St Andrews Loves Scandi Style
Known for its fashion forward approach and effortless elegance, the Nordic region has long been one of the quiet powerhouses of the global style world. “Scandi style,” is not just one single look but a spectrum. Across cities like Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, it moves between androgynous layers, sculpted feminine silhouettes, clean minimalism and decisive bursts of colour. Scandinavian fashion teaches the art of dressing perfectly imperfect. It is polished yet nonchalant, structured yet soft, unfussy yet thoughtful.
Although these descriptions seem contradictory, Scandinavian style is built on repeatable outfit formulas. It is understandable, adaptable and shaped by real life. In a time when Vogue Scandinavia fills up moodboards with constant inspiration, it felt right to create a Scandi guide for the colder months.
Personally, I (ZB) love following Scandinavian fashion resources, especially those that shape how the region sees itself. Yada Yada, hosted by Fanny Ekstrand and Elin Kling, is the podcast that convinced me to start learning Swedish. After many hours spent on language apps, and many more mispronouncing simple words, I can now understand their view on polished, preppy, designer-brushed dressing. I still butcher my sentences every time I attempt to speak, but I know enough to appreciate when they describe a perfect kjol (skirt) or knit with that unique Scandinavian precision.
Then there is Plaza Magazine, one of Sweden’s most beautifully curated print titles. Its pages walk the line between editorial minimalism and cinematic storytelling, capturing the modern Scandinavian woman with clarity, discipline, and quiet glamour. These voices shape the framework that makes Scandi style feel so instinctive.
Stockholm Style
Stockholm fashion is my personal weakness. It is the aesthetic that made me fall back in love with flared denim after years of refusing to wear jeans. When polished comfort became essential, I slowly began to trade my trademark miniskirt for a well cut flare, especially on mornings when a 9 am tutorial requires choosing an outfit before I have even had my cappuccino. The silhouette remains a staple regardless of what the rest of the world decides is trending. Proportion is treated like instinct. Long trenches, statement coats, low rise bootcuts, soft scarves tied with intention and white denim worn confidently throughout the year define the look.
The palette stays close to neutral, but colour appears with precision rather than impulse. Pops of colour are used to elevate the everyday, which is something I adore.
To put the look into simple terms, the Stockholm formula often includes:
Low rise bootcut or flared jeans.
A blouse or jumper chosen carefully, often with subtle feminine details.
A tailored coat, a Herno style puffer or a long trench.
A vintage leaning bag, whether it is a classic LV or a Balenciaga City. Perhaps a Stella McCartney Falabella.
A tonal knit or scarf for balance.
Metal accents that catch the light. On my most recent trip, I saw a lot of Maria Nilsdotter jewellery, which is one of my favourite Scandinavian jewellers.
Footwear includes heeled boots to a range of sneakers. And, to my genuine relief, the Valentino Rockstud sneakers are still worn proudly. I bought a bright pink pair years ago in a moment of pure impulse, convinced they were the future of footwear. In London they feel like a fashion relic, but in Stockholm they suddenly make sense again.
2. Copenhagen style
Like much of Scandinavia, St Andrews is famously unpredictable in its weather, with one moment being drenched in the rain, and the next glowing in the rare pockets of Scottish sun. It’s precisely this that makes Copenhagen style so irresistible to our uni students wandering our cobblestone streets. Long celebrated as the Scandinavian capital of effortless chic, Copenhagen has perfected the art of layering: a playful, practical, and endlessly creative approach to dressing that feels tailor-made for life in St Andrews.
At its core, Copenhagen style thrives on unexpected pairings. Think thoughtfully oversized silhouettes combined with sharp tailoring, or colour combinations that shouldn’t work but somehow absolutely do. Textures play off one another—soft knits, crisp cottons, slinky satins—creating outfits that feel fresh with every movement. Baggy, low-rise jeans meet patterned tops and architectural sweaters, a uniform for the fashion-minded scandi girl who plans her outfits with deliberation from head to toe.
Accessories, too, make a statement. Silk headscarves tied just so, whimsical crochet or macrame bonnets, structured hats, and playful headpieces all offer easy ways to inject depth and personality. Even simple styling tricks like wrapping a scarf around denim as a makeshift belt or draping lace and mesh ponchos over an otherwise basic tee instantly elevate a look into Copenhagen territory.
In a place like St Andrews, where every street doubles as a runway and personal style becomes a kind of daily performance, Copenhagen dressing feels like the perfect aesthetic to emulate. It’s function yet expressive, polished yet spontaneous, and ensures that no matter the weather, your outfit remains the most consistent part of your day.
3. Oslo/Norway style
There’s a quiet confidence that hums through the streets of Oslo. It’s not loud, it doesn’t shout trends, and it certainly doesn’t chase them. Instead, Norwegian style is all about restraint, balance, and harmony.
Walk through Grunerlokka or Aker Brygge, and you’ll notice the defining trait of Oslo fashion: minimalism with a twist. Tailored wool coats drape effortlessly over neutral knits, structured trousers meets practical boots, and every piece feels intentional. It’s Scandinavian minimalism but Norwegians infuse it with warmth: soft textures, earthy tones, and subtle contrasts that hint at personality.
Norwegians are masters at merging fashion with function, a trait admired by St Andrews fashionistas. A shearling-lined parka isn’t just an accessory, it’s armor against the northern chill. Think Norwegian Rain’s sculptural waterproof coats or Amundsen Sports’ heritage-inspired outerwear. Each piece balances utility with elegance, speaking to a lifestyle where hiking a mountain and sipping a cortado exist in the same day.
In Oslo, like St Andrews, the concept of “practical beauty” runs deep. It’s why we invest in garments that last; timeless silhouettes, natural fibers, and craftsmanship that outlives seasons.
Oslo street style is an exercise in understatement. You’ll find slouchy beanies paired with oversized coats, chunky boots grounding fluid skirts, and monochrome layers broken up by one bold statement — a scarlet bag, a cobalt scarf, a flash of silver jewelry. It’s polished yet lived-in. The look says: “I care, but not too much.”
There’s also a gender-fluid ease to Norwegian fashion. Silhouettes blur lines; men wear soft tailoring, women embrace androgynous cuts. It’s fashion that reflects a progressive society, egalitarian, inclusive, and subtly rebellious against old norms.
4. Monochrome Scandi Style
Tonal dressing is the Scandinavian secret that makes everything look deliberate. Moreover, sticking to one colour family creates structure. Ivory with cream, black with charcoal, or my favourite way of colour blocking, navy with a pop of colour. Even on the greyest morning in St Andrews, tonal dressing brings clarity. It is the secret code to looking put together under any circumstance.
My monochrome formula:
• One colour family or pairing a neutral with a pop of colour
• Knit or blazer
• Tailored trousers or a tonal skirt
• A contrasting texture such as silk with wool
• Sleek flats or ankle boots
A Guide To Essentially Scandi Labels
To build a true Scandinavian inspired wardrobe, these labels are my favourite:
Acne Studios
The heart of Scandinavian cool. Clean tailoring, standout knits and crisp modern colour.
& Other Stories
Soft, feminine and polished. Perfect for everyday pieces with a quiet personality.
H&M
A honourable mention as it is quite frankly one of the only shops here in St Andrews. The Swedish answer to Zara, essential for well cut basics and knitwear that create the foundation of any look.
Studio Nicholson
Architectural silhouettes and refined proportions. A master of elevated minimalism.
Ganni
Playful Copenhagen energy. Bold colour, volume and prints for those who want personality in their outfits.
Rodebjer
Relaxed elegance. Flowing cuts and warm palettes that balance comfort with clarity.
By Malene Birger
Sophisticated minimalism with luxurious fabrics and precise lines.
Scandinavian style is fashion shaped by feeling. It is about texture, light, clarity and instinct. It is dressing with ease and intention. For a town like St Andrews, where wind, rain and cobblestones demand practicality, it is the perfect aesthetic to borrow from.
Whether you prefer Stockholm’s cool minimalism, Copenhagen’s playful confidence or the monochrome formulas that make early lectures easier, Scandinavian style is a way of dressing that understands the basics of curation, movement and personality.
Photography by Charlotte El Hage