While there are plenty of things to admire about Dutch men (their ability to reach even the highest shelves, for instance), there’s one element of their look we need to talk about: the hair gel.
You may have noticed it before: a perfectly pleasant Dutchman walking down the street, the spitting image of a Nice Young Man™, except for the monstrosity of a hairstyle he’s chosen.
Indeed, smeared all over that high-flying Dutch head is enough hair product to last most of us a month.
My opinion here is simple. Far too many men out here slather their scalp in sticky hair gel, and it needs to stop.
The Dutch guy starter pack
Just as the preppy Anne-Fleur style is a staple among Dutch women, Dutch men have their own uniform of sorts.
It’s been made fun of before: the skinny blue jeans, oversized white tee, and dirty white sneakers are fair game.
@whereiswanda How do you feel about Dutch men’s fashion? 🇳🇱😂 #amsterdam #dutch #amsterdamguide #netherlands #amsterdamtravel ♬ origineel geluid – Cosmo
But honestly, coming from the US, where clothing choices are often astronomically worse, the outfit is not where my frustration lies.
Instead, the element of ‘Dutch guy chic’ that drives me nuts is the way they “style” their hair. It looks as if they just emerged from a canal.
While a little hair gel is certainly not a crime, the amount of product Dutch men use is inexcusable.
Truthfully, half of their monthly expenses must go to buying the stuff.
Why do they need to stop?
Maybe they like how it looks, or maybe it’s a way to deal with windswept hair from too much fietsen (biking). Either way, it’s gotten out of control.
@dutchreview Set for life 🤑 #netherlands #dutch #hair ♬ original sound – DutchReview
Whatever the practical benefits, there’s just no justifying how strange this looks. No one, no matter how fast they bike, needs a helmet of hair gel on their noggin.
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #97: Apply hair gel like they’re frosting a cake
But beyond aesthetics, why does this trend need to die?
First off, it’s terrible for your scalp. Take it from the brands themselves: even Head and Shoulders says product buildup can cause dandruff, dryness, irritation, and even hair loss.
While for some people that’s just a potential risk, it’s got to be a guaranteed side effect for Dutch guys, given how much they use.
Plus, free-flowing hair is in fashion! GQ magazine says men’s hairstyles in 2026 are trending towards 90’s undone looks, and that healthy hair ‘longevity’ is a priority.
And finally, there’s my favourite (and most biased) reason: it looks silly, guys.
I’m here to tell you the cold, hard, shiny (pun intended) truth. It’s time to get a new look.
What do you think of Dutch men’s hairstyles? Let us know in the comments!
