Autumn is approaching and I’m so excited because it truly is my favorite season of all – I always describe it as it feels like part of me comes “home” when we reach the fall season, and today I wanted to share some tips of what to pack and wear if you’re going on a trip to Denmark or any other scandinavian country this season.

I’ve made a checklist of 20 items for 10 days which can be packed in 1 carry-on – but I will of course share some universal style tips too, so that you can pack whatever reflects your style best and also so it fits the length of your travel; the checklist is by no means meant as a “you have to wear these exact clothes in Denmark” but it will of course reflect the more general style advice I’ll present to you throughout the video. This is probably also best suitable for a city trip to Copenhagen for example, so if you’re going to the countryside you might want to adjust and level up the amount of practical items you bring instead.

So without any further ado – here’s what to pack for a trip to Denmark in fall 🍂

FUNCTIONALITY IS KEY

Now, one of the most important style factors for a lot of Danes is functionality. You’ll notice that mixing your more stylish wardrobe staples with slightly more practical ones are what a lot of people do here. After all, Copenhagen has more bicycles than cars so it’s really important that the clothes you wear allow you to move around freely. Scandinavian people are generally renowned for their casual way of dressing, so instead of adding practical clothes to your suitcase as a side note, think about how you can incorporate them into your looks so it feels like a natural extension and so you can still feel like your most stylish self.

Items like flats rather than lots of heels, cool but comfy sneakers, a nice raincoat, an umbrella and some layering pieces are essential for the autumn season in Denmark. Though our climate is not so extreme as in for example canada where you both have the hot and humid summers and then the freezing cold winters, we do have all 4 seasons here – and sometimes it almost feels as though you go through all 4 seasons in just one day. The weather can be really indecisive and change quickly within the hour, so being able to add or remove some layers is key.

VERSATILITY

When you’re choosing what to pack for your trip, make sure you picture all the events you’re expecting on your trip. You might have some full days with sightseeing, maybe a couple nights out for drinks and or a dinner and then you might have some more chill days in between. Either way versatility is key: you want to pack the bare minimum so you avoid an overflowing suitcase (because that will just make you feel overwhelmed by choices anyway) but at the same time you want to ensure you’ve packed enough for whatever events you’re expecting. Let’s start with sightseeing:

Sightseeing

These will be your most active days which will probably require lots of walking around, lots of spending time outside as well. So remember layering; if you’re not wearing all your layering pieces, then at least bring a couple with you so you have them if the weather acts up. If you don’t have room in your cross body bag, then consider bringing a canvas tote to carry extra bits in. For these outfits I’d especially stick with a pair of cool, comfy sneakers that you can walk around in all day. Then you can always dress them up with some nice accessories or a classic coat if it’s not raining. 

Chill day

I don’t know about you guys, but when I’m on a city break I usually make room for days in between all the sightseeing, where I’m not necessarily walking as much and generally spending less time outside on the go. This could be visiting a good cafe for lunch or maybe just hitting a few local vintage stores or similar. So these outfits are meant as inspiration for the days where you’ll be walking less, and therefore we can amp down the practical elements of the outfit a little bit, and amp up the slightly more stylish ones. If the weather allows it, you could also go out without a coat or jacket – this is where I’d wear wool trousers and a chunky sweater though, and perhaps layer under your thermal undies. This of course depends how close you get to winter, it might be too cold when we reach November time. 

Night out

Now the final outfits are meant as inspiration for going out for dinner or drinks – I don’t really go out-out, so that’s why you won’t see a lot of fancy dresses or high heels as part of my checklist. Rather I’d focus on packing some versatile items that can be worn both for day and night – like the blazer and flats, and then maybe bring 1 top or blouse that you can wear as more of a fancy piece. I’ve also included a pair of boots with a low block heel here, and I feel like these could very much also work for both day and night. And then it goes without saying that amping up your jewellery and accessories during the evenings will get you far too! Bring some statement earrings and a nice lip colour for example. I also love my black bag from The Curated because it comes with a shorter strap, which makes it the perfect little evening bag. 

GENERAL STYLE TIPS (ACCORDING TO A DANE)

As I mentioned before, Danes and Scandinavians in general are renowned for their casual sense of style. I think a lot of people would say that the general, timeless wardrobe staples like a blazer, straight leg jeans, t-shirt, wide leg trousers and a trench coat are typical staples you’ll find in most Scandinavian women’s closets; but actually, these are staples for a lot of people in a lot of countries and could easily be confused with for example staples of a French inspired wardrobe. What makes the whole difference though, is HOW these items are worn. Danes are all about those slightly exaggerated contrasts. Remember how I talked about practicality being a core part of Danish people’s wardrobes? Danes aren’t afraid to mix dressier items with functional ones and so it’s not uncommon to see people wearing a well-cut suit with a pair of chunky running shoes here. 

When it comes to colour, this of course varies depending on where in Denmark you are, well all of these style tips will of course vary depending on whether you’re in Copenhagen or in the outskirts of the countryside, but lots of Danish people prefer muted colours rather than super bright ones. Again, there are exceptions to that rule which I’ll get into in a moment, but neutrals really are dominating here. So think monochromatics like grey, black and white, but also earthy tones like beige and brown.

Having said that, I’ve definitely noticed a shift in Danish fashion over the years, and things aren’t always as minimal as they perhaps once were. Adding a colour pop like a beanie, a pair of shoes or just a bag is something people seem to really enjoy too and it’s a fun way to break up with that stereotypical “Scandinavian” way of dressing. It doesn’t all have to be neutral and colourless.

If you were to ask me what the general dress-code is here, I’d say smart/casual in a heartbeat. Again those contrasts between practicality, cosiness and being well-dressed is the norm. So think no makeup makeup looks, easy-going hairstyles like a simple low bun or a natural beachy wave and then mixing elements from both the classic and the casual wardrobe – for example a trench coat, a woollen sweater with a pair of wide leg, tailored trousers and a pair of sneakers. 

Timelessness is something Danes value quite a lot too, not only for fashion actually but also when it comes to interior. While “investing” in your wardrobe is kind of a myth due to the fact that clothes lose their value over time caused by wear and tear, changing trends and other factors, I do believe that buying clothes in general with a mindset of wanting to “invest” in timeless classics that can potentially last through several generations, is quite important to keep in mind. Quality above quantity is another way to put it, as well as of course versatility.

So there you have it guys, my best tips on what to wear and what to pack for a trip to Denmark during the autumn season – again remember to watch this with an open mind, not all Danes dress alike and also remember to alter the checklist so it fits your style and your trip. But either way I hope you enjoyed it and that you found it helpful in at least some way.

Don’t forget I’ve made several videos in the past of things to do and see in Copenhagen, so in case you want to watch some of those then I’ll make sure to link them down below for you.