What is Scandinavian Fashion? (And Why is it Important?)

Acne Studios (Sweden) Pre-Fall 2017 Collection. Image Source (Vogue.com)

There are times when silence has the loudest voice. On the surface, the subdued nature of many Scandinavian fashion brands may appear to equate to silence, a certain contentment of remaining in the background. However, it is this intentional lack of noise in Scandinavian fashion that somewhat ironically makes it stand apart from its European counterparts. Scandinavian fashion is often wrongly equated to with minimalism, and while the minimalist movement in fashion may have originated in Scandinavia, I struggle to call Scandinavian fashion minimal, because of it's unique identifiability. Many Scandinavian brands have defined their aesthetic through the cut, color and drape of their garments, instead of logos and branding, thus resulting in an aesthetic that speaks just as loudly as maximalist brands stemming from countries such as Italy and Japan; but without the words. Trying to define the physical components that make up a region's style of dress is a difficult task, as within a region there is a incredible amount of variation. Therefore, my definition is nowhere near concrete, rather it should serve as a rough outline of the Scandinavian fashion.

It's only fitting that an overview of Scandinavian fashion begins from the bottom, with footwear. Footwear in Scandinavia is an accurate representation of the overall Scandinavian fashion aesthetic, because they generally wear subdued shoes, but with a little twist. Scandinavian brands generally stick to standard colors (Black, White and Brown) when making shoes, however they usually will alter the silhouette slightly, to create an eye-catching piece of footwear. For example, Acne Studios, (arguably the most influential brand fro Scandinavia) released their Rockaway sneaker in subdued black, white, tan and pink colorways. However, they are an incredibly identifiable and unique sneaker because of the massive proportions and paneling utilized on the sneaker. Scandinavian brands will also highlight styles of footwear that have fallen out of the limelight in popular culture. CMMN SWDN (a menswear brand from Sweden) created a beautiful pair of brown bowling shoes instead of the traditional derby, and Acne Studios released loafers and mules with large heels; effectively combining more casual silhouettes with luxurious elements to create a unique, Scandinavian aesthetic.

Pictured: Acne Studios Penny Loafer, CMMN SWDN Biron Bowling Shoes, Acne Studios Rockaway Sneaker. (Images Sourced from: www.marienela.net, www.Farfetch.com, www.Acnestudios.com

Trousers and jeans are in a way, a sacred practice for many Scandinavian clothing brands. Acne Studios made their name through their production of denim, HOPE Sthlm has become synonymous with their oversized, flowing unisex pants, brands such as Wood Wood and Han Kobenhavn have pushed the workwear silhouette to the frontier of modern fashion and Heliot Emil has brought danish tech-wear to the mainstream market. While Scandinavian pants vary greatly, there is a thread connecting every style, and that is an intangible sense of Scandinavian relaxation and playfulness.

Pictured are Hope Beige Wide Trousers, Wood Wood Relaxed Pants, and Acne Studios Oversized Jeans. Image Sources: https://hope-sthlm.com/eu/ https://www.woodwood.com/category/men/trousers-and-shorts, https://www.acnestudios.com/au/en/oversized-jeans-mid-blue/BK0026-863.html

A large portion of the Scandinavian aesthetic has been born out of necessity, due to the generally cold climate. Consequently, many staple Scandinavian tops have naturally become knitwear and outerwear. Most Scandinavian tops are slightly oversized, feature an autumnal color palate and minimal branding. Acne Studios has become world renowned for their luscious wool overcoats in camel and shades of tan. However, Scandinavian style is not defined by the winter months. Military inspired overshirts, and colorful revere collared printed summer shirts; popularized by Swedish label Our Legacy, can be seen in the streets of Copenhagen and Stockholm during the warmer months. Additionally, danish designer Henrik Vibskov has perfected the Danish summer dress through his interpretation of a relaxed, rural Danish woman. Vibskov blends loud prints with long cut dresses and skirts that float above the floor to create an elegant, graceful and modern look.

Pictured are Our Legacy Crossing The Seven Seas Shirt, Henrik Vibskov dress and Acne Studios Camel Overcoat. Image sources: Www.mrporter.com, www.vogue.com, www.acnestudios.com

Even with an understanding of the elements that make Scandinavian fashion what it is, one has to ask themselves, why does their manner of dress matter? Why would I want to imitate their style? Personally, I believe Scandinavian fashion represents much more than clothes, rather it is symbolic of set of beliefs. For example, many Scandinavian brands have evolved into creating androgynous clothing, that is clothing without a defined gender. The lack of gender definition in their clothing reflects the open mindedness that makes Scandinavian countries so special. People should feel comfortable wearing what they want to wear, loving who they want to love, and living their life in the manner they want to live, and I believe that in times when beliefs and lifestyles are contented, one can find solace and self expression in the clothes that they wear. Therefore, to me Scandinavian fashion not only represents an aesthetically pleasing way to dress, but also inclusivity, contentment and comfort. That is why it's important.