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Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt recommendations

garyclark

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Whenever I go on vacation - instead of a t-shirt or magnet or keychain - I like to bring something nice back that I will actually use in my daily life. I don't have any specific needs, but am interested in any ideas of what to bring back from Amsterdam/Brussels/Frankfurt.

For some context, these are other items I've brought back from different trips. I use them regularly, and they bring me a bit of joy as I reminisce about the trip when I wear them or use them.

-Aran sweater and tweed cap from Galway
-guayabera from Santo Domingo
-hakama pants and a wallet from Tokyo
-Drake's ties from London
-straw hat from Meyer the Hatter in New Orleans
-Tecova's boots and belt from Austin
-fisherman's cap from Seattle
-twill shirts from Proper Cloth in New York City
-Shaggy Dog cuffed hat from J.Press in New Haven
-OCBD and vintage pocket square from Bobby from Boston

Any specific stores to recommend in these three cities, or ideas for items to target that signify the local cultures? I'm not buying a suit or formalwear. But anything from a tie clip to a blazer is in play.

Thanks.
 

Gus

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Whenever I go on vacation - instead of a t-shirt or magnet or keychain - I like to bring something nice back that I will actually use in my daily life. I don't have any specific needs, but am interested in any ideas of what to bring back from Amsterdam/Brussels/Frankfurt.

For some context, these are other items I've brought back from different trips. I use them regularly, and they bring me a bit of joy as I reminisce about the trip when I wear them or use them.

-Aran sweater and tweed cap from Galway
-guayabera from Santo Domingo
-hakama pants and a wallet from Tokyo
-Drake's ties from London
-straw hat from Meyer the Hatter in New Orleans
-Tecova's boots and belt from Austin
-fisherman's cap from Seattle
-twill shirts from Proper Cloth in New York City
-Shaggy Dog cuffed hat from J.Press in New Haven
-OCBD and vintage pocket square from Bobby from Boston

Any specific stores to recommend in these three cities, or ideas for items to target that signify the local cultures? I'm not buying a suit or formalwear. But anything from a tie clip to a blazer is in play.

Thanks.


What did you find in Amsterdam as far as Styleforum approved retailers and special purchases?
 

Ypuh

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I work in Amsterdam, but difficult question honestly. Internationals usually ask me what Netherlands is famous for, and first thing that comes to mind are bikes (I'm an avid cyclist myself).

In terms of culture; it's more the things we say and do rather than the things we buy or eat. If you want something typically Dutch, a potato, cheese, weed or non-prescription medication are the most representative. Sure, there's wooden shoes, orange football jerseys and 'Delfts blauw' porcelain, but those are a bit silly. I usually bring some Dutch sweets/cookies (drop, speculaas, stroopwafels). They are cheap, but we don't really have anything better non-drug related souvenirs really. No real foods or make-industry, we're a nation of trade- and services, focused on experiences (bars, restaurants, sightseeing, festivals, museums, sports, entertainment) with some nice historic city centers.

Amsterdam does have loads of great stores though, but it'll just be Italian or UK-made. If something pops to mind; Denham jeans maybe? Or what we call a 'scheurkalender' which you hang in your toilet. None of my clothes are made in the Netherlands at least, neither anything leather or wool (except woolen blankets).

Just buy some stroopwafels and be happy for a moment. Supermarket is fine, but fresh ones off the market are even better.
 
Last edited:

garyclark

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Unfortunately, I did not receive feedback on this post (but I have a looooooong list of shops to visit for my upcoming trip to Italy thanks to SF members).

Maybe the reason is that the Dutch tend to be much more into activewear than traditional menswear, which makes sense given their remarkable biking culture. All of the shops in Centraal were big brands. We stayed in the Noord, which is more hipster, so there was a lot of streetwear. Especially skate culture-inspired attire. Which is not my lane. One place I had looked up that I did not make it to is Hombre, as we didn't make it out to the West.

If you are going, my non-menswear recommendations are:
-Book a private boat tour using Those Dam Boat Guys.
-Eat at an Indonesian restaurant. Sampurna was recommended to me by some Dutch friends and did not disappoint.
-One of my good friends is a cheesemonger and one of his favorite shops in the world is L'Amuse in the southern part of the city. The shop is worth the trip there alone. But it's in a wonderful walkable neighborhood of shops and cafes across from Vondelpark.
-Keep a few coin euros on you to use the public bathrooms in train/bus stations.
-Also, if you are going to rent a car, the Dutch speed limits on highways are jarringly slow, especially if you are used to the Autobahn. And they have cameras everywhere. Expect tickets in the mail unless you are very careful.
 


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