Swedish summer holiday wardrobe

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

V excited - have booked 5 days in Sweden in July in the western archipelago. Beautiful islands, temperature between 16 and 30 degrees, probably sunny but need to be prepared in case the weather changes.

I always look unglamorous and awful on holidays. I only have one frock I like and it gets grubby and I look like a scruffy teenager.

I want to look great with a capsule wardrobe that suits the vibe (cool, casual, a bit Cape Cod-y) of the place. Also having a night in a properly posh hotel with a Michelin star restaurant so need one glam frock.

Anyone bored and want to transform me? I'm 5'5", size 14 hourglass-ish, brown hair, generally suit blues, pinks and whites but tend to wear a lot of black and grey (think this is against the spirit of the much better look I am hoping for).

Imagine I'm the star of an advert for a really brilliant holiday in this place visitsweden.com/west-coast-archipelago/
Or possibly a non-murdering character in an Agatha Christie style mystery set there. What should I be wearing?

I went to Southern Norway last year, a similar vibe

I dressed in hiking boots, jeans or shorts, t-shirt and lightweight raincoat.... as did everyone else

Saying that, we did not go to a Michelin Star restaurant.

My impression of Denmark, Sweden and Norway (have visited them all) is that people dress practical, for the changeable weather.

Love Scandinavia, have a lovely time!-

Thank you - what was the weather like for you? (I know this is a bit of a meaningless question in this context but I don't know anyone else who's been anywhere near.)

No idea what you could wear but very jealous of your holiday.

For some bizarre reason, the Swedes and the Danes I’ve met liked my Cos dresses (really simple, block colours, can be dressed up or down).
So, try Cos?

I live in Sweden. I find the weather a lot less changeable than the UK. So in July it'll either be roasting for your holiday or a complete washout. But in my experience mostly likely dry.

The Scandi vibe is generally v practical. Flat shoes, good coat etc. Either super practical and sporty (trainers, running gear and hillwalking jacket) or (more likely to be found in the bigger cities) that androgynous cool they do so well. They don't tend to be very adventurous with colour palettes: lots of greys, blacks and whites, so your favourite colours will fit right in. I would probably focus on trousers rather than dresses. Or you could do short dresses with trainers if you can pull that look off?

Have a look at Cos. They have lots of chic but unfussy designs. You probably want to go slightly minimalist - the opposite of the flounces, frills and heels look.

Just had a look at Cos. Man, that's a horrible website! They have managed to make the beautiful models look like in-patients. Might need to check things out in a real shop in case they look different in real life.

Thanks for the suggestions so far and the weather advice. Keep them coming!

Agree about the Cos website. I looked the other day and was so disappointed. I think the same about Jigsaw online too and have told them.

Cotton culottes with a vest top and white trainers? With a light camo or denim jacket if not super-warm?

Haven't seen it irl but this dress looks nice.

]]www.hush-uk.com/womenswear/daywear/jackets/camo_military_jacket_camo.htm Jacket]]

I love that dress Remus. I've not really been aware of Hush - will spend a bit of time on that website, thank you.

ITS COLD THERE

You will be in the stuff you are wearing now

A fluffy dressing gown and ski socks?

Not the look I'm going for

Yes - tbh just get nice trainers an a cool lightweight jacket

You see, in my head, I am laughing afterwards and saying how unexpectedly hot it was and showing off my tan and pictures of myself, marvellously dressed, eating langoustine in the sunshine.

Don't ruin it for me...!

It gets very cold at night in Sweden, even when it's roasting during the day.

If you want to blend in, you have to be prepared for the weather. Swedes always are. We went out round the islands off Götebörg shortly after moving here. It started to rain so there was me with my brolly, DH getting a soaking and my friend with carrier bag on her head, while every single Swede whipped out from nowhere a full ensemble of waterproof gear. We looked like complete plonkers.

Okay, noted, thank you. I have a waterproof coat I can take. I still want to wear nice things underneath though.

Elizabeth We have a Hush thread! Come and see what we rate! enabling .

You could also look for Two Danes ..I love their stuff..and quite a few places sell it here

Being nosy, which islands are you going to? Ruddy love sweden

Just take a fleece, I experienced snow in August in Stockholm

Seasalt also ? ..am v of your holiday!

I’d take superga and tan leather sandals (saltwater). Cropped or rolled up 7/8 chinos and long knee length shorts and a few t-shirts with different length sleeves and a shirt/blouse or two. A cardi or two and nice waterproof.

Definitely a waterproof and good shoes. I dream of wafting round on holiday. Have been to Sweden and Denmark in August. People basically wearing what you would in London or anywhere in the U.K.

I went Estonia (close-ish) in May a few years ago and it was lovely and hot. Didn't need my fur knickers once. Stay positive!