Scandi-Cool or Just Sloppy?

What is Scandi-Cool?

I’m sure you’ve heard of Scandi-Cool: the minimalist, effortlessly cool style, with simple shapes, natural materials and subtle, muted colours. But how do you do it?

Don’t worry, I’m here to help you. No, I’m not an ‘expert’, and achieving Scandi-Cool is not a paint-by-numbers excercise,  anyway. But yes, I know how to do Scandi-Cool. It’s in my genes; I’m Nordic, after all. And I’m here to tell you that anyone can do Scandi-Cool: all you have to do is stop trying so hard and just go with the flow.

The whole point of Scandi-Cool is finding that magic formula: how to look incredibly cool while at the same time conveying the vibe that you simply put on the first thing you pulled out of your wardrobe. Because you’re way too cool to actually put together an outfit, and you have more interesting things to get to, anyway. Yes, that’s the vibe you want to convey…

Quality and Comfort

Only the softest natural fibres will do. I cannot stress this point enough: it’s all about how your clothes feel on your skin. Remember that feeling when you were  a child running around naked, the warm sun caressing your skin? That’s how your clothes should feel like on your skin. And now that I’m writing these words it occurs to me that maybe you actually need to be Nordic to have had that experience to begin with… Never mind. Imagine your clothes as a soft cloud enveloping your body, that’s how it feels.

And clean lines and simple shapes are a must: your clothes should allow free movement. Needless to say that Spanx or any other shapewear is incompatible with Scandi-Cool… But that doesn’t mean you should be wearing boxy, shapeless sacks, either. It just means that to pull off Scandi-Cool your clothes should be as comfortable as your old pyjamas.

Attitude is Everything

However, Scandi-Cool is less about a particular outfit and more about the way you wear it. What if you  were wearing all your clothes the same way you wear your old pyjamas? You know, as if you could sleep in them. Or did sleep in them. In other words, you don’t care how your clothes look like because you really just want to feel comfortable. And besides, you know that you look cool, whatever you’re wearing.

Go with the flow

Scandi-Cool is not fighting the weather but going with it. It’s snowing? Fine, Just wear a cosy jumper and a big coat. Multiple layers?!? Too restrictive; make it a cosy, warm cashmere jumper, what more do you need?

And shoes… if you can’t walk and jump and skip in them, forget them. No, you don’t want to think about your shoes after you put them on. You just need them to take you wherever you want to go.

Well, now you might think that Scandi-Cool is just a euphemism for dressing sloppy, but don’t forget the cool part. You can only pull it off if you own the look. And that’s the most difficult bit: you have to feel good in what you’re wearing. And that’s the key to looking cool…

Outfit details:

cashmere jumper: Zadig and Voltaire (old) / jeans: Next (old) / bag: Marimekko / 

shoes: Janita / sunglasses: Marimekko / scarf: old

How do you do Scandi-Cool?

Tiina

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24 Comments

  1. Ivana Split
    29 January 2017 / 7:01 pm

    Scandi cool sounds amazing! I love Scandinavian style so I'm sure I would love Scandi cool too:)…I don't think that casual means sloppy. If we feel good in casual clothes, we can make them look better just by feeling good in what we wear. That's my motto anyway:).https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.ba/

    • Tiina L
      31 January 2017 / 6:44 pm

      Oh yes, we Nordics know how to do casual… Thanks!

  2. Patti
    29 January 2017 / 11:27 pm

    Thanks for this primer on Scandi-cool. It suits you beautifully, and I am wearing it right now – leggings, long tee and big wrap. xox-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      31 January 2017 / 6:45 pm

      Thanks, Patti!

  3. Jill James
    30 January 2017 / 7:12 am

    Always wondered what the definition of Scandi-cool really was , now I know and so perfectly illustrated by you. Casual and comfortable with practical footwear but definately not sloppy.

    • Tiina L
      31 January 2017 / 6:45 pm

      I guess the definition depends on who's doing the defining… Thanks, Jill.

  4. Jasmine RabuƱal Barrientos
    30 January 2017 / 8:35 am

    Thanks for this informative post šŸ˜‰ I'm a great fan of Scandi-cool outfits.Jasmine x

    • Tiina L
      31 January 2017 / 6:46 pm

      Thanks, Jasmine. Me, too. Obviously.

  5. Nancy's Fashion Style
    30 January 2017 / 5:11 pm

    You are so right!

    • Tiina L
      31 January 2017 / 6:46 pm

      Thanks, Nancy!

  6. Mica T
    31 January 2017 / 11:05 am

    Love your printed scarf with the purple top! :)I agree, while I wouldn't describe my style as Scandi-cool at all, I do think that being comfortable with what you're wearing is the most important thing! :)Hope you are having a lovely start to the week :)Away From The Blue Blog

    • Tiina L
      31 January 2017 / 6:47 pm

      Thanks, Mica!

  7. Jessica Jannenga
    2 February 2017 / 5:32 pm

    ok, I am liking the sound of Scandi-cool, the vibe. wish I could do it! haha. I think you have acheived it with this look of fab printed cashmere and the lovely scarf. The sunglasses are a wonderful added detail! not sloppy by any means!Thanks for linking with Turning heads tuesdayjess xxwww.elegantlydressedaandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      5 February 2017 / 5:25 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! I think anyone can do Scandi-Cool, it's all about the attitude and letting go. Well, it helps if you're NOordic, it sort of comes naturally…

  8. Emma Peach
    2 February 2017 / 7:46 pm

    How clothes feel next to the skin is so important to me. I love the colour and gold detail on your cashmere sweater. Fabulous sunglasses too!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      5 February 2017 / 5:26 pm

      Thanks, Emma. How clothes feel on the skin is everything to me. If something doesn't feel right, I won't wear it.

  9. Radostin
    4 February 2017 / 7:34 pm

    You look very cool.

    • Tiina L
      5 February 2017 / 5:27 pm

      Thank you.

  10. Nina
    6 February 2017 / 1:00 am

    Well you do look very go-with-the-flow in this! I love the shades and the big warm scarf!Ninaaworldofdresses.com

    • Tiina L
      9 February 2017 / 2:49 pm

      Thanks, Nina!

  11. Melissa Convertino
    6 February 2017 / 2:09 am

    You are totally rocking the look… no sloppiness here! Such a cute scarf!Thank you for linking up with Weekend Wear,xoMel

    • Tiina L
      9 February 2017 / 2:49 pm

      Thanks, Melissa!

  12. Tina von tinaspinkfriday
    7 February 2017 / 7:03 pm

    Dear Tiina, thank you for linking up with modish matrons. This jumper and scarf are amazing. I love it :)xoxo Tina

    • Tiina L
      9 February 2017 / 2:49 pm

      Thanks, Tina!

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