What does a short Scandinavian architect wear ?!

[IrmaFayLear]

I have enjoyed Scandinavian architect discussions, and very much admire the look.

But..... I am 5’3” and not statuesque - more a wobbly Kylie Minogue. Cos stuff (and Arket etc) could clothe three of me - they are huge. I also want to avoid looking like Sandi Toksvig - she seems a lovely person but I don’t want to look like a PE teacher at parents evening (ie in their own clothes). Also wearing black/white one can look like a waitress or a hair salon employee.

Is there a person to copy? As I said, I am short, pale and thinnish but with Welsh wobbly arms and legs....

I'm about your height and suggest Uniqlo.

Oh, yes, I’m wearing a Uniqlo jumper at the moment. Is there an age at which black is too, well, black? I am 50s and I’m not sure about it really.

I thought all architects wore black trousers and black polo neck jumpers. Isn't it the law?

I have a cupboard full of same, but I’m not sure I’m really pulling off the look...

Toast clothes perhaps?
I am very into the Swedish architect look , older than you but taller 5'6

I dont wear black so much these days, but do wear a lot of blues ,

I like the look of MHL/Margaret Howell clothes, but I don't have the budget. Toast hasn't appealed for a while. Plumo has the Japandi clothes, and some Toast-y stuff.

There is some overlap with the Parisian look, and french brands like APC might be worth a look. I def. don't have the budget.

I wear lots of black, navy or denim. I like light blue too but for some reason I tend to ruin them in the wash.

Brand like Carrier Company and Finisterre are good too, and you can find good things in the high street when shops are open - H&M, M&S, Zara sometimes have finds.

I haven't bought anything from there in years, but I like the look of Muji clothes.

Scandi architects have to be taller than 5'8", otherwise they don't qualify!

That’s what I feared!

I use a local tailor to adjust most of what I buy.
And uniqlo

Muji worth a try

Muji are definitely worth a look but check the sizing.

I am a big fan of this look but I am also 5ft 3 and an hourglass, so there is a lot of picking and choosing what will work!

I love oversized clothes but it's a case of making sure I'm not swamped, not wearing everything big all at once, and the proportions are ok. So something like big wide leg trousers with a neat short shirt or jumper that finishes on my waist ( I find ones listed on ebay as cropped and they're not usually cropped on me!) If I want a big loose jumper, I'll get something with short or no sleeves and then wear something fitted like a uniqlo heatech top underneath.

Not sure what anyone else thinks but I think it works (and I'm too old to care too much if they dont!)

Yes - it’s a disaster to go big on top and bottom. You have to be the tallest of the tall architects to carry that off.

The outfit needs to fit somewhere. I'm quite broad shouldered and have shortish legs, so the wide cropped trousers are not for me, and neither are boxy jackets. A-line or full skirts are out, but are probably not SA anyway.

I like the SusieSoSo blog for a softer version this look. She's petite.

As a 4'11 blonde female architect I tend to live in black or red jeans with either black silk shirts/ neutral silk shirts, white linen shirts or black/neutral cowl necked tops
I go for nice fabrics and simple cuts rather than particular brands
The nice fabrics stop black, grey and white looking like a school uniform / waitress look.
I do also have a few blush pink silk tops I pair with black jeans and a black fitted jacket when I'm going for something softer.

That’s true about the nice fabrics, although some of my best things have come from Primark! Their sizes are a bit less generous so their trousers are not 14 miles too long.