Copenhagen Is Calling: 5 Key Trends Paris and London Fashion Buyers Are Backing

Anyone familiar with Scandi style knows it's unashamedly superior when compared to French-girl style or the "old money" aesthetic. Say what you want about the freezing weather in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, but the style set over there knows how to dress. So, it should come as no surprise that when I flew to Copenhagen at the start of the year to attend one of Europe's largest trade shows, the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair, my editor senses were tingling. Finally, I could go to the sartorial source and observe all the cool-girl trends that women elsewhere would surely be wearing next season—before the regular shopper even knew they were coming.

While attending CIFF was eye-opening as a fashion editor, for buyers from across Europe, it's business as usual to head to the trade show and place orders for the season ahead. Think of any retailer—luxury department stores, online shopping giants, or niche Antwerp boutiques—most likely, they were all at CIFF to scope out the best fall/winter 2025 trends.

"For me, [attending CIFF] is about discovery: meeting inspiring people, immersing myself in new creative universes, and bringing that energy back to Paris," Amaya Jaïs, a women's ready-to-wear buyer for Galeries Lafayette, told Who What Wear. "Copenhagen has a unique positioning: deeply tied to sustainability, yet never at the expense of desirability. It’s where you find the next wave of talent—brands that are ultra-creative but also incredibly wearable."

CIFF isn’t just a place to seal business deals—it’s a playground for discovering fresh trends and soaking in some serious creative energy. For buyers like Jaïs and Marks & Spencer buyer Jess Kiddie, it’s the perfect mix of work and inspiration, where they can spot the next big thing while also keeping it practical. From sustainability-driven designs to laid-back streetwear that still looks effortlessly cool, CIFF is where fashion’s commerce and creativity collide in the best way possible.

"My favorite aspect of Copenhagen fashion is just how effortlessly cool the style feels, particularly the casualwear," Kiddie, a junior buyer for the branded footwear department at Marks and Spencer, told Who What Wear. Although Kiddie, with eight years of experience in the shoe world, focuses on sneakers, loafers, boots, and other footwear options, it's hard not to feel an instant connection with the sartorial vibe CIFF brings to the city every January and August.

Of course, what people actually wear to CIFF is nearly as important as the brands they work for. "The most dressed-down looks still look perfectly thrown together. I'm just obsessed with how many cool streetwear brands we came across," Kiddie added.

After chatting with Kiddie, Jaïs, and womenswear buyer Emma Fawcett about my suspicions, they agreed: these five trends, spotted everywhere at CIFF, will likely be on clothing store racks within the next couple of months.

CIFF 64 was practically a zoo—not only because of the sheer number of vendors who set up camp during the trade show but also because of the market they were showcasing. According to Amaya Jaïs, a women's ready-to-wear buyer for Galeries Lafayette, reimagined animal prints were all the rage for buyers this season. Classic pieces like car coats, minidresses, and straight-leg denim have all been given the animal-farm treatment. If you're not loving a head-to-toe zoo look, Jaïs suggests the printed trend will evolve to be a bit more subtle, focusing on handbags and accessories for a pop of fun.

Jess Kiddie, a junior buyer on the branded footwear team for Marks and Spencer, agrees, calling out the use of cow-print motifs in sneakers and loafers across brands at CIFF.

Shop the Trend

Trends in Copenhagen—and Scandinavia at large—wouldn't be complete without mentioning the style set's reliance on classic, cozy knits. Slouchy sweaters and delicate cardigans were abundant at CIFF and, of course, in line with the country's sartorial DNA.

Emma Fawcett, a buyer for Branded Fall/Winter & Accessories at Marks & Spencer, explained that while knits are always a staple at CIFF’s Fall/Winter edition, boxy crewnecks and cardigans were everywhere this season. Extra trend-forward details, like ornate buttons or powder-blue hues, also made classic knits feel a bit fresher, according to Fawcett, an industry veteran with over nine years of buying experience.

Shop the Trend

While the Scandi style set's silhouettes might err on the classic side, their textiles don’t. Jackets, bags, coats, and shoes all incorporate interesting textures and kinesthetic elements—think crushed velvet, shearling, suede, fur, and pony hair. "I'm seeing lots of suede and great faux suede across bags, outerwear, and footwear in an array of colors, from classic tan to browns, lighter neutrals, and black," Fawcett said. According to Jaïs, you shouldn't count out faux fur, either. "It's making a strong comeback, bringing a sense of tactility and boldness to looks," she added.

Shop the Trend

Goodbye, merlot—hello, eggplant. Buyers at CIFF spotted merlot’s cooler, edgier cousin, aubergine, across jackets, boots, and leather accessories.

"Where burgundy was so popular last season, it seems to have moved on into a deeper aubergine tone, which looked super versatile in tailoring separates, knitwear, and outerwear," Fawcett explained. She gives bonus points for leather eggplant-colored accessories and accent pieces like loafers, ballet flats, or handbags.

Shop the Trend

Basics—but make them actually fun. Jaïs calls it tailoring with a twist. Think exaggerated necklines, too-short pencil skirts, or deconstructed trench-coat capes that, on the surface, look like wardrobe staples but, in reality, are a bit freaky. "Classic structures are reinvented, featuring bold collar plays or sharp architectural cuts," Jaïs said, perhaps referencing one of the vendors at CIFF that often appears on the Copenhagen Fashion Week calendar, Herskind.

Shop The Trend