Photos: PHI Atelier, Studio Constance, Séfr

“Scandi style” has become a global shorthand for fashion that feels both effortless and intentional. But within the “Scandi” umbrella, the aesthetic can be categorized into three directions:

• Clean minimalist: streamlined wardrobes built around timeless pieces, seen in brands like Toteme, Filippa K, and Arket.
  
  
• Colourful maximalist: bold prints, playful palettes, and Copenhagen’s energy, with brands like Ganni and Stine Goya leading the way.
  
  
• Edgy, fashion-forward street style: brands playing with materials, colours, and silhouettes like Acne Studios, as well as streetstyle-inspired labels such as Our Legacy and Axel Arigato.

In addition to Scandi fashion becoming a known style direction globally, the brands defining it are performing well and holding their value in the resale market. According to Vestiaire Collective, Ganni and Toteme are among the most popular brands in resale. In Vestiaire Collective’s latest Resale Buying Guide, both ranked among the top 10 brands retaining value and desirability. And according to Lyst’s ranking of the hottest fashion brands worldwide, COS holds the 7th position among luxury names such as Miu Miu, The Row, and Loewe.

Perhaps it is this combination of minimalism and self-expression that has made Scandi style so influential globally, and so strong in resale. Minimalism and high-quality wardrobe staples are always in demand, bold prints from Ganni have become cult favourites, and streetwear drops such as Axel Arigato’s sneaker collections keep their hype.

To get to the roots of what has defined the Scandi style, we need to look at the major brands in the field. This blog features 18 brands that have defined, and continue to shape, Scandi style.

18 brands that have defined the “Scandi Style”

Legacy brands - founded in the early 1900s

1. Tiger of Sweden (1903)

Founded in 1903 in Uddevalla, Sweden by Marcus Schwarzman and Hjalmar Nordström, Tiger of Sweden introduced ready-to-wear tailoring in Sweden and has evolved into a brand known for clean cuts, understated detailing, and relaxed elegance.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Blazers, tailored suits, wool coats.

Photos: Tiger of Sweden

The OG group - founded in the 90s-00s

2. Filippa K (1993)

Filippa Knutsson launched her eponymous brand together with Karin Hellners and Patrik Kihlborg in Stockholm in 1993, focusing on timeless, no-fuss fashion. They saw a need for simple, well-made garments that answer to the real experiences of daily life while balancing style and comfort in equal measure. The label remains a cornerstone of Scandinavian minimalism.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Outerwear, knits, shirts, classic trousers.

Photos: Filippa K

3. Samsøe Samsøe (1993)

Samsøe Samsøe was founded in 1993 as a small jewellery shop in Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter by brothers Klaus and Preben Samsøe. The label soon expanded into premium T-shirts and knitwear, initially for men. In 2000, new owners took over and transformed the brand into an international fashion house offering contemporary clothing, footwear, and accessories for both men and women. Today, Samsøe Samsøe is recognised for its wearable, utilitarian designs that balance modernity with a trend-driven edge.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Wardrobe basics, knits, denim.

Photos: Samsøe Samsøe

4. Acne Studios (1996)

Acne Studios was founded in Stockholm in 1996 as part of the creative collective ACNE. A year later, cofounder Jonny Johansson created 100 pairs of raw denim jeans with red stitching, which quickly gained attention from publications like Vogue Paris and helped the brand to rapidly expand their fashion offering outside of denim. In 2006, Acne Studios became a standalone fashion company. Today, the brand is known for mixing design, culture, and trends into distinctly cool and fashion-forward pieces.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Denim, leather jackets, accessories.

Photos: Acne Studios

5. DAY Birger et Mikkelsen (1997)

Founded in Copenhagen in 1997, DAY Birger et Mikkelsen has built a reputation for wardrobe staples that balance function and personality.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Flowy dresses, blouses, and trousers, tailored pieces, knits.

Photos: DAY Birger et Mikkelsen

6. Rodebjer (2000)

Rodebjer was founded in New York in 2000 by Carin Rodebjer, but its identity is firmly rooted in Scandinavian design. Drawing inspiration from both New York’s energy and the serenity of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, the brand strikes a balance between maximalism and minimalism.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Lightweight blazers, dresses, wide-leg trousers.

Photos: Rodebjer

7. Second Female (2000)

Second Female was founded in Copenhagen in 2000. The brand balances fluid fabrics with minimalist tailoring, creating feminine and wearable pieces.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Dresses, blouses, knits.

Photos: Second Female

8. Ganni (2000)

Ganni was founded in 2000 by Frans Truelsen as a cashmere line, and reinvented in 2009 by Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup into the bold, playful label it is today. Now one of the best-known “Scandi” brands, Ganni has built its reputation as the antithesis of Scandinavian minimalism, celebrated for fun prints and maximalist style.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Shirts and dresses, floral prints, standout outerwear.

Photos: Ganni

9. By Malene Birger (2003)

Designer Malene Birger co-founded Day Birger et Mikkelsen in 1997 before establishing her own label, By Malene Birger in 2003. By Malene Birger is known for clean lines, soft tailoring, and polished aesthetics.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Dresses, tailored coats, blouses.

Photos: By Malene Birger

10. Our Legacy (2005)

Founded in Stockholm in 2005 by Jockum Hallin, Cristopher Nying, and Richardos Klarén, Our Legacy is recognized for its custom-developed fabrics and distinctive silhouettes, combining Scandinavian minimalism with experimental design.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Shirts and tees, outerwear, relaxed tailoring.

Photos: Our Legacy

11. House of Dagmar (2005)

Founded in Stockholm by three sisters, Karin Söderlind, Sofia Wallenstam, and Kristina Tjäder, House of Dagmar emphasizes clean lines and timeless femininity.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Skirts, knits, and coats.

Photos: House of Dagmar

12. Stine Goya (2006)

Stine Goya launched her eponymous label in Copenhagen in 2006. The brand is known for playful prints, bold colors, and a whimsical take on Scandinavian design.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Print dresses, color-blocked pieces, standout outerwear.

Photos: Stine Goya

13. COS (2007)

Part of the H&M Group, COS, acronym for Collection of Style, was launched in 2007 to offer timeless, design-led basics with a focus on longevity.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Structured shirts, wool coats, knitwear.

Photos: COS

Newcomers (founded in 2010s)

14. ATP Atelier (2011)

Founded by Maj-La Pizzelli and Jonas Clason in 2011, ATP Atelier is “a love child of a lifestyle between Italy and Sweden”. ATP Atelier creates high-quality leather bags and shoes with a minimalist design.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Leather shoes and handbags.

Photos: ATP Atelier

15. Toteme (2014)

Elin Kling and Karl Lindman founded Toteme in 2014, focusing on building a uniform wardrobe of elevated essentials with a luxurious twist.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Coats and jackets, knits, high-quality basics.

Photos: Toteme

16. Axel Arigato (2014)

Founded by Max Svärdh and Albin Johansson in Gothenburg in 2014, Axel Arigato began with sneakers and evolved into a cult streetwear-inspired lifestyle label.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Sneakers and trainers, logo hoodies, jackets, and coats.

Photos: Axel Arigato

17. STAND STUDIO (2014)

Founded in 2014 by Nellie Kamras, STAND STUDIO set out to create expertly designed leather pieces at an accessible price. The brand has since expanded its collections beyond leather and faux fur to include wool, vegan leather, and other materials.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Faux-fur coats, leather jackets, and other statement outerwear.

Photos: Stand Studio

18. Arket (2017)

Founded in 2017 as part of the H&M Group, Arket offers wardrobe essentials crafted from quality fabrics. Its name, meaning “sheet of paper” in Swedish, reflects the brand’s focus on simplicity.

What to buy from the brand secondhand? Wardrobe basics, knits, outerwear.

Photos: Arket

The future of Scandi style

Scandi style is far from one-dimensional. From the minimalism of Toteme and Filippa K, to the playful prints of Ganni and Stine Goya, and the edgy streetwear of Acne Studios and Our Legacy, the spectrum of Nordic fashion continues to evolve while staying true to its roots of quality and intention.

What unites these different directions is a focus on wearability, design integrity, and pieces that outlast seasonal hype. This balance may be the reason Scandi style resonates globally: it offers both a reliable foundation for everyday wardrobes and room for self-expression, a combination that keeps it relevant year after year.

But as like all style directions, also Scandi style is ever-evolving. What might be cornerstone for the style today might have faded away in the coming decades. And the space is being defined more and more by indie brands new to the industry.

Some of these smaller brands defining the future of Scandi style include for example Deadwood Studios, Leoni, Past Tense, Studio Constance, Séfr, Blankens, Rave Review, Bite Studios, and PHI Atelier.

Photos: PHI Atelier, Studio Constance, Séfr