Dutch Fashion Terms
The names of many clothing and accessory items are different in Dutch than English which can be confusing to new expats in Netherlands. See Dutch fashion terms here…
It is not surprising that the Dutch words used to identify specific clothing and fashion accessory items differ from those labels used in English. It may actually be more surprising that so many items DO share the same name in English and Dutch.
Dutch Fashion Terms
Learning the correct Dutch fashion terminology takes a little time but is easier when the specific cases are presented together (as we do below).
Confusion can still occur when the same word is used in both Dutch and English but does not refer to the same item. For example, a ‘sweater‘ in English refers to a heavy knit top while in Dutch a ‘sweater‘ is a sweatshirt. Other examples of the same word having divergent meanings are boot, slipper and vest.
Here is a list of clothing items, styles, fashion accessories, footwear and design elements which have different names in Dutch vs English. It may help non-Dutch speakers in Netherlands find what they need when shopping online.
ENGLISH <-> DUTCH
- ankle boot = enkellaarsje
- backpack = rugzak
- bag = tas
- bathrobe = badjas
- beach sandal = slipper
- beanie = muts
- belt = riem
- blazer = colbert
- boot = laars
- bra = bh/beha
- briefs = slip
- button-down shirt = overhemd
- buttons = knoppen
- cap = pet
- cardigan = vest
- coat = jas
- collar = kraag
- dress = jurk
- dress trousers = pantalons
- fannypack = heuptasje
- flip flops = teenslippers
- French cuff = dubbele manchet
- gloves = handschoenen
- hat = hoed
- hood = capuchon
- jacket = jasje
- keychain = sleutelhanger
- laces = veteren
- leather = leer
- legwear = beenmode
- long sleeves = lange mouwen
ENGLISH <-> DUTCH
- patent leather = lakleer
- pockets = zakken
- quilted vest = bodywarmer
- raincoat = regenjas
- scarf/shawl = sjaal
- shirt dress = overhemdjurk
- shoes = schoenen
- shorts = korte broeken
- short sleeves = korte mouwen
- shoulder bag = schoudertas
- skirt = rok
- sleeveless t-shirt = singlet
- slipons = instappers
- slipper = pantoffel
- sleepwear = nachtkleding
- striped = gestreepte
- suit = pak
- sunglasses = zonnebrillen
- sweatshirt = sweater
- sweater = trui
- swimsuit = zwembroek
- tank top = hemd
- tie = stropdas
- trousers = broeken
- turtleneck = col-hals
- underwear = ondergoed
- v-neck = v-hals
- vest = gilet
- wallet = portemonnee
- watch = horloge
- wrap dress = overslagjurk
- zipper = rits
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