The Fashion Memo

5 Street-Style Trends That Defined Copenhagen Fashion Week

From chic headwear and statement fringing to elevated takes on the ‘coastal grandmother’ aesthetic, these are the trends that defined street-style dressing at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Words Sophie AxonFashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion
Vibrant blue hues are having a Scandi moment, bringing a jolt of color to the cool-girl wardrobe

Copenhagen Fashion Week turned 20 this year and marked the milestone with festivities across the Danish capital. Between runway shows, harbor swims and leisurely bike rides, the local (and global) fashion crowd showed up in chic, feel-good outfits that reflected the celebratory mood – and not even a drizzle of rain could dampen their spirits. Practicality might be vital in the Danish summertime, but as tastemakers proved, it need not come at the expense of personality. This season, that balance played out through relaxed and playful proportions, expressive pops of color and tactile textures. From the sway of fringing to the romanticism of coastal dressing and the polished ease of Bermuda shorts, Copenhagen’s streets offered a fresh take on Scandinavian style – proving once again that the region sits on fertile grounds for experimentation, where fashion becomes a second skin.

Ocean blues

Blue continued its momentum as one of the season’s defining shades, moving beyond subtle accents into more sultry statements. Echoing everything from Tiffany & Co’s sweet signature hue, the velvety tones of Yves Klein paintings and the aquatic glow of Copenhagen’s canals, the color reflected a wider appetite for dopamine dressing. “We’ve seen sea blue become increasingly popular over the past few seasons,” says Danish fashion editor Sille Henning. “It’s an accessible shade because it complements many complexions and works beautifully with everything from neutrals to monochrome and color-blocking, too.”

Saturating everything from fluid jersey T-shirts and retro gym shorts to statement scarves and clutch bags, the color injected energy into otherwise minimalist outfits. “Various shades of blue tap into the never-ending nostalgia for the late ’90s and early 2000s,” says Danish stylist and fashion editor Denis Bjerregaard. “They bring a sense of playfulness while still feeling easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.” For the color-shy, a single blue accessory such as Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s ‘Opera’ wedge sandals can offer an effortless entry point, while those embracing a bolder approach can turn to tonal dressing and full-look statements with standout pieces by Studio Nicholson and Rier.

  • STUDIO NICHOLSON
    Callen knitted cardigan
    $670.00
    Select a Size
    4
    6 - low stock
    8
    10
    12 - low stock
    14 - low stock
  • MARYAM NASSIR ZADEH
    70 Opera leather wedge sandals
    $580.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    37
    38 - low stock
    39
    40
    41 - low stock
    42
  • RIER
    Wool-fleece midi dress
    $1,115.00
    Select a Size
    xx small
    x small - low stock
    small
    medium
    large - out of stock
  • CELINE EYEWEAR
    Triomphe mini oval-frame acetate sunglasses
    $450.00

Headwear heroes

Summer in Scandinavia means it’s time to have fun with accessories – and this season, headwear took the top spot, stepping forward as one of the week’s most expressive finishing touches. “I love how headwear can really elevate a look while also balancing a more simplistic outfit,” says British designer Charlotte Illidge. “It’s even better for messy-hair days and the changeable weather.”

Structured baseball caps, petite pillbox hats (see Gigi Burris’s ‘Laura’ style in summery beige raffia) and vintage-inspired bandanas detailed with abstract prints, embroidery and lace, appeared across the city. Rather than being purely functional, headwear became a form of self-expression, proving that within a minimalist or maximalist wardrobe, subtle details can often create the strongest impact. Add personality to pared-back weekend looks with Chloé’s cornflower-blue silk scarf, either tied around your head or a loose ponytail.

  • GUCCI
    Flora floral-print silk-twill scarf
    $390.00
  • GIGI BURRIS
    Laura woven raffia pillbox hat
    $410.00
  • CHLOÉ
    Lace-trimmed silk scarf
    $550.00
  • LES VACANCES D'IRINA
    Sailor grosgrain-trimmed cotton sailor hat
    $280.00
Hats and head scarves emerged as the season’s defining accessories, adding a considered finishing touch to every look
Polished Bermuda shorts are the season’s most effortlessly chic separate

Bermuda shorts

It’s no secret that Bermudas are this summer’s shortcut to chic (pun intended). On the streets of Copenhagen, they were reimagined in sharper cuts and refined proportions, emerging as one of the season’s most polished silhouettes. “Bermudas balance a relaxed, effortless feel with a more tailored quality and silhouette,” says Norwegian creative Annabel Rosendahl. “They’re a versatile piece and make an outfit feel modern.” A cooler alternative to pants in summer, the knee-grazing style reflects a wider movement towards blurring the lines between ease and sophistication in a way that feels inherently Scandinavian.

Across the city, tailored Bermudas carried a subtle elegance, while washed denim and soft cargo iterations introduced a relaxed yet elegant sensibility that is perfect for summer days and nights. Wear Co’s wide-leg pleated shorts for the office, worn with a half-tucked shirt and thong sandals, or reach for Khaite’s indigo denim style with a silk cami for an alfresco dinner.

  • AFLALO
    Auden lace-trimmed silk-satin shorts
    $900.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small
    medium - low stock
    large - low stock
  • KHAITE
    Kinga mid-rise straight-leg shorts
    $600.00
    Select a Size
    24 - out of stock
    25
    26
    27
    28
    29
    30
    31
    32
  • CO
    Pleated woven wide-leg pants
    $795.00
    Select a Size
    0 - low stock
    2 - low stock
    4 - low stock
    6 - low stock
    8
    10 - low stock
    12
  • THE ROW
    Emiliano cotton-poplin shorts
    $950.00
    Select a Size
    0
    2
    4
    6 - low stock
    8
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock

Statement fringing

After seasons dominated by the quiet restraint that is often associated with Scandinavian style, playful fringing appeared in abundance on everything from clutches to fluid midi skirts. “Fashion has felt quite controlled for a while – and I think people are ready for something with a bit more emotion again,” says Norwegian stylist and creative director Sunniva Hartgen. “Fringing is an easy way to introduce movement without compromising a clean Scandinavian silhouette.” For an entry point into the trend, try a fringed bag tucked nonchalantly under your arm (Khaite’s ‘Lotus’ tote and Valentino Garavani’s studded ‘Nellcote’ messenger bag are our top picks), or a tasseled scarf tied around the waist. Our top tip? Choose an accessory in a contrasting color to the rest of your outfit to make it pop.

  • LE SUNDIAL
    The Opera fringed silk scarf
    $795.00
  • SHARON WAUCHOB
    Katia fringed satin-twill midi dress
    $1,780.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    42
  • KHAITE
    Lotus fringed leather tote
    $3,100.00
  • ALAÏA
    Knitted fringed midi skirt
    $3,020.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36 - out of stock
    38
    40 - low stock
    42
Fringing is the detail poised to take center stage, adding movement and a touch of bohemian polish to summer looks
Whimsy is woven into the coastal-charm trend, bringing a playful sensibility to breezy summer dressing

Coastal charm

Beyond its social media origins, the ‘coastal grandmother’ aesthetic speaks to a broader desire for clothes that are rooted in nostalgia, comfort and the natural world – without compromising on elegance. “The trend embodies timeless silhouettes, beautiful textures and investment pieces that feel effortless rather than over-styled,” says Amsterdam-based influencer and designer Hollie Mercedes Peters, pictured here in a scalloped sun-washed pink midi dress by Skall for the brand’s spring/summer ’26 presentation. Billowing smock dresses, folksy lace skirts and ruffled blouses brought a sense of romance to Copenhagen’s streets, reinforcing the enduring appeal of homespun details and vintage-inspired silhouettes. A midi dress by Dôen or Erdem is an effortless way to embrace the look on weekends (just add raffia accessories) while Róhe’s lace skirt from NET-A-PORTER’s exclusive edit looks chic paired with an oversized shirt and thong sandals for the office.

  • CHLOÉ
    Gathered silk-georgette mini dress
    $4,090.00
    Select a Size
    34
    36 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    42
  • DÔEN
    Sorina tiered embroidered floral-print organic cotton midi dress
    $400.00
    Select a Size
    xx small
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large
    xx large
  • ZIMMERMANN
    Valiant lace-trimmed chiffon blouse
    $850.00
    Select a Size
    00 - low stock
    0
    1
    2 - low stock
    3
    4
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Cropped ruffled lace-trimmed cotton-poplin straight-leg pants
    $2,800.00
    Select a Size
    34
    36
    38
    40
    42

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