Style in Sweden

There is a shop in Lund that sells very tacky women’s wear. The clothes are supposed to be chic but just look cheap. Once there was a purple fake silk dress with rhinestones in the shop window, which wouldn’t even have worn a 1980s teenage girl at her prom. I would never have expected that they would offer something that I could be interested in but they actually do at the moment. It is one of the few shops in Lund that sells authentic Swedish hasbeens, handmade clogs in fashionable fresh colours.

The comeback of clogs started when Karl Lagerfeld included the wooden shoes in his cheerful and nature-inspired Chanel spring/summer collection 2010. They are really stunning and if they didn’t cost around 8000 SEK they would already be in my closet. Thank God that Topshop created a 7000 SEK cheaper version of the clogs, which are almost as chic as the original ones.

Since I can’t walk in high heels without at least two drinks (and I don’t drink everyday) the Topshop variant is not the right one for me in everyday life. Therefore I became interested in Swedish hasbeens, which have a more moderate heel. I was obviously not the only one who came up with this idea as the brand was in almost fashion magazine lately.

Here is an overview of the most beautiful hasbeens. The label has also recently launched a handbag collection featuring some very nice pieces. Simple and classic with a twist (and without any rhinestones): in my opinion the most beautiful way of designing clothing and accessories. The red peep clogs on the first picture are my favourites ones and personal must have this season.

Photos: Swedish hasbeens/Ingemar Lindewall

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Finally spring has also reached Sweden. It’s time to put off the winter coat and get some new clothes. Check out what’s new this season and where you can find it.

Nude look

Beige is in this season – even from head to toe. Therefore it is often called the nude look. Chanel and Malandrino even featured nail polish in shades of brown in their spring 2010 runway show. I think beige looks fantastic on darker skin tones, but I look kind of sick because of my very light complexion.

Velour, Nelly & Acne, Nelly

Stripes

I almost got a little bit tired of stripes but combining different kinds of stripes is a great way to pep up the pattern.

Only, Nelly & Serious Sally, Nelly

Bows

Inspired by Marc Jacobs’ spring 2010 runway show, many fashion stores and labels feature bows in their collections. I saw some very cute hair bows at Topshop. The blue bow on the picture is also from Topshop. I usually put it on handbags to give them a twist.  

Marc by Marc Jacobs & Topshop

Underwear everywhere

Underwear is private…well, it was. Wearing underwear over the usual clothing is one of this season’s greatest trends. I think a bustier combined with a denim jacket or pants like Robyn wears here looks very cool and sexy. However, I prefer to wear my bra under my shirts.

Robyn at this year’s ELLE awards.

Pastel-coloured

Pastel-coloured clothes are everywhere this spring. Real spring feeling!

Rare, Nelly & Vila, Nelly

Platform shoes and clogs

I think I had my last platforms when I was teenager and a fan of the Spice Girls. Combined with jeans they look really great, but I am not sure if I can walk in this kind of shoes. However, I think I will buy some clogs like these ones. They are really cool!

Nelly Shoes, Nelly & Mango, Nelly

Long dresses

Look like a Greek Goddess! Long dresses are back this spring.

Marlene Birger, Nelly & Soaked in Luxury, Nelly

Flower power

Say it with flowers! Wearing flower prints in spring is almost a little bit too cliché for my taste but I think the short dress looks very cool since the accentuated shoulders give the girly design an edgy touch.

Love, Nelly & Diesel, Nelly

Denim from head to toe

Look like a cowboy but without the head! Denim from head to toe is almost a must-have this season. Read more about it here.

H&M

Satchels

This is my personal favourite piece this season: high school satchels in rich colours such a green and yellow. These ones are handmade and available at the online retailer The Cambridge Satchel Company. If you prefer more traditional colours they also sell black and brown bags. You can also choose between different sizes. The smallest satchel costs 66£ (ca. SEK 727). If you want your satchel more personal you can even have it embossed for 5£ a letter (ca. SEK 55). Very cool and chic!

The Cambridge Satchel Company

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Apple has always been a brand that stands for more than just computers that are easy to handle.  The clean and simple design is convincing more and more people that the products are cool and stylish. Especially for people who are interested in design or music, an Apple computer is almost a must-have; like a suit for businessman or a white dress for a bride. I think I haven’t seen any serious DJ lately who has not been using Mac. I also have a Mac and would never buy a computer from another brand again. However, in contrast to most Mac users, I am more skeptical towards the iPhone and the hype about it.

There is no question that the iPhone is one of Apple’s greatest successes. It might be a myth but I heard that even every tenth person working at Microsoft has an iPhone. Regarding my friends, I don’t know how many times I have heard recently “You know what?? I finally have an iPhone! It’s so cool! I love it!” I am always a little bit surprised because I read that the iPhone is by far not the best smart phone due to the bad quality of the battery and the camera.

I always mention these disadvantages when my friends tell me about their new iPhone, but the only answer they usually have is “Yes, I know…but it’s the iPhone!!! Do you know how much fun all these applications are? You can even calculate when it’s best for you to wake up”! When they realise that their arguments don’t convince me, they just claim that I will also have an iphone soon.

What I think is so interesting and amazing about this hype is that people know that they can get better mobile phones for a cheaper price, but still, it has to be an iPhone. It seems that it is more than a trend. People believe in it and don’t question it like it was a religion. Religious people often say that they don’t need any physical evidence for God because they feel that God exists. I think it is similar with many iPhone users. They don’t need any statistics about prices and quality since they just feel that they need an iPhone. Can marketing more successful?

I am really curious if the new iPad will become successful, too. There have been similar products by other companies but all of them have been total flops. If the iPad becomes as fashionable and hip as the iphone, buyers must have some kind of religious believe in this brand.

We will see if I have an iPhone soon and read the newspaper on it at the train every morning or if I will stick to the paper version and my old and boring Nokia.

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I few months ago I friend told me about a horrible date with a guy who was a real nerd and mama’s boy. In the end I said “Jesus, he must be one of these idiots who combine jeans with denim shirts if mummy doesn’t suggest an outfit”! I don’t know if the guy really dresses like that but if he does he is definitely up-to-date as denim is this year’s greatest trend (and I am the idiot…).

I was actually a little bit surprised when I read that denim is so hyped this season. I mean has it ever been out? Can denim be out? Maybe there are more denim pieces available now such as blouses and vests but I have always had at least one pair of jeans in my wardrobe so I am not sure if we can talk about a comeback.

However, it is new to be dressed in denim from head to toe. H&M’s latest collection for spring, “The Blues,” consists of everything denim and blue: shirts, tops, jeans, skirts, jackets and accessories.

I like jeans and I like jeans blouses but combining them is not my cup of tea. I think it looks a little bit boring. An interesting outfit always needs a twist. It’s the same with wearing black. Black is always cool but only black is always boring in my opinion. Just ad some colourful accessories or shoes and the outfit looks much more fashionable.

Another aspect that I don’t like about denim is that it is so uncomfortable. People who have a more casual style often say that they love their jeans because they are so comfortable. I am wondering if they have ever tried a skirt or shorts. Believe me, they are much more comfortable if they are not too short!

Well, I hope that the new denim trend will bring up some new styles because I am a little bit sick of skinny jeans and leggings. Anyway, I like the denim trend. Classics can never go wrong!

Photos: H&M

Photos: Vila/ Nelly

Photos: Acne/Nelly, Cheap Monday/ Nelly

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Maybe I should check out my old clothes from the 1990s in my mom’s cellar because, according to Swedish Glamour, belly tops will be one of this year’s spring trends. When I was twelve I thought belly tops were incredibly cool and I was very proud when I finally got my first one. Well, today my enthusiasm is rather limited.

First of all, it reminds me of this whole rave generation of the 1990s and I have never been a real rave girl. The second problem is that belly tops just look great on a flat belly. I don’t mean that only super skinny people can wear belly tops but I think the belly region should not look like Homer Simpson’s. Again, I’m not talking about super skinny people. I have seen lots of people who are a little bit chubbier but who have a flat belly.

Anyway, after ca. 10 years of clubbing including cocktails and bear as well as many visits at McDonalds and other fast food restaurants, my belly is definitely not in the best shape anymore. Therefore I say “Nej tack!” at the moment.

On the other hand, ‘come back’ trends are often not a direct copy of the original. Designers borrow an idea from another decade and give it a twist. I hope they can surprise me with some interesting modifications because the rave belly top is definitely a no-go! However, the preview in Glamour looks promising…

Screenshot from: Glamour

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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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