Scandi style: the 10 top trends from Copenhagen Fashion Week

The countdown has started on the final month of school holidays and in Copenhagen the style set are looking ahead too — at least, in terms of their wardrobes.
Last week during what has established itself as a must-attend amuse-bouche to the official “fashion month” (which properly kicks off in New York in September), your favourite Scandi brands showcased their next spring collections. Yes, it was Copenhagen Fashion Week. But when trend-spotting in the Danish capital it is what happens off the catwalk that you should pay attention to most.
Ganni, Stine Goya, Baum und Pferdgarten, Rotate. You can probably name a few Danish labels but it is the signature style of the city’s native cool girls that is more likely to have influenced your wardrobe.
Their brand of dress-up — bright and playful, but often practical enough to ride a bike in — is addictive. So is their approach to tablescaping (tip: you’ll need a bowl of cherries at your next dinner party), pastimes (at a quick swim between shows, one woman sat next to me on the side of the dyppezone knitting) and sisterly vibe. The front row is reliably friendly here and the event has earned a reputation for being low-maintenance — not to mention body-positive, sustainable and diversity-focused. Some shows serve champagne to guests but most would prefer a frosty beer or glass of natural wine.
I wear outfits at Copenhagen Fashion Week that I never would in London because there is no risk of being sneered at. This season the trusty black tailoring I packed in my suitcase stayed in it. It is the only city I feel comfortable enough in to consider forgoing a bra — and eating a bun every day for breakfast. These are the ten other trends you might want to adopt from the Danes now.
You don’t need me to tell you that everyone rides bikes in Copenhagen but it might surprise you that it is one of the most popular ways to commute between shows — even in heels. This year Copenhagen Fashion Week even partnered with Lime, meaning guests could zip around on the lurid green electric vehicles free of charge. This editor made the most of it.
Ah, look. Another questionable Nineties accessory making a comeback. Bandanas, knotted around heads, were everywhere in Copenhagen. I expect to see them worn by art students in my local, back home — but not by you or me.
Balenciaga’s Le City and Miu Miu’s Beau bags are what influencers toted most last week and, curiously — or perhaps not — both are designed to be accessorised with the brands’ OTT keyrings and charms. If you are wondering what that looks like, picture a £2,000 tote with a Donald Duck soft toy attached to it. Yes, I know.
This is how the Danes are doing denim shorts now: knee-length (more on this later) and a bit baggy but tailored. They look great with a T-shirt and blazer or a white shirt and ballet pumps or kitten heels.
Scandi influencers travel in beautiful blonde packs taking “content” (pictures, videos) of each other for Instagram, which they then collectively share, like and comment on when posted. Like I said, sisterly.
It was the original Ganni Girls who first revived leopard print for the rest of us with their love of the brand’s bestselling jeans. This autumn tiger, zebra and cowhide motifs are going to be cool too.
Never mind that it was 25C and sunny — it was still boots-boots-boots with every conceivable outfit. Cowboys and bikers feel right for now and will into autumn, particularly with your midi or maxi skirt.
If you buy something new now, make sure it is red or yellow. Pops of both kept catching my eye on pavements and catwalks last week. The latter is not as hard to carry off as you think — though a sunkissed, blonde complexion does help.
No need when no one else has one on, and I say that as a — checks label in discarded bra on the floor — 36E. Yes, OK, I put it back on before I reached Gatwick.
Tailored Bermuda shorts, pencil skirts, pedal pushers: ask the Scandi style set what autumn’s erogenous zone is set to be and they will probably say it is your knees. You have been warned.