I Just Went to Copenhagen—6 Trends I'm Copying From All the Scandi Women

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

I'm always struck with waves of sartorial inspiration when I travel, but nothing could've prepared me for what was going to hit me during my few days in Copenhagen, Denmark. Yes, I've covered the city's street style during fashion week and seen snippets of the scene via Instagram, and I can confirm that everyone in that city is well-dressed, all while exuding a chill and effortless energy. 

Despite being OOO, I couldn't help but take note of trends and outfit combinations I saw on my trip. While perusing online, some may think of Scandinavian style as über-trendy. But what I saw IRL wasn't actually a copious amount of trends. It was people wearing daring items but infusing them into everyday wear, keeping things forward yet relaxed. Of course, people tend to keep the "statement" moments for Instagram, but the outfits I saw at the market or on the train during rush hour really had me thinking about style.

Below, you'll find six wardrobe items that I saw everywhere in Copenhagen this past month and read about why they motivated me to get out of my fashion slump. I had a fresh new perspective when I came back to look at my closet and have already come up with plenty of outfit ideas for the current season. If you're in the mood to add a few new things, I've shopped out each as well. 

1. Sporty Trousers

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

I once tried to spice things up in college by wearing my fitted Adidas track pants with pointed-toe pumps, so you could say I'm a trendsetter. But years later, I'm ready to give the look a try again. This time, I'm opting for a more relaxed look with wide-leg track pants and a comfy T-shirt or poplin shirt. 

2. 50 Shades of White

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(Image credit: @hannamw)

Scandinavian style has a reputation for saturated shades and clashing prints, so I was surprised to see neutral outfits consisting of whites and creams.

3. Everything Oversize

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

I'm all for playing around with different silhouettes, but the Scandi fashion set taught me to not be so afraid of just sticking to one, even if it's all oversize. Sure, it may not be what we traditionally may consider "flattering," but fashion is all about breaking norms, right?

4. Statement Necklaces

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Switch things up from your everyday jewelry with a statement pendant. And you're in luck because there are plenty of them on the market right now, from ocean-inspired pieces to runway-esque heart lockets.

5. Pops of Red

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(Image credit: @monamali_)

Red seems to be the It color of 2023, and I'm ready to add some pops of it into my wardrobe. 

6. Dresses Over Pants

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(Image credit: @_jeanettemadsen_)

What's better than skirts over pants? Dresses over pants. Some might find this trend a bit odd, but when I saw it on the Copenhagen streets, it looked nothing but ultra-chic, especially when done with monochromatic pieces.

Next, Everyone on TikTok Is Talking About the "Old Money Aesthetic"—Here's What It Means

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.