Navigating the sartorial maze of Copenhagen Fashion Week and dressing for it demands a balance between effortless, relaxed, and comfortable. With schedules that stretch and start from early morning to after dark, being weather-appropriate and feeling like yourself can be a tricky trifecta to manage. Corina Gaffey shows us exactly how it's done.
Much like Copenhagen, where tradition harmoniously intertwines with innovation, the showgoers master the art of blending stylish ensembles with practicality, often biking show-to-show. However, with trailing skirts and my tendency toward the occasional clumsy moment, I opted out of the biking scene, choosing instead to navigate the city on foot and by metro.
My usual 10,000 steps doubled, and after the first two days of the show, the intense heat and step count caused blisters on my feet –the joys of fashion week. As a temporary fix, I added socks to my outfit rotation, making them part of my outfit and fixing the friction problem. Maybe I’m turning into a Dane with my innovation and practicality. Lol.
Scroll down to see all my looks from Copenhagen Fashion Week this year.
MONDAY
Arriving midway through the day, I only had a few shows to go to, easing myself into the whirlwind ahead. For the first look, I went with a spontaneous mix of pieces – a departure from my usual planning. Even on holidays, I prefer to have a big try-on session, ensuring every outfit feels just right before it goes into the suitcase. This time, however, I reached for trusted favourites and combined them in fresh new ways: a slip dress layered over a T-shirt and jeans. It was a new take on old loves, setting the tone for the coming week.
TUESDAY
This was one of my favourite looks from the week. Continuing with the theme of old loves, I dug this skirt out of my wardrobe; it has to be over fifteen years old; you could class it as vintage at this stage. A recent sale buy of this Miu Miu jumper was the perfect partner, finished off with a pair of mules from Zara and a trusty Staud handbag I got in a sample sale in New York a year ago.
A knitted jumper might not have been the best choice for 26-degree heat, but after a long day of shows, I returned to my hotel for a cold shower and changed into something cooler. I opted for an oversized white T-shirt that was super airy, a statement skirt with oversized circular cutouts from ASOS, and another wardrobe gem – a pair of Miu Miu shoes I’ve had for about ten years. The blisters had begun, so the socks completed the look for both style and practicality.
WEDNESDAY
With a full-on day that meant battling with the heat and having no time to change, I went for a black dress. It sounds a little ridiculous, but I like having a little coverage in the sun, and the dress is so light and airy, so there is plenty of ventilation. I left the hotel at 8am and returned after 11pm, so it was the perfect day-to-dusk ensemble, ensuring I looked polished enough for dinner. And the red socks appeared again, ensuring I could get my step count in!
THURSDAY
The final full day meant a statement look to kick off some fun, big shows like Munthe and Marimekko. I went with another wardrobe wonder in the form of a gold skirt I nabbed from the Paco Rabanne x H&M collab. I love mixing unexpected trends/pieces, so I decided to go for a sporty meets sparkly look, choosing an adidas T-shirt and runners. With my feet firmly in bits, I was so excited to wear them!
With some time to refresh before the final show and dinner, I decided to embrace a more minimalist approach. When I was styling up the skirt, an old favourite from &Other Stories, pre-fashion week, what caught my eye was how perfectly it paired with my husband’s suit jacket – the colour coordination was perfect. I’ve always been drawn to the clean lines and effortless fit of menswear, so borrowing from my husband’s wardrobe is a habit of mine. The socks were also a happy accident – with time to spare between shows, I snooped around Arket and stumbled upon the socks, which were a nearly identical shade to the skirt and blazer! I finished off with snakeskin ballet flats, also from Arket, my Staud bag, and sunglasses from TK Maxx.
Imagery courtesy of Corina Gaffey
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