I Just Got Back From Copenhagen—7 Trends I Spotted Everywhere
Before touching down in Copenhagen, I already knew I was going to love it. The Danish city has been making waves over the last few years as one of the most stylish cities to visit and a favorite It destination among our editors. While there are so many recommendations out there on what to do, see, and eat when you're in the cool girl–approved coastal city, there isn't much written about the art of people-watching for hours on end while sipping coffee in the grungy Nørrebro or shopping around in bustling Indre By.
As a die-hard lover of Scandinavian fashion, my editor senses were tingling. I knew the best way to see what the stylish Copenhagen set was actually wearing would be to sit somewhere for a day and just write down trends. Forty-eight hours and almost 2000 sneaky 'fit pics in my camera roll later, I can confidently say these seven trends are the ones Scandi women are actually wearing.
From swoon-worthy faux-fur coats to It girl–inspired accessories from days gone by, scroll to see and shop the Scandi winter fashion trends you need to know.
Vintage Bags
Unlike the majority of the women in New York, Paris, and Milan, the Copenhagen fashion crowd will often reach for a subtle vintage gem over a handbag that's plastered all over the runway. Whether it's a secondhand find at Collector's Cage in Indre By or a distressed denim handbag fetched out at a vintage store, Scandis know the power in choosing a bag with character over one that's too trendy.
Oversize Everything
Wintertime means layers upon layers for the Scandi set, and in their eyes, there's nothing more luxe than oversize everything. Whether it's a slouchy pair of puddle pants or a coat that's one or two sizes too big, Copenhagen fashion people love to play with exaggerated proportions and silhouettes year-round. Instead of making both your top and bottom oversize, though, opt for one for a more seamless, put-together look.
Statement Sneakers
If there's one thing you can count on the Copenhagen crowd to reach for over and over again, it's colorful sneakers. The stylish Scandis are used to walking (and biking!) their way through Nørrebro and the Meatpacking District, so it's best to opt for colorful shoes and over-the-top socks for a foolproof footwear combination.
Slouchy Denim
Long gone are the days of skinny jeans in Copenhagen. While it feels like the internet is on fire with claims that narrow-leg and tapered styles are coming back en vogue, ultra-wide-leg denim was all I spotted in Copenhagen. Go for a neutral wash for a pair that will blend seamlessly into your closet.
Faux Furs
At nearly every Danish retailer I walked into while in Copenhagen, I found at least four types of faux-fur coats merchandised directly at the front. While walking around touristy and trendy areas, I'd spot at least three stylish Scandis a day wearing over-the-top statement jackets. If you're looking to spice up your coatrack this winter, opt for a slouchy, light-colored faux-fur coat similar to the one above.
Colorful Knits
I may be biased, but frankly, is there anything better than a warm, colorful sweater? If you're a New Yorker, you'll understand the struggle when I say that all semblance of color goes out the window when it comes to a winter wardrobe. Although I've only been in the city for two years, my closet is filled with black turtlenecks and puffers the second it reaches below freezing. Unlike us, though, the Scandi crowd doesn't let a cold snap stop them, with stylish residents wearing pastel knits and colorful sweaters when they can.
Wide Headbands
The wide-headband trend strikes again. This time, Scandis are the ones completely in love with it. Nearly every single store I walked into had an entire section dedicated to chic hair accessories. While I may have picked up a few rosette claw clips and striped hair ties, the hair accessory I saw most on the streets I needed to replicate was the '90s-inspired thick elastic headband. If it's good enough for the Copenhagen crowd and Schiaparelli models—as seen on the brand's latest runway—it's good enough for me.
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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