They call Copenhagen the happiest city in the world. As someone who visited three years ago during a March cold snap and experienced the magic of hygge firsthand, I can confirm the slogan’s accurate. It’s the people. The food. The fashion—the Scandi-girl approach to style, where colors and prints are clashed with abandon and practicality is as valuable as personality in an outfit. All of it added up to a vacation that worked just as well as my Prozac does (well, almost).
Later this week, I’m headed back to Denmark’s capital city for a quick, five-day trip. Considering the canals won’t be frozen solid, and I can leave my Uniqlo Heattech at home this time, I anticipate two possible outcomes by the end of my stay. I’ll either have already signed my visa paperwork and put it in the mail, or I’ll come back to New York City committed to dressing as the Danes do for the rest of my summer. Which is to say: Unabashed, with as much whimsy as I can, and in a way my seven-year-old self would be proud of.
Image credit: Heidi Jones for Marie Claire
Image credit: Heidi Jones for Marie Claire
Image credit: Heidi Jones for Marie Claire
Granted, my style is already halfway there. I’ve previously written about my soft spot for tiger stripes and why I consider “curated maximalism” my fashion north star. I already own the hero shoe of Copenhagen street style, a quirky-cool pair of flip-flops. (Mine are aquamarine kitten-heel thong sandals from Melissa’s collaboration with Ganni, the brand that introduced Scandi style to the mainstream.) And I also have a good relationship with my inner child, who comes out to play when I need a fashion-facilitated mood boost. (She’s partial to anything pink and with volume.)
Ahead, I’m sharing the pieces that are coming with me to Copenhagen. Some I already own; others I just shopped and will hopefully arrive before my red-eye on Wednesday night. Regardless, consider the packing list below an inspirational starting point to kick off your Euro Summer 2026—or, if you have no travel plans abroad this season, a nudge to bring playful Scandi style to wherever you are.
Image credit: Heidi Jones for Marie Claire
Image credit: Heidi Jones for Marie Claire
Melissa X Ganni
Jelly Flip Flops
Because, yes, jelly sandals are still very much trending. I’ve already taken these for a spin with white denim (more on those jeans ahead), and the pairing felt delightfully summer-y. Copenhagen deserves to see the combo, too.
Uniqlo x Cecilie Bahnsen
Frill T-Shirt
In a sea of fashion collaborations, Uniqlo’s with Cecilie Bahnsen, the Danish designer known for ruffles, frills, and feminine touches, stands out as a small but effective edit of elevated basics. I got this ruffle-trimmed gray T-shirt and can confirm it works just as well with a satin midi skirt as it does with a more masculine pair of tailored Bermuda shorts.
The aforementioned white jeans in all their glory! What I love most about these so-called barrel jeans is that they’re a lot less bow-legged than their counterparts in the market. They still offer that signature rounded and tapered-in look, but don’t overwhelm my bottom half to the point where I feel like I’m from the wild, wild West.
Lazaro
Tala Large Leather Tote Bag
Meet my new favorite tote bag. Currently, I use it as a work bag, and boy, is it spacious: It fits my 13-inch laptop, packed lunch, makeup touch-up bag, and Kindle with room to spare! I have an inkling the large zebra-striped tote will moonlight well as a travel tote bag, too—and one that’ll fit right in with the Scandi style set who are no strangers to an unexpected pop of animal print.
Madewell
Perfect Crewneck T-Shirt
The cornerstone of all well-packed suitcase: a no-frills white tee.
Old Navy
Old Navy x Christopher John Rogers Halter Drop-Waist Dress
Christopher John Roger’s colorful Old Navy collection was another example of a brand collab done well. This electric red basque-waist dress made of stretchy cotton poplin is a no-brainer for my Copenhagen trip; It’s comfortable, striking, and can work for daytime exploring as well as sit-down dinners.
Damson Madder
Idelle Ruffle Layered Organic Cotton Tank
I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t expect the layered-tank look, a tactic I excelled at with my Limited Too tops in middle school, to become a trend I’d want to revisit. And yet, this kooky, mixed-print tank from Damson Madder has become a bright spot in my almost-summer wardrobe.
In my head, we’re in the dog days of summer. In reality, we do still need a lightweight coat on standby. Hence why I’m bringing this tan trench coat by Reformation.
My never-leave-the-house-without-them sunnies are of course coming with me.
Larroudé
Pavlova Ballet Flat in Black Leather
As much as my heart sings for a freaky shoe, I’m grounded enough to not travel anywhere without a neutral, comfortable flat in my suitcase. I’ve broken in these bow-bedecked flats from Larroudé, the shoe brand every style writer on Substack adores, and, at this point, consider them as easy to wear as slippers.
Coach
Empire Carryall Bag 34
In case no one has told you, Coach’s handbags are worth every ounce of hype and Internet praise they get. I take my east-west Empire with me around the city, from museum days to movie nights. (It even fits a small water bottle, but don’t tell the ushers at my nearest AMC theater.) When I thought of which purses to take on my trip, this one was an easy yes.
Almina Concept
Long Sleeve Boat Tee – Xs / Red
Worn layered over a white tank or tied around the belt as a color-punch around the waist, this cherry red super soft and stretchy long-sleeve tee has become the MVP in my closet as of late.
Bec + Bridge
Lunetta Twist Strap Dress
The perfect trying-but-not-trying-too-hard formal dress. I have a sweet tooth for all things chocolate brown and plan to wear this asymmetrical-neckline maxi with T-strap sandals (keep scrolling!) and crystal drop earrings.
I have the shoe brand Kizik entirely to thank for my trip to Denmark’s capital city—and for their slip-on-and-go Siena sneaker—which made my 10,000-plus walking days in NYC significantly easier and blister-free. I have full confidence they’ll do well up against Copenhagen’s cobblestone streets, too.
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