When I first started learning Dutch, I was surprised to find that my textbooks rarely included any fashion-related vocabulary. While I learned practical words like "tas" (bag) and "schoenen" (shoes), I came across very few terms specifically related to fashion. As someone who is passionate about style and fashion, I decided to compile a list of fashion-related Dutch words that I've picked up over the past 14 years of learning and speaking the language. In this blog post, I will share with you 16 fashion-related Dutch words, along with a few bonus terms, that you can expect to hear in a conversation about style and fashion. So whether you're a fashion enthusiast or simply interested in expanding your language skills, keep reading and do the related word search puzzle to discover some stylish Dutch vocabulary!

This one is very easy to remember, just think Edna Mode with a soft “duh” at the end. In case you don’t know who she is, Edna Mode designed and fabricated the superheroes costumes in the animated film series The Incredibles. It has been said that her character was based on legendary costume designer Edith Head.

2. COLLECTIE > Collection

The Dutch adhere to the same seasonal calendar as other fashion capitals and release collections for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.

3. KLEDING > Clothing

A few useful Dutch clothing words to know:

Broek > Pants
Jas > Coat
Jurk > Dress
Rok > Skirt
Pak > Suit

4. KLEUR > Color

5. MODIEUS > Fashionable

6. BOETIEK > Boutique

7. MERK > Brand

8. LUXE > Luxury

9. SILHOUET > Silhouette

10. PASVORM > Fit

11. ZWIERIG > Elegant

12. MAATWERK > Customized

Customized as in bespoke. So a custom-made suit is a maatpak.

13. STOF > Fabric

You’ll have the urge to pronounce this one like “stuff”, but the “o” actually sounds exactly like the English alphabet “o”. So, think “loaf” >>> "stoaf".

Silk fabric > Zijden stof
Cotton fabric > Katoenen stof
Floral fabric > Bloemenstof

14. PASPOP > Mannequin

Paspop is one of those Dutch compound words, the Pas comes from Passen which means to try on clothes, and Pop is the word for doll.

15. ONTWERPER > Designer

Ontwerper means designer but it’s not assigned to just fashion designers. To specify fashion designer you say “Modeontwerpe”; basically you take the word we learned for fashion earlier “Mode” and smash it with “Ontwerper”.

16. GOED UIT > Good Looking

The Dutch have a very common saying, “Je ziet er goed uit”. It’s one of my favorites and it’s used to tell someone that they look good. It’s one of those idioms that you may never see in a formal Dutch language learning book, but it’s one of the most used compliments. The Dutch enjoy giving and receiving compliments so go ahead, practice your Dutch and make someone’s day at the same time.

Thank you for reading and by the way, Je ziet er prachtig uit (you look amazing).

Ree van Dijk
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