Why are the Swedish so stylish?

Nothing will make you feel more underdressed than walking the streets of Gothenburg. I am not one to get worked up about my fashion choices; you’ll usually find me in a hoodie or some jeans and that’s about it. However, having lived in Sweden for almost six months now, I’m starting to question my choices.

Sweden is, without a doubt, a country of style

Why are the Swedish so stylish? It actually took me quite a while to fully ponder this question. In the beginning, I’d just be walking to my lectures in my oversized raincoat and muddy hiking boots, rarely paying attention to those around me. But now, the Swedes’ fashion sense is the only thing that catches my attention, and for good reason.

Sweden is, without a doubt, a country of style. H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is probably their most well-known brand that has now expanded worldwide. Along with this, Sweden is home to Acne Studios, Rodebjer, and Fillipa K –just a glimpse at these websites will prove to you how good the sense of style is here.

Even in my lectures, everyone seems so well-dressed that it’s almost embarrassing. I never put too much thought into what I take out of my wardrobe in the morning, but the Swedes have made me rethink my life entirely. This may sound like I’m falling for peer pressure here, but I truly believe that my eyes have been opened to a completely new sense of fashion and style. I’m probably still a long way off from looking as stylish as those who walk the streets of Gothenburg, but let’s have a look at what exactly makes the Swedes so fashionable.

First of all, they are minimalist. Before coming to Sweden, I was very much a logos, merchandise, and bright-coloured person when it came to my clothes. Whether that be a Game of Thrones t-shirt, a hoodie inspired by my favourite Disney film, or a jacket covered in collectable pin badges, I had it all. However, once I sat down in my first lecture wearing a bright green Snoopy hoodie, I felt like I’d made a mistake.

The Swedes’ colour palette mainly consists of very simple colours: white, grey, black, and brown, all in various shades but with no vibrant colours. As I looked at my yellow, green, and orange-filled wardrobe, I couldn’t help but think that maybe dressing like a rainbow wasn’t quite the vibe here. Don’t get me wrong, I could never give up these clothes, but I did feel like I needed to tone it down a bit.

Plain jumpers, plain trousers, a long plain overcoat, some plain shoes, and you’re all set to walk the streets of Sweden. Now, I am aware that I am making very big generalisations here – there are of course many other fashionable people walking around Gothenburg in all the colours of the rainbow, but the trend recently, especially amongst students, seems to be ‘simple yet stylish’.

Another thing I’ve noticed about Swedish style is that they are very functional. Whenever it gets the slightest bit cold outside, my fashion sense seems to get thrown out the window. I don’t care what I look like, as long as I’m warm. This usually involves wearing a hat, scarf, and gloves that do not match whatsoever, two pairs of trousers, and a hoodie I’ve worn since I was 15. Does the weather stop the Swedes from being stylish? Absolutely not.

Winter seems to be the time when Swedish people pull off style the best. The aesthetic scarves, the matching hats, and the long flowing coats make them all look like they belong on the set of something I’ve seen in Peaky Blinders. There’s me wrapped up like a marshmallow walking alongside guys who look more like fashionable detectives. Even the children seem to know what they’re doing, in their flared trousers and trendy coats. I like to think that I look like the main character when I stand out, but I think it’s more of a foolish and clumsy protagonist in a comedy movie.

If you ever come to Sweden, be prepared to question all your fashion choices and look at the people around you in absolute awe

So, have I adapted to my environment? Absolutely not. First of all, clothes here are expensive. It takes me a while to mentally convert Swedish krona to British pounds, but when I do, I immediately put whatever I was looking at back where I found it. Second of all, I love my clothes. Do I feel out of place? Yes. Do I feel outdressed? Of course. But will I let it affect me? Not at all. Life’s too short to get worked up about what I’m wearing especially when what I’m wearing is perfectly comfortable. Come to think of it, one of the only clothing items I’ve bought so far in Gothenburg is a swamp-coloured hoodie with ‘SWEDEN’ written in big letters on the front – I think that’s quite the opposite of adapting really.

So, if you ever come to Sweden, be prepared to question all your fashion choices and look at the people around you in absolute awe. However, don’t let it get to you. Wear those dungarees, wear that silly hat, show off your mismatched socks; do whatever you do to feel like you, and don’t let someone else’s fashion choice tell you otherwise.