Those who know, know: With cool-girl labels like Ganni and Rotate populating the calendar, Copenhagen Fashion Week has been low-key rewriting style codes for seasons—and spring 2023 is no exception. Which is precisely why we compiled the runway trends that are inspiring the Scandis to dress as effortlessly chic they do—and made them shoppable, for instant gratification. From ’90s-inspired cargo pants and cowboy boots to exposed nipples, there’s something for everyone here, whether you tend to err on the side of appropriate or slightly scandalous. Check out the seven trends we’re clocking below.
Cargo Pants
Remember those baggy cargos you may or may not have rocked in the ’90s and/or early aughts? Well, it’s time to dig them out of your closet because, according to Gestuz and Samsøe Samsøe, the utilitarian trouser is back—and, this time around, the more pockets, the better. Comfort aside, what we love most about this trend is the versatility: pair yours with flats for a casual daytime look, or platform heels for a night out—dare we say dancing to R&B icons of the era like Aaliyah and TLC.
Gestuz CandaceGZ Trousers
Ganni Paper Bag Waist Cargo Pants
Holzweiler Skunk Trouser Camel Shiny
Socks and Sandals
Divisive, sure, yet the socks and sandals combination continues to reinvent itself from fashion faux pas to runway must-have. Double down with a sporty pair and chunky lug-sole sandals courtesy of Baum und Pferdgarten, or be subtle (and office-appropriate) with a sheer sock in the same hue, as the models did at Lovechild 1979.
Holzweiler National Sandal Black
Baum und Pferdgarten Lainey Socks
Baum und Pferdgarten Chill Out Sf Shoes
Easy Suiting
Return to office mandates can be daunting, and that’s without considering the wardrobe shift. Thankfully, the easy suiting seen at Mark Kenly Domino Tan, Remain, and Helmstedt offers a middle ground between comfy and put-together. Opt for a colorful yet neutral hue, like a deep blue or peachy pink, and let the compliments roll in at the morning meeting.
Remain Symone Blazer Peachskin
Remain Anjelica Vest Peachskin
Remain Kise Pants Peachskin
Crochet Tops
On unseasonably hot days, handcrafted tops woven with interlocking loops of yarn might just be the prettiest way to allow airflow. Remain and The Garment are two collections that featured crochet on the top, and sometimes even the bottom. Think of this as a decidedly more sophisticated take on festival style.
Ganni Crochet Bikini Top
Rotate Birger Christensen Milandran Cropped Crocheted Organic Cotton Top
Floral Corsages
Add a little something extra, and a bit romantic, with a floral corsage, shown here at Saks Potts. Options abound for how to wear, from your neck and wrist to adorning the strap of your going-out top. The choice is yours.
Saks Potts Rosa Cotton Tie — Berry Stripe
Saks Potts Rosi Scarf — Chocolate Dot
Saks Potts Rose Snake Brooch — Brown Snake
Exposed Nipples
Show a little, or a lot. Conceptual knitwear brand A. Roege Hove has amassed a cult following for freeing the nipple like you’ve never seen before. These NSFW dresses, cardigans, and tops offer the teeniest amount of coverage, so you can decide how sheer or opaque you want to go.
Saks Potts Wilma Top — Black
Cowboy Boots
We’d argue that no guest left Ganni’s spring/summer 2023 show without seriously coveting a pair of cowboy boots. Everyone’s favorite Scandi label brought western vibes into CPHFW with modern takes on the classic style in cherry red, aqua, and two-tone colorways. Yeehaw, indeed.
Ganni Embroidered Leather Western Boots
Ganni Bicolor Embroidered Western Boots
Ganni Embroidered Western Knee Boots
Claire Stern is the Deputy Editor of ELLE.com. Previously, she served as Editor at Bergdorf Goodman. Her interests include fashion, food, travel, music, Peloton, and The Hills—not necessarily in that order. She used to have a Harriet the Spy notebook and isn’t ashamed to admit it.
