Style in Sweden

It’s almost impossible not to watch the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. I couldn’t avoid it either. Ok, to be honest, it was actually fun to watch and judge all these crazy musicians from all over Europe presenting corny music in dresses who were totally over-the-top. The more glitter the better!

Dressed over-the-top? Corny music? This year’s winner, the Norwegian Alexander Rybak, was simply dressed and if I forget the lyrics and just focus on the music I even don’t find the song corny. I think he presented a quite original piece (at least in comparison to the other participants).

It’s fantastic that the usual winning method ‘sex sells’ didn’t work this year. A charming young guy dressed in a classic black vest combined with a white shirt and some black suite trousers accomplished the best score in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. All the Barbie girls shaking their arses in their short dresses did not have any chance against the Norwegian violin player.

In particular Germany had to learn that just a sexy woman is not sufficient to win this competition. Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese supported the German participants “Alex Sings and Oscar Sings” by dancing and smiling in a corset that was so tightly laced that I was wondering how she was able to breath. It didn’t help. Germany was almost last.

When I saw Alexander Rybak’s performance I (and every other person in the room) said, “Oh my God, he’s so cute”. I have never voted in the Eurovision Song Contest before but tonight I spent 4,95 crowns for this talented, well-dressed and cute Norwegian singer. I hope it was really his charm and talent and not the result of two and half years of enjoying Swedish culture…

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The Hives are one of Sweden’s most successful music exports. They fill huge concerts halls almost all over the world and won many prizes. They even brought me to Sweden. I wanted to learn Swedish because I always wanted to interview the Hives so I planned to study one term here. That was in 2007 and I didn’t move back.

However, the Hives are not just famous for their music. Many magazines such as the British NME praised them for their style. Sometimes I even find them in typical fashion magazines talking about their clothes.

In my opinion they are the best-dressed rock band ever. Generally, I like chic retro garments with clear lines, few colours and contrasts. The Hives exactly merge these four criteria. They just wear elegant black and white 50s style tuxedos, which contrast with their kind of naughty and arrogant music; like a perfect son-in-law making rock music. 

With every album the Hives change some details such as suspenders, neckerchiefs, bow ties or ties. Always, black and white, of course!

“The Hives are the law and you are crime” is one of their song titles. When it comes to their clothes I totally agree. Most rock bands actually look so boring compared to the Hives. Of course, music shouldn’t be about how people look like but it’s great if both fit so fantastically together. 

Pictures: Luger

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Swedes know how to dress well. And Swedes know how to make good music. Lykke Li is a Swedish artist who perfectly combines music and fashion.

It’s no wonder that Lykke Li won the ELLE award for best-dressed Swedish woman in 2008.

She always looks very unique without being overdressed. I find her clothes perfectly reflect her music. Romantic but not tacky, Swedish but not Svensson and cute but not girly.  

Characteristic for Lykke Li’s style is the hair bun. Even if she doesn’t wear it that often anymore I still see a lot of girls and even some guys with the hair style.

Lykke Li is a fantastic artist but her attitudes and comments are sometimes pretty annoying. When she won the ELLE award for instance she told the magazine, ‘It felt weird that I won the award. I have found clothes in trashcans my whole life’.

She was dressed in Lagerfeld, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Ann-Sofie Back and Acne when she commented on her prize. Is it so uncool to care about style and buy expensive clothes? Even if it is, I think such a comment is even more ridiculous. 

Picture 1: Luger

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I was at Blekingska nation, a student club here in Lund, on Friday. It’s a nice place where you can listen and dance to Indie music and enjoy drinks for student-friendly prices. I think it’s the second best student club here in Lund (the best one is Småland’s nation).

The only thing that really annoys me at Blekingska is the DJ. Sometimes the music is too low, sometimes too slow and sometimes the play lists are not mixed very well. This time we got five hours of ‘sleeping Indie’, as I call it. That is Indiepop, which is so monotonous and boring that it makes me aggressive if I’m confronted with it in a party mood. If you are a talented newcomer DJ living in the south of Sweden, please come to Lund and play at Blekingska!

Nevertheless, after my regular moaning about the music I realised that a lot of people had some funny disguises that night. 

Here are my favourites:

First I met the Flintstone ladies…

Then I spied Emma. Well, that night she was the evil lady Cruella de Vil from the movie 101 Dalmatians. By the way, I love the white wig.

And then I saw the White Witch from Narnia. First I thought she was some kind of space Lucia but I didn’t tell her. 

I also met a guy dressed as Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing but he was too ashamed to be photographed. At least after my comment: You??? Patrick Swayze???? 

But not everyone was in disguise. Look at this cute girl here.

Trouser suit from Gina Trikot. So 80s. So fantastic. 

And then I met Emanuel. I think he is first guy having the Lykke Li bun. Together with the red glasses and the small blue tie, he looks like a cool 80s comic nerd. 

When I went home I saw this poster here and I became very happy. Firefox AK will play at Blekingska on April 24. Don’t miss them if you live in Skåne. I saw them once in Dortmund in a church and it was a really great concert! 

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