Great amsterdam netherlands december winter outfits solve a specific problem: the city is bitterly cold this month, with damp air rolling in off the canals and a wind chill that makes even a short walk between neighbourhoods feel sharper than you expected.
What most visitors get wrong is dressing for the temperature on paper rather than the temperature on the street.
Amsterdam in December rarely drops to extreme lows, but the persistent wet cold settles into your bones faster than a dry frost would.
The strategy that actually works is building from a warm base layer outward, with a genuinely insulating midlayer and a wind-resistant outer shell that handles drizzle without feeling like a rain poncho.
Shoes matter just as much, since the cobblestones and canal bridges get slick, and you will be on your feet for long stretches between markets, museums, and dinner.
This guide walks you through outfit ideas and styling notes for the whole trip, so you can pack a focused bag and stop second-guessing every piece you pull out.
Let’s get into the outfits.
What is the weather in Amsterdam Netherlands december like?
Amsterdam Netherlands in December sees average highs near 7°C (45°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
Amsterdam in December tends to catch people off guard, not because it’s brutal, but because it’s subtler than most visitors expect.
Many arrive bracing for a heavy, dramatic freeze.
What they find instead is a persistent, seeping chill, damp and grey rather than sharp, the kind that settles into your coat slowly rather than hitting you all at once.
Temperatures generally hover somewhere between 4°C and 7°C (39°F and 45°F), so not dramatically cold on paper, but the moisture in the air makes it feel closer to your bones than the numbers suggest.
Rain is also more of a constant companion than a dramatic event.
It tends to arrive quietly and stay around, which is easy to underestimate.
Still, the city has a particular atmosphere in December that makes all of it feel worthwhile.
Amsterdam Netherlands December Winter Outfits
All-Black Layers for Slick Brick Pavements
Head to toe in black, this outfit pulls together a slightly oversized leather jacket with a high collar, fitted leggings, and tall rubber boots with thick off-white socks folded at the cuff.
The tote bag is a dark brown textured leather, and it grounds the monochrome without breaking it.
December in Amsterdam is damp and genuinely cold, so the rubber boots are a practical win.
Cobblestone streets and constant drizzle make waterproof footwear less of a style choice and more of a necessity.
Canal-side walks, Christmas market browsing, and afternoon stops in a gezellig café are all natural fits for this look.
The casual silhouette also suits a morning of museum hopping, moving between warm interiors and grey, blustery streets.
It carries easily into the evening, too, for a brown bar or a quiet canal-side dinner.
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Black Leather JacketBlack TopBlack LeggingsTall Rubber BootsOff-White SocksDark Brown Tote Bag
Dark Jacket and Brown Trousers for Canal Winds
A black zip-front jacket in a boxy, relaxed cut sits over loose dark brown full-length trousers, and the two-tone pairing feels deliberately low-key without being dull.
Chunky grey sneakers with white soles and a small black quilted crossbody bag round it out into something sporty and grounded.
Casual mornings browsing the stalls at a winter market or wandering the Nine Streets suit this look well.
It moves easily through a full day of canal-side walking, and the crossbody bag keeps hands free for coffee cups and camera.
An easy evening pivot to a brown bar or gezellig café works without changing a thing.
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Black Zip JacketDark Brown Wide-Leg TrousersGrey Chunky SneakersBlack Quilted Crossbody BagDark Rectangular Sunglasses
Olive Bomber Jeans and a Relaxed Amsterdam Day
Three easy layers stack up quietly here: a white crew-neck tee under a gray zip-up hoodie, then an olive green bomber jacket over the top with its ribbed cuffs and hem pulling the silhouette together.
Light blue, loose, cuffed jeans and chunky beige-and-gray sneakers keep the whole look grounded and relaxed, while the medium brown suede shoulder bag adds just enough warmth to the palette.
Casual mornings browsing the stalls around Nieuwmarkt or wandering the Nine Streets suit this look well.
It’s also solid for a slow afternoon of museum hopping, since the layers can adjust as you move between cold streets and warm interiors.
Pack this for the low-key days, the ones with no real agenda.
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Olive Green Bomber JacketGray Zip-Up HoodieWhite T-ShirtLight Blue JeansChunky SneakersBrown Suede Shoulder Bag
Navy Zip-Up and Stripes for a Canal Morning
The navy zip-up jacket anchors the whole look, its straight, slightly loose cut sitting well over a brown and white striped top.
Light blue straight-leg jeans keep the palette bright, while cream sneakers and a patterned neck scarf add a relaxed, considered finish that holds up against December’s grey skies.
This one is built for the wandering half of a December day.
It suits a slow morning around Jordaan, ducking into gezellig cafés and browsing side streets, with enough ease to carry through an afternoon at a museum or along Prinsengracht.
The scarf earns its place as the temperature drops toward dusk.
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Navy Zip-Up JacketStriped TopLight Blue JeansCream SneakersNeck ScarfBrown Shoulder Bag
Khaki Bomber and Relaxed Trousers on Cobblestones
A loose khaki bomber with ribbed cuffs and hem sits over a dark charcoal turtleneck that drops below the jacket hem, creating that layered, slightly oversized silhouette that just reads easy in a city like this.
The straight, relaxed black trousers balance the volume up top, and chunky off-white sneakers ground the whole thing without trying too hard.
Casual museum mornings suit this well, since the relaxed fit makes moving through Museumplein or along the Prinsengracht genuinely comfortable.
The structured brown crossbody keeps hands free for coffee cups and canal-side browsing.
December afternoons are short and damp, so the turtleneck layered under the bomber carries real warmth for the colder stretches between stops.
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Khaki Bomber JacketCharcoal Turtleneck SweaterBlack TrousersOff-White Chunky SneakersBrown Leather Crossbody Bag
Brown Wool Coat and Wide Grey Trousers
That long dark brown overcoat worn loosely open sets the tone immediately: unhurried, considered, pulled together without being stiff.
Light grey wide-leg trousers give the silhouette real volume underneath, and the beige scarf looped once at the neck adds warmth without bulk.
The burgundy crossbody bag is a sharp little contrast against the neutral palette.
Black low-tops keep the whole thing grounded, and the slim rectangular sunglasses tip it into something genuinely cool.
A layered smart-casual look like this moves well through a full Amsterdam December day.
It suits a slow morning around the Nine Streets or a browse through a Christmas market, then holds up through an afternoon coffee stop in one of the gezellig brown bars tucked along the canals.
Come evening, it transitions easily into dinner without asking you to change a thing.
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Brown OvercoatGrey Wide-Leg TrousersBlack TopBeige ScarfBlack SneakersBurgundy Crossbody BagBlack Sunglasses
Camel Coat and Fringed Scarf for Grey December Days
Long and straight, that camel wool coat has the kind of relaxed authority that makes December dressing feel considered rather than effortful.
The wide dark grey trousers and flat brown suede boots keep the palette grounded, while the fringed light grey scarf adds just enough softness to break up the neutral tones.
Mornings browsing the Nine Streets or crossing bridges along the Prinsengracht suit this look well.
It’s also good for a long afternoon in a museum, then an easy dinner without changing.
The flat boots and loose trousers handle whatever the day asks for.
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Camel Wool CoatGrey Knit SweaterDark Grey Wide TrousersBrown Suede BootsLight Grey Fringed ScarfDark Brown Shoulder BagBlack Sunglasses
Plush Beige Faux Fur and Straight Blue Jeans
That oversized faux-fur coat in light beige is impossible to miss.
It’s plush and long, draping loosely over a graphic white tee and relaxed straight-leg jeans in a soft mid-blue wash.
Off-white lace-up sneakers keep things grounded, and a large dark brown shoulder bag adds a practical warmth to the overall palette.
The whole thing reads casual but considered, the kind of mix that actually works in a city where people dress for real weather without sacrificing personality.
Mornings browsing the Nine Streets or wandering through a Christmas market call for exactly this sort of outfit.
The coat handles the December chill well enough for canal strolls and slow afternoons in gezellig cafés.
It’s also an easy choice for an evening in, moving from a museum visit to dinner without changing a thing.
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Faux Fur CoatGraphic T-ShirtStraight-Leg JeansWhite Lace-Up SneakersBrown Shoulder Bag
Light Blue Jeans and a Leather-Look Jacket
Burgundy is doing something interesting here.
That thick scarf wrapped once around the neck, its ends falling long down the front of a loose black leather-look jacket, lifts the whole outfit out of the ordinary.
Light blue straight-leg jeans keep the base relaxed, while dark brown pointed-toe ankle boots pull the lower half together with quiet sharpness.
The casual, slightly dressed-up mix suits an afternoon of wandering the Nine Streets or browsing a winter market near Spui.
It’s also the kind of thing you throw on for coffee in a gezellig café before the grey December light fades early.
The pointed boots and the scarf both hold up well into an easy evening without needing to change.
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Leather-Look JacketLight Blue Straight-Leg JeansBurgundy ScarfDark Brown Ankle BootsBeige Shoulder BagGold Hoop Earrings
Faded Blue Jeans and a Brown Leather Bomber
Dark brown leather in a bomber cut has a natural ease to it, especially worn slightly oversized over a striped crewneck in muted, quiet tones.
The faded blue-green jeans are loose and full length, giving the whole outfit a relaxed, unhurried silhouette that still looks considered.
A burgundy crossbody bag and thick-soled lace-ups in matching brown pull the palette together without any effort.
December in Amsterdam is properly cold and often drizzly, so this combination works best when you’re moving, not standing around in canal wind.
Wandering the Nine Streets or browsing a Christmas market suits this look well.
So does a slow morning coffee in one of the gezellig cafés before the day gets going.
For longer outdoor stretches, an extra knit scarf tucked in keeps things comfortable.
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Brown Leather Bomber JacketStriped Crewneck SweaterLight Blue JeansDark Brown Lace-Up ShoesBurgundy Crossbody Bag
Grey Washed Jeans and a Cropped Black Jacket
Cropped black leather-look jacket zipped up over a barely-there white top, loose grey washed jeans falling straight from hip to ankle, chunky brown sneakers grounding it all.
The silhouette is relaxed but intentional, the kind of casual that still looks considered.
December in Amsterdam sits around 5°C most days, often damp, so this works best in the warmer stretches of the day or layered under a longer coat when the canal wind picks up.
Mornings browsing the Nine Streets or stopping into a gezellig café feel exactly right for this.
It’s also an easy choice for museum hopping or a slow lunch somewhere warm before the grey afternoon sets in.
Relaxed enough for all of it, but put-together enough that you won’t feel underdressed.
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Black Leather-Look JacketWhite TopGrey JeansBrown Lace-Up SneakersBrown Shoulder Bag
Cream Wide-Leg Trousers and a Dutch Winter Jacket
Warm brown leather over an olive knit sweater is a combination that feels instinctively right for a cold, grey December.
The cream wide-leg trousers lighten the whole silhouette, keeping it relaxed rather than heavy, while the chunky dark brown scarf wraps the look together with real, practical warmth.
Square-toe shoes and a black tote keep the base grounded and clean.
The overall mood is casual and cozy, the kind of layering that moves easily without looking like you tried too hard.
Mornings browsing the Nine Streets or wandering through a Christmas market feel exactly right in this.
So does a slow afternoon in a gezellig café, hands around a hot drink while the drizzle settles outside.
Come evening, it transitions naturally into a canal-side dinner without needing a single change.
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Brown Leather JacketOlive Knit SweaterCream Wide-Leg PantsBrown Chunky ScarfSquare-Toe ShoesBlack Shoulder Tote
Faux-Leather and Slouchy Black Trousers
Relaxed straight-leg black pants paired with a zip-up faux-leather jacket in the same shade make for a quietly edgy all-black silhouette.
The fit is loose where it counts, fitted where it matters, and the burgundy shoulder bag and brown ankle boots stop it from tipping into flat monotone.
Comfortable enough for a long afternoon of museum hopping, smart enough to slide into a brown bar or wine bar without looking like you tried too hard.
The low block heel handles cobblestones better than it looks.
Good for evening canal strolls too, when the streets glitter a little and the temperature drops fast.
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Faux Leather JacketCrew Neck TopStraight Leg PantsAnkle BootsShoulder BagRectangular Sunglasses
Oversized Brown Leather and a Takeaway Coffee
An oversized dark brown leather jacket, heavy with visible seams and patch details, worn over loose black straight-leg trousers.
It is a deliberately relaxed silhouette, the kind that feels both intentional and unhurried.
The olive-green scarf, long and thick, wrapped once and left to hang down the front, pulls the whole palette together.
Dark brown ankle boots and a crescent-shaped light gray leather bag round it out with quiet contrast.
Takeaway coffee in hand, this is the look for a slow morning wander through the Jordaan, stopping into brown bars and browsing the stalls at a winter market.
The relaxed fit is comfortable across a full day on foot, cobblestones and all.
An easy choice for lunch somewhere warm before heading out again into the grey afternoon.
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Dark Brown Leather JacketBlack Straight-Leg TrousersOlive Green ScarfDark Brown Ankle BootsLight Gray Shoulder Bag
Straight Blue Jeans Under a Long Dark Coat
The long dark brown coat is the backbone of this outfit, cut straight and slightly loose so it moves well through a cold December day.
Light blue jeans underneath add an unexpected brightness, and a matching light blue scarf looped once around the neck keeps the colour story cohesive.
Casual enough for a morning wandering the Jordaan, browsing Christmas market stalls or ducking into a gezellig café for coffee and something warm.
The chunky-sole boots handle cobblestones without a second thought, and the large shoulder bag keeps everything for a full day out within easy reach.
Good for an afternoon of museum hopping too, since December in the city tends to push most of the best things indoors anyway.
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Dark Brown Long CoatBrown SweaterLight Blue ScarfLight Blue JeansChunky Ankle BootsBlack Shoulder Bag
Striped Knit Beneath a Long Gray Winter Coat
Wide lapels, a loose double-breasted silhouette, and light gray fabric give this coat a quietly polished presence without feeling stiff.
The black-and-white striped top underneath adds visual interest at the neckline, while off-white straight-leg trousers keep the palette clean and cohesive.
Dark brown suede boots and a small burgundy crossbody bag bring warmth to what would otherwise be a very neutral palette.
This combination suits an afternoon of museum hopping around Museumplein, or a slower morning wandering the Nine Streets between coffee stops and shop windows.
It also moves easily into a casual dinner without needing any adjustment.
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Gray Double-Breasted CoatStriped TopWhite TrousersAnkle BootsCrossbody BagGold Hoop Earrings
Wool Grey and Wide Blue Jeans in December
That long grey wool coat sets the tone immediately: straight cut, slightly oversized, and serious about keeping the cold out.
A thick fringed scarf wraps high at the neck, and the grey sweater underneath fills in the rest, so the warmth is built into the outfit, not borrowed from a bag.
Blue straight-leg jeans ground the grey tones with a clean contrast, while brown lace-up sneakers keep the whole thing casual rather than stiff.
Black leather gloves and a rounded suede bag finish it without fuss.
Mornings spent wandering the Jordaan or browsing a Christmas market sit naturally in this look.
It’s also well-suited to museum hopping, since the layering holds up between cold streets and warm interiors without feeling like too much.
An easy evening in a gezellig café fits just as well.
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Grey Wool CoatGrey ScarfGrey SweaterBlue JeansBrown Lace-Up SneakersBlack Leather GlovesBlack Shoulder Bag
Tailored Charcoal Coat and Frayed Blue Jeans
Frayed raw hems on light blue straight-leg jeans sit just above pointed dark brown ankle boots, and that contrast alone gives this outfit its character.
The long charcoal coat, tailored but not stiff, pulls everything into a neat, unhurried silhouette that holds up well through the grey drizzle and cold canal wind of a December day.
Mornings spent wandering the Nine Streets or ducking in and out of gezellig cafés call for exactly this kind of look.
Smart enough for a museum visit, relaxed enough for a long afternoon on foot.
The structured brown shoulder bag keeps it grounded without overcomplicating things.
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Long Tailored CoatCrew-Neck TopStraight-Leg JeansAnkle BootsShoulder Bag
Double-Breasted Gray Coat and Loose Light Trousers
Light gray is a quieter choice for a December coat, and that restraint is exactly what makes this look land.
The long double-breasted silhouette is relaxed without being shapeless, and the stripe of a Breton top peeking at the neckline gives the whole thing just enough personality.
Wandering the Nine Streets or browsing a winter market, this is the kind of outfit that moves well through a full day.
The smart-casual tone suits a museum visit or lunch at a gezellig café just as naturally.
Suede ankle boots and a burgundy crossbody keep the finish grounded and easy to carry through the afternoon.
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Gray Double-Breasted CoatStriped TopLight TrousersAnkle BootsCrossbody Bag
Scarf-Wrapped in Dark Brown for a December Stroll
Dark brown and light gray sit together in a quietly polished pairing here.
The long coat falls with a straight, slightly oversized drape, grounded by wide-leg trousers in soft gray that move loosely as you walk.
A beige scarf wrapped high at the neck adds warmth without bulk, while a small burgundy crossbody bag and narrow black sunglasses sharpen the whole thing into something genuinely put-together for a cold day.
Wandering the Nine Streets or browsing a Christmas market, this look handles both without a second thought.
Smart enough for a museum visit or a long lunch at a canal-side spot, but still relaxed enough for hours on foot.
The slip-on shoes and drapey trousers make it one of the more comfortable options for a full December day out.
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Long Brown CoatGray Wide-Leg TrousersBeige ScarfBlack TopBlack Slip-On ShoesBurgundy Crossbody BagBlack Sunglasses
Rolled Cuffs and an Olive Parka for Misty Canals
An olive green hooded coat, long and loose, is exactly the kind of outerwear December in the Netherlands calls for.
Large patch pockets, visible snaps down the front, and a relaxed drape give it real utility without sacrificing any ease.
Underneath, a white crew-neck tee with a simple black tulip motif adds a quiet, almost playful note.
Straight blue jeans with rolled cuffs and brown suede-texture lace-ups keep the whole outfit grounded and unhurried.
Wandering the Nine Streets or browsing a winter market, this is the kind of outfit that holds up all day without feeling like an effort.
The long coat handles the canal wind well, so it suits outdoor stretches, a slow coffee stop, or an afternoon of museum hopping.
A scarf tucked in would be wise on the drizzlier days, but the base is already solid.
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Olive Green Hooded CoatWhite Crew-Neck T-ShirtBlue JeansBrown Lace-Up SneakersBrown Crossbody Bag
Soft Gray Sweater and Wide Dutch Winter Pants
Gray on gray works here because the layers have distinct shapes.
A loose long-sleeved sweatshirt sits over a longer thin tee underneath, while wide-leg jogger pants with front seams give the bottom half a relaxed, almost sculptural silhouette.
Off-white lace-up sneakers and a large cream shoulder bag keep the palette clean and cohesive.
This is the outfit for an easy, low-agenda day, the kind where you drift between a gezellig café and a slow browse through the Nine Streets.
It suits a morning museum visit or a relaxed afternoon with no particular itinerary.
That said, December in Amsterdam runs cold and damp, so layering a proper coat over the top will make it genuinely comfortable once you step outside.
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Gray SweatshirtGray T-ShirtWide-Leg Jogger PantsOff-White SneakersCream Shoulder Bag
Tasseled Loafers and a Long Brown Coat
That bold striped knit underneath a long, dark brown double-breasted coat sets a warm, pulled-together tone.
The coat itself is straight and slightly loose, so it moves well, and the frayed hems on the light blue jeans give the whole thing an easy, lived-in feel at the ankle.
The wide-striped scarf in beige and camel wraps once around the neck without overwhelming the look.
Combined with the cream woven bag and slim rectangular sunglasses, the overall impression is casual and quietly considered.
Wandering the Nine Streets or browsing a winter market is exactly where this sits best.
The warmth of the coat handles December’s canal wind, while the loafers keep it relaxed enough for an afternoon drifting between gezellig cafés and boutiques.
An evening canal cruise or a late coffee stop would suit it just as well.
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Dark Brown Double-Breasted CoatStriped Knit TopLight Blue Straight-Leg JeansTassel LoafersStriped Knitted ScarfWoven Shoulder BagRectangular SunglassesGold Hoop Earrings
Beige Button Coat and Light Blue Flares
Structured but not stiff, that hip-length beige coat with its high collar and large buttons gives this outfit most of its character.
The relaxed straight-cut jeans in light blue sit underneath without competing, and pointed dark brown ankle boots pull the whole silhouette down to something grounded and clean.
A look like this fits the quieter hours of a December day in Amsterdam.
Good for browsing a Christmas market, ducking into a brown bar for coffee, or walking the Nine Streets at a slow pace.
The small black bag keeps it easy, so it moves with you without fuss.
✨ Get the Look
Beige CoatLight Blue JeansDark Brown Ankle BootsBlack Shoulder Bag
Amsterdam Netherlands December Winter Outfits FAQ
How wet and windy does Amsterdam actually get in December, and should that change how I pack?
Amsterdam in December is genuinely damp and often blustery, so a compact windproof umbrella and a water-resistant outer layer are non-negotiable. The wind off the canals makes the cold feel sharper than the thermometer suggests, so I always prioritize a coat with a proper collar or hood over one that just looks good.
What shoes are actually worth wearing for a full day of cycling and cobblestone streets in Amsterdam in December?
Waterproof ankle boots with a low, grippy heel are your best friend on Amsterdam’s wet cobblestones and bike paths. Avoid anything with a smooth leather sole because the streets get slippery fast, and steer clear of sneakers unless they are fully waterproof.
How do Amsterdam locals dress in winter, and will I look obviously like a tourist if I overdress?
Amsterdam locals tend to dress in a relaxed but polished way, favoring quality basics like wool coats, dark jeans, and simple knitwear over anything too flashy or heavily branded. You will blend in easily if you stick to a neutral palette and avoid overly bulky or brightly colored ski-style outerwear.
Can I build outfits for Amsterdam in December that transition from daytime sightseeing to an evening at a brown café or restaurant?
Yes, and it is easier than you might think. Swap a chunky knit for a sleeker blouse or ribbed turtleneck underneath your coat, and your daytime jeans-and-boots outfit reads just as well over a candlelit dinner as it does by the Rijksmuseum.
What is the one thing most visitors forget to pack for Amsterdam in December that they end up wishing they had?
A good pair of thermal or moisture-wicking liner socks makes a surprising difference when you are walking long distances on cold, wet streets. Most people pack extra jumpers and forget their feet, but cold, damp feet will cut a sightseeing day short faster than anything else.
Final Takes
Planning your winter outfits for Amsterdam in December really comes down to three things: waterproofing, wind resistance, and layers you can actually move in.
The city rewards you for dressing practically, because when you are comfortable, you stop rushing between warm spots and start actually enjoying the canals, the markets, and the museums.
Go in with the right pieces and you will spend a lot less time thinking about what you are wearing, which means more time just being there.
