I Tried Dressing Like a Scandi Girl for Winter—Here's What Happened

Back in July, I spent a week re-creating the sultry stylings of my favourite French fashion bloggers—their flighty slips, cool-girl cardigans and baguette bags seemed to chime with the trends that were proliferating at the time, offering just the right amount of laid-back polish that we all craved. Their pairings were also a perfect match for the fluctuating heatwave that dominated the summer months.

Sadly, summer is now a distant memory and we're deep into the winter chill. With temperatures plummeting by the day, a new source of style inspiration is very much needed. For me, there's no one that does cold-weather dressing quite like the Scandi girls. Obviously, their climate lends itself to cosy knits and chic layering, but there's also something about the style of their new fashion entourage that feels so joyful, distinctive and undeniably current.

Historically, the Scandi-girl look was all about minimalistic separates and neutral hues, and while there are plenty of influencers who still stick to the paired-back party line (think Tine Andrea, Sylvie Mus and Pernille Teisbaek), the general consensus for 2019 seems to be "more is more." But this is not your average OTT maximalism—the new Scandi-girl 2.0 look is considered and focuses more on unusual combinations and textures rather than garish logos or gratuitous statements.

Faced with the challenge of re-creating the outfits of four stylish Scandi girls, I decided to pick the motifs that I feel are most synonymous with their personal brand of dressing. While some looks were out of my comfort zone (I'm looking at you chunky trainers and dresses), there was something very liberating about embracing the whimsical pairings of Emili Sindlev and Nnenna Echem. It's the perfect antidote to the beige-tinged minimalism that has been so popular this year, and I'll definitely be incorporating more Scandi spirit into my winter wardrobe. Watch this space. Scroll down to see and shop my full edit of Scandi-girl winter outfits.

1. The Print Clash Separates

Style Notes: I confess that I am totally invested in the sweater vest trend, but print clashing is not usually in my wardrobe oeuvre. The sweater vest's layering powers does, however, made it easier to recreate Emili Sindlev's look. I paired Mango's yellow and blue buy with my Baum und Pferdgarten checked trousers and a pair of Adidas trainers. Definitely a fun one to try for the weekend.

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2. The Statement Coat

Style Notes: The statement coat has got to be one of the Scandi girls' key calling cards, and can manifest in vibrant prints, oversized silhouettes and unusual fabrics. The fluffy collar, however, is definitely their go-to coat trends. This Charlotte Simone number is simply divine with its faux suede finish and frou frou collar and cuffs. While the Scandi girl would wear this with colourful separates, I would personally use it to elevate my wardrobe basics. 

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3. The Colour Pop Suit

Style Notes: Tailoring in the hands of a Scandi girl is anything but boring. Corporate undertones are banished in favour of paint box brights and fun accessories. Brogger is the Scandi tailoring brand to look out for and this cord suit is a super-flattering fit and offers just a hint of colour-clash via its pink panels. I've finished the look with an old H&M faux fur scarf, but you can shop a similar piece below. 

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4. The Midi Dress + Chunky Knit 

Style Notes: While I am all for a midi dress-and-knit look, I've never felt like I can pull off the addition of chunky trainers. However, in the spirit of the Scandi girl, it felt only right that I try their favourite styling hack. I've turned to my vintage fair isle jumper, Lee Mathews' pretty midi dress and Adidas trainers to recreate the look, and you know what? I might just be a trainer convert. 

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Up Next: 8 Easy Outfits Every Fashion Girl Should Try This Winter