Take a look back at our Klederdracht Research trip throughout the Netherlands in June 2025.
Day 1-3:
- June 2: We arrived in Amsterdam and took off to explore, visit the @annefrankhouse_official house, eat, and enjoy a canal cruise.
- June 3: We headed to Haarlem for the sweetest time at the Corrie Ten Boomhuis. From there we shopped our way through Zaanse Schans and ended with time learning and researching in Volendam!
- June 4: We returned to Amsterdam for antique shopping before heading to Marken. While there, we had amazing conversations with locals, shopped for fabric, and Kladerdracht pieces!
Day 4-5:
- June 5: We traveled to Hindeloopen on Thursday for our much-anticipated painting class. We sat down with Pieter, a second-generation painter, to learn about the tradition of Hindeloopen style painting and a step-by-step demonstration. We had the best time learning from him, exploring his store, and trying our hand at painting (some of us were more successful than others
). Afterward, we stopped by the fabric store before heading to Leeuwarden to visit the Fries Museum. We ended the night in Zwolle with a delicious meal at a friend’s home. - June 6: We started this morning in Staphorst. We found so many gems and treasures at Stegeman’s and enjoyed talking about the history and unique aspects of the Staphorst costume (we even got to see a few ladies wearing their costumes in everyday life). We visited the museum there before heading out to Rijssen. In Rijssen, we explored ideas for a new-to-us costume! Then, we headed to Twente for a quick peek at the “largest bonnet collection in the world.”
Day 6-7:
- June 7: We truly can’t put into words how special it was to spend the morning with these ladies in Spakenburg! They showed us around the museum, talked in depth about the history of Spakenburg Klederdract, and answered all our questions. (Thank you to our amazing translator, Jo!!) We enjoyed lunch at de Kraplap before heading to Huizen to explore their museum and town!
- June 8: Sunday brought rain, but we found plenty of things to do and see in Scheveningen, Modurodam, and Den Hauge! We are learning something new every day we are here!
Day 8:
- June 9: On Monday, we ventured to Westkappele for their Klederdrachtendag! This was SO fun, and we felt like we were back in OC for the Straatfest! So many women, men, and children dressed in beautiful costumes from the western side of Zeeland. We listened to their band, shopped their stands, and enjoyed their fashion show. Thank you to Ilse, Nina, and many others who warmly welcomed us and took the time to share about this region with us!
Day 9-10
- June 10: We spent the day at the Openlucht Museum library in Arnhem, diving deep into research with the help of the incredible @jaccohooikammer He shared books, online archives, and answered all our questions—762 photos and videos later, we’re so grateful for the chance to learn more about Dutch regional dress!
- June 11: We traveled to Amersfoort to visit the Openlucht Museum depot, where Jacco met us again for a truly unforgettable behind-the-scenes tour. We examined dozens of costume pieces from various time periods—what a treasure to see them up close!
- Afterward, we met with @jankees.goud to explore traditional hats, jewelry, and techniques. His passion and knowledge were inspiring, and we were even able to purchase a few pieces for our own festival collection!
- This trip has been such a gift. We’re thankful for the new connections, deepened understanding, and all the ways this experience will enrich the Tulip Festival for years to come.
Day 11:
- June 12: We spent the day in Arnemuiden with Gertrude and friends! Our visit began at their local museum, rich with regional history and full of unique artifacts. A highlight was touring an original home styled to reflect the 1930s, a great glimpse into the past! Wim and Liza & many friends graciously met with us to share valuable insights into Arnemuiden’s traditional klederdracht. Afterward, we enjoyed coffee and bolus (a delicious local pastry!) before photographing and documenting the details of their beautiful regional dress. We have felt so warmly welcomed in Zeeland and are deeply grateful for the many individuals who have taken the time to connect with us!
Day 12:
- June 13: We started the day with a quick stop at the Museum of the History of the Bevelanden, where we admired beautiful klederdracht pieces on display. From there, we headed to Axel. Once again, we were moved by the warmth and hospitality of the people we met. The group greeted us in costume and shared their incredible knowledge and stories. Ingrid even gave a live demonstration on how to properly fold the traditional Axel wings, which was a highlight of our visit! We ended with a guided tour of the museum by Naomi and Ingrid, whose passion and generosity made the experience so special. We left feeling incredibly grateful for the stories, education, and friendship they poured into our day.
Day 13-14:
- June 14 & 15: We ended the trip with time in Delft, Kinderdijk, and Katwijk. It was great to explore these areas, shop at their markets, and browse through the museums.
