Copenhagen Fashion Week is marking its 20th anniversary next week, and to celebrate two decades of Scandi cool-girl style, we here at Vogue are looking back at its influence—not just on the runways, but on the streets too.
This country has given us some of the internet’s most-followed influencers, as our CPHFW expert Laird Borrelli-Persson recently pointed out. But beyond that, they’ve consistently led the charge on fashion’s biggest trends—or started them themselves. Take butter yellow, for example: they embraced it a full four years before the rest of the fashion world caught on.
From flowy dresses and fringe bangs to puff-sleeve dresses and classic gingham, the Scandi crowd has shaped the biggest street style trends we’ve seen in recent years. Here, we’re taking a look back at their effortlessly elegant and undeniably cool contributions to street style, from 2016 to today. Nyde!
2016: Easy Does It
A decade ago, our favorite street stylers made a strong case for easy, flowy dresses and perfectly fringed bangs. Sometimes, less really is more.
2017: Leather Weather
In 2017, the Scandi crew couldn’t get enough of leather—skirts, pants, boots, coats, you name it. It’s easy to see why.
2018: True Blue
From faded azure to deep indigo, this was the year Stockholm Fashion Week attendees embraced the everyday appeal of straight-leg jeans.
2019: Sunshine Ahead
Years before the rest of the fashion world went wild for the sunny, optimistic charm of butter yellow, Emili Sindlev and Copenhagen’s best-dressed were already loving the cheerful hue.
2020: Checked, Please!
Dorothy, we’re definitely not in Kansas anymore. And the Scandi street stylers showed exactly how and why a gingham dress looks just as good in Copenhagen as it does in Kansas (or, for that matter, Oz).
2021: Masked Up
A year into COVID, these resourceful street stylers proved that even a mask and gloves can look chic when paired with the right outfit.
2022: In-Vest-ed
We’ll always remember this as the year the Ganni sweater vest took over Copenhagen Fashion Week.
2023: Stylish to Boot
It was another standout year for the popular Danish brand Ganni, when its cowboy boots were adopted en masse by the street style crowd, including social media star Emma Chamberlain.
2024: Flower Power
Floral brooches were a must-have this year, showing that Scandi street style stars were feeling rosy (and seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, naturally).
2025: Goal!
R.I.P. to the beloved brand Saks Potts—but may their preppy-sporty-cool rugby shirt live on forever in street style.
2026: Frill Seekers
Danes paid tribute to Cecilie Bahnsen—who celebrated her tenth anniversary in Copenhagen—by showing up in her frilly, feminine puff-sleeve dresses. Vidunderlig!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Scandinavian street style from 2016 to today covering everything from the basics to more nuanced details
General Definitions
1 What exactly is Scandinavian street style
Its a fashion approach from Denmark Sweden and Norway that prioritizes minimalism functionality and quality over flashy logos Think clean lines neutral colors and wellfitted basics layered for the weather It looks effortless but its actually very deliberate
2 How is it different from regular minimalist fashion
Scandinavian style is specifically rooted in practicality for a cold dark climate Its not just about looking clean its about surviving the weather in style This means a huge focus on layering weatherproof outerwear and comfortable shoes that you can actually walk in whereas minimalism can sometimes be more about the aesthetic alone
3 Did the style change a lot from 2016 to now
Yes it has evolved In 2016 it was heavily about the normcore lookvery plain grey knitwear and sleek black puffer jackets Today its more relaxed and personal We see more quiet luxury a shift from skinny jeans to wideleg trousers and a much bigger focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping
4 Is Scandi style the same as Scandichic
Yes they are used interchangeably Scandichic just refers to the specific polished highend version of street style that you see on influencers and during Fashion Week in Copenhagen
Practical Tips HowTo
5 I live in a warm climate Can I still pull off the look
Absolutely The core principle is simplicity Skip the heavy wool and layers Instead focus on the color palette simple silhouettes and highquality materials like organic cotton or light linen Its about the attitude not just the winter gear
6 What are the 5 essential items I need to start
1 A perfectly fitted pair of straightleg or wideleg trousers
2 A highquality white tshirt not too tight not