Summary: Dutch fashion is modest, practical, and eclectic all at the same time. Writer Tiffany Jarman Jansen describes the Dutch fashion sense.

Now that I've been through 2 1/2 seasons here in the Netherlands, I feel as though I'm beginning to understand the way they dress. Their idea of fashion, so to speak. Although it is part of Europe, the style here is very different to most other European countries. I've read several expat accounts of the Dutch fashion sense, which all draw the conclusion that the Dutch do not have one. It's just a hodgepodge of everything without a care as to what belongs, what doesn't and what the hap-hazard ensemble looks like. To be honest, I like it. It's modest, practical, and eclectic all at the same time.

Be aware though, as you read this that I am referring to women's fashion since, as a woman trying to fit into her new culture, that's what I've been paying most attention to. What I can say about men is as follows: tight jeans, polo shirts, lots of blazers, vests, etc, and in the younger crowd the 80s hipster look runs rampant. For the most part, it's like living in an Abercrombie and Fitch advert. One article I love is the button down shirt with one design on the outside and a completely different one on the inside which peeks out through rolled up sleeves and folded collars. Very classy.

Work attire is interesting. It's either jeans or a suit. If you were to walk into the city court house, it would appear as though office uniform is jeans. Tops vary (widely) but the jeans factor is pretty dependable. And this is a government office! When I worked at Bath and Body Works in the US, we were expected to look uniform: black or kakhi pants and white or black shirts. But here store salespersons are usually in jeans. Just last week, I went to an interview at Undutchables - an employment agency specializing in finding jobs for non-Dutch speakers in their native language.

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About the Author Originally from small-town Maryland, USA, Tiffany Jarman Jansen was uprooted and tossed into the Netherlands! She lives with her Dutch husband and their American dog, Turner. Besides learning to stand on her own two feet in her new country, she also does some freelance writing and a bit of nannying. Currently, she works as a writer and webdesigner for Medieval Maidens and has her own company called Little Broadway, which travels to schools in Holland offering an 8-week course in Musical Theatre. Tiffany also publishes a blog called Clogs and Tulips: An American in Holland.

First Published: Oct 13, 2009