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How would you describe the Scandinavian style in three words? I would choose the words minimalist, modern, and clean. These characteristics seem to have made it so popular in recent years. I first became familiar with the Scandinavian style when I learned about the capsule wardrobe concept, which appears to share a common ground. The idea of ‘less is more’ and that the items in your wardrobe should be functional and aesthetic is deeply rooted in the Nordic style perception.
In this blog post, you will find the main style tips for Scandi-chic and some of the most stylish Nordic women who constantly inspire me.
Minimalist Aesthetic
One of the first things you’ll notice in the Scandinavian style is its minimalist aesthetics. Nordic women usually wear items with clean and simple designs, and romantic details such as ruffles or embroidery are generally replaced with a soft, flowy fabric.
Muted and Neutral Color Palette
The Scandi wardrobe mainly contains muted and neutral color palette. These colors fit the cold grey and coastal climate common to all Scandinavian countries. The neutral color scheme helps keep your outfit minimal, even when you dress in layers in the cold weather. Creating a monochromatic or tonal look is a popular Scandi-style tip, allowing you to create a clean, modern look.
Comfort and Functionality
The cold climate of the Nordic countries dictates much of the Scandi style, and functionality is one of its key features. There’s a high standard for the quality and practicality of the pieces. Therefore, each item must serve a purpose. Comfort will usually overcome aesthetics, and items such as flat shoes, including sneakers, can be the common choice even for formal events or night-out dates.
Androgynous design
Nordic countries are well known for gender equality and inclusivity. Therefore, the choice to design gender-neutral items is not surprising. Scandi style is expressed by less feminine silhouettes that both sexes can wear. This reflects another aspect of comfort and functionality. Items in an androgynous design include an oversized blazer or straight-leg jeans.
Going Oversized
When considering androgynous design, an oversized silhouette is one of its most famous expressions. Scandinavian street style is packed with items such as a boyfriend shirt, slouchy trousers, and an oversized coat. However, to add a feminine touch, Nordic women usually balance their looks by showing their waist, mixing fitted items with an oversized piece, or adding accessories like jewelry or shoes with heels.
Elevated Basics
Since the Scandinavian style is very minimalistic, there is a great emphasis on high-quality basics, sometimes with a twist. This can include unique cuts and shapes like an asymmetric tank top. When looking for a high-quality basic, it’s important to check the fabric’s composition and stitching. Elevated basics can help you create a minimalist, clean, modern look.
What About Accessories?
As you probably noticed from the beautiful Scandi muses, accessories are essential to Scandi chic. Nordic women usually wear only a few pieces of jewelry or none to keep the look clean. Other accessories like shoes and bags will usually be in a neutral color. You can find statement pieces such as sunglasses, bags, or jewelry in a contemporary design to keep the style modern. The minimalist outfit makes the accessories stand out, especially with a pop of color. The overall look is simple and not too busy.
Fashion Brands With Scandi Chic
Several fashion brands stand out in their Scandinavian-inspired style:
a. Arket – Arket provides Scandi minimalist chic for men, women, and children. Their design is clean and modern, and they use high-quality and sustainable fabrics.
b. TOTEME – TOTEME is a Swedish brand for women, selling more premium products. Prices are accordingly, and their design is minimalist, modern, and practical. Many of their items can be found second-hand in Vestiaire Collective and eBay.
c. Anine Bing – This is another high-end brand incorporating a Scandinavian design with an American rock-n’-roll twist. Like TOTEME, you can find many of their items second-hand on the websites I’ve mentioned.
Looking at my wardrobe, I cannot say it is entirely inspired by Scandi chic. However, I do use some of its principles. These include the oversized style, the elevated basics, and the neutral color palette. Similarly, you can incorporate the Scandi-style principles that resonate with your style and lifestyle.
Which Scandi chic principles would fit into your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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