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Alyssa
Welcome to Sustain this, a podcast where we discuss mindful consumption, personal style, and the quest for living a more intentional life. I'm Alyssa, a sustainable stylist.
Christina
And I'm Christina, a shopaholic turned minimalist. Ish.
Sina
And I'm Sina, a color consultant and slow fashion style coach.
Alyssa
Together we will unpack the nuances of what it really means to be a conscious consumer and find more joy in what we have right now. So grab your tea, your coffee, or whatever floats your boat and join us in the conversation. Let's go.
Sina
Yay.
Alyssa
Yay.
Sina
Hello, everyone, and welcome back. Thank you so much for joining us today. We are going to talk about Scandinavian style today.
Christina
My favorite.
Sina
Yeah, it's something I've talked about on my channel a little bit a couple of times as well. And obviously being Scandinavian and living in Denmark, it's something that is very close to my heart. I love Scandinavian style. It's going to be not only my. The things that inspire me because obviously I think it's really important to just give a little disclaimer that, of course, it can look completely different based on where you are in Denmark, as with any place else in the world, people are as diverse here as they are anywhere else in the world. So this is just going to be my reflections and what I find inspiring about Scandinavian style, I do sometimes get comments like, you know, well, is it not Danish to wear more color, for example? Of course it is. You know, everyone has their unique taste and their unique style, but it's just going to be, you know, what I personally appreciate and what I think also Danes or Scandinavians are commonly known for, like, the way that they are commonly known for dressing. We went to Copenhagen earlier this year. So you guys have seen a little bit of Danish or Scandinavian style, too. We did talk a little bit about it, I think, in one of our episodes that we recorded in Copenhagen. But maybe we should just refresh some of the observations that we. Or that you guys did.
Christina
It's funny that you mentioned that. I think you mentioned that in your video and you kind of alluded to it, that the Scandinavian style doesn't have a lot of color. But I feel like at least in Copenhagen, I saw quite a bit of it, but it would often be at least the way I observed it in. In a pop. So it would be like a neutral overcoat. And we went in February, so it was a little bit colder. There was a lot of layering going on. But it would be. I feel like it would be like a lot of jeans and neutrals and then either a really colorful dad sneaker or even like a hiking sneaker or something chunky. I saw a lot of that, a lot of New Balance. Or it would be a colorful scarf, colorful bag, or colorful hat or some kind of accessory. I feel like I saw quite a bit of that. But then I also saw some people would just be doing color from, like, head to toe as well. So I find it fascinating that. That you mentioned, like, the. The Scandi style could usually is a bit more monochromatic or you wear a lot of black and stuff. But I saw. I saw mix, for sure.
Sina
Yeah. I think especially in Copenhagen, because I did get a comment on, like, my. I did, like, a nine Scandinavian style Secrets kind of video recently, and I did get a comment again or a few comments actually, from people also living in Denmark being, like, what their. People do wear color here, and. Yes, they do. But it's funny because I kind of took that with me, and when I'm perusing around in my area, people are not wearing color. Like, everyone are wearing neutrals. So I think it also depends on where you are. It's, you know, especially, I think. Yeah. In the smaller outskirts. And obviously Copenhagen and the bigger cities are going to be a little bit more playful, probably, and a bit more. I would dress differently if I lived in Copenhagen. I would probably be a little bit more daring and playful with my style, too.
Christina
Yeah. Yeah. I think it. I think that matters too, because it makes me think of, like, you know, like, on the east coast, we probably wear a lot of, like, black and neutrals, but then on the west coast, it's a lot more colorful, more chill, more bohemian in many cases. But that's not everybody. So it's makes like that. That makes total sense to me, depending on where you are, like, how much more playful or colorful you're gonna be. Because I feel like a lot of that, it's reflective of the city, the weather, the whole vibe of where that place is. That's gonna. That's gonna impact a lot.
Sina
Yeah, yeah.
Christina
But I agree otherwise.
Sina
Yeah. Neutrals and then a color pop is also something I. Maybe it's just because I also like that I'm immediately drawn to it, and then I notice it in this. In the streets. But it's. Yeah, I feel like that's a great, great observation.
Alyssa
Thought it was cool seeing all of, like, the functionality, but in a very playful way. Like, you know, Christina, you mentioned, like, the chunky sneakers, and everyone was wearing an outfit that could be, like, biked around in and, like, really unfussy, which was so cool, and yet there was so much personality packed into the outfit. So it was, like, a really interesting bag choice, or even the way they tied their scarves. Like, I noticed there were a whole bunch of girls, like, I loved it. Like, they had their coats open and they were wearing, like, an open neck, and it was cold, and so they had a little scarf sort of tied around their neck. It wasn't like a big scarf. It was these sort of smaller scarves that would just cover the neck, probably enough to keep them, like, a little bit warm and. But it. It still made a statement. So I thought it was really neat how the people that I saw, at least in Copenhagen, were able to take functionality and turn it into something that felt stylish, stylish and playful. I loved that.
Sina
I feel like that's very true to Scandinavian style in general, because we do spend a lot of time outside, and a lot of people like, the way they commute to work will be via bike or, like, walking. So it has to have a level of functionality. And we've. I think we talked about it in one of our Ask Us Anythings for the memberships recently. We had a question from someone about how to dress, you know, functional and practical, but still keep. Keep a certain level of style to the. To the outfit. And I think that's something I always mention, is to incorporate it more into your wardrobe and incorporate it more into your style and be more intentional about the practical and the functional pieces so that it becomes an extension of your style and not just a side note. Um, because that's where it really becomes. I don't. I don't want to say boring, but it's. It's. You know, that's where it's not fun to. It's not as fun to invest in the practical pieces, but if you make sure that they do have a level of style to them, then it can be.
Christina
Yeah. And I think that's how it creates a wardrobe that feels very functional and, like, that you can actually move in your clothes and live your life. It's not just about the outfit. Obviously, we care about that part when, like, you're getting. When we're getting dressed and that type of thing. But, like, if you can't practically, you know, get to work or do your work or commute or go get groceries in your clothes, then I feel like it creates a disconnect. So, yeah, I love that kind of. The focus is just living in. Living in your clothes.
Sina
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So there. If I were to like mention a few. Again, these staples can look different for everyone. But a few, like, wardrobe staples would be something like, you know, a blazer, a T shirt, straight leg, jeans, maybe a trench coat. High quality knitwear, too. Like good quality knitwear. I think I even mentioned in my Scandinavian style video that we have like, tradition, different traditional knit patterns within the Scandinavian countries as well. Which is. Yeah. Which I think we're also quite commonly known for. But I think especially the, the other wardrobe staples that I just mentioned, like blazer, T shirt, like, they can be staples for anyone. Like, probably staples for a lot of people where you guys live too, and, you know, Paris and other places of the world. So I think it also very much comes down to the styling. And again, that's where the, the contrasting pieces of those, like, functional pieces mixed with the slightly more nicer or dressier items. Like, for example, I think you don't necessarily see a lot of like three piece suits in Copenhagen, but if you do, like, if people are wearing something like that, it will have. Even the silhouette might be a little bit more relaxed, but people will pair that with sneakers, for example, or something to keep that element of functionality. So I think that the contrasting piece to ensure functionality is super important also because it gives this sort of like understated elegance so that you, you can wear something which feels a little bit dressy, but you elevate it with something a little bit more casual or functional. I feel like that's very, that's very Scandinavian too. Even if you go out, like, I haven't been out out in a while, but if you go out, like, people will wear sneakers to, to the club. Like, it's very common that you, you bring in that element of coziness and like being very understated and very casual, which I quite like.
Alyssa
Yeah, it's almost like they want to evoke that. Like, no one's trying too hard, almost.
Sina
Yeah, yeah, yeah, true. Yeah.
Christina
But it still looks really polished and put together. One thing I did notice specifically when we were in Copenhagen is just everybody was dressed so it was still very chill and casual. But there were no, like, there were no sweatpants. No, no one's out in like, that's very common here to just go out in like leggings or sweats. And it's almost like we. I feel like the attitude sometimes it's like, oh, it's not. This isn't worth getting dressed for. Whereas I just felt like everybody was dressed for everything. Well, yeah. In Copenhagen, in Europe in general. And I just, I Wonder if that's. Yeah, it's just a. It's a difference that I see.
Alyssa
Yeah, it's definitely a cultural thing.
Christina
I think so.
Sina
I think so.
Christina
I don't know. When you were growing up here, Sina, like, what was the kind of mindset about getting dressed? You know, when you're like, if you're getting up to. If you're going out to the grocery store with your family or something, do you change or, like, are you in sweats at home? And then if you're gonna go out, do you get changed? Like, what's the. What's the process? I guess what's the mindset or the routine?
Sina
I think there's definitely less pressure. Like, people don't expect you to change into, like, a. Something dressier, like, whether that being. If you're meeting with a group of friends or. I actually. I can't remember. I. I can't remember what she's called. There's an American living in Denmark. She's on TikTok. I think she's called Alison something. She does, like, you know, little videos about living in Denmark and bringing up her kids in Denmark and being married to a Danish guy and stuff like that. And it's really interesting to hear her point of view sometimes. But she also mentioned that, you know, even being on maternity leave, there's no pressure for you to, like, show up wearing a full face of makeup or show up wearing a super dressy, like, outfit. Like, people just kind of accept you as you are or like, kind of like a come as you are scenario. And I feel like that's very. Yeah, I don't know that. That's definitely the way that I've been brought up as well. Like, I'm not. I. I enjoy putting on makeup and making an effort, even if I'm growing, going to the grocery store stuff, especially if I have just been slopping around at home in my sweats all day. Yeah, that's kind of like where I. Okay, I'm gonna make an effort now. But it's also. There's no pressure at all. Like, I'm not afraid to meet someone without my makeup or, you know, it's. I feel like there's less pressure to kind of. I don't know. That's probably the best way to describe it.
Christina
Yeah.
Sina
I also spoke a little bit about makeup in that video that I made, and I. I feel like. And again, you know, it's. It's. It's a personal thing. Like, some people definitely do appreciate a full face, but I think the one thing that comes to mind is that everything you do has to be kind of all weather appropriate, even the makeup, because you don't know if you're going to be rained on or, you know, it has to be kind of easy to do touch ups throughout the day. And the whole no makeup, makeup look is something I find quite, quite Scandinavian as well. And I think it's not just the look, it's also the fact that it's more practical for like, all weather. All types of weather, yeah. Really.
Alyssa
Do you feel like there's any, like, a signature? I guess, like we talked about color in Copenhagen and relaxed fit and that functionality is there, like when we were in London, for example, or like, is there something where you. That helps you, like, almost identify? Like, oh, that's like. That's very Scandinavian of them. Like sort of a signature thing that that, like Scandinavian Scandi style is or looks like.
Sina
I mean, Christina already kind of mentioned it, but I feel like the first thing that always comes to mind is like, when I see girls wearing like, straight leg jeans, trench coat, chunky trainers, or even those like Salomon, like high shoes. They're really, really. I think they're very, very trendy as well. That's something you'll see on the streets of Copenhagen for sure. I feel like that immediately my mind goes to like, okay, she must be Scandinavian, because I feel like that entire look is so Scandinavian.
Alyssa
Okay.
Sina
And again, it's not necessarily just these items like the running shoes and the jeans and the trench coat. It's more, again, playing on the contrasts. And then also this. I don't know, there's a sense of authenticity in it. I can't really put my finger on it, but there's a sense of, like, not trying too hard and like being a little bit more authentic in a way, which I don't know. That's. That's just what I think about, you know, when I think about Scandinavian style.
Christina
As an outsider looking in. When I think of it too, there's like two different aesthetics or maybe three that I think about. Like, one is that more minimalist, monochromatic kind of look. And then the second is that vibe that we were just talking about. Like the blazer, the chunky sneakers, almost like tomboyish but feminine at the same time. And then I think of, like, ganny girls, like the very frilly, very romantic dresses and skirts. But then as you. I think you're right. Like, contrast, contrast and functionality seems to be a through line in all of that, because I feel like they Kind of created that aesthetic of, you know, the more bohemian, romantic dress with the hiking sneakers or like the chunky sneaker type of thing or like the big headphones or stuff like that. I don't know because I like, I feel like Copenhagen is a city, it's a trend setting city, like, and we are so attracted to that and we kind of like the allure of like the Parisian style. As an outsider, we're always kind of looking to those cities and those places for inspiration and like, what are they doing that is so, so alluring. But do you find that that kind of like those three esthetics are kind of the more consistent ones across the board? Did Ganny sort of create that or like, did you see that before? Ganny was like a big thing.
Sina
No, I think, I think you might be onto something there. I think I do agree. Yeah, because it is also quite a hyped brand and it's like, yeah, they have their whole, their whole aesthetic. So, yeah, I completely see where you're getting with that. It's funny also with the colors because, you know, there's also something about the muted colors being very rooted within Scandinavian design and like many elements of Scandinavian design and design aesthetics, not only when it comes to fashion, but also just with interior. That's something that's very rooted with, within Scandinavian style. And I also think there's something about the whole, you know, muted colors being a bit more calming for the eyes to look at. So especially if we talk hygge, for example, which is the Danish term for coziness, it's all about like this very relaxed, calming atmosphere. I think even when we stay at the hotel, we stay in Copenhagen, it was very like dark and very like the materials that very contrasting materials even within interior. So there was like a raw, like a brick wall and then there were like dark wood materials and like very, very contrasting elements even within the design elements of the room. So I do think muted colors will probably always be a huge part of the way many Scandinavians dress. But I also agree that especially through recent years, Maybe the past five or 10 years, it has become more colorful. And I don't think we, you know, that stereotypical Scandinavian way of like, if you Google Scandinavian style or if you go on Pinterest and you type in Scandinavian style, it's going to look very similar. It's going to be those very monochrome, stereotypical wardrobe basics. And I think especially the younger generations are definitely not afraid to wear color. There's a lot more colorful outfits out there.
Christina
Do you feel like there's a bit of a sporty element to a lot of the style, too. Sometimes. Like, I felt like I saw a lot of, like, again, the sneakers are such a thing.
Sina
Even caps.
Christina
I feel like caps and, like, sun. Like, more cool. Like, edgy, sporty sunglasses or, like, puffer. Puffer coats or puffer.
Sina
Yeah. Nylon bags. I definitely. Yeah, there's definitely an element of that. I think it's a functionality piece. Again, like, how can I incorporate that into my outfits in a way that still feels intentionally styled and still feels like an extension of my. Of my style?
Christina
Functionally chic. That's like.
Alyssa
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Christina
Yeah. And I feel like you were like that, too. Like, meeting you in person, Sina. Like, I don't know, you're always, like, so put together, but just so chill at the same time.
Sina
Oh, thank you.
Christina
I don't know, because I felt like. Like, for example, when I was. When I packed for Copenhagen and all of that stuff, I packed with a lot of practicality in mind. So, like, I brought, like, a Lululemon crossbody bum bag, so, you know, I could be hands free and I could. That feels, like, very, very sporty and, like, I would bring that with me hiking, you know? But you brought, like, a really functional bag that still looked really chic and cool, and I'm like, oh, I wish I did that. But then you had, like, your sneakers, but then you had a really elevated coat over top, or you would wear it, like your. Your dress pants and your blazer, but then you'd throw on sneakers with it. And like, there's always just. Yeah, the. The chic functionality, I feel like is such a nice. I don't know, like, when I packed, I felt like I sacrificed a lot of style for functionality. And when I feel like you really kept style and functionality in mind together, like, you were just able to sort of connect the two in a way that I felt like I almost. I just. I felt like I couldn't do that or I had to sacrifice it in my packing.
Sina
But it's interesting because I think we do have, like, kind of similar climates right where you are. And then compared to Denmark, I feel like the weather is almost always the same when we're meeting to record. Although you guys, you. You get way more snow than we here, I think our climates are pretty similar. Do you see any, like, similarities with Canadian style?
Alyssa
I don't. Sorry. Sorry.
Sina
I'm just thinking there must be, like, some practicality. But is it more either you go all out or you don't kind of thing, like, with practicality.
Christina
Like, I almost feel like Copenhagen style, specifically in depending on where you are, that could. That's dressed up compared to a lot of like, again, I think. I think in Canada, a lot of us, you know, it's like the Lululemon head to toe outfit with the Uggs. And, you know, it's very athleisure, I guess, is the vibe. But it's almost like we. We dial the sportiness and the athleisure and the like, the comfy comfies to the. To the top, to the. To the like, to the. So it's that vibe head to toe rather than mixing things in, I find.
Sina
Yeah.
Christina
Do you find that, Alyssa?
Alyssa
100%. That also had me thinking about when you were talking about. Yeah. Like kind of the Toronto uniform with the leggings. And it also made me feel as though when we were walking in Copenhagen, even though a lot of those elements were similar in people, I did feel as though there was a little bit more individuality injected into each of the looks. Whereas when I'm in Toronto, I'm like, everybody's wearing the same thing. Like, I can't.
Sina
I.
Alyssa
It's hard. Or when you see someone who, like, has, like. We talked about the sauce. Like, when you see someone who has the sauce, you can easily point them out.
Christina
Yes, they do stand out.
Alyssa
They stand out. Whereas I found in Copenhagen, at least, it was like everyone had the sauce. I was like, oh, oh. You know what I mean? So somehow they're able to inject a little bit. Even though there are those similar elements, they're able to inject a little bit more of a sense of individuality, perhaps.
Sina
Yeah, that's quite interesting. I remember we saw some girls on the subway on our way to the hotel. I don't know why I just came to think of one of them. She was wearing, I think it was like a check blazer. It had a.
Christina
Yes, I remember her.
Sina
And a little bit of that mini knitted, little baby scarf. Yeah, I love those scarves. And then also I was like, maybe she wore like a pair of running shoes, but they had, like, maybe a little bit of color. So I think even the quote unquote staples, the running shoes and the blazers, you can find them in different variations, which is also what probably brings that element of, like, personality to each of the looks.
Christina
Yeah, it was just goals, maybe Also coming from Canada, knowing that Copenhagen in particular is such, like a fashion city too, I think I just was feeling very romantic about it all, too. There was a Sense of romanticization that I was. If that was. If that's a word.
Alyssa
Say it is.
Christina
Anyway, it just. It felt. Yeah. I was just enamored by it. I think it's because, like, too. I feel they're almost on, like, a pedestal. Like, that Scandinavian style is just.
Sina
It's that kind of, like, Parisian style as well. Yeah.
Christina
Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's just that. Yeah, it's all like a je ne sais quoi. There's just something. Something about it that. I don't know. You're right. Like, it's the sauce and.
Alyssa
Yeah, yeah. Sorry, go ahead.
Christina
It's hard to, like, it's like everybody has it, but then you're right. Like, here. Sometimes it just feels like you kind of have to spot it in a crowd sometimes.
Sina
Yeah.
Alyssa
I wonder if it has to do with culturally, like, I kind of like cena how you. It makes me think about, like, how you were. Like, you just show up as you are, you know, so maybe that's it.
Christina
In Canada, there's Practicality has to come first. Like, a lot of times you're just dressing for the weather because we have winter eight months out of the year, you know, so it's like, protecting yourself from the elements first. And depending on where you live, like, it's hard to. Like, it's hard to not to dress in any other way. And, like, there's. You know, and a lot of it's very rural and spread out, so you're driving everywhere. So I just. I do think that, like, comfort is sort of the main. The mainstay. And I think that's what people dress for first here. And, like, that's. That's what we value rather than. Obviously, I think people want to feel stylish and they want to feel good in what they're wearing, but, like, it's comfort is the main goal.
Alyssa
No, I agree with you, Christina.
Christina
It's because I don't want to say that, like, Canadians dress bad. Like, that's. No, not at all. You know what I mean? Yeah.
Sina
Yeah.
Alyssa
You're absolutely right in that. Like. Yeah, when it's cold or. And like you said, like, we don't have the same. I mean, I think Toronto and Montreal have really good public transport, but a lot of other cities in Canada, like, you said, like, your option is driving or walking a lot, and when it's minus 20 and, like, a blizzard.
Christina
Yeah.
Alyssa
You're really not concerned about how you look. Like, really not. You know, And I think. I do think you're right, Christina. Like, I think we don't have enough respect to Canada's weather. Like, even our lives culturally, like, if we're looking at this from a cultural sense, even our lives revolve around the weather. Like, we love talking about the weather. We love talking, you know, like, it's just something we do, so. Yeah, no, that. That makes total sense.
Christina
Yeah. Or it's like almost like you dress for the. You dress for that recreational activity that you're at, whether it be, you know, like. Because I feel like in Ottawa it's such a. Everyone's outdoors doing something, you know, and so that's what you're dressing for. You're dressing for your hikes and for your run. Yeah.
Alyssa
And then you go for your coffee and you're still wearing your leg.
Christina
That's right, exactly.
Alyssa
You know, that's just what you do. It's part of the culture.
Christina
Yeah, yeah. And like the culture too, I feel like, is a little bit faster. You know, you get your coffee to go, you don't sit in the cafe and have it, stuff like that. So.
Sina
Oh, yeah, I remember that you guys wanted to almost like take pictures of people sitting outside at the cafes and like, enjoying their coffee.
Christina
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Sina
I definitely agree. I think it's a cultural thing as well. Like the whole way that you move through your day and. Yeah, it's.
Christina
Yeah, yeah. And I, I think, like, what I'm really seeing is this is totally like. And guys, this is such a generalization. You know, obviously, like, it's not all like that and not everybody is like that. People dress differently, different styles, all of that. But it's just more of a general thing is like what I feel like we narrowed down, at least in our experience in Canadian style. Like again, comfort and functionality is like the main goal, whereas I feel like the Scandinavian style, I feel like really mixes style and functionality together. And I think, you know, weather does. Does permit that. A lot of the walkability, the. The bike friendly environments, like all of that stuff kind of lends itself to be able to do that. Whereas just like the sprawl and like the urbanization here and how huge Canada is, is, and like how rural a lot of it is too, is just like the. That's not. That's not really the fo. You know, it's not our focus, I guess.
Alyssa
No, no. And like you said, like six months out of the year, our streets are. Have like a foot of snow or slush or mud. Like. Yeah, those are our options for what we're walking on and.
Christina
Or Salt. Or even.
Alyssa
Or salt. Yeah. Like things that are not super pleasant that you don't want your pants dragging on the ground. You don't want to ruin nice shoes.
Christina
Yeah. So it makes sense to like, wear your leggings or your sweatpants and like. Yeah, yeah.
Alyssa
Yep, yep.
Christina
Yeah. But like, I guess what I'm trying to say here is like, that would be our outfit. And then putting on the sneakers, the blazer, the jeans is like dressing up.
Alyssa
Yeah.
Christina
Like, I have to tell myself, I'm going to the grocery store. I'm like, okay, I'm gonna get dressed up. And by that I'm putting on jeans.
Alyssa
Totally, totally. Yeah. It's not dressed up for, like, at least for me either. It's. It's.
Christina
Yeah.
Alyssa
It's not like a crazy thing. It's like, oh, yeah, I'm gonna put on like a nicer boot, a nicer pair of jeans.
Christina
Yeah.
Alyssa
I'm going to add a belt. Do all the things.
Christina
Yeah. Where it's like, I'm picturing the Scandi girls. They're lounging around at home in jeans and. And we're not doing that here or a lot of us aren't, you know.
Sina
A lot of us aren't.
Alyssa
Yeah.
Christina
Yeah.
Sina
Cool.
Alyssa
Yeah. I think culture is like a huge piece. Culture in the. The environment, for sure.
Christina
Absolutely.
Sina
If there are any Scandinavians listening, I would love to hear, like, what your observations are because again, this is a. Of course, you know, Alyssa and Christina's observations is also my, like, what. I feel influenced by living in Scandinavia. But I also want to highlight again that of course a few of these might be generalizations. So there could be other observations out there. We would love to hear from you. And yeah, if you're not Scandinavian, like, we would love to hear from you as well. Like, what do you love about Scandinavian style? So I think we're gonna wrap it up here. Yay.
Christina
See you next time.
Sina
Ciao. Bye. Thank you so much for joining in our conversation this week. If you're enjoying the show, we'd love it. If you subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple and leave us a rating and review, it's one of the best ways to support the sustain this podcast at zero cost to you.
Christina
We're also a community led podcast, so if you have any questions for us, topic requests, or even guests you want to hear from, please send us a DM on Instagram. Instagram @Sustain ThisPodcast. We read all of our comments and look forward to hearing from you.
Alyssa
We hope you join us again next Tuesday where we'll talk about so much more than clothes.
Christina
Ciao.
Sustain This! Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: Breaking down the best Scandinavian Style Secrets from an actual Scandinavian
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Hosts: Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas & Sina Hansen
Introduction to Scandinavian Style
In this engaging episode of Sustain This!, hosts Alyssa Beltempo, Christina Mychas, and Sina Hansen delve deep into the nuances of Scandinavian fashion. Sina Hansen, bringing her firsthand experience as a Scandinavian living in Denmark, leads the conversation by sharing her personal reflections and inspirations drawn from Scandinavian style. The discussion emphasizes that while Scandinavian fashion is often perceived as minimalist and neutral, there is a rich diversity influenced by regional variations and personal tastes.
Color Palette and Personalization
Christina highlights her observations from Copenhagen, noting, “I saw mix, for sure” ([03:03]). Contrary to the stereotype of Scandinavian style being predominantly monochromatic, she recounts seeing vibrant pops of color through accessories like scarves, bags, and sneakers. Sina echoes this, explaining that while many areas in Denmark favor neutrals, larger cities like Copenhagen embrace more playful and colorful attire: “You don’t necessarily see a lot of like three-piece suits in Copenhagen, but if people are wearing something like that, it will have a little bit more relaxed silhouette” ([08:00]).
Functionality Meets Style
A core theme of the episode is the seamless integration of functionality and style in Scandinavian fashion. Alyssa praises the practicality infused with personality, stating, “They were able to take functionality and turn it into something that felt stylish, stylish and playful” ([05:38]). Sina adds that this balance is essential, especially considering the active lifestyles in Scandinavian cities where biking and walking are common: “You have to be more intentional about the practical and the functional pieces so that it becomes an extension of your style” ([06:47]).
Wardrobe Staples and Signature Elements
The hosts discuss key Scandinavian wardrobe staples, such as blazers, straight-leg jeans, trench coats, and high-quality knitwear. Sina emphasizes the importance of these pieces being both functional and stylish: “The contrasting pieces ensure functionality and give this sort of understated elegance” ([08:30]). Christina identifies distinct aesthetics within Scandinavian style, including minimalist looks, tomboyish yet feminine ensembles, and romantic, frilly dresses paired with sporty elements like chunky sneakers.
Cultural Influences on Fashion
A significant portion of the conversation explores how cultural and environmental factors influence fashion choices. Christina contrasts Canadian and Scandinavian styles, highlighting Canada's emphasis on comfort and practicality due to harsh weather conditions: “In Canada, comfort and functionality is like the main goal, whereas Scandinavian style really mixes style and functionality together” ([26:00]). Alyssa concurs, noting the cultural acceptance in Scandinavia to dress well for any occasion without the pressure of over-styling, unlike in some other regions where practicality may overshadow fashion.
Individuality and Trendsetting
The hosts appreciate the ability of Scandinavian fashion to allow individuality within a cohesive style framework. Christina remarks on the romantic and trend-setting nature of Copenhagen’s fashion scene: “If that's a word. It just felt. Yeah. It was very romantic” ([23:01]). Sina adds that even within staple items, variations in color and accessories enable personal expression: “You can find them in different variations, which is also what probably brings that element of, like, personality to each of the looks” ([22:05]).
Practical Tips for Adopting Scandinavian Style
Towards the episode’s conclusion, Sina offers practical advice for listeners looking to adopt Scandinavian style:
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the harmonious blend of style, functionality, and individuality that defines Scandinavian fashion. They encourage listeners to embrace these principles to build a more intentional and joyful wardrobe. Sina invites feedback from Scandinavian listeners to share their perspectives, fostering a community-driven conversation around sustainable and mindful fashion.
Notable Quotes:
This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Scandinavian style, blending cultural insights with practical fashion advice. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or someone striving for a more mindful wardrobe, the hosts provide valuable perspectives on achieving a balance between aesthetics and functionality.