5 Street-Style Trends That Defined Copenhagen Fashion Week

With ‘Scandi style’ now firmly embedded in our fashion vocabulary, Copenhagen has become an enduring reference point for the global style set. When exactly that shift occurred is up for debate. Some trace it back to Pernille Teisbaek’s Dress Scandinavian book from 2017, while others point to Copenhagen Fashion Week’s appointment of her longtime collaborator Cecilie Thorsmark as CEO in 2018, ushering in a renewed focus on sustainability. Either way, once the fashion industry’s gaze turned towards the Danish capital, it didn’t look back.

The city’s laid-back pace is reflected in its approach to dressing, where practicality and style coexist with ease. This season proved that even the chilliest conditions can result in expression, with layers, textures and accessories used deliberately and with confidence.

When temperatures drop, outerwear takes on a starring role. At Copenhagen Fashion Week, shearling and faux-fur coats led the conversation. Seen across the city in a spectrum of colorways and silhouettes, these tactile pieces became the focal point of winter dressing, anchoring looks built on pared-back knits, relaxed denim and precise tailoring. From ankle-grazing statement coats to cropped, sculptural cuts, the appeal lay in contrast: plush textures lending richness to streamlined silhouettes.

“A faux-fur or shearling coat is the perfect way to stay fashionably warm,” says Norwegian stylist Maria Fuhre. “Its history as a luxury classic makes it inherently statement-making, yet incredibly easy to dress up or down.” That balance of impact and practicality resonated on the streets, too. Content creator Felicia Akerstrom notes: “They add texture while keeping me warm, a non-negotiable during winter in Scandinavia.” In the Nordics, warmth is never an afterthought – it’s a styling strategy.

Sunglasses were more than functional – they were central to winter dressing. Oversized frames particularly asserted themselves as a defining accessory, proving that eyewear can carry as much weight as tailoring or outerwear. They introduced structure, personality and a sense of drama to layered looks, transforming minimal outfits into deliberate statements.

“I think people love the drama of oversized glasses,” says Norwegian stylist Sunniva Hartgen. “You might assume they’re about hiding, but I see them as the opposite, a way of expressing identity. They reference everything from ’70s glamour to futurism and perhaps feel more relevant than the ultra-slim ’90s styles we’ve seen for years.” From sharply angular black frames to chunky aviators in earthy tones, oversized sunglasses became both functional and expressive, demonstrating that the right accessory can define a look with minimal effort, proving that impact need not rely on excess.

Midi skirts made a decisive return this season, reframing winter dressing through a softer more expressive lens. Traditionally reserved for warmer months, the silhouette was repurposed for colder temperatures, layered with intention, and worn as a counterpoint to the oversized tailoring and androgynous shapes that dominate Copenhagen’s streets. “Trousers have always been my go-to,” says German fashion influencer Laura Schulte. “I never really liked myself in midi skirts, but now I do. I don’t have an explanation; I’m just going with what feels right.” Her change of heart reflects a broader mood on the streets, where instinct and ease outweigh rigid styling rules.

Leather styles brought a subtle edge, while pleated neutrals and tartan patterns added texture and visual interest. Worn with chunky knits, tailored coats or statement boots, the midi skirt proved itself a versatile cornerstone of winter dressing, championing the ever so Nordic design ideal of form and function.