Copenhagen by by Sunny & Oliver Benborg

There is a relaxed, sophisticated, yet effortless approach to fashion within Copenhagen, which makes the style relatable and desirable to a lot of people, both nationally and internationally. The current style of Copenhagen is defined by dressing up but with the requirement of being practical. Quality over quantity is a universal law in the Scandi-chic style: Copenhageners prioritize their statement pieces, whether it is an oversized coat, designer shoes, or bags, it’s the essentials. Layering is an obligation, as you never truly know how Nordic weather will act. Darker color schemes are favored for their inherent sense of security, along with their ability to elevate the chic factor. In fact, the color black has remained the quintessential color and a timeless go-to choice. Copenhageners have cultivated an effortless look by leaving things are undone, which has become the key to achieving Copenhagen's unique style. Undone can take many forms, such as wearing oversized or slouchy pieces, intentionally leaving a few buttons undone, or layering in a slightly haphazard way. The current style is a look that feels effortless and natural, rather than overly styled or contrived.

It's difficult to specify which came first the awareness of sustainability or the demand for vintage secondhand clothing. However, they go hand in hand in Copenhagen, as the vintage scene has had a significant influence on the development of the fashion scene. The incorporation of vintage pieces into one's style has given a touch of individuality and quirkiness to the overall style of Copenhagen. Sustainability has for a long time been a commitment for Copenhagen fashion week, creating a trickle-down effect for other brands where in order to participate they have to fulfill specific requirements regarding sustainability. This being said, Copenhagen fashion week has had a remarkable impact on the style in the city. It is the largest of Scandinavian fashion weeks and is getting worldwide recognition as time goes on. This made Copenhagen a cultural distributor of fashion for Scandinavian, it is still small, but big enough for the international press to be present and for the larger shows to get global coverage. The international attention to Copenhagen as a cultural distributor was what brought the attention to Copenhagen: what really changed the fashion scene within the city was the globalization of fashion as a universal language enabled by a social media boom. Up until this point, a lot of Copenhageners were wearing what was available to them through the department- and multi-brand stores. The style in Copenhagen was, before this globalization, profoundly more dominated by a monochrome and minimalistic approach to fashion, where the style of Copenhagen was more generic, with less bold patterns, colors, and creativity. The style back then was essentially synonymous with minimalism. 

Danes have a social code referred to as ‘Janteloven’ which fundamentally refers to “we are a homogeneous unit”, and the individual should not think they are special. Trends are interpreted differently in Copenhagen than around the rest of the world. Copenhageners have a special ability to add a touch of minimalism to a trend to make their own interpretation. Either the formal-, high- or avant-garde fashion scene has been or is big, due to the ‘Jantelov’. Macro trends and social media have therefore become an indication in which direction the style is moving in, but up until this point it has not been able to dictate the style. With the rise of Gen-Z, this might change: the style of Copenhagen is determined by the youth, and for the first time the style seems to be moving in different directions. On one side, we have the more formal attire built around Scandinavian minimalism. On the other side, we have the emergence of streetwear and vintage, which has been gaining traction among the younger generation. The rise of sustainable fashion will also undoubtedly continue to be a significant factor in shaping the future of fashion in Copenhagen. As Copenhagen continues to grow as a cultural hub and the city's fashion scene becomes more diverse, it is exciting to see what the future holds for the city's style evolution. It's clear that Copenhagen's fashion scene will continue to evolve and influence the global fashion industry while staying true to its roots of minimalism and sustainability.