Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all are making this no fun, OP I will help you! Any pics as examples?

That fourth photo is basically my wardrobe and my mom calls me a “bag lady”. It’s such a comfy way to dress though!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all are making this no fun, OP I will help you! Any pics as examples?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't that be cultural appropriation? You are racist/insensitive/hateful/callous if you are not a Swede and trying to look like a Swede, don't you know?

No, cultural appropriation is acting like part of someone else's culture is your culture, without permission--you know, appropriating it--or passing yourself off being part of a culture for an advantage you would not get as a person of your culture, or selling a cultural icon or idea that is not yours. Just wearing something you bought in another country is not appropriating a culture.

Obviously PP is trolling - but I think it sort of depends. If you buy a traditional garment or a religious garment from another country and wear it, it can be iffy. If you just buy clothes from another country, I think that's unreservedly fine. If you just like the style you've picked up from another country, I think that's fine, too. Like that frenchy frenchy look with the striped shirts - you will pry those shirts off my body when I am dead.

There's a punching up/punching down aspect to this, too. If you are a wealthy white person who is aping the style of a less privileged group of people, there's something icky about it. If you're some middle class American admiring the style of those goddess Scandinavians, I think that's a different story.

Thus the "without permission."

How do you get "permission"?

For example, if you go to an Indian wedding and are asked or invited to wear fancy Indian clothing that you normally wouldn’t wear as a western person. Or wearing a headcovering or other required clothing when visiting certain religious sites. Thats not appropriation, that’s respectful, in context. But it would be weird to then wear outside of that setting.


Doesn’t anyone remember people getting mad at Madonna for wearing crucifixes as jewelry?

I actually don't remember anyone getting mad at her for that. Anyway she is Catholic. I'm Jewish and it would be weird if I were a rock star wearing crucifixes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't that be cultural appropriation? You are racist/insensitive/hateful/callous if you are not a Swede and trying to look like a Swede, don't you know?

No, cultural appropriation is acting like part of someone else's culture is your culture, without permission--you know, appropriating it--or passing yourself off being part of a culture for an advantage you would not get as a person of your culture, or selling a cultural icon or idea that is not yours. Just wearing something you bought in another country is not appropriating a culture.

Obviously PP is trolling - but I think it sort of depends. If you buy a traditional garment or a religious garment from another country and wear it, it can be iffy. If you just buy clothes from another country, I think that's unreservedly fine. If you just like the style you've picked up from another country, I think that's fine, too. Like that frenchy frenchy look with the striped shirts - you will pry those shirts off my body when I am dead.

There's a punching up/punching down aspect to this, too. If you are a wealthy white person who is aping the style of a less privileged group of people, there's something icky about it. If you're some middle class American admiring the style of those goddess Scandinavians, I think that's a different story.

Thus the "without permission."

How do you get "permission"?

For example, if you go to an Indian wedding and are asked or invited to wear fancy Indian clothing that you normally wouldn’t wear as a western person. Or wearing a headcovering or other required clothing when visiting certain religious sites. Thats not appropriation, that’s respectful, in context. But it would be weird to then wear outside of that setting.


Doesn’t anyone remember people getting mad at Madonna for wearing crucifixes as jewelry?

Anonymous wrote:OP, based on your posts, I don't think you actually need links to Scandinavian brands. I think you liked a certain style of dressing and need to create a short list of must-haves and then a list of "rules" for putting together outfits. Most of what you are talking about is not that hard to find, you just need to be organized about it.

I'd start by choosing some neutral colors to build around. Black/white/brown for instance. Or olive/gray. Or brown/gray. Or all shades of brown. Or all black. Lots of ways to go here. Layering neutrals is easy, but it will be much easier to shop and put outfits together if you limited to 2-3 colors. Otherwise you wind up with a great navy coat that looks weird with all your black shoes or something.

Second, short list of items. A suggested list based on your descriptions and photos:
- 1-2 pairs slim pants, cropped just at or above ankle
- 2-2 pairs menswear inspired pants, probably with a higher waist, pleats, and pockets to get the look you want. Either cropped at angle or easy to roll to ankle
- A GREAT wool coat, either menswear-inspired, cocoon style, or maybe a slightly a-line swing coat. Something with volume and nice details
- A few terrific cold weather accessories, including a blanket scarf or two for draping
- A pair of great sneakers, either bright for contrast or in a complementary neutral
- A pile of neutral basics: short and long sleeve fitted tees for layering, maybe a couple great casual dresses or skirts, some denim

Then nail down your favorite silhouettes and when you shop, stick to your colors, your aesthetic, and your silhouettes. It takes some discipline but it's much more about the discipline than the specific shops. You could literally do this whole project at, like, H&M on the cheap and come out looking pretty good. It's about being very purposeful in your purchases and also styling things thoughtfully.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't that be cultural appropriation? You are racist/insensitive/hateful/callous if you are not a Swede and trying to look like a Swede, don't you know?

No, cultural appropriation is acting like part of someone else's culture is your culture, without permission--you know, appropriating it--or passing yourself off being part of a culture for an advantage you would not get as a person of your culture, or selling a cultural icon or idea that is not yours. Just wearing something you bought in another country is not appropriating a culture.

Obviously PP is trolling - but I think it sort of depends. If you buy a traditional garment or a religious garment from another country and wear it, it can be iffy. If you just buy clothes from another country, I think that's unreservedly fine. If you just like the style you've picked up from another country, I think that's fine, too. Like that frenchy frenchy look with the striped shirts - you will pry those shirts off my body when I am dead.

There's a punching up/punching down aspect to this, too. If you are a wealthy white person who is aping the style of a less privileged group of people, there's something icky about it. If you're some middle class American admiring the style of those goddess Scandinavians, I think that's a different story.

Thus the "without permission."

How do you get "permission"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m scandi.

You need blonde highlights and comfortable shoes (but still stylish ones). Add in something stripy and then something denim. Accessorise with a fjällräven bag of some description. Keep jewellery to ‘less is more’. Done.

If you are 45+ you need short hair and a black coat in the winter. In fact, black coats in winter regardless of age.

Happy to answers questions. Good luck.

Hi!
What if I am brunette? Still some highlights?
I am thin 5’5. Do I need a cocoon coat? I prob can’t pull the long one. What are the good pant brands, do I need them oversized? I look good in oversized pants.

Yes- to cocoon coat. Hair- you might need a beanie hat. As for the height I’d pop on some Lotta from Stockholm clogs. You might just get away with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m scandi.

You need blonde highlights and comfortable shoes (but still stylish ones). Add in something stripy and then something denim. Accessorise with a fjällräven bag of some description. Keep jewellery to ‘less is more’. Done.

If you are 45+ you need short hair and a black coat in the winter. In fact, black coats in winter regardless of age.

Happy to answers questions. Good luck.

Hi!
What if I am brunette? Still some highlights?
I am thin 5’5. Do I need a cocoon coat? I prob can’t pull the long one. What are the good pant brands, do I need them oversized? I look good in oversized pants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always liked this woman's style: https://www.instagram.com/karinlindroos
Not tall, not rail thin, just interesting flourishes, and some sort of confidence I don't see around here. She's what I think of for Scandinavian style (even though there's also the young model variant). But she also reminds me a little of my sister who lives in Tahoe, so maybe its just boho w/Marimekko.

Fun fact: This woman—Karin Lindroos—is Finnish. And Finland is NOT part of Scandinavia. Many people think it is. But it’s not. It is part of the Nordic region. But, again, anything that is from Finland is not Scandinavian.

You’ll thank me one day when you’re on Jeopardy or in a trivia contest. 😬

Fun fact, she ethnically Swedish as are many Finns. She posts in Swedish, but lives in Finland.