8 of the biggest trends from Copenhagen Fashion Week to wear now, from dresses over trousers to polka dots

Cosmopolitan

2 days ago

Another Copenhagen Fashion Week has come and gone, and although the event itself might be over, the inspiration it provided will live on (hello to pouring over street style pics). While the catwalks were dedicated to displaying the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, there were plenty of outfit ideas and styling hacks that can easily be put to the test right now — and likely with pieces already in your wardrobe. Allow me to take you through the biggest trends I spotted from the shows...
Bright and bold colours have become synonymous with CPHFW, but this season it was dialled up a notch. Patterns and textures were clashed together, for mash-up looks that somehow managed to still look cohesive. Zalando Visionary Award winner Iamisigo is a "experimental wearable art" label, with all pieces being traditionally handcrafted in Africa. A multitude of fabrics including glass, metal and cotton created dynamic, eye-catching looks that honoured heritage techniques while still feeling modern. Finnish brand Marimekko styled candy-colour stripes with clashing, graphic florals and knee-high ribbed socks. Danish label Caro Editions was founded in 2022, and upcycles luxury deadstock fabrics into new designs. Lace, gingham, tartan and satin were all worn together (and also seen on one-of-a-kind bags made in collaboration with Mulberry) for stylish yet surprising looks.
We won't quote the infamous Devil Wears Prada line but...it makes sense that floral dresses took centre stage at CPHFW this season. Cecilie Bahnsen, whose eponymous label usually shows in Paris, returned to her native Copenhagen for a special 10th anniversary presentation, much to the excitement of many (myself included). Sculptural flower and petal appliqué shapes are somewhat of the brand's signature, appearing on whimsical dresses, structural skirts and Asics trainers. Nicklas Skovgaard has become one of the most exciting designers to watch from Copenhagen, and his show was filled with voluminous, tulle-stuffed, floral-printed dresses (all worn with Scholl clogs, my personal shoe of the summer). Rave Review, another Danish label focussed on upcycling and re-purposing vintage fabrics, made use of floral bed linens by creating dresses, skirts and jackets. BRB, cutting up my old quilt as we speak...
Silk scarves and bandanas have been trending in a big way this summer, and the effects of such could be seen across the Copenhagen runways. Baum und Pferdgarten went down the traditional route for its equestrian inspired show, with printed scarves knotted on top of blazers. Co-founder Helle Hestehave told Cosmopolitan UK: "We had long wanted to explore a theme centred around horses. During a walk through the old stables north of Copenhagen, the location of our show, we instantly knew we wanted to create a collection and presentation inspired by everything that unfolds at a horse race: from the guests attending, to the highly skilled jockeys, and the raw, authentic surroundings." MDKT Studio styled almost every look in its show with matching scarves that stuck out behind the wearer's heads, as if a gust of wind was permanently lifting them. And at The Garment, models wore triangle bandanas around their necks with ruffled romantic dresses and riding boots, creating a Western-inspired look.
Yes, you have read this correctly. Millennials like myself are old enough to remember this trend the first time around, but it appears to be back in a big way. CMMN SWDN styled knee-length knitted and chiffon sleeveless dresses over tailored trousers, giving a more grown-up and polished take. Stel presented asymmetrical pleated skirts over technical and tartan trousers for a more grungy feel, and Skall Studio paired wide-leg jeans with a striped mini shift dress — basically, there's a way to wear a dress over trousers that suits everyone's style, so no excuses.
Tartan and plaid are wardrobe staples — it almost feels redundant to refer to them as a trend they're such classics. However, you couldn't ignore just how much the pattern dominated CPHFW. Alis's Oasis soundtracked show gave big 90s vibes, alongside its plaid football shirts, skirts and bikinis. Newcomer Martin Quad's gothic monochromatic collection was punctuated by bursts of hot pink tartan, and Rolf Ekroth's majestic woodland presentation was brimming with clashing colours and patterns, all stitched together to create unique outerwear.
You can't beat a bit of fringe for adding drama to an outfit. Anne Sofie Madsen had one of the buzziest shows of the season, largely thanks to her giant, metallic, rat-shaped handbags, but her statement fringed dress and hat were equally exciting. Stem, an innovative zero-waste production brand, hosted a weaving workshop which served as its fashion show. The raw hems of every garment created an un-done, rough-and-ready fringed effect. Herskind went for a more polished approach, with long leather fringed dresses and skirts being worn with giant fold-over clutch bags and sharp jackets.
You might call it the pattern of the summer, but hell, I'm calling it the pattern of the year. You simply couldn't move in Copenhagen without hitting a polka dot, whether it was on the catwalks or the cobbled streets of the city itself. Caro Editions used the print throughout its collection, often doubling up with clashing colours and spot sizes. At Rotate, the final show of the week, polka dots were small and dainty, on sheer halterneck tops, jumpsuits and micro-shorts. Creative directors Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen told Cosmopolitan UK: "This collection was created with the feeling of a sun-soaked summer getaway in mind. We got a lot of inspiration from the 70s, all reimagined with that Rotate twist. It's all about softness, fluidity, and elegant draping." At Rolf Ekroth, giant dots were painted onto T-shirts, jeans, jumpers, skirts and even model's faces.
Multi-coloured beads featured heavily throughout Iamisigo's collection, creating bags, vests and even floor-length dresses. Creative director Bubu Ogisi said of her brand's ethos: "Heritage isn't backwards-looking — it's the past, the present and the future." At CMMN SWDN, models carried cross-body, tote and pouch style bead bags with their soft, tailored outfits. And at Gestuz, a beaded bra top had fringing right down to the wearer's knees, ticking off two trends in one.
Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023.
Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.