I like my basics
To the extent that my wardrobe mainly consists of t-shirts (or the winter equivalent, cashmere jumpers), jeans, pencil skirts and trench coats. And no, I don’t find that boring. I like clean lines, simple cuts and clothes that allow complete freedom of movement. I can’t stand anything fussy, which in this case means clothes that need to be readjusted all the time. Or anything that gets in the way. Or simply clothes I need to think about after I put them on.
But I don’t want to look boring. Or as if I haven’t made an effort.
No, that’s not true, actually… I don’t want to look like I spent a lot of time putting an outfit together. I want to look like I just rolled out of bed, pulled something out of the closet and yet somehow manage to look effortlessly stylish and comfortably casual at the same time. There’s a term for it, too: Scandi Cool.
Of course it helps that I’m Nordic…
So, what’s the difference between Scandinavian and Nordic? Well, culturally speaking, not much. Linguistically, Finnish is not a Scandinavian language (it’s a Finno-Ugric language, like Estonian or Hungarian). And geographically, only Sweden, Norway and Northern Finland make up the Scandinavian peninsula. But let’s stick with the cultural definition…
Anyway, being Nordic, minimalism and prioritizing comfort over style sort of come naturally…
Accessories with attitude
An outfit consisting of basics is a blank canvas: edgy accessories can lift it from boring to interesting by providing an injection of style. Or attitude. Which is more or less the same thing, if you ask me.
But even with accessories, less is more. After all, minimalism is the cornerstone of Scandi Cool. But minimalism (or Scandi Cool) doesn’t have to mean only bland, neutral colours and severe shapes. It means carefully editing your accessories for maximum impact.
A pop of colour is striking in an otherwise muted or neutral outfit. And a cool bag and statement sunnies make a bigger impact if they don’t have to compete for attention with piles of jewellery and fancy footwear.
So, now you know how this outfit came about: I just rolled out of bed, pulled something out of my closet, and grabbed my bag and sunnies on my way out of the door…
Outfit details:
coat: Hobbs (old) / cashmere jumper: Max & Co / skirt: Esprit / scarf: A + More /
shoes: Ten Points / bag: Lancel (old) / gloves: Mutka / sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana
location: Tikkurila, Vantaa
What’s your version of minimalism?
Tiina
Linking up with:
Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Coco et La Vie en Rose, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, The Fashionista Momma, Tina’s Pink Friday, Fake Fabulous. Lazy daisy Jones, Vanity and Me, Sheela Writes, Jodie’s Touch of Style, Glass of Glam
To me your gloves make the statement! Whatever you wear, with these gloves it will always be stylish, interesting, fantastic!
Thanks, Nancy. I like the colour, it works with all my winter coats.
I really enjoy a good accessorizing!, and I always admire that minimalistic and effortless stylish attitude, but I've realized that it's too difficult for me, I'm more in the 'more is more' side of the spectrum.Anyway, you look elegantly comfortable and chic, your coat is lovely and your accessorizing is fabulous (as usual). I really like your style!besos
Thank you. I think we veer towards minimalism or maximalism naturally, whichever matches our personality most. But we can be inspired by so many things, and by people who (on the surface, at least) seem somewhat different (as far as style is concerned) from us. I admire, and I'm often inspired by, people who have a very different style of dressing from mine. I like seeing wild pattern mixing and lots of interesting jewellery, and then I try to find a way to incorporate some elements of that into my own style. Sort of take aspects of what I like and wear it in a more minimalist, casual way to suits my personality.
I agree totally!, different styles can be really inspiring and add an interesting point of view.
I love your style – minimal is so stylish, I think! #fakeituntilyoumakeit
Thank you! Minimalist works for me, it suits my lifestyle and my personality, so I try to make the most of it.
What a pretty look, and I love the pop of color in that scarf!
Thank you, Julie.
The berry coloured scarf is so dramatic with the other colours. You can create such drama with colour.
Thanks, Gail. I've never thought of it that way, as creating drama, but I sort of like that idea…
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Thank you.
Minimalism or Scandi Cool plus fabulous accesories sounds perfect. Those gloves are such a glorious rich colour, the icing on the cake for me.
Thanks, Jill. Well, can't do without gloves, so might as well find pretty gloves, that's my new motto.
Tiina, you certainly do not look like a woman who just rolled out of bed! 🙂 You look very elegant and casually stylish, yes – but "just out of bed" doesn't come to mind when I think of you. When I am at home, I do look like I am just out of bed – because I am. :)))I really love that you wear bold colors and combine them so beautifully! And your clothes is obviously high quality which reads as elegant. You look very put together in this outfit, but in a light effortless way. Your accessories are absolutely chic! I want to start wearing gloves, I think it just adds such an elegant finishing touch.
Thanks, Natalia. Light and effortless is the aim here, and for me most of the time. I try to avoid anything too put together because I don't feel comfortable in it. And that's the key to looking good, I think: feeling good. Whatever that means.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Looks like it's getting cold. You are wearing gloves. Great color!
Thanks, Nicole. Well, it's getting colder, gloves will come in handy…
I love these colors on you! and Scandi Cool sounds so good. i love the idea of rolling out of bed and looking put together. You look great in the mix of the purples, blue coat and all of your colorful accessories. thanks for linking!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thanks, Jessica. Yes,just rolling out of bed and looking put together… That's what I do when I have to get to work early. Just roll out of bed, I mean. But I have to admit that I might not look quite this put together early in the morning, though…
I love the mix of blues with deep red accents. A good quality coat always looks polished and put together, especially with great accessories such as gloves and sunglasses. Thanks for linking up!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com
Thanks, Emma. I think a good quality coat is an investment, and therefore it should work with just about any outfit.