why do dutch wear orange

The Dutch wear orange because it’s the historic color of their royal family, the House of Orange‑Nassau, and it evolved into a symbol of national pride and unity.

Quick Scoop: Why do Dutch wear orange?

In the 16th century, William of Orange (William the Silent) led the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule and became a founding figure of the Dutch state. His family line, the House of Orange‑Nassau, gave its name—and color—to the emerging Dutch nation. Because of this, orange became the unofficial national color, even though the flag is red, white, and blue.

Over time, orange shifted from a strictly royal symbol to a broader sign of Dutch togetherness and independence. Today you see it everywhere on big occasions: King’s Day, World Cup football, the Olympics, or any major tournament where Dutch teams play. Crowds in orange are often called the “Orange Legion” and the national football team is nicknamed “Oranje.”

So when the Dutch dress head‑to‑toe in orange, they’re not just picking a bright color—they’re visually shouting “We’re Dutch and we’re proud,” all the way back to William of Orange and the birth of their modern state.

TL;DR:
They wear orange because of the royal House of Orange‑Nassau; over centuries it turned into the color of Dutch identity, used at sports events, King’s Day, and other national celebrations.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.