You never imagine yourself to be the one snooping on people on the street, taking discreet pictures of your feet. And yet, here I was in the capital of Denmark, discreetly taking pictures in the Copenhagen style and secretly pursuing Scandi girls who had a killer pair of sneakers. (Insert smiling smile emoji.)
I should explain that I was in the Nordic city with Ecco, a Danish shoe business whose headquarters are located outside of the city, so shoes were definitely on my mind, which helps to explain this strange (and I swear, unique!) conduct. We were present to commemorate the launch of Ecco’s second partnership with the Italian design firm RAL7000STUDIO, which will launch in Canada on August 16. These trainers aren’t your aunt Carol’s; inspired by Y2K skate culture, the icy-colored shoe is a hybrid of a runner and a combat boot.
And everywhere one looked in Copenhagen, intriguing shoes could be found. There was the standard selection of sandals and sneakers—a summertime necessity when riding a bicycle is your primary source of transportation. However, as I discovered when visiting, Copenhagen style is all about unexpected pairings, and this certainly extended to footwear: long shorts and tall boots; sports shoes and coquette skirts; suits and flip-flops.
It was difficult to keep track of all the Copenhagen style inspiration, so I created a cheat sheet with the five shoe trends I frequently noticed Scandinavian ladies wearing, along with recommendations on where to wear them when visiting the chic city.
Ecco sneakers
The trend: Ecco has very much attained a cult-like status in Copenhagen, even though it may not feel this way in Canada yet. I saw the embossed “E” emblem on sandals and trainers everywhere I went.
The style: A linen jumpsuit or tailored trousers. This content creator chose the second option, as can be seen above, and wore some Ecco runners with a stunning coral one-piece. The trainers add a more laid-back vibe to the ensemble and are ideal for all the biking that Copenhagen has to offer. In Danish, how would one pronounce “laissez-faire”?
Wear them: When you go shopping on Strøget, which is Europe’s longest pedestrian-only street. The cobblestone may wear you pretty ragged, but if you’re more into whimsical pottery, understated jewelry, and Scandi-girl attire, you’ll want to shop for hours! Comfortable shoes are very much a must.
Flip-flops
The style: In 2024, flip-flops will be worn more like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and the Olsen Twins than like Adam Sandler and retired surfer, to borrow the words of philosopher @kelsey_simone. I saw this shoe all week, and it was unquestionably the most popular one I saw in Copenhagen, so people knew the difference.
The appearance: There were no restrictions on their styling. wearing an extended denim trench? Yes. A skirt and a soccer jersey? Why not? However, the classic Scandi-girl ensemble of an oversized blazer, a silky dress, and thick socks is our favorite—naked feet are so 2023.
Where to wear them: At Aamanns Replik for lunch. Take a stroll down the coastline and, if you’re feeling really daring, take a quick plunge into the Baltic Sea. After that, stop for some traditional open-faced sandwiches from Scandinavia. You’ve never tasted smoked salmon like this, I assure you.
Ballet flat hybrids
Trend: Are these athletic? Do they have a preppy vibe? Who knows? These shoes epitomize Copenhagen style—they’re ballet flats with sneaker soles. You’ll soon be belting out “Best of Both Worlds” by Hannah Montana.
The style: A mash-up of patterns and prints. Similar to how these athletic flats combine many styles, the Scandi girls were mixing multiple prints into a single, well-coordinated ensemble. Extra points for a baseball cap and headscarf that match.
Where to wear them: At Copenhagen’s oldest bakery, Sankt Peders Bageri, while ordering a cardamom bun. Steps from my hotel (Hotel SP34), this gourmet destination—which I affectionately refer to as The Golden Pretzel because of the sign—became my go-to spot for breakfast.
Knee-high boots
The trend: You would be mistaken to believe that 25ºC stopped Scandi females from wearing boots. Throughout the week, leather, embroidered, plastic, and sequins all made an appearance. They gave off serious Cowboy Carter vibes—minus the American patriotism.
Style: Bermuda shorts or jorts. Allow those puppies to breathe while you embrace your “Free the Knee” moment. To counter the dad vibe, dress preppy, like the person above, and don’t be afraid to accessorize with statement sunglasses.
Where to wear them: At the Ganni outlet store, also known as Ganni Postmodern. Not having air conditioning (#Europe), this small store gets packed, hot, and stuffy very fast. The sales plus the VAT return (IYKYK) are what make it worthwhile. When you’re competing with a tall blonde for a half-price peplum shirt, these robust toes will come in handy. I can talk from experience here.
Image: Google
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