Why the Scandinavian style makes you look good
And this is how you wear it
As a 19-year-old girl, I wandered somewhat lost through my new hometown Maastricht. My first year at the Theater Academy had just begun, and all the classes and fellow students were quite overwhelming. So I would take a walk through the city center daily to clear my head and let go of all the tension from yet another intense class or heavy dramaturgy session. And then, somewhere in a back alley, I stumbled upon ‘Stijl Maastricht’ and it was love at first sight: a cute little shop completely filled with Scandinavian designs. Until then, I had always been more into trinkets and flashy things, but with this find, my wardrobe underwent a complete makeover: minimalist styles made from the most beautiful and high-quality fabrics. Everything is super wearable, and because of the often oversized fit, I felt liberated from all the discomforts that often come with a ‘high-fashion outfit’. Also a nice bonus: many items are timeless and can grace your closet for years.
From then on, I would pop in every week to see if new items had arrived. My entire student allowance went on that one must-have jacket or that to-die-for dress. Unfortunately, this delightful candy store no longer exists, but since then, my love for Scandinavian designs has only grown.
The biggest rule in Scandinavian fashion: don’t overdo it! Go for a beautiful dress with a busy print, but keep accessories and makeup as basic as possible. Or go for a little black dress in a Scandinavian style and finish it off with a statement necklace and heels. Now, this fashion from the ‘high north’ has already been quite integrated into the Dutch street scene, and brands like Modström and Ganni are available in every Scandinavian-oriented store, but I would like to introduce you to my, for the general public, somewhat lesser-known favorite brands.
1. Résumé: for this brand from Copenhagen, you should go for cool fashion statements made from wonderfully soft fabrics. This beautiful dress is super comfy, and I'm immediately prepared for a last-minute event or dinner.
2. Iben: My latest discovery is this brand from Norway. Clean designs inspired by vintage items and distant travels. I love their beautiful, luxurious knits and wearable designs.
3. Storm & Marie: whenever their lookbook lands on my doormat, I always get greedy right away. If you, like me, love sets, then Storm & Marie is really something for you: shirts, dresses, and pants in the same print that you can mix and match.
4. By Malene Birger: this brand is one of the pioneers in Scandinavian fashion for me. For years, they have amazed me with their always strong collections, consisting of luxurious fabrics and amazing designs. Here I score my most distinctive items.
5. Rodebjer: this Swedish high-end brand designs unique eye-catchers that you will keep in your closet for a long time. I am a huge fan of their oversized shapes and unique designs.
