Traditionally, Scandinavian fashion is synonymous with pared-back minimalism, but for Copenhagen’s Fall/Winter 2023 Fashion Week, a more eclectic street style of unexpected denim has taken hold.

While few things are more perennially classic than denim, Copenhagen’s fashion tastemakers have become more creative with styling women’s jeans. Rather than grabbing a pair of classic straight-leg jeans or flared jeans, they’re opting for unique and unconventional silhouettes.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – FEBRUARY 01: Amelie Stanescu wears varnished black jacket, hooded puffer, two tone dark light blue wide leg denim jeans, black bag outside Saks Potts during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2023 on February 01, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images) Getty Images

Since fashion trends behave in a cyclical nature, this unexpected way of wearing denim was bound to be in style again. It took off in 2014 with Marques’Almeida’s deconstructed aesthetics and signature frayed denim pieces. Then in 2017, the spring runways were awash with fresh denim styles. Gucci showcased 70s-inspired denim pantsuits trimmed in studs, and Alexander Wang went for ’90s nostalgia with white shredded denim jackets and jeans. Frayed hems and rips also reigned at Versus Versace, while Alexander McQueen included cropped just-above-the-ankle jeans with pretty floral embellishment.

Industry News

Talk to My Agent: AI Shopping Agents Are Coming to Your Texts and DMs

Parties

Alex Consani, Nicky Hilton, Ziwe, More Attend the Gucci x Moda Operandi Cocktail

Four years later, the uptick in denim usage continued during the spring/summer 2022 season, when brands like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana used the fabric in an array of accessories like chic flap bags and glamorous booties. Furthermore, for fall 2022, spring 2023, and fall 2023 shows (in Copenhagen), designers like Diesel, Balenciaga, Balmain, Christian Siriano, Conner Ives, and Ganni showed their masterful approach to denim construction and fabric manipulation. Everything from patchwork denim gowns, baggy jeans with logo graphics, pants-tops, denim skirts over denim pants, and tulle overlaid on denim coats reigned supreme.

Unlike other trends, the unexpected denim trend is surprisingly wearable, and the outfit formulas are endless. You can boldly take this trend from head to toe with a Candian tuxedo look that consists of one-of-a-kind denim garments or add subtle texture to an outfit with denim accessories like the viral denim leg warmers taking over TikTok. Additionally, you can choose from denim brands like Rag & Bone, Mother, and Frame or cult classic labels Loewe, Balenciaga, and Schutz. Whichever way you decide to be creative, this trend is another way to get on board with dopamine dressing — without all the colors.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – FEBRUARY 01: A guest wears a yellow wool beanie, black futurist sunglasses, a navy blue shirt jacket, a white and navy blue tie and dye print pattern sleeveless denim jacket, navy blue embroidered seams pattern wide legs cargo pants, a brown denim shoulder bag from Carhartt, camel and blue print pattern fabric sneakers , outside OperaSport , during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2023 on February 01, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) Getty Images

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – FEBRUARY 01: Pernille Teisbaek wears a black hoodie sweater, a blue faded denim jacket, blue with white painted logo and polka dots print pattern denim wide legs pants from Chanel, black shiny leather pointed heels shoes, black sunglasses , outside A. Roege Hove, during the Copenhagen Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2023 on February 01, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) Getty Images

So keep scrolling to shop for the best denim pieces because there is no denying that unexpected denim is one of the most exciting trends for 2023.

Sign up for WWD’S Shop newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Related Reading:

The 18 Best High Waisted Jeans

The 15 Best Wide-Leg Jeans

The 18 Best White Jeans

Balenciaga Pants Off-Shoulder Denim Top

Balenciaga Pants Off-Shoulder Denim Top $1590 Buy Now at mytheresa

3.1 Philip Lim Oversized Belted Denim Jacket

3.1 Philip Lim Oversized Belted Denim Jacket $495 Buy Now at shopbop

3.1 Philip Lim Oversized Belted Denim Jacket $495 Buy Now at saks fifth avenue

3.1 Philip Lim Oversized Belted Denim Jacket $495 Buy Now at farfetch

Frame Le High ‘N’ Tight Wide Leg

Frame Le High ‘N’ Tight Wide Leg $328 Buy Now at frame

Frame Le High ‘N’ Tight Wide Leg $330 Buy Now at Net-a-Porter

Diesel P-Koll-F2 Denim-Effect Tights

Diesel P-Koll-F2 Denim-Effect Tights $225 Buy Now at farfetch

Coperni Denim-Effect Swipe Bag

Coperni Denim-Effect Swipe Bag $640 Buy Now at Neiman MArcus

Osoi Mini Tony Suede Top Handle Bag

Osoi Mini Tony Suede Top Handle Bag $403 Buy Now at luisaviaroma

Acne Studios Convertible Patchwork Denim Duffle Bag

Acne Studios Convertible Patchwork Denim Duffle Bag $540 $218 Buy Now at the outnet

Schutz Jorian Up Casual Nappa & Denim Boot

Schutz Jorian Up Casual Nappa & Denim Boot $248 Buy Now at schutz

Loewe Deconstructed Denim Low Top Sneakers

Loewe Deconstructed Denim Low Top Sneakers $950 Buy Now at bergdorf goodman

Good American Classic Denim Heel

Good American Classic Denim Heel $180 Buy Now at good american

Jacquemus Nîmes Denim Baseball Cap

Jacquemus Nimes Denim Baseball Cap $105 Buy Now at farfetch

By Far Duo Belt

By Far Duo Belt $220 Buy Now at revolve clothing

WWD Recommends

Ferran Torres Talks World Cup and That Hat

Character Study: Classic Men’s Looks with Modern Updates

Thom Browne and Teyana Taylor: Designer and Muse

CEO Talks: How Gucci Westman and David Neville Are Building a Luxury Beauty Brand for the Ages

Icebreakers with François Arnaud

Getting Ready for Marc Jacobs 2026 with Nicky Hilton

'Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans' Stars Talk Costumes and Society

Getting Ready with Kerry Washington & Michael Kors

Head to Toe: How to Style Outerwear for Everywhere

A Tour of the New Hermès Madison Avenue Flagship

Adidas Terminates Yeezy Partnership With Ye With Immediate Effect

Louis Vuitton Launches New Exhibition in NYC

Willy Chavarria Takes Us Backstage of His Energetic SS23 Collection Minutes Before Showtime

Head To Toe: Transitioning Your Wardrobe

A closer look at LaQuan Smith's new collection and designing for Beyonce

WWD Report Card: Beyoncé’s Fashion ‘Renaissance’

Men’s Spring 2023 Trend: Skin Show

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Stars Kim Chi and Trixie Mattel Launch Beauty Collaboration

Zoey Deutch Shares Her Red Carpet Favorites and What it's Like Backstage at the Met Gala

A Look at Serena Williams’ Best On-Court Tennis Outfits Over the Years

Megan Fox’s Best Fashion Moments Over the Years

WWD Report Card: Selena Gomez’s Fashion Evolution

The Biggest Fashion Collaborations of 2022 — So Far

5 Things To Know About The Louis Vuitton And Nike Air Force 1 Sneaker Collection

LAUNCH PAD: First Look at the New J. Crew

WWD Report Card: Brad Pitt vs Ryan Gosling

Report Card: Rating the Looks from Paris Couture Week

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 5 | Kenzo, Hermès, Thom Browne

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 4 | Junya Watanabe, Dior, Officine Generale

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 3 | Issey Miyake, Amiri

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 2 | Lemaire, Givenchy, Reese Cooper

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 1 | John Elliott, EgonLab

First Impressions: Milan Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 2 | Versace, Fendi, Armani, MSGM

First Impressions: Milan Men's Spring 2023 | Day 1

First Impressions: Milan Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 3 | Etro, Prada, JW Anderson

Hot Summer Bags

WWD + Beauty Inc. at Cosmoprof 2022

On the Red Carpet at the 2022 Met Gala: All the Looks

'And Just Like That' Costume Designers Talk Process for New HBO Show

Netflix's 'Halston' Costume Designer Talks Working with Ewan McGregor

Video: J Balvin on the Deeper Meaning of the J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 Sneaker

Video: How Princess Diana’s Fashion Choices Hinted at What Was Happening Behind Palace Doors

Video: Do These Outrageous Celebrity Fashion Looks Hold Up?

Video: Sarah Cooper — Writer, Comedian, Trump Impersonator, and More

Video: Bob the Drag Queen Grades Legendary Fashion Looks

Video: Supreme Court Style: Inside the Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Collars

Video: The Origins of French Girl Style à la Chanel

Video: WWD Presents 'Creating Queer'

Video: Model Shaun Ross Talks Diversity in the Fashion Industry

Video: Fashion for All CEO Hannah Stoudemire On Her #BreakingtheSilence Campaign⁣

These Inclusive Face Masks Provide Functional PPE to All Frontline Workers

Most Popular

WWD

Get all the top news stories and alerts straight to your inbox.

Enter your Email

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Unexpected Denim Dominates Street Style During Copenhagen Fashion Week

Recent Articles by Nikki Chwatt

Related Articles