It is officially freezing in the UK and the cold snap has sent us into a tailspin, wondering how to stay warm and dry without looking like we have lost all sense of proportion, polish or dignity.
British winter dressing has a habit of veering between underprepared and overengineered – too many thin layers, not enough thought, or the full Michelin man approach at the first hint of frost.
The people who do not seem remotely flustered by any of this? Scandinavians. Hardy, pragmatic and quietly stylish, they are well versed in navigating months of darkness, ice and sub-zero temperatures – and have refined cold weather dressing into something approaching a philosophy.
“There’s a very Scandinavian saying: ‘There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.’ I think that sums it up perfectly,” says Malin Glemme, 46, mother of three children – 14, 12, and 7 – and founder of the Swedish-based rug brand LAYERED.
Glemme knows all about cold weather dressing as she lives in Lidingö, just outside Stockholm, where winter temperatures can dip to minus 15°C, with “highs” that barely crawl above freezing.
Isabella Rose Davey, 34, COO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, says her city doesn’t miss a sartorial beat when winter hits. “People are as well dressed as ever, even when it’s snowing,” she says.
Start with layering
For Glemme, winter dressing starts with carefully chosen layers, in natural fabrics including wool and cashmere. “For me, winter dressing is about being warm without looking bulky or overdone. I’d rather invest in a few very good pieces than pile on too much.”
She starts with wool or cashmere base layers. “A thin cashmere knit works much better than several synthetic layers,” she says. “I love soft knits that feel luxurious but still insulate properly.” Her go-to brands for these items include Totême and Soft Goat, labels known for refined, minimal knitwear that look elegant indoors but also perform.
Malin Glemme, who lives in Lidingö, just outside StockholmOver that layer comes another jumper – often from designers such as Marni or Lisa Yang – and more affordable staples from COS, Arket or H&M.
Amanda Rosenhagen, 32, a now London-based PR whose Danish mother instilled a “sense of practicality whilst trying to stay stylish”, agrees with the layering principle, adding she rates Mads Nørgaard for wool accessories.
Invest in a good coat
Winter dressing relies on “a good coat which does most of the work, ,according to Glemme. She gravitates towards coats with strong structure and minimal detailing rather than overtly sporty styles.
Brands such as Filippa K, Arket, COS and Fjällräven strike the right balance, she says – “something you can wear every day without feeling casual”. Rosenhagen likes the brands Rains or Samsøe Samsøe – “one for casual and one a bit smarter”.
Davey sees some take a different approach. “Because Danes live by the hygge principle, homes are havens of warmth and cosiness,” she says. “Some wear full ski suits for the commute, with their normal workwear underneath.”
For an in-between approach, she recommends “a proper puffer coat is the best bet”, such as one by the Icelandic brand 66 North.
Accessorise – scarf, hat, gloves
Over her tailored coat, Glemme will add a substantial scarf: either a thick wool version to cocoon into, or a triangular mohair scarf to elevate a simple outfit. “I found a lovely one from COS a few months back,” she says.
Hats, however, are a sticking point. “I hate hats,” she admits. “I’d rather be cold.” But that’s not the prevailing Scandi view: woollen beanies are a common accessory on the Copenhagen streets, and Davey says that “warm gloves are key”, particularly as she – and many Danes – cycle even in freezing temperatures. “There is nothing worse than cycling 20 minutes home with red raw knuckles.”
The layering rule applies to feet, too. Glemme advises putting on several pairs of cashmere socks. “It keeps you warm without adding bulk, and it’s one of those little touches that makes winter more comfortable,” she says.
Isabella Rose Davey moved to Copenhagen six years ago and has learned to dress like a Scandi (Photo: Tine Bek)Opt for sensible footwear
Davey says that footwear underpins Danish winter dressing. “Proper boots with grip keep feet warm and can still look smart with trousers,” she says.
Boots should be insulated, with thick soles and good grip – ideally lined with shearling, according to Glemme, who favours the Swedish brand Tretorn, which she describes as “warm, practical and still polished”.
Rosenhagen, meanwhile, likes lace-up wellies by the Danish brand Ilse Jacobsen.
Dressing little ones
Dressing children for winter is taken particularly seriously as they lead an outdoor life, whatever the weather. “In Denmark, the babies are left outside to nap so they are all wrapped up incredibly warm and left to breathe in the fresh air, hence “flyverdragts” – Danish for ‘flight suit’, meaning all-in-one snowsuits – come into play,” Rosenhagen says. She dresses her own baby in snowsuits by TOASTIE, which look similar in style to ones she grew up wearing, and has also bought suits by MarMar Copenhagen.
For older children, “wool base layers are non-negotiable”, Glemme says, suggesting brands such as Reima, Isbjörn of Sweden and Polarn O. Pyret are trusted staples with an emphasis on warmth, breathability and durability, rather than novelty or trend, she says.
The most common mistake
So what mistakes do Scandinavians notice when Brits travel north in winter – and what might we be getting wrong at home? The most common, Glemme says, is underestimating the materials your clothes are made from. “Thin coats made from synthetics, cotton layers, or shoes that simply aren’t designed for cold weather are very common,” she says.
Another misstep is trying too hard. “Over-styling winter dressing often looks forced.”
The Scandinavian approach, by contrast, is quietly confident. “Scandinavian style is practical, but it’s also very discreet,” Glemme says. “You don’t dress for winter – you dress despite it. When clothes work properly, you can forget about them and get on with your day.”
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