Looking for King’s Day outfit ideas? So you’re heading to Amsterdam for King’s Day and you’re wondering: do I really need to wear orange? Short answer: yes. Long answer: absolutely yes. King’s Day (Koningsdag) is the one day of the year where an entire nation dresses in orange, and if you show up in any other colour you’ll feel like you’ve accidentally walked into someone else’s party. Here’s how to nail your King’s Day look.

Orange is the colour of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. On King’s Day, wearing orange is a sign of national pride and celebration. Your King’s Day outfit is your ticket to fitting in. It’s not a formal dress code — it’s more like an unspoken agreement that today, we’re all on the same team. From bright neon orange to subtle amber accessories, anything goes.

The Classic Tourist
Orange t-shirt, jeans, comfortable sneakers, and a pair of fun sunglasses. Simple, effective, and the most popular King’s Day outfit choice for visitors. You can buy an orange shirt at pretty much any market stall the day before (or even at the vrijmarkt itself).

The Festival Look
Think: orange bucket hat, statement sunglasses, layered jewellery, and something sparkly. This King’s Day outfit has major festival energy, so dress like you’re heading to a daytime rave — because in some areas, you basically are.

The Stylish Local
Dutch people tend to keep it understated. A neutral outfit with one or two orange accessories — maybe an orange scarf, an orange phone case, or a pair of amber-tinted sunglasses. Enough to show you’re participating, cool enough to look like you do this every year. This understated King’s Day outfit approach is very Dutch.

The All-Out Commitment
Full orange suit. Orange wig. Orange face paint. Inflatable crown. You’ll be photographed by approximately 400 tourists and become someone’s best holiday photo. Respect.

A pair of sunglasses does double duty on King’s Day. You get UV protection for a full day outdoors (April sun in Amsterdam is sneaky — it’s low in the sky and surprisingly strong), and you get an instant outfit upgrade. Orange frames, amber lenses, oversized shapes, retro rounds — sunglasses are the single easiest way to look like you’ve planned your King’s Day outfit without actually planning anything.

At Shady Shack, every pair comes with 100% UVA/UVB protection and costs just €12. With 250+ styles across our four Amsterdam stores, you’ll find something that matches any outfit — from subtle amber tints to loud statement frames.

Don’t stress about packing a full King’s Day outfit from home. Amsterdam has you covered:

• Street vendors — In the days leading up to King’s Day, pop-up stalls appear all over the city selling orange hats, wigs, face paint, and accessories. They’re cheap and cheerful.
• HEMA & Flying Tiger — Both stock King’s Day themed accessories in the weeks before. Good for budget-friendly orange basics.
• The Vrijmarkt itself — The King’s Day flea market is a goldmine for secondhand orange finds. People literally sell their old orange outfits from previous years.
• Shady Shack — For sunglasses, we’re your best bet. Four locations in the heart of Amsterdam, all within walking distance of the biggest King’s Day areas. Grab a pair on your way to the party.

Our stores near the action:

• Berenstraat 41 — Right in the 9 Streets, surrounded by the vrijmarkt
• Haarlemmerstraat 72 — On the route from Central Station to the Jordaan
• Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 304 — Right next to Dam Square
• Molsteeg 1 — Central Amsterdam, tucked in a charming alley

• Layer up. April weather in Amsterdam is unpredictable. Sunny mornings can turn into chilly, windy afternoons. Wear layers you can peel off.
• Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. Cobblestones + crowds + 8+ hours of walking = blisters if you choose wrong. Sneakers or boots.
• Small bag or fanny pack. You’ll want your hands free for browsing the vrijmarkt, eating street food, and taking photos. A crossbody bag or fanny pack keeps your stuff safe in crowds.
• Don’t forget sun protection. Sunscreen and sunglasses. The April sun is lower in the sky, which means more glare hitting your eyes directly. A good pair of UV-protective sunglasses completes any King’s Day outfit — and it’s practical too.