If you are planning an upcoming trip to Amsterdam, you are in luck. The city is filled with amazing architecture, great museums, and plenty of stroopwafels. Aside from planning the actual logistics of your trip, you might be wondering what you should pack for Amsterdam. For the record, I have only ever visited Amsterdam during the winter, so my essentials will reflect that. Below I have listed my 6 essentials for a trip to one of Europe’s greatest cities.
1. Your favorite pair of jeans.
There is a reason Amsterdam is called a denim city. The locals in Amsterdam are known to favor jeans over other apparel options. Winter in Amsterdam tends to be on the colder side. From riding around on bikes to keeping warm, jeans are a must.
Some of my favorite jeans include these and these. However, jeans are very dependent on the individual, so I would recommend packing whatever works best for your body type.
2. A warm scarf.
As I mentioned above, Amsterdam tends to be pretty cold during the winter. I love packing a scarf, because it helps you stay warm while also adding a nice pop to your outfit. I packed my beloved Burberry scarf ; it really doesn’t get more classic than this scarf. I also brought this scarf my mother-in-law gifted me. It is very warm and cozy; I adore the color. If you are looking for something more affordable, I have been eyeing this for a while.
3. A warm sweater.
What better way to complement your cute scarf than with a great sweater? I opted for this neutral colored sweater, because I liked how the color worked with my Burberry scarf. I suggest packing a neutral color sweater, so you can pair it with multiple things to create different looks.
4. A fun coat.
As I mentioned above, you are likely to be wearing jeans in Amsterdam. As much as I love jeans, they tend to make an outfit a little more casual. If you are wanting to look a bit more chic, I would recommend a fun coat. A fun colored coat is a sure way to add more style to an otherwise casual look.
I packed this coat, and it was amazing. I wanted to pack a lighter coat, because I was worried about overheating with a heavy sweater on underneath. The coat was light enough to avoid overheating, but it still kept me warm. Some other coats I like are here and here.
5. Comfortable boots.
If you are visiting Amsterdam in the winter, you need boots. As much as I love a good pair of pumps, don’t bother packing any for this destination. Most of the streets are cobblestone, so a thin heel is not recommended. I packed these boots with a nice block heel, and they worked great. They kept me warm and stylish. Bonus: they were comfortable which is so important for hours of walking. I got so many compliments on them, and they are under $50! Definitely a great buy. If you are looking for higher quality, I have been thinking about buying these. Just a word of advice if you decide to go with suede- make sure you waterproof your boots before leaving. I personally like this and this for protecting my shoes.
6. A pair of trousers.
After a few days of only wearing jeans, I was starting to feel uninspired. So, I did some shopping in Amsterdam; I found these. I am not a big impulse shopper. However, they were just over 10 Euros, so I didn’t feel super guilty about the purchase. The neutral color worked very well with everything else I packed, and I was able to build an outfit easily. If those pants are not to your liking, these achieve a similar look, and they have very high reviews online; the tummy control is an added bonus.
Hopefully this list helps you start packing for Amsterdam! As a reminder, these essentials are only a starting point for packing. After you have packed essentials, you can start adding more personal pieces, and that is where all the fun comes in. Just remember in Amsterdam, casual is better.
