Swedish Architect fashion!

[BillBaileysBum]

Someone used this phrase on a S&B thread the other day and it made me laugh, but it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.

I’ve lost two stone so far in lockdown and I’m hoping to lose one more before returning to the office. I’ll need to buy some new work outfits so I want to start thinking about that now to inspire me through the final stone.

My work style is “aspiring Swedish architect”! - what I mean by that is fairly classic/smart shapes with an “edge” somehow- an asymmetry or something else. I generally wear blacks/greys/navys to work but now I’m lighter I’m willing to embrace other colours. It’s a corporate workplace- no jeans, trainers or hoodies etc.

Anyone got any ideas of brands I can start watching?

Cos!

Cos (Obviously)
Margaret Howell
Me and Em
Arket
Toast
Kin by John Lewis

Love the description, I aspire to this!

I know what you mean but to paraphrase a poster on here, it’s a fine line between Swedish architect and Soviet bloc dental nurse

A PP has already covered the good shops.

Soviet bloc dental nurse 😂 love this so much

Also check out Muji - some of their shapes work well, and the current Marimekko collection is a bit more colourful as well.

Sorry - I meant Uniqlo but it appears Muji also do clothes!

All of the above, but at 5' 2" with ginormous boobins, I'm firmly in the soviet bloc dental nurse camp I'm afraid. Ah well, a girl can dream...

Ha!! Yes to the bloc nurse. I’m hoping to be able to pull off at a side 12 what I couldn’t at a 16-18. I’m slim hipped and long legged but have broad shoulders and big boobs so I totally hear you on the fine line!
Am going to research all of those brands, thank you. I’ve only heard of Cos and Toast and Uniqlo so some great avenues there.

God I’m finding it weirdly emotional and intimidating. I’ve spent the last few years dressing to fade into the background really.

The Toast sale is on , and there is a thread here on Mumsnet discussing many of the outfits. You may find some useful pointers to particular items that fit your ideas . I like the plain slightly sculptural jackets . Enjoy your searching and good for you losing the weight!

If you shop around you can find the odd item in regular shops

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Grey-Tencel-Maxi-Dress/136659971-Black?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

If you're a Swedish architect married to an Italian you might shop at https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/women/new-in/new-in/tunic-dress-with-shoulder-pads-c1344507p8934509.html?colorId=818&categoryId=1344507

@LoeliaPonsonby

I know what you mean but to paraphrase a poster on here, it’s a fine line between Swedish architect and Soviet bloc dental nurse

A PP has already covered the good shops.

Or as ds says, ‘Hello Hasidic Mum!’

This is so funny @BillBaileysBum, I nearly started the exact same thread after reading that comment about Swedish Architect!

Are there any instagrammers that are pulling this look off? I feel I need some inspiration on styling the look. I noticed with one of the baggy toast dresses someone had used a scarf to pull the waist in, and someone else had put a blouse under a dress I’d never think to put a blouse under.

I follow the shops themselves on Insta. Every so often they post “real” people wearing their stuff and I then follow those people.

Oooh good idea @loeliaPonsonby

I have 2 Comptoir Des Cottoniers jackets which I like to think are very stylish on me, though I do fear one is slightly more dental nurse than architect on somehow-both-apple-and-pear mid-40s me. I got them off eBay for about £30 each.

Laughed out loud at “Hello Hasidic Mum”

Like the idea of following the shops on Insta, thank you, I will do that. Struggling to see how I’d style some of these things so that might well help.

Loving Comptoir DC, thank you for that but yes- maybe one to watch for on eBay.

Cos, Arket, Uniqlo - I love this style, love block colours, structural shapes and the utilitarian aspect of the details and yes POCKETS. For outerwear/accessories I love my RAINS and Kanken backpack and they and am often eyeing up Reykjavik Raincoats and Stutterheim....

Nordicstylereport on Instagram is good for inspiration too

Monki - 90% of it is printed polyester but they do some great minimal organic cotton too

www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/product.hidden-button-shirt-dress-blue.0638581013.html

www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/product.maxi-t-shirt-dress-blue.0871249002.html

www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/product.a-line-shirt-dress-blue.0852952002.html

Architect here, not Swedish though, although I must say I find the Swedish bit odd as they're not considered to be all that interesting in the world of architecture. Denmark is more the scandi country when it comes to renowned architecture. Sorry, not relevant, I know.

Anyhow, those that wear the stereotypical 'architect' look tend to wear mostly Cos, Uniqlo, some arket and monki. Filippa K, Theory and Vince if they want to spend a bit more. Usually camper shoes, the last conspiracy boots or vans/vejas. It's generally those that don't want to stand out for their clothing all that much and blend in with giant headphones on their head.

Architects with a love of fashion tend to have a basic collection from the above and wear choice pieces and/or accessories from the following brands:

Studio Nicholson
Margaret Howell
Jil Sander
Marni (often from at least ten years ago)
(Old) Céline
Helmut Lang
Acne Studios
Proenza Schouler
Rick Owens
Ann Demeulemeester
Haider Ackermann
Comme des Garçons
Yohji Yamamoto
Issey Miyake Pleats Please
Armani suits (especially those who are petite)
Raf Simons
Maison Margiela

I'm probably forgetting quite a few, but essentially the designers that are conceptual/foreward thinking and/or very technical and craft focused. Cut, form, material, innovation, they're the overlapping principles between the disciplines and esssentially what catches the eye.

@botemp That is basically my fantasy shopping wish list 

@Squiz81 As well as Nordicstylereport on Instagram, have a look at Alexis Foreman and Brittany Bathgate. StyleMinimalism and deathbyelocutionblog are more casual exponents of the minimal aesthetic.