BOOTS, BAGS & BOLLEN
Here in the Netherlands, it’s the time of the year for warm winter boots, dependable shopper bags and, of course, tasty Dutch oliebollen!
Below we give you some suggestions of fleece and fur-lined cold-weather boots to keep your feet toasty even as the temperature drops, fashionable shopper bags to help get home those Christmas gifts, backpacks that will keep your essentials intact even if you happen to be skiing down slopes and last but not least, where to get some hot, tasty oliebollen this holiday season.
Pictured above clockwise from top left… Mou ‘Eskimo Dreamcatcher’ suede pull-on boots with rabbit fur lining and toggle elastic closure (€275 at Stylebop), Stuart Weitzman ‘Nikita’ light blue suede and fur boot on platform wedge (€970 at Stuart Weitzman), UGG ‘Highland’ patent leather and wool waterproof moon boot with shearling lining (€275 at Stylebop), Woolrich ‘Hiker’ tumbled leather Alpine boot with rabbit fur lining (€350 at Stylebop), Jimmy Choo ‘Glacie’ leather boot with puffed drawstring collar and shearling detail (€995 at Harrods), Timberland ‘Chamonix’ rust nubuck pull-on boot with shearling lining (€179.95 at Nelson Schoenen), Cole Haan ‘ZeroGrand’ waterproof leather hiker bootie with Grand0S comfort technology (€250 at Cole Haan), Dr. Martens ‘Aimlita’ tumbled leather laceup boot with shearling lining (€214.95 at Invito)
Pictured above clockwise from top left… Off White ‘Box Hand Bag’ in smooth leather with double arrow graphic and detachable yellow shoulder strap (€770 at LN-CC), Cowboysbag leather weekend bag with external zip pockets and detachable shoulder strap (€149.95 at bol.com), Kara ‘Pinch Lantern’ black leather, collapsible handbag with circular handle (€285 at LN-CC), Karl Lagerfeld ‘K/ Ikonik’ shopper bag with bold graphic (€295 at Hudson’s Bay), Moncler ‘New Kinly’ quilted nylon and leather, drawstring closure backpack (€450 at Stylebop), Love Moschino ‘Peace’ black quilted backpack with zipper closure and external pocket (€215 at Hudson’s Bay), Scotch & Soda black suede backpack with brass studs and belted flap closure (€249.95 at Scotch & Soda)
For those unfamiliar with ‘oliebollen’, they are deep fried balls of dough that are topped with powdered sugar and served warm. The Dutch eat oliebollen during the holiday season, from beginning of November through the New Year (Nieuwjaar). During this period, semi-permanent oliebollen carts appear in most city centers, serving these and other Dutch holiday delicacies.
In fact, oliebollen is so important to Dutch culture, that there was even a national contest to see which baker had the best-tasting oliebollen in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, it ended in 2017 following criticism that the judges may not have always been fair due to conflicts of interest. The Dutch newspaper which ran the competition decided to end it earlier this year.
But you can always visit one of last year’s 75 finalists to pick up some of the best oliebollen in Holland.
Related information…