Sweden - home of ABBA, cardamom pastries and platinum blonde highlights. Safe to say, the country’s culture is vastly eclectic, with its history spanning 8th century Viking raids to 1970s beruffled flares. Hence, there’s quite a bit to do in the capital city of Stockholm over the space of 48 hours.
Especially for those with an eye for style. While the laidback metropolis is lesser known for its fashionscape than its colourful cousin Copenhagen, Stockholm - and more specifically its shopping scene - is not to be overlooked. Cool-girl brands such as Acne Studios and Rave Review were born within the city parameters, offering up subversive design, sustainable production and deconstructed silhouettes that perfectly encapsulate the Scandinavian penchant for tempered luxury with a hint of grunge rebellion.
© GC ImagesNordic brands are proudly dotted throughout the shopping district of Norrmalm and upscale Östermalm, ranging from native skiwear brands like J.Lindeberg and Peak Performance to homegrown household names including the H&M Group (& Other Stories, Cos, H&M, Arket) and cool-girl labels and Ganni, Samsøe Samsøe, Eytys, Toteme, Axel Arigato, Our Legacy and Nudie Jeans.
Not forgetting the thrift scene, which centres in the urban area of Södermalm (the city’s Hackney equivalent). Hornsgatan is lined with unisex vintage hubs for preloved fiends to discover, while tourists can break up their musings with the odd thrift stop in the old city of Gamla Stan. (Note - the best vintage spots are probably in the basement of some random shop, so keep your eyes peeled for 'vintage’ signs.)
While Stockholm remains more conservatively dressed than London in general (not hard considering there are absolutely no limits here), the Swedish girls certainly have a uniform. Tap into Scandi style and discover what the Stockholm girls are wearing below.
Stockholm street style trends 2026:
© Getty ImagesBootcut-Flared Jeans
The stand-out trend from the streets of Stockholm? Bootcut jeans with flared hems. Often cut in a mid-wash hue with raw edges, these Noughties-inspired bottoms are all the rage in the Swedish capital. Bonus points for embellished back pockets.
© Getty ImagesCapri Pants and Mules
Contrast to London's casual Saturday night scene, Stockholm favours a more polished dress code for after hours affairs. Come 7pm, the streets were peppered with girls sporting skin-tight black capri pants teamed with open-toe heeled mules.
© Getty ImagesStudded Suede
Also a leading trend in the UK, studded suede (particularly in the bag department) was ubiquitous among the Scandi style set. Preferably in a rich chocolate hue.
© Getty ImagesSilk Heasdcarves
Despite being a proud brunette, I'll be the first to admit I felt a tinge of hair envy during my stay. Thick, platinum blonde manes were coolly styled under printed silk headscarves en masse, serving up both Old Hollywood glam and contemporary Scandi polish.
© Getty ImagesMuted Palettes
Granted, Stockholm is known for its well-dressed dwellers, but the city remains fairly conservative on the colour front. Muted hues of navy, black and grey are key favourites, especially when it comes to cosy outerwear staples to combat the Nordic chill.
