Style in Sweden

As the year draws to a close it’s always the time for top ten lists. People summarise this year’s best songs, most successful movies, funniest quotes and of course fashion trends. So do I. Here’s my top ten list of the most influential fashion trends in Sweden in 2009. It does not reflect my personal favourite trends. This top ten list is rather a summary of what has been hip and hyped in Sweden this year including cool but also bizarre trends.

Sequins

The perfect material for a party dress! Shiny, tacky, cool! Of course, it’s one of these trends that everybody will laugh about in a few years. Photo: Rare Fashion sequin playsuit, Nelly.

Leather and latex leggings

They are chic, edgy, easy to combine, cheap, comfortable and probably in almost every girl’s wardrobe. It’s no surprise that leather and latex leggings have been so popular this year! Photo: Vila Lovely dull leggings, Nelly.

Military style

I don’t know if it was the Michael Jackson hype or just the general retro feeling of the 00-decade that pushed the military style. Anyway, I love it! The dresses remind me of the British 1960s supermodel and style icon Twiggy. Photo: Rare Fashion military dress, Nelly.

Harem pants

So far I am not really fascinated by these pants. I think they are really unflattering as they look like diapers. However, they are everywhere and I think they are becoming even more popular next year as H&M’s spring/summer 2010 includes several harem pants for women and men. Photo: Ichi Bumu jumpsuit, Nelly.

Fur

Fur, fur, fur! Real and fake! Jackets and hats! Sure, fur keeps warm which is a great plus here in Sweden but it’s not my taste. Poor animals! The faked version looks cheap I think. Photo: Diesel wrett jacket, Nelly.

Dr Marten boots

Either the original or a copy, they are back and look fantastic! Boots from: DinSko.

Gladiator sandals

Rome feeling in Sweden! Gladiator sandals were almost a must-have last summer in Sweden! Photo: Attack, Nelly.

Animal prints

Zebra, leopard, peacock…clothing shops looked like zoos in 2009. The peak was probably when Matthew Williamson and Jimmy Choo launched their collections for H&M in August and October. Photo: Mina UK Yoko dress, Nelly.

Tacky jewellery

The more rhinestones and colours the better! Actually I am not really a fan of gold jewellery, however, this kind of jewellery, often called ghetto gold, looks so tacky that I think it’s cool. It peps up every boring black outfit. Jewellery from: H&M.

Feathers

Especially during the holidays feathers give every outfit a very chic touch. Check out H&M if you like this kind of 1920s accessories. Alice band from: H&M.

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Harem pants are back. Back? OK, they were called MC Hammer pants in the 1980s but the form has not changed that much. The legs, from the knees down, are fitted while the crotch area is loose and baggy as if it were cut to be a skirt. In other words, they are some kind of mixture between skinny jeans and baggy pants.

Screenshot from: Glamour

Many women in Sweden already own a pair of harem pants although they are not particularly flattering as they make people look smaller and bigger. Of course, “flattering” is a subjective term, which is always connected to a certain beauty ideal.

Anyway, Swedish Glamour offers some insights into H&M’s spring/summer 2010 men’s collection including harem pants. The readers reacted very differently to this trend. Some of them were intrigued by the idea and some of them thought that the pants were incredibly ugly.

So far I can’t say that I would be happy if my boyfriend wore harem pants. On the other hand, it is great that H&M’s designer thought more out of the box this time when it comes to menswear. My male friends often complain that H&M’s menswear is very boring while girls can easily find some cool, modern and cheap clothes.

I’m excited if the collection will become a success or not. In general, it includes many interesting pieces such as kilts or colourful hats.

Click here if you want to see more of H&M’s spring/summer 2010 men’s collection.

Click here if you are interested in H&M’s spring/summer 2010 women’s collection.

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