Synonymous with clean lines, pure forms, and neutral tones, Scandinavian style has long dominated the interior design conversation. And while Scandinavian menswear brands haven’t yet attained the same cultural ubiquity as a certain flat-packed furniture providore, their thoughtful colour palettes, timeless silhouettes, avoidance of extraneous details, and emphasis on quality construction makes them a viable addition to the sartorial landscape.
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Encompassing Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian labels, the best Scandinavian menswear brands share a penchant for pared-back, minimalist designs and a certain function before form philosophy (though that’s not to say they’re lacking in the latter quality). With their shared cool climate, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian menswear brands typically do warm weather clothing well, with knitwear and outerwear that’s able to hold up under hard environmental conditions while looking good. And, as a region that often uses jeans to underpin smart casual and laid back outfits alike, many Scandinavian menswear brands nail denim.
From underwear to outerwear, these are the best Scandinavian menswear brands to add form and function to your wardrobe.
1. CDLP
Let’s start from the inside out. Men’s underwear often has a tendency to oscillate between extreme dullness or being so gaudy (think neon hues splattered with leopard prints) it takes the word ‘unmentionables’ to a new level. Founded in 2016 by Christian Larson and Andreas Palm, Swedish lifestyle label CDLP has been changing the game when it comes to men’s underwear.
Starting with classic underwear silhouettes crafted from lyocell (a silky soft material derived from renewable wood sources which offers superior breathability and natural moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial properties) and manufactured in Europe, the brand has since expanded into t-shirts and lifestyle wear, as well as released a dedicated women’s line. Plus, their campaigns find the glamour in the quotidian, bringing undergarments to the fray and often starring the founders’ circle of friends — as well as the likes of fellow Swede Dolph Ludgren.
2. ASKET
A brand founded on the basis that “the world doesn’t need another fashion brand,” ASKET creates wardrobe essentials designed to transcend seasons and trends. Producing ‘meaningful essentials’, the Swedish label has opted for a permanent collection rather than an ephemeral one. A curated collection of shirts, t-shirts, trousers, knitwear, outerwear, and underwear results in a pared-back shopping experience that allows men to streamline their wardrobes. Crafted from high-quality fabric and devoid of logos and prints, each piece is versatile and designed to be mixed and matched with ease. ASKET is also transparent about the cost that goes into each garment, detailing what they pay for fabric, labour, and shipping, as well as where their pieces are sourced and made.
3. Rains
Injecting a much-needed sense of aestheticism into the largely lacklustre category of wet weather wear, Rains adroitly combine form with function. Sleek, svelte silhouettes meet technical water-resistant fabrics to create minimalist outerwear that does its job while appealing to the fashion set.
4. Axel Arigato
Managing to leave a footprint in the heavily saturated sneaker market is no easy feat, but Axel Arigato has done with a seeming ease. Uniting Scandinavian and Japanese design principles — which both share a penchant for essentialism and utilitarianism — Axel Arigato has gained acclaim for its clean yet culturally relevant designs, whih now span footwear, clothing, and accessories. While its designs feature a predominantly neutral colour palette, the Swedish brand isn’t afraid to experiment with colour, as seen across its sneaker and clothing lines. Since its inception in 2014, Axel Arigato products have been manufactured in Europe.
5. Forét
Founded by Jeppe Meier and Jesper Finderup in 2014 based on a shared love of the outdoors (forét means ‘forest’ in French), Danish label Forét seeks to create timeless designs that translate from indoors to outdoors. Pieces are dually suitable for hiking and casual office wear, with highlights including chore coats and structured trousers rendered in heavy-duty twill. A sartorial inveiglement to explore the great outdoors, the Forét collection is a skin to a breath of fresh air, with pared-back silhouettes executed in nature-inspired colours.
6. Norse Projects
For those who want to look good without looking like they’re trying too hard. Reconciling streetwear and workwear inspirations with high fashion, the Danish brand is known for its elevated take on menswear staples. With an emphasis on clean cuts and quality fabrics, the largely brandless brand creates contemporary clothing that goes beyond trends.
7. Tiger of Sweden
Despite its contemporary aesthetic and a name that sounds like it was picked by a member of Gen Z, Tiger of Sweden has been around since 1903. Initially operating as a suit maker, the brand has retained its elevated appeal while catering to modern tastes. In addition to slick, slim-cut suiting, Tiger of Sweden also creates sleek tailored separates, shirting, jeans, and knitwear.
8. MISMO
Purveyors of luggage and everyday backpacks and briefcases, MISMO creates timeless pieces crafted from premium materials. Waterproof fabrics meet vegetable-tanned leather to form pieces that are able to take a beating while looking good. Designed to age and patina with its owner, each bag from the Danish brand is made to last.
9. Wood Wood
Danish brand Wood Wood houses its own in-house label while acting as a multi-brand retailer. The in-house brand represents a high fashion take on skater, streetwear, and workwear inspirations. Not quite your typical neutral Scandi brand, Wood Wood isn’t afraid of colour, with vibrant shades featuring throughout their atypical silhouettes.
10. Acne Studios
You can’t mention Scandi style without mentioning Acne Studios. Not merely one of the best Scandinavian menswear brands, the Swedish label is a veritable institution. Initially founded in 1997 by Jonny Johansson as a multi-disciplinary brand focused on graphic design, film production, and advertising, Acne Studios now shows off the fun side of the region’s style, specialising what Johansson deems ‘maximalism minimalism’; bold cuts, sharp silhouettes, and unexpected proportions are rendered in striking hues. That said, Acne Studios can always be counted on for a good pair of basic jeans.
11. J.Lindeberg
A pioneer of Scandinavian minimalism as we know it today, J.Lindeberg was founded by Johan Lindeberg in 1996. One of the brands at the forefront of the fashion-sports crossover, J.Lindeberg pieces were often sported on tennis and gold players. Today, the Swedish label can be counted on for its functional styles and clean cuts, tinged with a hint of prep courtesy of playful prints and thoughtful lashes of colour.
12. Steele & Borough
Swedish brand Steele & Borough specialises in sustainable luggage, with a tightly curated range of weekend, gym, and work bags. Crafted from water-resistant nylon and vegan leather, each bag takes on a classic yet contemporary aesthetic, embodying the understated appeal we’ve come to expect from the best Scandinavian brands.
13. Our Legacy
Established in 2005 by Jockum Hallin, Cristopher Nying, and Richardos Klarén, Our Legacy design pieces “like a classic garment from your grandfather’s wardrobe, remodelled to our life and time.” That translates to boxy shirts, plaid prints, louche trousers, and more than a few funky prints, all made from ethically sourced fabrics.
Words by Theo Rosen
