Headlines
In modern netherlands, one local keeps traditional dutch dress alive
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 13, 2026
Quick Summary
In Volendam, the iconic women’s costume—known as Volendammer klederdracht and distinguished by its pointed lace bonnet (hul), striped apron, coral-beaded necklace and handcrafted jacket—remains alive in public life only through 85‑year‑old Annie In de Betouw‑Kwakman. She's one of the very few who st
In modern Netherlands, one local keeps traditional Dutch dress alive
The Enduring Legacy of Volendam's Traditional Costume
(Refile to update byline)
By Hilde Verweij and Charlotte Van Campenhout
The Iconic Volendam Women's Costume
VOLENDAM, Netherlands, March 13 (Reuters) - The Volendam women's costume, with its high pointed bonnet (hul), is one of the most recognisable forms of traditional Dutch dress, appearing often on postcards from the Netherlands.
But outside the tourist industry, no one publicly wears it in daily life anymore - except Annie In de Betouw-Kwakman, 85.
Historical Significance of Dutch Dress
In the Netherlands, clothing used to be linked to a person's place of origin.
"Almost every Dutch village used to have their own look," said fashion historian Birthe Weijkamp. "You could recognise where someone was coming from, what village they belonged to. So it was very much about identity, about belonging somewhere."
The Volendam Tradition
In Volendam, a village 22 kilometres north of Amsterdam, nearly everyone dressed like Annie until the mid-twentieth century, said Simone Kwakman-Brinkkemper, a specialist in Volendam's traditional dress.
Elements of the Traditional Attire
The daily outfit includes a black jacket (jak), a short scarf (dasje), an apron (bontje), a long skirt, a tight red coral beaded necklace and black slip‑on shoes (muilen).
The Shift to Modern Clothing
But as people began working outside the village, the clothes, which are handmade and require great skill to create, became impractical. Annie quickly watched her friends and sisters switch to modern dress.
In Volendam, the only other person who wears the daily attire is another older woman who no longer goes outdoors.
Annie's Personal Journey
When Annie had school-aged children, she briefly tried to modernise for them, as they said classmates were making fun of her attire. She bought a dress, but quickly abandoned it.
"The neighbour said, 'What are you wearing? You look like a candy cane,'" she said. "I'm colour‑blind ... I looked like a fool."
Pride in Tradition
Annie said she is proud of her traditional clothes and it pains her that the tradition will disappear when she does.
"Everyone is different, and everyone finds something else beautiful or comfortable. For me, this is freedom," she said.
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Hilde Verweij; Editing by Makini Brice)
Key Takeaways
- •The Volendam traditional dress, with its high lace 'hul', striped apron, tight jacket and coral necklace, is globally recognised and deeply tied to local identity and history (en.wikipedia.org).
- •Such regional folk costumes have faded from everyday wear, now mostly seen in museums, festivals or for tourists—Annie’s daily use is exceptionally rare (kids.kiddle.co).
- •Elements like the bonnet shape indicated social signals such as marital status, and the outfit embodies craftsmanship, community resilience and continuity (wonderfulmuseums.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about In modern Netherlands, one local keeps traditional Dutch dress alive
1Who is still wearing traditional Dutch dress in the Netherlands?
Annie In de Betouw-Kwakman, 85, from Volendam, is the only person publicly wearing traditional Dutch dress daily.
2What does the traditional Volendam women's costume include?
The costume includes a high pointed bonnet, black jacket, short scarf, apron, long skirt, red coral necklace, and black slip‑on shoes.
3Why did people stop wearing traditional Dutch dress in Volendam?
As people began working outside the village and the clothes became impractical, most switched to modern dress.
4What significance did traditional clothing have in Dutch villages?
Clothing signified a person’s place of origin and was an important symbol of identity and belonging in Dutch villages.
