How Scandinavian dressing can make us happier

Fans say Nordic style is easy to wear and even makes us feel good. As Copenhagen Fashion Week approaches, we explore the movement of fun and functional Scandi girl style.

One bright morning last fall, a crowd of photographers crammed onto a narrow sidewalk. As the shutters clicked, a street style parade passed by. Chanel bags swinging over shredded jean jackets, sheer ballet tutus paired with shiny spiked heels, menswear-inspired suits embroidered with tiny beaded strawberries. Top models like Paloma Elsesser and TikTok stars like Maya Stepper also participated. Pamela Anderson strolled in a crisp white shirt and ivory slacks.

The scene was on par with that seen in street style capitals such as Milan, New York, and Paris. But this was happening in Copenhagen, a city with just 10% of London’s population and better known for its Little Mermaid statue than for its cutting edge fashion. How did this small Nordic city become the new epicenter of cool?

“People fall in love with Scandinavian style because you don’t have to change who you are to pull it off,” says Laird, a longtime Vogue editor and fashion historian who splits his time between New York and Stockholm.・Boreli-Person says. For fashion critics like Borelli Persson, “Scandi girl style” goes beyond deep-rooted trends like #BarbieCore and #QuietLuxury to include cool shapes, responsible practices, and unexpected “kapau” colors and It has become a larger fashion movement rooted in color. Print. “You could say Scandi Arabian girl style is the new French girl style,” says Borelli-Persson of the longtime fashion insider’s combination of unkempt hair, naive designer bags, super skinny jeans and heels. I say this while referring to it. “Scandinavian girl style is different. It’s about layering. Shape is important. You don’t need an Hermès bag or a restrictive diet to achieve it. People who love clothes want to know that the idea is truly free. I feel it.”

According to Harvard University professor and sociologist Dr. Martha Beck, there’s a science behind Scandinavian style. “Women in Sweden and Norway can get about six hours of sunlight during the winter,” she told the BBC. “That’s it! That’s why they use fashion to fight off the blues and lethargy that come from very dark and cold days.”

A focus on fun colors and patterns is our long-standing ethos. marimekkois a 72-year-old Finnish fashion brand first sold in Italy in the 1950s and brought to the United States by Jackie Kennedy in 1960. Currently, Carrie Bradshaw can be seen wearing a Marimekko dress in the television series And Just Like That. ;Actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker is also a fan in real life. “From the beginning, our mission has been to bring joy and color to everyday life through bold prints, especially during dark seasons,” says Rebecca Bay, the brand’s current designer. He says all of Marimekko’s collections are tested to allow the wearer to walk. , pieces that involve running, jumping and “even dancing” will encourage movement and help combat feelings of winter sluggishness.

“I think there’s this idea that when it’s cold you have to look puffy and wear all neon or all gray,” says Nenna Ekem, a Norwegian fashion influencer and stylist. “But we’re very creative with how we layer colors and textures. For example, I wear an oversized leopard print coat with a very simple gray sweater and a pop of pink handbag. I love it. It adds joy and also makes you move around.”

For those who don’t like playing with bright colors, bold prints can bring energy to dark times, such as the indigo-print floral blue jeans from Helsinki’s Marimekko or the candy-colored plaid scarves from Stockholm’s Acne Studios. Helpful. “The way Scandinavian designers use layering to give the eye something complex and exciting is really intentional,” says Dr. Beck. She says that choosing vibrant prints and colors is a way to “be a small light” in the larger world through clothing, and that vibrant designs can also be a form of “community building.” Masu.

“What you notice with most Scandinavian fashion brands is that they’re run by teams,” says Borelli Persson, noting that many of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s biggest hits include a glitzy date night with the cool Birger Christensen. I pointed out that Rotate is a popular brand. – Girls staple Ganni, upgraded casual line Baum und Pferdgarten and Toteme are all designed by teams rather than individuals. “It really shows the Scandinavian spirit of cooperation and being part of something bigger than yourself,” she says. “It’s much better for your mental health when you design for the benefit of your community, not just for your own fame and fortune. It’s also much better for your mental health when you design for the benefit of your community, not just for your own fame and fortune. It’s also much better for your mental health. It’s also healthier when given the product.”

“Danish style is deeply rooted in simplicity, practicality and functionality, which are the foundations of creative expression,” he says. copenhagen fashion week CEO Cecily Thorsmark. In a world where runway collections can often feel more like theatrical gimmicks than exciting everyday options, the focus on wearable styles is appealing to those who have used Parisian chic as a benchmark for their personal style for decades. It also resonated with people.

That spirit is reflected in current darlings of Scandinavian fashion, including playful Danish brand Cecilie Bahnsen and label Toteme, which puts a twist on basics. Both take familiar staples and add eye-popping details to make dressing easier and more fun. wear. At Toteme, that means turning the collar of your standard winter coat into a wrap-around scarf that you’ll never forget at home. At Cecilie Bahnsen, it’s a ribbon-top frock that allows you to customize many pieces to your body length, so you can layer the dress under a long-sleeved sweater on cold days, or pull the hem up a little higher. It becomes easier to do. It’s on the short side.

Bahnsen says the combination of romantic details and practical elements is directly tied to her Danish heritage. “Growing up in Scandinavia, functionality influences the way I dress,” she explains. “My clothes have to work in real life, whether it’s riding my bike to my studio in the rain or playing with my son in the cold and windy weather.”

Stylist and influencer Ekem is a regular at Copenhagen Fashion Week, along with catwalk shows in London and Milan. She says her audience has “exploded” in recent years with international interest from overseas street style fans and fashion designers as well. “I think people thought all we were wearing were ski sweaters and hats,” Ekem jokes. “But our style proves that it’s practical and never boring. A lot of innovation comes when designers think about how your clothes should function.”

This month, London Fashion Week has been announced Updated sustainability requirements For all participating fashion brands, these include a focus on low-impact materials and a ban on single-use props during runway shows. Where did they get that idea? copenhagen fashion weekFrom 2023, all brands will be required to prove that they are more than just a cocoon in a landfill. The city’s next catwalk cycle begins on January 27th with Opera Sport, an emerging label that uses only recycled and organic fibers in its cool quilting. A pencil skirt and a slouchy oxford shirt.

“These partnerships are essential to advancing a positive agenda and creating impactful change,” Thorsmark said. They are also rooted in regions of the world where, as Borelli Persson says, “there are still more trees than people.” This means that even though fashion companies are located in cities like Stockholm or Oslo, they are essentially surrounded by nature. “When I went to my first meeting at ECCO, their office and factory were basically in the woods,” recalls Natacha Ramsay-Lévy, the famous French designer. Quirky ballet shoes from a Danish shoe brand Chloë Sevigny has been spotted. “I was very inspired and excited to work there. Nature makes you feel more creative.”

But even those who don’t live a life completely in the great outdoors have another reason to embrace the Scandinavian girl’s style. “I don’t want to go hiking in the forest every day,” Ekem says. “But I like to buy and wear things that I know will last, and I trust my favorite Scandinavian designers. The quality and style that our brands create will last for years. It’s sustainable and still looks really cool.”