16 Must Have Items to Survive a Typical Dutch Autumn

The weather this week confirms what we were all trying to deny: the arrival of autumn. You can continue being complacent about hauling those weatherproof jackets back out of your closets. Or you can face reality and get geared up for a typical Dutch autumn. 

It’s that time of year known as “four seasons in one day”, also known as autumn, fall or herfst in Dutch. To survive a Dutch autumn you need these sixteen items.

1. Sunglasses

The sun is still bright and strong when it does actually make an appearance so you need eye protection (can also prove helpful as protection against errant leaves – see number 8).

2. A sense of humour

You have to be able to see the funny side of getting hailed on whilst wearing your sunglasses.

3. A rain coat

A waterproof version of outdoor wear is very much recommended at this time of year.

4. A rain hat

Unless your rain coat has a built-in hood that actually remains on your head (unlike mine which was apparently designed with the Gruffalo’s enormous head in mind) it is worth investing in a rather fetching rain hat. Okay, it may not be attractive, but the ‘drowned rat with limp hair’ look isn’t so hot either.

5. Waterproof trousers

Waterproof trousers are particularly essential if you don’t like to be parted from your bicycle at any time of the year.

You have probably gathered by now that there is nothing sexy about the Dutch autumnal look; however, it is a dry look.

6. Two plastic carrier bags

Unless you enjoy the sensation of a wet bum you will need one plastic bag to put over your bicycle seat and another big enough to put over your child’s bike seat, should you have one.

7. A gale proof umbrella

If you have a choice between a bog-standard umbrella and a super-duper windproof monster version, opt for the latter. The Netherlands is a wasteland of decrepit, washed-out broken umbrellas, torn apart by gale force winds and lashing rain. Make sure your umbrella is not the next victim.

8. A scarf

The Dutch autumn wind blows cold and wild when the mood takes it. Not only will a scarf keep you warm, but wrapped properly around your face it is also a clever way to avoid getting a surprise smack in the face by wayward dry crispy leaves. Alternatively see essential item number 1.

9. Jumpers

Jumpers (or sweaters if you are American) are a necessary part of your wardrobe collection as the temperature drops. Trust me when I say it gets a bit nippy out there so an extra thick, woollen layer is sensible.

10. A summer jacket

Some days the sun shines and it’s actually quite warm so don’t banish that summer jacket to the closet just yet.

11. Short sleeve T-shirts

Some days it is so warm you’ll start thinking you dreamt the hail, rain and wind of two days ago.

12. A winter coat

And then reality hits, the sun decides it’s done for the year, tucks itself up behind a big blanket of clouds and sleeps until spring. Be prepared. Before you know it it really is time for the summer coat to retire for the year and you’ll be needing that big, thick, snuggly coat.

13. Wellington boots

Whether or not puddle jumping is your thing you will need some kind of waterproof boots before the year is out, unless walking around in soggy socks is your thing.

14. De-icer for the car

Chilly mornings gradually arrive and what begins as a friendly layer of frost on your windscreen soon turns into a stubborn blanket of ice that ensures you start your mornings with some serious muscle ache.

15. A selection of plastic zip up bags

It’s not just squirrels that are collecting stuff in autumn, kids do it too. They collect conkers, acorns, fir cones, leaves and general crap from the floor. You’re going to want to put it all in a sealed off bag before you put it all in the (green) bin when you get home and the kids have forgotten the bag exists. Trust me.

16. A big rucksack

Last but not least you will need a really big bag to put the other fifteen items in. Think the kind of bag you see crippling hikers and campers. Like I said, think of this period of the year as “four seasons in one day” and you can’t go wrong.

I wish you all good luck with the decline to colder, wetter, darker days. Tot ziens in spring when we crawl out from under our rocks and the cafe terraces open again!