Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Oslo Runway—an annual three-day event designed to showcase Norway’s most exciting and talented designers and their latest collections. As I’m a longtime admirer of Scandi style and design, the trip was all the more thrilling to take. Not only did I discover some of the coolest Norwegian brands on the fashion scene, but I also got to explore a city that has been on my bucket list for quite some time.
I was only in Oslo for four days in total, and three of the days during Oslo Runway were jam-packed with runway shows, presentations, pop-ups, and press dinners. Since I was only planning to take a carry-on, my aim was to pack strategically with versatile pieces that were fashion-forward and could easily work for both day and night. I leaned toward a more minimalist aesthetic (I was in Scandinavia, after all!) and armed myself with a small number of sleek and versatile accessories that I could repeat with all my outfits.
Since I’ve never packed better for a big trip, I wanted to document my packing success and share all the pieces I brought along with me that were not only perfect for the fashion-week whirlwind but also fit the bill for the cool, walkable Scandi city, where layers and comfy footwear are a must.
Day 1
On the first afternoon, I had an early evening press dinner followed by a lineup of runway shows featuring cool emerging talent that were within walking distance from the very trendy Hotel Revier, where I was staying. I opted for an effortless Scandi outfit formula—a maxi skirt paired with a relaxed button-down. The accessories here are essential to amp up the easy outfit. I styled the look with chunky toe-ring sandals, layered pearl necklaces, and a textured woven bag to add dimension to the whole look.
For the evening, I did a quick change for the Oslo Runway x Vogue Scandinavia opening party and award ceremony—a seriously cool event packed full of stylish Norwegian influencers, designers, editors, and stylists. Since this event was a little more dressy, I opted for a sleek white maxi skirt, an of-the-moment black tube top, a vintage Fendi baguette bag, and black and silver accessories to accent the look. Small heels were the ideal finishing touch.
Day 2
Day two was a busy one—bustling from runway shows to a chic lunch to presentations and evening cocktails. Since it was much cooler and pouring with rain, I layered a sleeveless knit cashmere vest in this season's fiery color trend (a vintage find from The RealReal) over a white tank and styled them with fashion-forward low-rise relaxed jeans, accented with a classic black belt. A vintage silk Celine scarf tied around my Coach bag added some flair. I stuck with flat sandals, which was a great idea since we did a lot of walking (although I think Wellington boots would have been a better bet). Not pictured was my floor-length trench coat. I also brought a versatile beige blazer for extra layering.
Day 3
On the third and last day, I opted for a minimalist-chic ensemble perfect for seeing the ever-so-elegant runway show by Atelier Hinode, one of my favorite up-and-coming Norwegian brands. The black-and-white outfit was ideal to take me into the evening in style, especially as there were a lot of events happening that night. I cannot recommend these low-rise white pants from Aritzia more. They look so expensive and drape beautifully. A black '90s ribbed tank from Zara and polished black accessories (repeated from the last few days, of course) completed the look.
Oslo Packing Tips
Here are a couple of tips for packing for Oslo. Bring plenty of layers and a trench or waterproof jacket. The weather was pretty unpredictable, with heavy rain one day and sunny 75-degree weather the next, so it's best to be prepared. Comfortable shoes are a must. From what I observed, most Oslofolk ground their outfits in practicality, which ooze a laid-back cool. Chunky sneakers are unquestionably the footwear of choice in the city—whether styled with an easy flowy dress or a chic miniskirt. While Scandi style certainly errs on the minimal side, don't be afraid to have some fun with color. Bubblegum pink was definitely the color I spotted the most. And don't forget a wool sweater. Norway's heritage is deeply rooted in the production of wool, and you'll see the coolest fashion people styling a wool sweater with everything from miniskirts to maxi skirts and flowy trousers.
