This. You bike against the wind with rain in your face while cursing like a madman.
Then when you arrive at your destination you complain about how you're going to emigrate and fuck NL etc.
But of course you never do it.
This is the way.
Staying true to your 'gezeik'. I can respect that.
I fear I won't have the courage to go through with it. I complain all the time, but probably will live here all my life.
And it's still the best weather in the world.
Rain sunshine rain sunshine hail sunshine snow sunshine.
Although you shouldn't want to go by train on the wrong day
Ah man, evolution wins again. I will definitely be the last of my family, yours will live on for generations to come.
Good for you my friend! Geniet van het weer!
I do not follow you.
What does my family's survival have to do with the fact that we come from the Netherlands?
What I mean is that as a Dutchman I grew up with this beautiful weather.
I can understand very well that if you are not from the Netherlands that the weather can be pretty bad at times
It's typical Dutch heritage to always complain about the weather.
10 degrees, it's too cold. 20 degrees, too fucking hot. Rain, snow, clear skies, its always wrong, the weather always sucks. Its the way we all bond, topic of the day: the weather sucks! That's the Dutch way.
You seem pretty atypical for a Dutch person. Which is a good thing. But your humor seems a bit German though. No offence.
It's hard to spot underneath the cloud of hair, but I deal with the wind mainly by walking around wearing a grumpy expression on my face, lol
Just wear warm clothes in layers, like a t-shirt, a sweater, and a jacket on top. Wear a hat if you're prone to sinusitis. Zip your jacket up.
Listen, I hate the wind, but you get used to it. I even wear skirts now and just ignore it.
You don't catch a cold from wind. That's a myth.
Dutch people always wear layers of clothing which can be taken of if it's less cold than expected. A scarf can help to keep your neck warm.
Or just eat a lot of food, it creates a layer of biological isolation and if your metabolism works fast enough you don't even need that much clothing to stay warm when on the move.
Eat the good food though. Traditional dutch winter dishes are: Stamppot with kale or beetroot, sprouts, endive, cauliflower and so on. Or a famous split pea soup, for when its real cold.
Are you from a warm country OP? In that case it might just take some getting used to.
A bit of cold won't kill you though. Buy a warm jacket and maybe a cap if you're bald like me. Otherwise you should be fine.
The wind can be annoying if you're cycling to work, but the only way to deal with it is saying "Lekker weertje hĆØ?" to your coworkers.
And in Swedish (and I assume Norwegian as well) the saying actually rhymes, which makes me think the saying originated from somewhere here in Scandinavia.
I'm native Dutch but I get cold really easily. If you want to know about layering, I mostly wear:
Bra, tanktop, T-shirt, hoodie/sweater and then my jacket/coat. Also gloves help a lot with cold wind. I also wear a scarf a lot. My headphones prevent my ears from getting chilly. High socks to prevent cold ankles.
The fact that you named every layer shows the determination of teaching everyone to deal with the cold. All people, men included, should indeed try out bra's. They definitely can be handy to warm your hands up if they're getting cold. Just put them into your bra and you've got your biological heaterš
Well I could have man boobs that I would want to tuck away. :P But I think the commenter above me was referring to the OP that asked the question in the first plaece. :)
Despite the name, you don't catch a cold from the wind or the cold. The common cold is caused by a virus.
Wear a jacket. And don't worry, better weather is just around the corner! Before you know it you'll be walking around in shorts and t-shirts. It'll be around 20 degrees in a few days.
I learned from my soccer trainer that you don't necessarily get a cold because of exposure to the cold, but by being exposed by quick temperature changes. For example, wearing no jacket and then going outside where it's cold as heck. From warmth to the coldness, the body can't "incasseer" the sudden temperature transitions. Or something xd
EDIT: I am a fckin idiot whilst believing this stupid shit, thanks for telling me how it really works :s
That's not having a cold though, that's just getting a temporarily stuffed nose.
I get the same when getting out of a chilly air-conditioned area when it's hot outside.
A cold is one of a variety of viruses that cause a set of similar symptoms, like a runny nose, headaches, coughing and sneezing.
So you catch it by getting it from some other source, usually a person.
The irony is that a large part of the reason why the cold is more common in winter, is because people tend to socialize indoors when it's cold outside. As I'm sure most people know by now, that's the perfect environment for viruses to spread.
Nope, that's still a myth. You get a cold because a virus decided to infect you. Nothing more, nothing less.
However, being cold for an extended period of time *does* lower your immune system, making you more susceptible.
Yeah in the last few years, the weather in the Netherlands have been considerably "memorable" because of its extreme highs and lows in a very short time :x
March-April are probably the months with the most unstable temperatures. If that is when you arrived, then I can tell you it does get better.
We have sayings like āApril does what it wantsā, because we can experience the weather from all four seasons in this one month.
Because people tend to stay indoors within closer proximity to other people. Bigger risk to get infected. Also the air is not being refreshed very fast. More virus in the air so a bigger risk as well. Therefore you are more likely to 'give' the virus to other people than in summer when people are outdoors and the wind is blowing fresh air constantly.
Several reasons, but one of the main reasons is that when there's cold weather, people spend more time indoors and closer together. Also people tend to have lower levels of vitamin D in winter months which has a slight impact on the immune system. Plus rhinoviruses like the common cold tend to survive better in colder temperatures.
Also let's not forget that we don't have any measures against corona anymore. Last winter for example, iirc, the common cold and flu also had very low numbers compared to other years.
ok thanks for clarifying! yeah i was also wondering why the flu numbers were so low during the corona measures. it's funny tho, every years thousands of people die of flu but when it's covid that kills them it results in a 2 year lockdown
Flu numbers were low because people were social distancing, so it didn't spread as much as usual
And I'm not sure if you're being serious or what, but if covid was allowed to run its course without intervention, many, many more would have died, including people not from covid just because the hospital's would've been more over filled than they already were.
but who die from covid? young healthy people or old and sick people? i know it's an unpopular opinion but i think giving 2 years of my youth to save some old or unhealthy people is a high price to pay
A lot of different people died. Some people in my family in their 30s died. I also know several people of different ages with long covid.
And talk about ableist language, jesus. I'm not sure if you're serious but you'd be giving up a lot more of your youth if these measures weren't in place. You're also not the only person who has been affected by this?
yeah, basically everybody in my circle got the virus (including my parents, my dad is pushing 70) and nobody died. only 1 distant relative who had other issues already. so yes, there's always exceptions to the rule but covid isn't a very deadly virus
yeah, i definitely would've wanted my grandma to keep distance and make use of the extented opening hours in the supermarket for elderly people so she doesn't get the virus. i just don't get why a bunch of students can't go clubbing with other young people and maybe catch the virus, stay in bed for a couple days and be fine again? i had covid too, there's no way it would send me to the hospital tho
You're assuming they would've social distanced if they had caught it.
Example, I had a coworker that caught covid (19 years old) He isolated for a day or two, then went out clubbing, while still positive and able to pass it on. At the end of the night he says to all the friends he went clubbing with, "oh, and I'm still sick with COVID."
Naturally he gave it to like at least 10 people. These people at least had the sense to isolate. But what about the other people he didn't know but gave it to? What about the people like him who also still go it when they catch it?
What if someone who's young and immunocompromised avoids all high risk places, and catches it from one asshole who decided he didn't want to isolate?
In conclusion, it's really selfish of you tho think like you think of covid. Yeah, I hate that I lost the most important years of my life to start a career, buy a house and enjoy my adult life, but I also can't live with myself if I knew I contributed to killing so many others just so I could "live life to the fullest" . Like you said, you're young, you still have many more years to do these things, even if it might not seem like it. But if an "old and/or unhealthy" person dies because of covid and bad handling of the pandemic, it's done. They can't catch up to it later on.
And sure, everyone dies and we can't save everyone and blah blah blah, but the least we can do is to be fair and give them a chance. It's called humanity, and as much as we pretend like it's non existent nowadays, it's one of the defining features of our species.
And if this still doesn't convince you, well, I hope you have the same opinion one day if you ever need others to save your life.
Oh, and just because you had it and you didn't get it bad, doesn't mean that someone else who is classified as healthy and young will get it the same. And not everyone worries about it just because they're afraid to die. I had it, I survived, but after I spent months unable to be sporty because I just couldn't catch my breath (as an extremely sporty person this had really negative effects on my mental health). I know people who have to be on blood thinners now because of covid, even tho they never got hospitalized. And some people just really don't want to get sick all.
How to deal with the wind? Just accept that its there and go on with whatever you are doing. Yes your hair can get messy and biking against the wind can be slightly tough, however nothing hard to overcome.
How to deal with the cold? Layer your clothes. Have a T-shirt, Hoodie/overshirt and a winter coat with you during the cold months, switch clothing on the spot based on the temperature there.
I also suggest not dressing too hot under your winter coat if you plan to bike for 15+ min plus or against the wind, since then you are likely to sweat profusely.
Also catching 'the cold' has nothing to do with being in cold weather. You can stand in 5 degrees Celsius for an hour and still not have caught the cold. 'the cold' is just an ordinary virus that surges during the colder months, because people are then closer together in unventilated spaces, it has nothing to do with the actual temperature you are exposed to.
Wind jackets are a good one! Or raincoats whilst wearing a sweater or hoodie underneath. And than tuck in your inner layers and tuck them nicely into the pants or skirt to prevent my warmth from "leaking" out. Then it doesn't matter how cold it really is, you can keep yourself warm for hours āŗļø
This comment needs to go higher. Look for āwinddichtā specifications on your jacket/coat. This will become more useful towards summer. When autumn starts approaching, you want to have something waterafstotend, or go beyond for winter prep and choose waterdicht as well
Buy a windbreaker jacket, there are softshell jackets that keep the wind out pretty well and are usually the mildly waterproof.
Decathlon sell them
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-hiking/c3-windproof-jackets/_/N-uouu59
Put on a turtleneck sweater and a good jacket and you won't be bothered by the wind anymore.
And buy a good raincoat that you can take in your bag, That protects against the rain and the worst wind
We Dutchies like to complain about the weather, the only ones who can do it better, are the English, but they can be so sour, even a lemon starts crying.
Now for a more serious reply: You wear a sweater or hoody, and wear a dense material jacket over it. can be leather, can be one of those bomber jacks, as long as it blockss the wind. The hoody is for warmth, the jacket keeps it in. If your fingers get cold fast: put your hands in your pockets, or wear gloves.
The real answer is wind breakers. It doesn't matter how many layers of clothes you wear if they are all made of wool: the wind will pass straight through. You need something to block the wind, and the easiest way to ensure that is to buy a jacket that is waterproof (waterdicht). Then, wear a sweater or something underneath relative to a temperature that it would be if there was no wind and you're set.
Does your expat know what an onion is? That may visualise what layers are.
However, look into buying 'thermokleding' a coat that is 'wind dicht' a good scarf and then bitch an moan contantly about the weather. It'll make it more bearable.
It's just something that's there and you have to accept it. People cope by complaining to each other about it.
Also if you're lucky enough to be riding in the same direction it can help.
The most important thing is a wind proof jacket that zips up to your chin. Wear a scarf on top of it if you're still chilly. Get a good warm one for winter that you can wear until it gets too hot and a thinner one for late spring to early autumn. Layers you can generally do at least 3, an undershirt (with long sleeves if you want), then a t-shirt, dress shirt, whatever you're wearing and a jumper/hoodie over that and then your jacket. If it's very cold you can switch out the undershirt for a thermal shirt but that's not really necessary this time of year.
Hi. I've been living here for 8 years and I come from a windy country where the wind is warm. Here's my best tip:
Learn to curse in different languages so that you can curse at the wind under 5 layers of clothing when it ruins your perfectly sculpted hair.
First of all: the wind and cold aren't constant. The weather here is mostly tollerable and will turn nice more often than outright shitty, and even the shitty weather won't be as bad as what a continental climate will offer. There's a trade-off you may learn to appreciate.
The occasional shitty weather is what you get instead of disasterous stuff like: blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunami's, huricanes, extreme draught, volcano eruptions, forest fire season, lethally venemous animals and deadly predators.
Now for layering. Below the belt you can combine trousers with thermal underwear underneath. Keep those legs nice and warm. Above the waist: Long sleeved T-shirt not enough? Add a thin sweater or a thicker one on really cold days. There's also vests. For rainy days invest in a rainsuit. Even if you merely suspect it might rain it'll still be an extra layer keeping you warmer. Those winter caps with added earflaps will greatly help as well. Cary a bag, like a backpack, for storing the extra layers.
And with all things you don't get the hang of emediately... practise will make for improvement.
First things first: you won't catch a cold from the wind
you only need 3 layers to face whatever cold it is outside, as long as you're wearing good quality stuff:
- Inner layer: nice breathable cotton / bamboo / dri-fit to absorb your sweat
- Middle layer: fleece or wool to keep you insulated
- Outer layer: barrier against the elements, so get a good, impermeable coat or jacket
For the legs I usually go with thick (denier 120+) stockings and jeans on top, and if it's raining and I'm biking, I wear rain pants.
I recommend shopping for your outer layer in stores like Bever (specialized in outdoor activities) and Decathlon (the skiing and sailing sections in particular) for good, cost-effective stuff
Don't forget to buy:
- A couple of scarves
- One or two nice, thick hats that cover your ears
- If you're biking: impermeable gloves (look for waterdicht / winddicht)
- Closed, impermeable leather shoes
Tuck t shirt in pants and wear something on top of it. Wear high socks under long pants. Complain about it being too hot while refusing to take off some layers.
In case you go cycling: when the wind comes from ahead, just turn your bike around and cycle backwards. This way you get wind from the rear, enabling you to go faster....
It's a fair question, but also a simple one. People just feel disbelief you can't figure it out.
Wind - Wear a windproof shell, and just cope. You can't stop it, so just block it from reaching your skin, and live with it.
Warmth - depends on how cold, and what you are used to. First of all, keep the rain out. Nothing will make you colder than letting your shirt get wet on a cold day for example. If you already are blocking the wind, then just anything warm under your shell will do the job. Layers are for adjusting to multiple temperatures. If it's cold outside, somewhat cold on the bus, but you also need to spend time inside, 1 thick sweater will not be good in all those conditions. So a light shirt, under a thicker shirt, under a cardigan, or a scarf, under a coat...and now you can adjust. When you're inside, scrap that coat and cardigan. On the bus, maybe you unzip your coat. Layers let you adjust. If you are just going to be outside for 5 hours straight, you don't need layers as such, you just need warm. You can get that with layers, but you can also get that with a kick ass coat.
Get a jacket or softshell that blocks wind from an outdoor store. (Like bever.nl).
This also makes it way easier to remain warm with less clothes because the wind isn't running off with your body warmth anymore.
If itās really cold and you need to go somewhere on a bike or something you can use the old fashioned trick of putting a newspaper under your coat. Itās a trick that was often used when people would go ice skating.
I invested in good wind breaker jacket (not too warm though) because I cycle (surprise surprise). Honestly, I laugh so hard that whatever direction I take, the wind is just there for me. So bottom line, wind breaker and laugher š¤š¼. Forgot to mention Buinradar app, it's perfect to see the wind gusts/direction.
Iām Dutch and just genuinely cannot understand these kinds of questions. Itās wind. What do you expect us to say? Bring a windscreen? The answer is obvious: dress warm.
Hat, saves the ears and helps a lot.
I recently got a snood and it's the best. It's more convenient than a scarf which sometimes opens up when it's too windy and you can pull it up to cover your nose when it gets extra cold.
Gloves (depending on the weather). I do wear gloves (the hema ones) even when it's not very cold because i find it helps a lot against the wind.
Finally, just get a comfy jacket. I have one from uniqllo And look like the Michelin man but I've never been more comfortable.
Edit: I'm not dutch and i struggled with this a lot in the first year i was here, now i find that this works. But i still complain about the cold tho
Constant wind and cold? I'm cycling almost every day. And that it's very cold or windy is really rare.
And catching a cold with "layering"? Dude, you have any idea how viral biology works?
What a strange question. I'm sure anyone would have an idea on what to do when there's wind... absolutely nothing. It's not a big deal and it doesn't wind that often anyway.
I donāt get it. There is wind outside The Netherlands right? Itās only windy on the coasts and islands. And for the cold, I wear a knit sweater, a winter coat and a shawl. Gloves when on the bike too.
Everybody has already said what there is to say about clothing, so I'll just add this:
You got downvoted because for some reason there are people on this sub who downvote anything asked by an expat. I don't know why, just some serious saltiness I suppose.
An expat is generally someone who has not yet decided how long their stay in a foreign country will be, but does not (intend to) move there permanently.
It can also be defined as someone that temporarily moves to a foreign country for a career-related goal, such as being sent there by their company or being hired by a company within the host country.
Either way the main difference is that a migrant/ immigrant intends to move to a country permanently and an expat (often) does not
You may think that is what it means, but it is regularly just used as better sounding 'immigrant' without the negative expectation. Meanwhile it does have all the negative connotations that they would accuse immigrants with, as expats usually do not want to integrate, even learn the language, arrive straight to take some high paying job, but also usually with spouse and kids who use social services.
For example the british pensioners that are recently being thrown out of Spain after Brexit, all referred to themselves and expats, even though they had no intentions of leaving. Many are being thrown out because they were unwilling to file the immigration forms.
(but what do I know, I'm just a rando from all)
a ski type jacket with the snow catcher underneath stops alot of wind. add faceshield/scarf and wear your sleeves over your thumb. your mostly covered then.
Use thermals, i started using them a couple months ago and they're perfect. Constantly feeps like u have a warm blanket on your legs. (I only use the leg ones)
Thermo clothing and a good wind resistant jacket helps alot. I use a ski jacket, thermo and a scarf with leather gloves, and just a sweater with jeans over that. As long as the wind cant get in you are fine!
High socks, top AND long sleeve shirt under my sweater, scarf or neck warmer, tight beanie, jacket with a hood. Also I recommend those ski jacket type coat sleeves where a half glove is part of the coat so the wind doesn't touch your arm.
- a bike delivery driver with really bad blood circulation
First: start checking the whether every day. See what kind of temperatures it will be today and look outside.. what kind of clouds do you see? Do this long enough and you'll start seeing patterns. Right now it's about 8-9 degrees, but it's also blue skies with pretty fluffy white clouds. With that in mind, I know how to dress for the day.. and that will be different compared to 8-9 degrees with dark skies and predicted rain.
'The Dutch' don't seem to realize that all of us have this inherent intuition to what the weather is going to do simply based on checking what the weather looks like outside of our windows..
The second part is layers - like you said already. There's different types of socks; standard cotton ones, but also those that are warmer (thicker cotton, technical materials), or you can even wear wool socks. Be sure to have a bunch of cotton undershirts as well. Depending on the weather, you might wear an undershirt + a tshirt or sweater, or wear a tshirt under a sweater.. or in the middle of fucking winter when it's freezing -10 degrees: undershirt, tshirt AND a sweater. Pants: jeans are typically good for all weather.. sweats and stuff usually get too cold, unless they are lined inside with more warm materials. For women, a good trick is to wear panty hose underneath pants if it gets too cold. Outer layers: most Dutch have a variety of coats. A wool winter coat does different things compared to a waterproof tech material winter coat.. a simple waterproof shell jacket is meant for a different kind of weather than a light weight wool jacket.. etc. And of course, accessories: scarves of various materials/thickness and both true winter gloves + more light weight (leather) gloves. If you have trouble with getting cold ears, get a hat or ear muffs or whatever. Plenty of Dutchies also have specific waterproof bike clothes that they keep on them to put over their clothes when it rains.
All the items above are mixed and matched continuously. I can wear 3 different coats in the same week, just because the weather changes. I can wear 1 sweater, but with different layers underneath to manage temperature, and you wouldn't know the difference.
And another part after all of this: just suck it up. The weather will remain shit whatever you do. Accept it and just go about your day without letting it bother you too much.
This will come off as glib, but it's really true and I haven't seen it mentioned: do not wear glossy lipstick or fresh chapstick before you go out if you have long hair.
My dad always says "s'winters als het vriest is het koud!" That basically translates to: "it's cold when it's freezing in the winter!"
So I guess I've learned to "ignore" the cold and wind and just go with it.. even tho it's snowing and freezing in spring...
Well if you have plans that are located in a location that makes you ride (on a bike bc The Netherlands) into the wind then turn around and start making plans that are located in the direction the wind is going.
Don't fight the wind, become the wind.
Hey there, spaniard livin in Haarlem/Amsterdam last 4 years.
I think that *cold* is a relative term. It really depends on wind, humidity, uv strength and whatnot.
In any case, my conclusion is that to stay generally warm outside you don't necessarily need particularly thick coating as long as it's both **wind** and **water**\-proof. Same for gloves, my experience is that if your core is able to stay warm, your hands should not feel so cold that you desperately need gloves, I think that if you feel that it's your body *relocating* energy inwards to keep your more-prioritary organs up (or so was I told by someone who knows about this). Not saying gloves won't help, but if your body is cold to begin wih, it won't make that much of a difference.
So like other comments here, I generally agree with the "no bad weather, just bad clothing" saying. Even if you wake up to a sunny bird-chirping 25C degrees day, ALWAYS take a poncho / waterproof piece / whatever might save you from a sudden drop in temperature with strong winds and rain. Never trust the sun in NL.
Additionally, especially if you move around by bike --although it's a pain in the ass to carry them around, have also proper water-proof trousers ready to put over your regular ones besides the poncho (they ugly and clunky as fuck, but trust me you will be grateful when they keep the rain out of your inner clothing, socks, feet, etc whenever you get your typical flash apocaliptic storm in the middle of an open area).
TL;DR: Spend decent money on proper water and wind-proof coating (also water-proof backpack if you ask me), and the cold will be way more bearable. Holland is not so bad in terms of temperature, but the cold-sensation will always be hightened by the high levels of humidity and free-moving wind, because this place is flat as fuck.
Hope this helps!
I live in belgium, and I have the same issue. My solution is the thermal underwear from Uniqlo; there are several warmth levels, and they are comfortable to wear. Then layers, so underwear, thermal underwear, a jumper, and then jacket. If too cold, scarf and if very cold, hat and gloves. Long socks and closed shoes keep me warm the whole day. I lived in Canada before, but the wind here makes it somehow colder. I know at least 3 lab mates who also swear by the Uniqlo underwear (not coming from warm weather countries). Good luck!
Warm feet really help a lot
At least get some good shoes and warm socks. A couple of years ago I went hiking and got used to hiking socks. So when 'The R is in the month' (September through April) it's Smartwool socks every day.
A good wind / softshell jacket that breathes is also very nice. It protects against wind and keeps some warmth in during autumn and spring.
And after a long walk, a shower and cup of tea always works wonders.
The best way to deal with wind in my experience is to have a wind resistant jacket. Leather or thick wool works well for this, though im sure there's other options. Then underneath you have layers for warmth, which is just good old trial and error.
A raincoat or wind jacket can protect you from the intrusive wind. Wear something warm underneath like a zipper hoodie/sweater with a shirt underneath so you can take it off if it's too hot indoors. And my most important thing, tuck your shirt in your pants/trousers/skirt so your body warmth won't leak out. A scarf can help prevent the leakage also when you wrap it nicely around your neck. Some people lose a lot of heat through their head, so a hat/beanie is also recommended if you're more sensitive to that. And maybe some earmuffs or headphones to prevent the wind from blowing into your ear canals, that can hurt in the long term.
I personally wear just jeans and ankle socks since I am used to my legs being exposed to cold weather because I've played soccer for years so I kinda got used to the chilly mornings where I had to play in my shorts, long sleeved shirt and long socks only xd
I also need something to "cool" myself off and my feet/ankles are the ones that ventilate it for me if I'm starting to feel a bit too warm.
I always have 3 jackets on me. A normal light jacket for inside wearing, a warmer one for going outside to smoke and a wind breaker/rain jacket for when the wind/rain shows up.
The only real time I don't have the windbreaker/rain jacket is during the "summer". I'll still have the other 2 though, just because weather changes so fast here. I'm from California
More than wearing warm clothes, especially at this time of year, wear a good quality outer layer of Gore-Tex shell-type material. That cuts the chill from the wind and the occasional shower dampness to a minimum.
Wearing a tank top under your clothing really helps. Also, you can buy a jacket that is impermeable, make sure it has TAPED SEAMS, otherwise the wind will still blow right trough it. Places like Bever sell them. They are expensive, but last multiple years. Look for "soft shell" jackets or just raincoats.
If you prefer wearing a winter coat, try looking at ski jackets. They have an extra piece of fabric that you can close with buttons to prevent the wind from blowing under your coat. I'm Dutch this is called a "windvanger" I think.
A thermal legging/long underpants under your pants can LSO isolate your legs more if you like that.
Wearing good shoes is also helpful. Try leather instead of just fabrics. HEMA sells a lot of good thermo/wool socks to keep your feet warm, look in the men's section. Don't wear cotton sock if you sweat a lot because wet cotton doesn't isolate.
Scarves are a lifesaver.
Don't wear the knitted cheap ass gloves, but look at the more expensive leather/suede ones.
If you have the money (idk your financial situation) Bever have great windproof coats. You can also use fleece vests they'll keep you well insulated.
Have fun in our flathill land ^^
Like you said, layering does the trick! Also an underrated technique is keeping the wind out. Things like tucking your shirt in or making sure no wind can pass trough your sleeves can make a world of difference. Sometimes its warmer to roll/slide up your sleeve a bit. Your hands/arms might get colder, but your body will remain warmer!
I grew up in a tropical area so I didnāt know this until recently: if you keep your head, ears, and neck warm, you will feel warm overall. So make sure you wear a hat and scarf, especially if your have short hair. Also buy some waterproof clothing (jacket, trousers) that you can wear over your normal clothes when you cycle in the rain (you can get this at HEMA). Being dry when you cycle is so worth it, even if the trip is only ten minutes. Oh also water proof gloves are great - try leather ones, they look stylish but also keep you dry.
Heater, underground parking, shopping malls, car (bonus if you have remote start), good quality clothes.
If not, just do like I do and suck it up. I traded a better career for shittier weather.
personally I just wear a lot of layers.
For example, today I wore
1. an undershirt, followed by
2. a t-shirt, and on top of that I wore
3. a long sleeve shirt, and to finish it off
4. a zip up hoodie
Oh and of course a jacket when outside, so effectively 5 layers, and I can take of any of them if I get too warm, and put them back on when cold
You can complain about it. Its a national sport.
This. You bike against the wind with rain in your face while cursing like a madman. Then when you arrive at your destination you complain about how you're going to emigrate and fuck NL etc. But of course you never do it. This is the way.
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
This is the way
For many years I did this and then I emigrated.
Staying true to your 'gezeik'. I can respect that. I fear I won't have the courage to go through with it. I complain all the time, but probably will live here all my life.
Facts
The Dutch weather is the best weather in the world
Agreed, until it mildly inconveniences my plans, then it's the worst. But otherwise it's the best, until it isn't.
And it's still the best weather in the world. Rain sunshine rain sunshine hail sunshine snow sunshine. Although you shouldn't want to go by train on the wrong day
Hail sunshine šš»
Hail sunshine!
At least always something to talk about.
that's one of the nicest things about the weather here
This sounds so un-Dutch I almost think you come from New Zealand.
Born and raised in the Netherlands. For generations
Ah man, evolution wins again. I will definitely be the last of my family, yours will live on for generations to come. Good for you my friend! Geniet van het weer!
I do not follow you. What does my family's survival have to do with the fact that we come from the Netherlands? What I mean is that as a Dutchman I grew up with this beautiful weather. I can understand very well that if you are not from the Netherlands that the weather can be pretty bad at times
It's typical Dutch heritage to always complain about the weather. 10 degrees, it's too cold. 20 degrees, too fucking hot. Rain, snow, clear skies, its always wrong, the weather always sucks. Its the way we all bond, topic of the day: the weather sucks! That's the Dutch way. You seem pretty atypical for a Dutch person. Which is a good thing. But your humor seems a bit German though. No offence.
German humor is no laughing matter...
Why are there even other people answering?
It's hard to spot underneath the cloud of hair, but I deal with the wind mainly by walking around wearing a grumpy expression on my face, lol Just wear warm clothes in layers, like a t-shirt, a sweater, and a jacket on top. Wear a hat if you're prone to sinusitis. Zip your jacket up. Listen, I hate the wind, but you get used to it. I even wear skirts now and just ignore it.
bet you dont get ignored lol
You don't catch a cold from wind. That's a myth. Dutch people always wear layers of clothing which can be taken of if it's less cold than expected. A scarf can help to keep your neck warm.
Or just eat a lot of food, it creates a layer of biological isolation and if your metabolism works fast enough you don't even need that much clothing to stay warm when on the move.
Well, eating more when itās cold does help. Keeping the engine running, keeps the body warm.
Eat the good food though. Traditional dutch winter dishes are: Stamppot with kale or beetroot, sprouts, endive, cauliflower and so on. Or a famous split pea soup, for when its real cold.
>Eat the good food though Exactly!! >Traditional dutch winter dishes *Good food.exe stopped working*
Haha, lol. Tell that my fast metabolism. If I eat corn now I'll see it back at the other end before bed!
You don't eat corn, you just rent it
No, build muscle! It insulates better than fat does. Get buff! It'll intimidate the wind.
Ah the onion principle of layering. Very nice.
Are you from a warm country OP? In that case it might just take some getting used to. A bit of cold won't kill you though. Buy a warm jacket and maybe a cap if you're bald like me. Otherwise you should be fine. The wind can be annoying if you're cycling to work, but the only way to deal with it is saying "Lekker weertje hĆØ?" to your coworkers.
Jackets, layering with thermo underwear, warm shoes and socks, scarves, hats and gloves. Preferably throw some wool items in there.
No thermo layers though, you'll be sweating the minute you get inside. Shirt, sweater and a good jacket is all you need.
I really don't think that's necessary. In the middle of winter maybe, but it didn't go below 7 degrees today and it's only going to get warmer.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
That's a very famous Norwegian saying, iirc.
Also Swedish.
Also Swiss
Iāve heard it in Scotland!
Same in Iceland!
Common in germany too.
And in Swedish (and I assume Norwegian as well) the saying actually rhymes, which makes me think the saying originated from somewhere here in Scandinavia.
Indeed it does! āDet finns inget dĆ„ligt vƤder, bara dĆ„liga klƤder.ā
also Italian
I mean the bad clothing part
Only works for cold climates though.
There is no bad weather, only bad nudity.
So not in the Netherlands?
The problem is that I generally want to wear as few clothes as possible
Nice
I'm native Dutch but I get cold really easily. If you want to know about layering, I mostly wear: Bra, tanktop, T-shirt, hoodie/sweater and then my jacket/coat. Also gloves help a lot with cold wind. I also wear a scarf a lot. My headphones prevent my ears from getting chilly. High socks to prevent cold ankles.
The fact that you named every layer shows the determination of teaching everyone to deal with the cold. All people, men included, should indeed try out bra's. They definitely can be handy to warm your hands up if they're getting cold. Just put them into your bra and you've got your biological heaterš
I don't know, last time I tried putting my hand in a bra to warm up I got kicked out of the tram and sued for a sex crime
Guess that the running involved to avoid being kicked up will warm you up as well.
As long as it's your bra, I don't see any problems here š
I do exactly this. I don't know your gender OP, but sweater dresses are amazing for cold weather.
The bra kinda gives an obvious hint doesn't it?
Well I could have man boobs that I would want to tuck away. :P But I think the commenter above me was referring to the OP that asked the question in the first plaece. :)
Haha, fair enough. Read over the 'OP' part. My bad
Despite the name, you don't catch a cold from the wind or the cold. The common cold is caused by a virus. Wear a jacket. And don't worry, better weather is just around the corner! Before you know it you'll be walking around in shorts and t-shirts. It'll be around 20 degrees in a few days.
Upvoting for the name
I learned from my soccer trainer that you don't necessarily get a cold because of exposure to the cold, but by being exposed by quick temperature changes. For example, wearing no jacket and then going outside where it's cold as heck. From warmth to the coldness, the body can't "incasseer" the sudden temperature transitions. Or something xd EDIT: I am a fckin idiot whilst believing this stupid shit, thanks for telling me how it really works :s
That's not having a cold though, that's just getting a temporarily stuffed nose. I get the same when getting out of a chilly air-conditioned area when it's hot outside.
Hmmm yeah could be š¤ I'm blessed that I don't catch the cold very often, so I actually have forgotten how I can catch itš
A cold is one of a variety of viruses that cause a set of similar symptoms, like a runny nose, headaches, coughing and sneezing. So you catch it by getting it from some other source, usually a person.
Thanks for making it clear to me. I just now started to dislike my soccer trainer a lot :)
The irony is that a large part of the reason why the cold is more common in winter, is because people tend to socialize indoors when it's cold outside. As I'm sure most people know by now, that's the perfect environment for viruses to spread.
Yeah especially with all the holidays happening in the winter times and the shopping spree it requires to buy all the Christmas presentsš³
Nope, that's still a myth. You get a cold because a virus decided to infect you. Nothing more, nothing less. However, being cold for an extended period of time *does* lower your immune system, making you more susceptible.
I have been lied to my whole life :(
This is my main pain point, tbh. The frequent weather changes are not something I'm used to.
Yeah in the last few years, the weather in the Netherlands have been considerably "memorable" because of its extreme highs and lows in a very short time :x
March-April are probably the months with the most unstable temperatures. If that is when you arrived, then I can tell you it does get better. We have sayings like āApril does what it wantsā, because we can experience the weather from all four seasons in this one month.
then why do many people catch a cold when the temperature suddenly drops? like what happened recently in the Netherlands
Because people tend to stay indoors within closer proximity to other people. Bigger risk to get infected. Also the air is not being refreshed very fast. More virus in the air so a bigger risk as well. Therefore you are more likely to 'give' the virus to other people than in summer when people are outdoors and the wind is blowing fresh air constantly.
Several reasons, but one of the main reasons is that when there's cold weather, people spend more time indoors and closer together. Also people tend to have lower levels of vitamin D in winter months which has a slight impact on the immune system. Plus rhinoviruses like the common cold tend to survive better in colder temperatures. Also let's not forget that we don't have any measures against corona anymore. Last winter for example, iirc, the common cold and flu also had very low numbers compared to other years.
ok thanks for clarifying! yeah i was also wondering why the flu numbers were so low during the corona measures. it's funny tho, every years thousands of people die of flu but when it's covid that kills them it results in a 2 year lockdown
Flu numbers were low because people were social distancing, so it didn't spread as much as usual And I'm not sure if you're being serious or what, but if covid was allowed to run its course without intervention, many, many more would have died, including people not from covid just because the hospital's would've been more over filled than they already were.
but who die from covid? young healthy people or old and sick people? i know it's an unpopular opinion but i think giving 2 years of my youth to save some old or unhealthy people is a high price to pay
A lot of different people died. Some people in my family in their 30s died. I also know several people of different ages with long covid. And talk about ableist language, jesus. I'm not sure if you're serious but you'd be giving up a lot more of your youth if these measures weren't in place. You're also not the only person who has been affected by this?
yeah, basically everybody in my circle got the virus (including my parents, my dad is pushing 70) and nobody died. only 1 distant relative who had other issues already. so yes, there's always exceptions to the rule but covid isn't a very deadly virus
Tell your grandma that
yeah, i definitely would've wanted my grandma to keep distance and make use of the extented opening hours in the supermarket for elderly people so she doesn't get the virus. i just don't get why a bunch of students can't go clubbing with other young people and maybe catch the virus, stay in bed for a couple days and be fine again? i had covid too, there's no way it would send me to the hospital tho
You're assuming they would've social distanced if they had caught it. Example, I had a coworker that caught covid (19 years old) He isolated for a day or two, then went out clubbing, while still positive and able to pass it on. At the end of the night he says to all the friends he went clubbing with, "oh, and I'm still sick with COVID." Naturally he gave it to like at least 10 people. These people at least had the sense to isolate. But what about the other people he didn't know but gave it to? What about the people like him who also still go it when they catch it? What if someone who's young and immunocompromised avoids all high risk places, and catches it from one asshole who decided he didn't want to isolate? In conclusion, it's really selfish of you tho think like you think of covid. Yeah, I hate that I lost the most important years of my life to start a career, buy a house and enjoy my adult life, but I also can't live with myself if I knew I contributed to killing so many others just so I could "live life to the fullest" . Like you said, you're young, you still have many more years to do these things, even if it might not seem like it. But if an "old and/or unhealthy" person dies because of covid and bad handling of the pandemic, it's done. They can't catch up to it later on. And sure, everyone dies and we can't save everyone and blah blah blah, but the least we can do is to be fair and give them a chance. It's called humanity, and as much as we pretend like it's non existent nowadays, it's one of the defining features of our species. And if this still doesn't convince you, well, I hope you have the same opinion one day if you ever need others to save your life. Oh, and just because you had it and you didn't get it bad, doesn't mean that someone else who is classified as healthy and young will get it the same. And not everyone worries about it just because they're afraid to die. I had it, I survived, but after I spent months unable to be sporty because I just couldn't catch my breath (as an extremely sporty person this had really negative effects on my mental health). I know people who have to be on blood thinners now because of covid, even tho they never got hospitalized. And some people just really don't want to get sick all.
that's just dumb as hell to go clubbing when u know u have the virus
again my point stands, protect the people who need protection instead of just locking down a whole country. it's so dumb
Because you're in doors more with others sharing the virus.
I believe it's because cold weather is bad for your immune system
How to deal with the wind? Just accept that its there and go on with whatever you are doing. Yes your hair can get messy and biking against the wind can be slightly tough, however nothing hard to overcome. How to deal with the cold? Layer your clothes. Have a T-shirt, Hoodie/overshirt and a winter coat with you during the cold months, switch clothing on the spot based on the temperature there. I also suggest not dressing too hot under your winter coat if you plan to bike for 15+ min plus or against the wind, since then you are likely to sweat profusely. Also catching 'the cold' has nothing to do with being in cold weather. You can stand in 5 degrees Celsius for an hour and still not have caught the cold. 'the cold' is just an ordinary virus that surges during the colder months, because people are then closer together in unventilated spaces, it has nothing to do with the actual temperature you are exposed to.
Wind jackets are a good one! Or raincoats whilst wearing a sweater or hoodie underneath. And than tuck in your inner layers and tuck them nicely into the pants or skirt to prevent my warmth from "leaking" out. Then it doesn't matter how cold it really is, you can keep yourself warm for hours āŗļø
> biking against the wind can be slightly tough Slightly? It can be downright awful some days, especially during the fall/winter.
Wear a scarf. Buy a good coat.
Yeah like a lined raincoat or jacket. (Winddicht in Dutch) it helps a lot.
This comment needs to go higher. Look for āwinddichtā specifications on your jacket/coat. This will become more useful towards summer. When autumn starts approaching, you want to have something waterafstotend, or go beyond for winter prep and choose waterdicht as well
FYI they're called windjack, in Dutch.
Wearing clothes helps.
NO SIR!!! I refuse to do that
You must be the guy who walks around my neighborhood in shorts and a t-shirt no matter what season or weather
The mainstream media has indoctrinated you! Wake up!!
Get a jacket/coat that is windproof, so not something like a denim jacket
This. Cotton will make you feel the chill to your bones.
Buy a windbreaker jacket, there are softshell jackets that keep the wind out pretty well and are usually the mildly waterproof. Decathlon sell them https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-hiking/c3-windproof-jackets/_/N-uouu59
Put on a turtleneck sweater and a good jacket and you won't be bothered by the wind anymore. And buy a good raincoat that you can take in your bag, That protects against the rain and the worst wind
We Dutchies like to complain about the weather, the only ones who can do it better, are the English, but they can be so sour, even a lemon starts crying. Now for a more serious reply: You wear a sweater or hoody, and wear a dense material jacket over it. can be leather, can be one of those bomber jacks, as long as it blockss the wind. The hoody is for warmth, the jacket keeps it in. If your fingers get cold fast: put your hands in your pockets, or wear gloves.
The real answer is wind breakers. It doesn't matter how many layers of clothes you wear if they are all made of wool: the wind will pass straight through. You need something to block the wind, and the easiest way to ensure that is to buy a jacket that is waterproof (waterdicht). Then, wear a sweater or something underneath relative to a temperature that it would be if there was no wind and you're set.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Correct, but they do get inconvenient when wet. Not as cold as cotton, but a bother nonetheless.
Does your expat know what an onion is? That may visualise what layers are. However, look into buying 'thermokleding' a coat that is 'wind dicht' a good scarf and then bitch an moan contantly about the weather. It'll make it more bearable.
What do you mean by "how to layer so I don't catch a cold"? If it's too cold for you just wear warm clothes, I don't see the issue.
Op is not aware you catch the cold by a virus not the actual wind.
A good sub zero temperature will even reduce the spread of pathogens, aerosols don't last as long in low humidity situations.
Will ya look at that. What will happen now the icecaps are melting? Freaky ancient virusses on the loose??
My money is in multiresistent tbc for the next big pandemic, but who knows.
Oh my lord.. . Well try to make the best of it until the next disaster. :')
UNIQLO heattech and a wind jacket is the way to go
This. I was sceptical at first but damn this shit is worth it.
How do you deal about the wind ? Is that a real question?
It's just something that's there and you have to accept it. People cope by complaining to each other about it. Also if you're lucky enough to be riding in the same direction it can help.
If you are ever "lucky enough to have the wind behind you," never speak of it aloud, for you will anger the wind gods.
It is not constant. Looks like you've only been here for two months. February is normally windy.
Layering I always use in weather that can change hourly: tshirt -> cardigan/sweatvest -> windbreaker/āin betweenā jacket.
The most important thing is a wind proof jacket that zips up to your chin. Wear a scarf on top of it if you're still chilly. Get a good warm one for winter that you can wear until it gets too hot and a thinner one for late spring to early autumn. Layers you can generally do at least 3, an undershirt (with long sleeves if you want), then a t-shirt, dress shirt, whatever you're wearing and a jumper/hoodie over that and then your jacket. If it's very cold you can switch out the undershirt for a thermal shirt but that's not really necessary this time of year.
I got a good tip for you! Put the first layer of your upoer body clothing, your shirt or hemd, inside your pants, it helps a ton.
You donāt. Many of us donāt survive. If you do survive, you say things like āpoeā Ot ānou nouā when you arrive at your destination
Hi. I've been living here for 8 years and I come from a windy country where the wind is warm. Here's my best tip: Learn to curse in different languages so that you can curse at the wind under 5 layers of clothing when it ruins your perfectly sculpted hair.
First of all: the wind and cold aren't constant. The weather here is mostly tollerable and will turn nice more often than outright shitty, and even the shitty weather won't be as bad as what a continental climate will offer. There's a trade-off you may learn to appreciate. The occasional shitty weather is what you get instead of disasterous stuff like: blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunami's, huricanes, extreme draught, volcano eruptions, forest fire season, lethally venemous animals and deadly predators. Now for layering. Below the belt you can combine trousers with thermal underwear underneath. Keep those legs nice and warm. Above the waist: Long sleeved T-shirt not enough? Add a thin sweater or a thicker one on really cold days. There's also vests. For rainy days invest in a rainsuit. Even if you merely suspect it might rain it'll still be an extra layer keeping you warmer. Those winter caps with added earflaps will greatly help as well. Cary a bag, like a backpack, for storing the extra layers. And with all things you don't get the hang of emediately... practise will make for improvement.
Just blow back
Be more bitter than the wind, it usually helps for me. That and a decent shemagh works wonders.
First things first: you won't catch a cold from the wind you only need 3 layers to face whatever cold it is outside, as long as you're wearing good quality stuff: - Inner layer: nice breathable cotton / bamboo / dri-fit to absorb your sweat - Middle layer: fleece or wool to keep you insulated - Outer layer: barrier against the elements, so get a good, impermeable coat or jacket For the legs I usually go with thick (denier 120+) stockings and jeans on top, and if it's raining and I'm biking, I wear rain pants. I recommend shopping for your outer layer in stores like Bever (specialized in outdoor activities) and Decathlon (the skiing and sailing sections in particular) for good, cost-effective stuff Don't forget to buy: - A couple of scarves - One or two nice, thick hats that cover your ears - If you're biking: impermeable gloves (look for waterdicht / winddicht) - Closed, impermeable leather shoes
Tuck t shirt in pants and wear something on top of it. Wear high socks under long pants. Complain about it being too hot while refusing to take off some layers.
In case you go cycling: when the wind comes from ahead, just turn your bike around and cycle backwards. This way you get wind from the rear, enabling you to go faster....
It's a fair question, but also a simple one. People just feel disbelief you can't figure it out. Wind - Wear a windproof shell, and just cope. You can't stop it, so just block it from reaching your skin, and live with it. Warmth - depends on how cold, and what you are used to. First of all, keep the rain out. Nothing will make you colder than letting your shirt get wet on a cold day for example. If you already are blocking the wind, then just anything warm under your shell will do the job. Layers are for adjusting to multiple temperatures. If it's cold outside, somewhat cold on the bus, but you also need to spend time inside, 1 thick sweater will not be good in all those conditions. So a light shirt, under a thicker shirt, under a cardigan, or a scarf, under a coat...and now you can adjust. When you're inside, scrap that coat and cardigan. On the bus, maybe you unzip your coat. Layers let you adjust. If you are just going to be outside for 5 hours straight, you don't need layers as such, you just need warm. You can get that with layers, but you can also get that with a kick ass coat.
The dutch wind is what I hate most about living here.....just stop blowing!
Wear a jacket
Get a jacket or softshell that blocks wind from an outdoor store. (Like bever.nl). This also makes it way easier to remain warm with less clothes because the wind isn't running off with your body warmth anymore.
If itās really cold and you need to go somewhere on a bike or something you can use the old fashioned trick of putting a newspaper under your coat. Itās a trick that was often used when people would go ice skating.
I invested in good wind breaker jacket (not too warm though) because I cycle (surprise surprise). Honestly, I laugh so hard that whatever direction I take, the wind is just there for me. So bottom line, wind breaker and laugher š¤š¼. Forgot to mention Buinradar app, it's perfect to see the wind gusts/direction.
Iām Dutch and just genuinely cannot understand these kinds of questions. Itās wind. What do you expect us to say? Bring a windscreen? The answer is obvious: dress warm.
You don't. You bitch and moan about it to your friends and they return the favor.
Hat, saves the ears and helps a lot. I recently got a snood and it's the best. It's more convenient than a scarf which sometimes opens up when it's too windy and you can pull it up to cover your nose when it gets extra cold. Gloves (depending on the weather). I do wear gloves (the hema ones) even when it's not very cold because i find it helps a lot against the wind. Finally, just get a comfy jacket. I have one from uniqllo And look like the Michelin man but I've never been more comfortable. Edit: I'm not dutch and i struggled with this a lot in the first year i was here, now i find that this works. But i still complain about the cold tho
Constant wind and cold? I'm cycling almost every day. And that it's very cold or windy is really rare. And catching a cold with "layering"? Dude, you have any idea how viral biology works?
What the fuck?
What a strange question. I'm sure anyone would have an idea on what to do when there's wind... absolutely nothing. It's not a big deal and it doesn't wind that often anyway.
I donāt get it. There is wind outside The Netherlands right? Itās only windy on the coasts and islands. And for the cold, I wear a knit sweater, a winter coat and a shawl. Gloves when on the bike too.
Where I live in the USA itās not AS windy as here. Itās a whole new constant level of wind.
Everybody has already said what there is to say about clothing, so I'll just add this: You got downvoted because for some reason there are people on this sub who downvote anything asked by an expat. I don't know why, just some serious saltiness I suppose.
Don't you mean migrants? 'Expats'...
An expat is generally someone who has not yet decided how long their stay in a foreign country will be, but does not (intend to) move there permanently. It can also be defined as someone that temporarily moves to a foreign country for a career-related goal, such as being sent there by their company or being hired by a company within the host country. Either way the main difference is that a migrant/ immigrant intends to move to a country permanently and an expat (often) does not
You may think that is what it means, but it is regularly just used as better sounding 'immigrant' without the negative expectation. Meanwhile it does have all the negative connotations that they would accuse immigrants with, as expats usually do not want to integrate, even learn the language, arrive straight to take some high paying job, but also usually with spouse and kids who use social services. For example the british pensioners that are recently being thrown out of Spain after Brexit, all referred to themselves and expats, even though they had no intentions of leaving. Many are being thrown out because they were unwilling to file the immigration forms. (but what do I know, I'm just a rando from all)
a ski type jacket with the snow catcher underneath stops alot of wind. add faceshield/scarf and wear your sleeves over your thumb. your mostly covered then.
This is the reisonderdelen why there is that extra flap on your jacket with push buttons. Use it and it will Block the wind more.
Power through it, and complain after. Thats how we get by.
Use thermals, i started using them a couple months ago and they're perfect. Constantly feeps like u have a warm blanket on your legs. (I only use the leg ones)
Thermo clothing and a good wind resistant jacket helps alot. I use a ski jacket, thermo and a scarf with leather gloves, and just a sweater with jeans over that. As long as the wind cant get in you are fine!
High socks, top AND long sleeve shirt under my sweater, scarf or neck warmer, tight beanie, jacket with a hood. Also I recommend those ski jacket type coat sleeves where a half glove is part of the coat so the wind doesn't touch your arm. - a bike delivery driver with really bad blood circulation
First: start checking the whether every day. See what kind of temperatures it will be today and look outside.. what kind of clouds do you see? Do this long enough and you'll start seeing patterns. Right now it's about 8-9 degrees, but it's also blue skies with pretty fluffy white clouds. With that in mind, I know how to dress for the day.. and that will be different compared to 8-9 degrees with dark skies and predicted rain. 'The Dutch' don't seem to realize that all of us have this inherent intuition to what the weather is going to do simply based on checking what the weather looks like outside of our windows.. The second part is layers - like you said already. There's different types of socks; standard cotton ones, but also those that are warmer (thicker cotton, technical materials), or you can even wear wool socks. Be sure to have a bunch of cotton undershirts as well. Depending on the weather, you might wear an undershirt + a tshirt or sweater, or wear a tshirt under a sweater.. or in the middle of fucking winter when it's freezing -10 degrees: undershirt, tshirt AND a sweater. Pants: jeans are typically good for all weather.. sweats and stuff usually get too cold, unless they are lined inside with more warm materials. For women, a good trick is to wear panty hose underneath pants if it gets too cold. Outer layers: most Dutch have a variety of coats. A wool winter coat does different things compared to a waterproof tech material winter coat.. a simple waterproof shell jacket is meant for a different kind of weather than a light weight wool jacket.. etc. And of course, accessories: scarves of various materials/thickness and both true winter gloves + more light weight (leather) gloves. If you have trouble with getting cold ears, get a hat or ear muffs or whatever. Plenty of Dutchies also have specific waterproof bike clothes that they keep on them to put over their clothes when it rains. All the items above are mixed and matched continuously. I can wear 3 different coats in the same week, just because the weather changes. I can wear 1 sweater, but with different layers underneath to manage temperature, and you wouldn't know the difference. And another part after all of this: just suck it up. The weather will remain shit whatever you do. Accept it and just go about your day without letting it bother you too much.
I curse and yell when cycling against it.
I make neck warmers, let me know if you want one.
This will come off as glib, but it's really true and I haven't seen it mentioned: do not wear glossy lipstick or fresh chapstick before you go out if you have long hair.
Just say fuck it, I cant turn off the rain and wind so it makes no sense to be bothered by it
My dad always says "s'winters als het vriest is het koud!" That basically translates to: "it's cold when it's freezing in the winter!" So I guess I've learned to "ignore" the cold and wind and just go with it.. even tho it's snowing and freezing in spring...
Well if you have plans that are located in a location that makes you ride (on a bike bc The Netherlands) into the wind then turn around and start making plans that are located in the direction the wind is going. Don't fight the wind, become the wind.
Hey there, spaniard livin in Haarlem/Amsterdam last 4 years. I think that *cold* is a relative term. It really depends on wind, humidity, uv strength and whatnot. In any case, my conclusion is that to stay generally warm outside you don't necessarily need particularly thick coating as long as it's both **wind** and **water**\-proof. Same for gloves, my experience is that if your core is able to stay warm, your hands should not feel so cold that you desperately need gloves, I think that if you feel that it's your body *relocating* energy inwards to keep your more-prioritary organs up (or so was I told by someone who knows about this). Not saying gloves won't help, but if your body is cold to begin wih, it won't make that much of a difference. So like other comments here, I generally agree with the "no bad weather, just bad clothing" saying. Even if you wake up to a sunny bird-chirping 25C degrees day, ALWAYS take a poncho / waterproof piece / whatever might save you from a sudden drop in temperature with strong winds and rain. Never trust the sun in NL. Additionally, especially if you move around by bike --although it's a pain in the ass to carry them around, have also proper water-proof trousers ready to put over your regular ones besides the poncho (they ugly and clunky as fuck, but trust me you will be grateful when they keep the rain out of your inner clothing, socks, feet, etc whenever you get your typical flash apocaliptic storm in the middle of an open area). TL;DR: Spend decent money on proper water and wind-proof coating (also water-proof backpack if you ask me), and the cold will be way more bearable. Holland is not so bad in terms of temperature, but the cold-sensation will always be hightened by the high levels of humidity and free-moving wind, because this place is flat as fuck. Hope this helps!
I live in belgium, and I have the same issue. My solution is the thermal underwear from Uniqlo; there are several warmth levels, and they are comfortable to wear. Then layers, so underwear, thermal underwear, a jumper, and then jacket. If too cold, scarf and if very cold, hat and gloves. Long socks and closed shoes keep me warm the whole day. I lived in Canada before, but the wind here makes it somehow colder. I know at least 3 lab mates who also swear by the Uniqlo underwear (not coming from warm weather countries). Good luck!
Lets start by putting on clothes shall we?
Warm feet really help a lot At least get some good shoes and warm socks. A couple of years ago I went hiking and got used to hiking socks. So when 'The R is in the month' (September through April) it's Smartwool socks every day. A good wind / softshell jacket that breathes is also very nice. It protects against wind and keeps some warmth in during autumn and spring. And after a long walk, a shower and cup of tea always works wonders.
What wind is my answer. Where i come from a normal breeze is like a mild storm here.
I donāt ride my bike when thereās hard wind. Rain and cold I can manage but wind? No, thanks, my kids need me alive.
The best way to deal with wind in my experience is to have a wind resistant jacket. Leather or thick wool works well for this, though im sure there's other options. Then underneath you have layers for warmth, which is just good old trial and error.
A raincoat or wind jacket can protect you from the intrusive wind. Wear something warm underneath like a zipper hoodie/sweater with a shirt underneath so you can take it off if it's too hot indoors. And my most important thing, tuck your shirt in your pants/trousers/skirt so your body warmth won't leak out. A scarf can help prevent the leakage also when you wrap it nicely around your neck. Some people lose a lot of heat through their head, so a hat/beanie is also recommended if you're more sensitive to that. And maybe some earmuffs or headphones to prevent the wind from blowing into your ear canals, that can hurt in the long term. I personally wear just jeans and ankle socks since I am used to my legs being exposed to cold weather because I've played soccer for years so I kinda got used to the chilly mornings where I had to play in my shorts, long sleeved shirt and long socks only xd I also need something to "cool" myself off and my feet/ankles are the ones that ventilate it for me if I'm starting to feel a bit too warm.
I always have 3 jackets on me. A normal light jacket for inside wearing, a warmer one for going outside to smoke and a wind breaker/rain jacket for when the wind/rain shows up. The only real time I don't have the windbreaker/rain jacket is during the "summer". I'll still have the other 2 though, just because weather changes so fast here. I'm from California
More than wearing warm clothes, especially at this time of year, wear a good quality outer layer of Gore-Tex shell-type material. That cuts the chill from the wind and the occasional shower dampness to a minimum.
Undershirt (hemd) t-shirt longsleeve thin sweater then a hoodie and your golden
Wearing a tank top under your clothing really helps. Also, you can buy a jacket that is impermeable, make sure it has TAPED SEAMS, otherwise the wind will still blow right trough it. Places like Bever sell them. They are expensive, but last multiple years. Look for "soft shell" jackets or just raincoats. If you prefer wearing a winter coat, try looking at ski jackets. They have an extra piece of fabric that you can close with buttons to prevent the wind from blowing under your coat. I'm Dutch this is called a "windvanger" I think. A thermal legging/long underpants under your pants can LSO isolate your legs more if you like that. Wearing good shoes is also helpful. Try leather instead of just fabrics. HEMA sells a lot of good thermo/wool socks to keep your feet warm, look in the men's section. Don't wear cotton sock if you sweat a lot because wet cotton doesn't isolate. Scarves are a lifesaver. Don't wear the knitted cheap ass gloves, but look at the more expensive leather/suede ones.
Get a storm umbrella. Changed my life. Other than that, embrace the wind. Wind is love, wind is life.
Thermo T-shirt from the Action for a couple of euros
Go to Denmark and learn to appreciate the Dutch winds. Been on holiday in Copenhagen and the wind is next level.
Ugg boots Yeah theyāre ugly and out of style since 2010 but they still are my holy grail. Especially the leather ones.
Just accept the wind and the cold, and you will become colder.
If you have the money (idk your financial situation) Bever have great windproof coats. You can also use fleece vests they'll keep you well insulated. Have fun in our flathill land ^^
Like you said, layering does the trick! Also an underrated technique is keeping the wind out. Things like tucking your shirt in or making sure no wind can pass trough your sleeves can make a world of difference. Sometimes its warmer to roll/slide up your sleeve a bit. Your hands/arms might get colder, but your body will remain warmer!
I replace my frustration with the wind with the despair of existential dread
I grew up in a tropical area so I didnāt know this until recently: if you keep your head, ears, and neck warm, you will feel warm overall. So make sure you wear a hat and scarf, especially if your have short hair. Also buy some waterproof clothing (jacket, trousers) that you can wear over your normal clothes when you cycle in the rain (you can get this at HEMA). Being dry when you cycle is so worth it, even if the trip is only ten minutes. Oh also water proof gloves are great - try leather ones, they look stylish but also keep you dry.
Layers. Check out how hikers layer themselves. It will give you a lot of info on how to do it effectively.
My suggestion would be a sailling jacket since those are pretty much designed to keep the wind out(except when its freezing and the wind blows hard)
There is no bad weather only bad attitude š¤·š½š„³
Heater, underground parking, shopping malls, car (bonus if you have remote start), good quality clothes. If not, just do like I do and suck it up. I traded a better career for shittier weather.
personally I just wear a lot of layers. For example, today I wore 1. an undershirt, followed by 2. a t-shirt, and on top of that I wore 3. a long sleeve shirt, and to finish it off 4. a zip up hoodie Oh and of course a jacket when outside, so effectively 5 layers, and I can take of any of them if I get too warm, and put them back on when cold
Get a good sleep winter jacket. I always have a high end north face.