I Just Visited Stockholm—Here’s What Swedish ‘It’ Girls Are Wearing This Summer

I just got back from a weeklong girls’ trip to Sweden for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and while the dads, Brads, and Chads are probably so over all-things Miss Americana, what’s not overrated is the city of Stockholm, and I’ll be talking about it for the weeks to come. Coastal French Girl is having its moment, but this walkable city with quaint cobblestone streets, friendly people, and centuries of history makes Stockholm  a totally style watch-worthy city. 

While the daily cinnamon buns, sunken Viking ships, and royal palaces are the big draws, the people—and more specifically, all the fashion moments—are still on my mind. So much so that their effortless, stylish basics became the building blocks for my current summer wardrobe. Oversized pants and button-ups, lightweight linens, and breezy patterned dresses, which I saw all around Stockholm, will be staple pieces once New York City starts its game of who can be the sweatiest person on the subway.

Below, I rounded up the five summer 2024 style trends everyone in Stockholm is wearing, including flowy pants, ballet flats, and long dresses.

Flowy Pants

The second temps hit above 65 degrees, I shelve my jeans in favor of skirts and dresses. But on days I crave a bit more coverage—or honestly, didn’t feel like shaving my legs—I love to grab a pair of wide-leg pants. My preference is usually a breezy, pajama-like linen, which I recently styled with this now on-sale Madewell top, but the Swedes convinced me to try other fabrics, like knit and plissé in a wide-leg fit. It looks put together but is far more comfortable than rigid denim. These Palazzo trousers are already on their way to me, and I’m thinking of splurging on the Reformation Olina Knit Pant in the black and white stripe or pale yellow. 

Linen Tops and Blazers

I asked the group chat what fashion piece they saw the most in Stockholm and immediately the girls responded with the same thing: linen. Linen tops, vests, and blazers in cropped and oversized silhouettes were everywhere. We saw them paired with silk midi skirts, baggy jeans, tailored pants, as well as with what I’m dubbing the Swedish tuxedo—aka, a linen top, jacket, and pants in a coordinating color or pattern. I painstakingly packed for this trip and hit the mark with this Old Navy blazer. But, I have since purchased the matching Old Navy shorts, too. I also have my eye on this Madewell vest, especially considering how popular the vest trend is right now.

Ballet Flats

I was a die-hard ballet flat wearer in high school and college, and seeing the style come back around is an immediate flashback to peplum tops, bubble necklaces, and sock buns. But, the shoe dominating European streets convinced me it might be worth trying a pair again. My pick is from a Meghan-Markle worn brand: the Rothy’s the Ballet Flat, which comes in lots of colors with a sweet bow detail (a huge fashion trend in Italy this summer). But, you can’t go wrong with a pointed-toe pair featuring an ankle strap.

Patterned Maxi Dresses

My only champagne problem is I don’t have enough long, flowy dresses to make it two weeks with no repeats. So a trend with that silhouette in bright colors or fun patterns is right up my alley. I wore the BTFBM Tie-Front Maxi Dress to dinner in Stockholm, but I haven’t tucked it away just yet because the deep-V and lightweight fabric works just as well for cooler summer days. Paired with white sneakers or platform sandals, a versatile dress is a packing essential for summer travel.

Oversized Button Ups

Nothing feels quite as Coastal European as an oversized button-up in a breezy fabric. While it’s a staple in many wardrobes, including Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift’s, I have been hesitant to join this bandwagon. This style staple was spotted everywhere from airports in Amsterdam to bars in Gamla Stan; seeing the button-up styled casually with trousers, tucked into a pair of shorts, or worn open, has officially convinced me of the shirt’s unfussy versatility. This oversized option from Amazon is only $15 right now, so I’m buying it to use as a swimsuit cover-up or over a crop top for my next beach weekend.