6 Trends from the Streets of Copenhagen to Embrace this Aussie Summer

Most of us have seen the groundswell of glittering content from the recently-held Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW). The five-day program was a hive of extremely good-looking and confidence-oozing individuals who graced various offsite events and onsite runways the height of Danish style. 

But it was actually through cosplaying a Scandi local that I truly observed and documented the authentic ‘Copenhagen cool’ fashion codes — from flitting between highly-recommended wine bars (think Pompette, Apollo, Villette), to wholly embracing the cycling life, to unwinding at local swimming spots and window shopping my way to an imaginary dream home. 

During CPHFW, my Australian writer friends and I dissected the ultra-chic wardrobing of yet another polished girlie sitting across from us at the bar. Honestly, it was hard to spot someone who wasn’t dressed well. To gain a faraway perspective on this, I urge you to follow the documentative, people-watching fantasy Instagram page that is @copenhagenfrow.

Every passerby, barista, or retail assistant was mesmerisingly nonchalant, radiating transcendental charm and some uncanny breed of allure. It’s like the Danes are all in attendance at one giant secret ‘style training’ school, or they’re born with great taste. I couldn’t help but take copious field notes on these hyper-suave humans in the wild, in the hopes of forecasting some of the wonderful fashion we’ll be seeing on our home soil very shortly.  

Here are some of the most prolific outfitting nuances witnessed in (and around) the Copenhagen Fashion Week fanfare, as told by a Melburnian who hopes to adopt (or at least emulate) them for the season’s turn to come. 

This might not be groundbreaking news, but figure-fitting, very-cropped little Capris are coming back in a big way according to the Danes. I clocked women strutting down the street in ballet flats and little jodhpur-esque pants, bewilderingly put-together with the addition of a tank top or a thrifted ‘nightie’-like singlet, some sunnies, and post-cycling tousled hair. I pondered, “How the hell does one look good in these?”, but there they were.

Abandon all other footwear and reject the pressure to pop a tiny heel on with your more dressy attire. Thongs are not only acceptable now, they are the height of coolness. Cast your mind back to selecting a new pair of Havaianas each Aussie summer for school swimming — it was a rite of passage. Now, owning a pair in 2024 will see you stepping into one of global fashion’s biggest status symbols. We were audibly laughing at the never-ending sightings of sophisticated locals donning the mighty flip-flops, but the secret to getting them right seemed to be in the thick-banded selection and choosing the most bright colours imaginable.

I noticed so much more splicing and contrast of high-occasion and low-occasion pieces in one entire outfit. At first, I was baffled, taking in tailored sets paired with aforementioned Havaianas (to attend a beautiful dinner or the office), but then, I was in awe. It was further showcased in the tactically jarring assortment of ‘nice’ dresses with clog-ish Crocs, or frilly Damson Madder tops with baggy, ripped denim bottoms. There’s something about playing with garments and accessories in unexpected combinations that can keep a wardrobe fresh and alive. Expect the unexpected!

According to my Danish-Australian friend (who was my unofficial tour guide), the skirt-atop-pants or dress-over-pants or skirt-on-skirt layering we have seen growing in Melbourne style (aka Maggie Zhou and this infamous look) originated in Copenhagen. Interestingly, it comes from necessity rather than innovation. Basically, with every 20-something girl riding a bike around every single day, limitations on what to wear can arise. For example, a mini skirt is difficult to navigate on a stop-and-start bike trip. I noticed so many stylish people donning these ‘overlay’ looks and thought it was the perfect balance of functionality and creativity. What a clever way to make what’s old feel new again from your closet.

Vintage belts with copious studding, hefty jewels, and big, gaudy scrunchies or tiny, lurid handbags are the way to accentuate a base wardrobe. Low socks were out, and tall, technicolour socks reigned supreme with your running shoes or your cutesy flats. I felt out of place in my no-show socks with my Onitsuka Tiger sneakers!

Another interesting take was that Ganni (specifically handbags) felt a bit gauche in the brand’s home — I had a red Bou Bag from Paris that I somewhat had a ‘break’ from while in Copenhagen. (Don’t worry, I still adore her).

Lastly, sunglasses and spectacles were a cherry on top for a superbly zhuzhed appearance — the bigger the frames, the better, and extra points were awarded for out-there colouring.

When all else fails, I studied the unspoken Danish method of just closing your eyes and grabbing a random item from each section of your ensemble construction. I don’t genuinely believe they do this, but it’s the best way for me to explain the vibe.

For example, look away and reach for a pair of shoes (stomping boots), then do the same thing with the body of the outfit (a striped linen smock dress perhaps), outerwear (a leather jacket), and accessories, (a suede satchel). Somehow, you’ve ended up with the intriguingly random, mismatched look that seems to define the Scandi Girl style.

I saw so many thought-provoking combinations of quite mainstream pieces that allowed for individuality to shine through, and reinvention of what was once ‘old’ being ‘new’ again.