Sonja Ooijevaar’s Guide To Scandi Fashion
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Typically, Scandi style has been all about minimalism – think strong basics and neutral tones. But these days, it’s also about expression and colour. Another key facet of Scandi style is nailing that comfortable, relaxed vibe, and that mainly comes down to the silhouettes and the quality of the pieces.
The key pieces you need to nail the Scandi look include an oversized blazer, some tailored wide or straight-leg trousers and a maxi dress. A blazer is essential – go oversized to mimic Matilda Djerf. Dressier trousers can also be teamed with cool boots or trainers for something a little different to jeans. I like mine to be extra long so they finish at the perfect length with a chunkier shoe. Finally, a tonal or printed maxi dress looks chic under a blazer. I typically then add trainers, clogs or boots.
I love clogs and crocs. I wear them all summer, but they’ve started to make an appearance in my transitional wardrobe, too. My favourites include the Birkenstock Bostons and my purple platform Crocs . I’ve also just got my hands on the controversial New Balance clogs in ‘Rain Cloud’ and I love them.
Ganni is my favourite Scandi brand. Most recently, I bought a pair of denim cargo pants. They’re super comfortable and go with everything – plus, I love that they’re a little different. Acne is where I go when I’m ready to invest – it’s a far wiser thing to do than buy a lot of cheaper things. Samsoe Samsoe has also really grown on me over the years.
When it comes to more affordable fashion, I enjoy shopping at Arket. It's full of great basics and the fit is great. I also pay regular visits to Episode (a second-hand clothing store) and Brandy Melville for oversized sweatshirts. For more colourful pieces, I check out & Other Stories.
Another brand that nails the Scandi vibe is Lemaire. It’s actually a French brand but it makes pieces with minimalist silhouettes and in lots of neutral tones. American Vintage also does relaxed silhouettes and colour so well, plus the quality is good.
There are lots of smaller labels doing great Scandi-esque pieces. Moves Fashion is one of them. It’s a small Scandinavian brand that has recently launched a full line of bold and colourful suits. Stieglitz, a Dutch brand, is great for cooler pieces, and it has lots of amazing prints. I also really rate Envii. It’s affordable and again nails fun colours and prints. I love the maxi dresses.
To me, a Scandi silhouette is oversized, relaxed and comfortable. To give your look a Scandi feel, try adding some cute and colourful accessories or an oversized blazer. Alternatively, dopamine dressing is a big thing in the Scandi world right now.
To wear more colour in the autumn, I suggest playing with layers. Having a few more pieces to work with means you can focus on one element being a little more out there, while the rest of the look balances everything out. It can be as simple as wearing one of your favourite go-to autumn combos, and just adding a pop of colour through your base layer – like a turtleneck top, a bold scarf or a jumper.
I don’t typically follow any colour ‘rules’. There are so many combinations that work well together, so it’s hard to go wrong. If I’m trying a new colour out, I usually play around with a few pieces in my wardrobe first to see what will work best. I also really enjoy dressing tonally – an all-green outfit is always a favourite.
There’s a handful of go-to autumn heroes I wear on repeat. That definitely includes a gilet. I’ve collected many over the years and usually style them with pretty knits or over jackets. I also wear a lot of corduroy and love the beige shade and baggy fit style from American Vintage. Cardigans are also so easy to throw on and work with almost everything. Finally, I found the most perfectly oversized vintage YSL blazer in Paris and I wear it to death – I’ve definitely got good cost per wear out of it.
I love a maxi dress in the autumn. Just layer it under oversized jumper or an oversized bomber jacket, puffer coat or shearling vest. I would also add some socks and my Doc Marten platform Chelsea boots to complete the look.
A couple of seasons ago I bought a vintage Burberry trench coat in a little shop in Den Haag and it’s been one of my favourite pieces ever since. It’s beige, so it basically goes with every outfit – it was definitely worth spending a little extra money on and the fact I got it second hand makes it an even bigger win. The coat is lined with a detachable woollen vest that can be added for the colder days – ideal.
A trend I would love to try this season is ‘gorpcore’. It’s influenced by outdoor-style pieces such as cargo pants, fleece jumpers and Gortex fabrics. Incorporating these pieces will add a bit of edge, but they’re also really functional.
When it comes to building outfits, I always start with one key piece. Then I try to find the right balance between colour, print and fabric. Finally, I choose the footwear and accessories to elevate the look. The combo I’ve been wearing the most is relaxed-fit denim paired with a turtleneck or knitted jumper. I layer over an oversized puffer vest and finish with clogs and woollen socks.
Follow @SonjaLeigh_ for more inspo.
Shop Sonja’s Edit Of Her Favourite Pieces Right Now
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All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.