Autumn, we’ve missed you. Though summer was a pleasant respite after the chilly months of spring, we’ve now had our fill sweltering days and are ready to bundle up with a crisp chill in the air. It might be that fashion month is upon us and there’s about the be an influx of newness, but the seasonal shift encourages us to switch things up, clean out our closets and put together some exciting new outfits to inspire us for the months ahead. So, where do we begin when looking for when looking for fashion inspiration? The runways are a great place to start, but if you’re looking for wearable trends that have been tried and tested, there’s no better place than street style, and the Scandi set have been quietly changing the way we dress for the last couple of years.
Parisian women might have mastered polished styling, and New Yorker’s know up and coming brands before anyone else, but Scandi women have mastered the secret to looking stylish with minimal effort, and frankly, what more could you need? From oversized tailored to nailing the art of the refined colour palette, we’re continuously turning to Scandinavians for style tips, and if you’re unsure which pieces are worth the space in your wardrobe, you can bet that there’s an editor, influencer, or street style star who’s bought it, worn it, and styled it in a way we wouldn’t have even thought of, and that’s a talent worth screenshotting.
After scouring through some of Instagram’s best dressed, I noticed that Scandi women have a real penchant for shopping our favourite high-street brands, and you won’t have to look for long before you spot COS, Arket and H&M cropping up in their feeds. So, if you’re in the mood for a new season shake up without having to break the bank, I’ve rounded up the best new high-street pieces that a stylish Scandi woman would invariably add to her basket. Njut Av (that’s “enjoy” in Swedish).
1. COOL-GIRL DENIM
Style Notes: It’s been a big year for denim, quite literally, and Scandis were the first to lead the charge in baggy jeans, maxi skirts and slouchy denim shirts. Layer up with white tees, black jackets and strappy sandals to do denim the Nordic way.
SHOP DENIM:
Weekday
Astro Loose Baggy Jeans
Mango
Pocketed Denim Jacket
The shade of indigo blue never goes out of style.
M&S Collection
Denim Split Front Midi Skirt
The sold out skirt is finally back in stock, so act fast before it’s gone again.
Just imagine how good this looks with a white jumper and brown boots.
2. JERSEY BASICS
Style Notes: There’s no hardworking wardrobe staple than the jersey basic. Whether it’s a cotton tee or a stretchy tank top, you’ll wear them as is in spring and summer or layered up underneath blazers, dresses and coats in autumn and winter. The high-street specialise in these simple pieces at affordable prices, so it’s worth stocking up in different colours and wearing on rotation.
SHOP JERSEY:
Arket do some of the best basics on the high-street.
H&M
Ribbed Modal-Blend T-Shirt
The cost-per-wear is unbeatable.
& Other Stories
Racer-Back Vest Top
I love this shade of grey.
Weekday
Deep Back Long Sleeve
The scoop back is just so elegant.
3. KNIT DRESSES
Style Notes: The flattering knit dress crops up time and again on the Scandi crowd, and it’s easy to see why. Simple, chic, and understated, this fit suits every body and makes for a low-maintainance, high-impact outfit that you can throw on and go in just five minutes.
SHOP KNIT DRESSES:
Look for long sleeve versions for autumn.
Yes, that’s the real price.
Mango
Perkins-Neck Ribbed Dress
This also comes in two other neutral hues.
This has steadily been selling fast since it first landed.
4. CHIC MIDI SKIRTS
Style Notes: Last summer may have been all about the micro mini, but this year we’re back to longer hemlines. For those who haven’t been won over by the column maxi skirt, the midi is still a strong contender for best all-rounder. Keep it casual with simple flats or dress it up with heels, but however you wear it, take tips from Anouk and keep it simple a relaxed top and tonal palette.
SHOP MIDI SKIRTS:
Massimo Dutti
Midi Skirt With Wool and Pockets
River Island
Plus Black Satin Midi Skirt
A slip skirt will serve your wardrobe for years to come.
Warehouse
Denim Cargo Midi Skirt
The cargo + long skirt trend all in one.
5. OVERSIZED SHIRTS
(Image credit: @emilisindlev)
Style Notes: If anyone knows how to do “borrowed from the boys” tailoring, it’s Scandi women. From Munthe to Skall Studio (think The Row, via Copenhagen), the supersized shirt is the shortcut to chic you can wear with jeans, skirts and leggings. The white shirt is a classic, but pinstripes, linen or block colours are the perfect wardrobe update.
SHOP SHIRTS:
With Nothing Underneath
The Boyfriend: Linen Grapefruit Pink Shirt
The obvious accompaniment to ecru denim.
Zara
Oversize Striped Shirt
Wear with sleek tailoring or over a midi slip on warmer autumn days.
It’s smart to invest in a linen shirt, you’ll end up wearing it on repeat.
Everlane
The Oversized Poplin Shirt
Choose from all black, classic white, or this understated pinstripe.
6. TAILORED TROUSERS
Style Notes: Who likes short shorts? Well, not the Dutch. All year round you’re likely to see tailored trousers, and if you thought wide-leg trousers meant heavy, wool iterations, take a look at these light crepe and cotton styles that are sharp enough to meet business.
SHOP TAILORED TROUSERS:
Could these be team Who What Wear’s trouser of the year? It’s highly likely.
Reiss
Kate Atelier Wool Wide Leg Trousers
Imagine these with a full tonal look.
Monki
High Waist Wide Leg Trousers
Trust me–you’ll find grey trousers just as versatile as black.
COS
Straight-Leg Pinstriped Trousers
I’m really into this pinstripe pair.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
