I didn't feel defensive, I was just curious. I'm sure my climate is a lot hotter than the Netherlands, and that's probably why I see shorts on so many people.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's funny...my mother wore shorts all the time at home and on roadtrips to seaside vacations...but she almost always put on a summer skirt or culottes before going into town -- even when we were travelling. I wear shorts regularly in summer as my work-at-home or in-the-garden wear, but I always prefer to wear a dress or skirt or crops if going into town. One reason the VC tube skirts were so fantastic for me is they satisfied my need or wish for a truly comfortable skirt that was more covered up than shorts but not too "precious."

Style Fan

Veteran

Interesting. I don't wear shorts except for very casual events like dog walking.

Glory

Veteran

Angie I found the same thing in Germany this summer.
In fact, despite it being very warm I saw very few shorts on women, including young women (thinking late teens and 20s). My girls wore their short denim shorts and were comfortable but they were definitely not the norm. Men and young men wore knee length shorts.

Capris were by far the most frequently seen. I saw them on all ages in all fabrics and colours. Also men were wearing capris albeit not as often.
Second to capris were jeans. No boyfriend jeans but lots of skinny jeans.
I saw quite a few joggers. My SIL works in a lovely boutique and the fall items were including a number of them. However they were a substantive fabric and often included some sort of piping or element down the side.

Footwear - sneakers especially adidas and nike. Again all ages.

Tops of choice were tshirts - mostly some sort of graphic with text written in english.

gryffin

Veteran

Ok, so I can move to the NL? I don't wear shorts!! Never enjoyed them. But I do wear crops, and dresses. I don't have anything that really qualifies as athleisure. So I'm good there too. I did buy a pair of the EF nubuck high tops. Honestly, I'm not sure they are keepers. They are comfortable with my orthotics, but I tend to pull them off and reach for my boots. I really wanted a pair, so I'm glad I got them, even if I pass them on. But I'm just not a sneaker girl. Although a great pair of white leather sneakers with crops or clams in summer is still something I love, although I don't have a pair right now. But funny that since I'm usually more formally dressed that I'd fit in better, sartorially over there then in NJ!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chiming in quickly as I run from one app to another.

Lots of interesting points here. Thanks for sharing.

Janet, the Netherlands is not nearly as hot at Nevada. In Southern Europe though, the weather is very hot - and few places have a/c (think Italy and the South of France). Very hot and humid. Women of a certain age generally do not wear shorts that are shorter than knee length. To Mirjana's point. It's a cultural norm, I guess.

Gaylene, sunbathing topless is not a problem in most of Europe. Again, it's cultural. And there is something to be said for it. Women do not grow up shaming their bodies, and everyone sees what regular people look like.

DonnaF, no idea. Women of all ages probably wear gear when they hike.

Suz and Lisa, sounds like you wear shorts as loungewear, at-home wear, or beach wear. Practical for sure.

Glory, I saw shorts on younger gals, but more skirts and dresses in that age group too. And cropped skinny jeans.

Gryffin, I'll pop you in my suitcase the next time I see my Dad.

Dianna

Veteran

I own more than a few shorts, but I have noticed that lately I have been reaching for them less than in previous summers, as I am reaching for my dresses more and more. At the same time, I am now wearing more sneakers than ever (although very rarely with frocks), and keep adding new pairs to my wardrobe, despite saying otherwise. But I do wear them. My mom, on the other hand, prefers shorts and/or cropped pants and sandals for the summer. As you said, Angie, it is great that we all have choices.

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. I'm trying to think if I've ever seen anybody in shorts not from the New World... and I coming up blank. I don't wear shorts. I used to always keep a pair tho, but I think I've finally done away with this. Not sure if I even have a pair hidden somewhere... I'll wear knee pants tho.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

So if no athleisure, what are people wearing their sneaks with? Jeans? Everything?

Gaylene

Veteran

Speaking of topless sunbathing, my first experience was with my husband's Scandinavian family just after we were married. We were at their summer cabin and all the females from his 80+ great aunt to his youngest niece, age 4, spent the week in just swim bottoms. It seemed very natural to join them, but my friends back home were a bit taken aback when I started showing them my vacation photos.

Beth

Veteran

Suz, you hit on the very point I was thinking about. I wonder how different clothing choices are (or aren't) between cities and the countryside.

I wear shorts all summer. I wear them at home, to see my parents on the bay/go sailing, to the feed store, etc. But any time I go "into town" I nearly always swap into a skirt or a summery dress and sandals. Cities just seem to call for more formality somehow.

Joy

Veteran

The cultural differences are so interesting. Closer to home, lots of college girls and younger were wearing very shirt and tight shirts last spring. Now that they have returned to CU, I have not seen one pair of short shorts. Summer dresses, even on those riding bicycles, are now the norm.
I would never wear shorts or athleisure out to run errands. Even those walking and dog walking dress up more. Today as I was leaving the neighborhood to run errands, I admired a woman of a certain age out walking all in white..including white hair, white hat, and white midi skirt or wide crops. She looked amazing. Runners do usually wear gear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Joy, VERY interesting. I wear all white when I walk Sam sometimes. Why not. I'm not hiking in mud though....

Gaylene, I BET those holiday pics were a major source of conversation back in the US and Canada. I don't know about Canada, but US society is a lot more conservative. It's simply not done.

Laura, sneakers with everything. From regular casual wear, dresses and skirts, to casual pants, trousers and jeans. Zero Athleisure.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dianna, sounds like shorts are part of the culture in Mexico. Makes sense. Your switch to dresses is interesting. Sneakers too.

Rachy, I don't wear shorts either. Just not my look. (I have a pair of knee-length cut-off denim shorts for taking doggies swimming in, which come out once a year).

Beth, again, shorts are part of US culture.

Jules

Veteran

No topless bathing in Canada either.
I don't personally see shorts as appropriate city weekday wear myself, not for men OR women, so I can appreciate the Euro norm. I have my own myriad of personal body reasons for feeling more psychologically comfortable in longer bottoms, but I also don't find shorts to be more physically comfortable in the heat, vs. for example, loose linen pants, etc. In many tropical climates the traditional dress is not all that bare for men or women.

AndiB

Veteran

I don't own a pair of shorts and haven't for years. I am of a certain age (over 50), but this goes back years. I've always preferred summer skirts and dresses and sporty skorts I guess for hiking and canoeing. I wear athlesure wear to the gym and yoga only. I've not been able to bring myself to wear sneakers with dresses or office wear although I see samples a-plenty across fashion blogs and Pinterest where that look in executed quite well. I guess I'd say for me that look is also best left to those not "of a certain age"!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I love these street style reports. Honestly, I could sit at a streetside cafe in just about any city and just people-watch for hours. I find Dutch fashion quiet appealing, as people there dress for active daily lives with a lot of walking and biking. That's very similar to the lifestyle in many part of Colorado. Useful and inspiring!

Jane

Veteran

The shorts comment is interesting Angie. I have worn mine alot, not out and about, but in the evenings, walking the dogs, that type of thing.

I would be interested to know if women of a certain age in the Netherlands wear denim jackets. I have been very impressed with the flexibility that a denim jacket brings, but just haven't managed to find one yet that I really like and am on the verge of giving up for the time being.

Laura1975

The athleisure thing is interesting. I was reading along thinking, yep yep, same as here until I got to that and it threw me. I'm going to make a prediction. I think it'll come eventually. I said the same about here but there's sports leggings everywhere now.

skylurker

Veteran

Funny, I've felt too old for my shorts this year, only worn them once, and binned them.
Hope athleisure will never cross the ocean.
I don't like sneakers, either.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

In Israel young women in their teens and early twenties, wear extremely short shorts. Older (than that) women wear longer shorts or more likely loose dresses, that are usually mid-thigh or longer. I only wear shorts to my knee. I never "got" shorts at any age - not my thing! I am seeing less leggings as pants, but that might be because it is still the height of summer here.

Thea

I noticed the lack of shorts this summer when visiting Germany and Amsterdam. The only shorts on women were worn by tourists (myself included in my seersucker knee length shorts). Much greater variety of knee length skirts and dresses, and many styles of culottes (solids, patterns, flowing, and more structured - I loved the variety on the street but could not find them in the shops).
I planned to buy Ecco sneakers since I needed a new pair anyway and was hoping for a greater variety and color (I ended up with white as being the most versatile with my summer travel capsule). When I purchased them in Regensburg, the store manager commented that his biggest seller this summer were the fashion sneakers and most of his customers were Americans from the Danube river cruises.

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