8 of the best Scandi trends to wear now until next summer, from leopard print to lace
Courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week.
The word Scandi has become synonymous with all things chic — interiors, design, and naturally, fashion. This is largely thanks to Copenhagen Fashion Week, which in its 20-year-history has built a reputation for rivalling the 'Big Four' fashion weeks of New York, London, Milan and Paris.
As someone who has been going to the Danish event since 2022, I can confirm it is just as magical as it looks on your social feeds. The colourful street style, laid-back attitudes and delicious baked goods, all combined with a roster of exciting, burgeoning design talent have made the city one-to-watch across the globe.
This edition was no different, and while the fashion calendar works a season ahead (meaning the collections shown won't be available to shop until Spring/Summer 2027) the effect on your wardrobe will be felt immediately. I've cherry-picked the biggest and best trends from the catwalks for you to wear now, so that by the time next summer rolls around, you'll have nailed dressing like a Scandi girl.
Loud leopard
Leopard is the queen of the (fashion) animal kingdom, and its spots were seen all over CPHFW. From Caro Editions' bead embellished, '80s style jacket above to Ganni's re-purposed deadstock fabric at Stem (more on that below), this is one print you can count on season after season.
Sequins (with a side of a glitter)
New York Fashion Week label Collina Strada took a special guest spot in Copenhagen this season, and it was memorable for many reasons. Firstly, everything was upcycled (again, more on that below) with the show notes stating: "We opened every box, bin, and shelf in our studio and committed to creating an entire collection from the fabrics, trims, notions, and remnants we've accumulated over the years." Secondly, the maximalist glam was a welcome change from the incessant 'clean girl aesthetic' that has dominated beauty in recent years. Body glitter and hair tinsel were paired with sequin bras, belts and socks, for an overall look that screamed all-night-rave — even if you want to be in bed by 9pm.
Gingham-maxxing
How many types of gingham can you wear at once? According to Nicklas Skovgaard, the limit does not exist, as his retro Americana inspired show (complete with fictional girl-group The Skovgaardettes) proved. Layer different checks, colours and fabrics to embrace the head-to-toe picnic blanket look.
Lots of lace
Underwear as outerwear is the trend of the summer, with cami tops, granny nighties and silk shorts all having become the unofficial uniform of every it-girl going. So it makes sense that lace featured heavily on the runways as well, with OpéraSPORT
showcasing slip dresses, bustiers and midi skirts in the delicate fabric. White, as shown above, is obviously a classic, but experiment with yellow or blue shades to keep the look feeling relevant into next year.
Goth girl
Menswear brand mfpen showcased some of my favourite womenswear looks this CPHFW. Grungey black and grey cardigans, polo shirts and mini skirts were embellished with zips, hook and eye fastenings and styled with lace tights or stirrup socks. Finished with ultra-pale skin and a smokey eye make-up, the overall look was vampiric school girl — summer doesn't always have to mean yellow and florals!
Ultimate upcycling
A large part of CPHFW's success lies in its strict sustainability requirements that every brand on the schedule has to adhere to. Upcycling and recycling are consistently baked into every collection, but new label Stem stood out this season for partnering with Copenhagen royalty Ganni. “Stem has always been built around developing new fabrics. New techniques become new textiles, and those textiles become garments. But I also realised I had ideas that weren’t dependent on making new fabric. I wanted to see whether the same way of thinking could be applied to materials that were already in the world. That’s how the collaboration with Ganni began,” said founder Sarah Brunnhuber in the show notes. Instantly recognisable prints and fabrics were re-imagined into completely new garments thanks to her innovative approach.
Ballet-core
"Inspired by dancers leaving the studio, lingering after class, or moving through the city between rehearsals, the collection plays on the contrast between discipline and ease, performance and everyday life," read the Baum und Pferdgarten show notes for the label's SS27 show entitled 'After The Rehearsal'. Headbands, gym bags, leg warmers and sneakerinas slung over shoulders — this girl looked like she stepped straight out of Pineapple Studios. Layer a tutu over jeans or opt for a baby pink tee to get the look.
Polka dots
Yep...polka dots aren't going anywhere. From street style to runway, they were all over CPHFW for another season, including this look at the Sson show. The key to keeping the print fresh is to mix multiple sizes of dots and/or colours, for an overall edgier, clashing vibe, rather than a demure and twee one.
Credit: Cosmopolitan