Summer outfits for your Amsterdam trip can be hard to plan. Heat waves can swoop in and melt you in your sweaters, but on the flip side, you might end up shivering in your sun dress. I just moved to Amsterdam last year and rebuilt my wardrobe from scratch. Here’s how I survive Amsterdam in the summer.
It’s Europe, so I’m assuming you already know about the cobblestone streets (no heels) or the ever-changing weather (light layers). Here are the things I figured out after living here for almost an entire year, trying outfits and regretting it immediately, and occasionally putting together something fantastic.
Tip Number One: Pattern Risk
Amsterdam is all about pattern risk, especially with their summer outfits. The Dutch wear a lot of cheetah print and kelly green, and if you walk past any of the vintage stores in the heart of the city you’ll see tons of funky patterns in the windows as well. Amsterdam is the place to break out the funky styles that you’ve been too scared to wear anywhere else.
And if your style is not funky and bold, then a nice floral skirt will go a long way in blending in. A cheetah print scrunchie would seal the deal!
Tip Number One: Loose-Fitting Pants and Skirts are Everything
Amsterdam is the city where blue jeans go to die. I swear. Cycle once in soaking wet blue jeans and you’ll understand. Avoid jeans at all costs, especially when you’ll be out and about all day and there’s a chance you’ll get rained on, which is always.
With your Amsterdam summer outfits, opt for breezy linen pants, a floral maxi skirt, or a thin sun dress. Pair with a simple tee and you’re golden. Just today I saw someone wearing a purple silk skirt with a bold graphic tee. It was iconic even though I only caught a glimpse of her on her bike as I was herding my toddlers through the crosswalk.
Tip Number Two: Beware the Sun
Usually you have to really look for the sun in Amsterdam. And I mean, you have to know where it’s supposed to be and then stare at a cloudy spot in the sky for a few minutes to confirm. At least that’s what I do for photography sessions in the winter.
But in the summer? The sun can SHINE. Its power has been unleashed. The blanket of grey that routinely covers the Netherlands will occasionally go on holiday and leave us to fend for ourselves.
Wear sunscreen. Wear sunglasses. Bring a hat. We went to the beach a couple of weekends ago and my husband turned a radioactive shade of pink after just thirty minutes. When we got home, he went and laid down in the hallway for almost an hour in the dark. I think he had forgotten sunburns existed until then.
Moving from Alabama where everything is air conditioned, the Amsterdam summer has been an adjustment. You may or may not have AC where you are staying and most cafes just keep the windows and doors open anyway. This is another reason you want loose fabric instead of something tight and form fitting.
Tip Three: The Rain is Sneaky
Don’t forget the rain coat. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean Amsterdam isn’t going to Amsterdam. You can leave the house with clear skies stretching as far as the eye can see. And then twenty minutes later you will still get soaked. It can rain at any time. You have been warned.
Tip Four: Glue a Canvas Bag to your Shoulder
Find a canvas bag and never let it go! A canvas bag is essential to life in Amsterdam. I have several that stay in my coat pocket just for when I walk past Albert Heijn and realize I need something for dinner. Enter my canvas bag. Or when I pass the kids’ consignment store on my block and find something I want to take home. Enter my canvas bag. It is morally shameful to have to purchase a plastic bag for €0.60 because I forgot my canvas bag at home. I can feel the eyes of everyone in the grocery store on me as I self-scan it. “Stupid American, she forgot her canvas bag.”
Okay, so fine, they aren’t thinking that and no one really cares if you buy a bag. But I care because I know I have a perfectly good bag at home, and I could have spent that €.60 on a kaneel broodje (cinnamon croissant).
I also never leave the house without a cross-body pack. It’s so nice to have your essentials strapped to you as you bike instead of floating around your waist. Especially with the pickpockets in Amsterdam Centraal. It’s worth the peace of mind to strap your belongings to you where you can see them at all times.
Tip Five: Pack a Sweater
Sailing back to reality with this tip you can get from any lady over 25. It gets cold at night. Bring a sweater. Throw it over your bag, tie it around your waist, wrap it around your shoulders, tie it to your handlebars. Just don’t be cold.
Other Amsterdam Things
Check out my list of souvenirs to get from Amsterdam here!
If you want to book a photography session to document some of the cute outfits you planned, you can send me a message via my intake form or you can email me directly at simsawyersphotography@gmail.com.
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