Copenhagen in Summer: What Belongs in the Suitcase
Packing, edited: a local's take on what belongs and what doesn’t in Copenhagen this summer.
I haven’t lived through a full Copenhagen summer yet, but I’ve spent enough time in this city to understand its quiet rhythm. There’s an elegance here that doesn’t ask for attention. A certain honesty to how people dress: not performative, not ironic, not overworked. You get the sense that everyone owns fewer things, but better ones, and they actually wear them.
Packing for Copenhagen is not about “options.” It’s about building a soft, durable system around how you want to feel: open, present, curious, unbothered. The right clothes let you experience the city fully, on a bike, in the rain, through a sudden golden hour, or a late swim. You don’t need to pack for perfection. You just need to pack things that won’t interrupt the moment.
The Essentials: What to Bring (And Why)
Outerwear
Even in summer, outerwear plays a supporting, but critical role. Mornings and evenings can become very chilly, and rain has a way of showing up uninvited.
Lightweight trench or shell jacket
Something like an Aritzia trench coat is ideal, it has enough structure to hold shape but won’t feel stiff over relaxed layers.Oversized blazer or soft jacket
A blazer in a textured cotton-linen blend, ideally unlined, that can double as a light jacket. It should feel natural over a t-shirt or dress, and not too “office”, the kind of thing that looks better slightly wrinkled.
@filipatoremo
Tops
Thick cotton t-shirts in black, white, and washed grey. Slightly cropped or boxy silhouettes work well, and pieces with weight will hold their shape through a full day of wear.
Ribbed tanks perfect for layering or wearing solo on a warm afternoon. You want something, which hugs but doesn’t cling. These are perfect for wearing for everyday activities around the city.
Oversized button-downs, preferably in linen or crisp poplin. White always works, but consider slate blue, moss green, or sand for something softer. These can double as swimsuit cover-ups after a dip in the harbour or lightweight outerwear.
A lightweight pullover knit something like a fine gauge cotton or an open-weave crochet. Look for a sweater that works tied around your shoulders during the day and worn fully in the evening.
1 athletic top or tank you feel good sweating in breathable and structured enough that you could walk to coffee in it after a morning loop.
Bottoms & Dresses
Straight-leg trousers in cotton twill or soft linen, wide through the leg with a bit of polish, but relaxed enough to bike in.
Midi skirt or tailored shorts just long enough to be practical, just tailored enough to dress up.
A couple summer dresses ideally a column or slip shape, made from cotton or linen, that you can layer under a blazer or toss on post-swim.
One pair of athletic shorts or leggings for movement a pair that could pass as loungewear or errands-wear if styled with a tee and trench.
Footwear
Four pairs, max. Each one earns its place.
Leather or canvas sneakers—neutral, low-profile, minimal branding. These will become your default. Great examples are New Balances 530, Adias Spezials or Salomon XT-6
Supportive sandals—something walkable but chic: minimal straps, neutral tones, good sole.
Slides or flip-flops— Havians are perfect, they are having a big comeback this year too and pair great with any Copenhagen look.
Running shoes—If you’re even thinking about joining a run club while you’re here (and you should), bring a pair of running shoes. Some run clubs I recommend are M&K and Bareen.
Dressing for the Mood, Not Just the Weather
Copenhagen’s charm is how easily one outfit can carry you from fog to sun to rain, and through four different scenes in a day.
Morning Bakery Runs
Wide cotton pants. A soft stripped tee. A light leather jacket. A big tote. Slip-on sneakers. Hair done loosely, maybe some sunglasses . The look is: barely awake, but perfectly calibrated.
@Lunaschulze
Harbour Hangs & Swims
A black one-piece swimsuit. Linen boxer-style shorts. Havaianas or something rubber-soled. A striped button-up to throw over your shoulders. It should all dry quickly, and nothing should feel “swimwear”—just water-friendly daywear.
Rainy Museum Afternoons
Trousers with a bit of weight. A fine knit layered over a tank. That trench coat you barely notice you’re wearing. Sneakers that stay dry on slippery tile. You’ll want a tote bag that holds a notebook, a book, and maybe a croissant for later.
Wine Bars at Golden Hour
You’re either still in the outfit from the day or you’ve swapped into something black and slightly more draped. A flowy midi dress. Flat sandals.. A blazer thrown on. Some minimal jewelry, a few glasses of wine. That’s it.
@Lunaschulze
Early Morning Runs or Joining a Run Club
Bring one simple workout set, a fitted tank (or sports bra) and short flowy running shorts. A lot of runners here often wear a running vest as well as part of the look. If you need more inspo, a popular brand here for runners is Saysky. Copenhagen has a number of casual run clubs (M&K Running, Bareen, NBRO, Adidas Runners) where people show up for movement and a post run coffee. Keep the look tonal and streamlined. You’ll fit right in.
Weekend Escapes
Drawstring pants. A soft long-sleeve tee. A swimsuit that doubles as a base layer. One knit you can sleep in, bike in, or throw on post-swim. Everything should work together and none of it should feel new.
Accessories That Work Hard and Say Little
A canvas tote - structured enough to hold shape, soft enough to fold in your suitcase
Claw clip - so simple yet so trendy paired with any casual outfit
A compact umbrella - ideally dark and unfussy
A crossbody bag or belt bag - just enough room for your phone, keys, and card
Sunglasses - in a timeless frame, simple oval or rectangle black ones do the trick
A water bottle - that fits in your tote without clanking (water isn’t free in europe)
What You Don’t Need
Trend-driven “vacation clothes”
Loud prints, logos, or bright colors
Heels (Trust me, you don’t need them), gym-specific gear, or anything “just in case”
Full makeup routines or styling tools
Over-accessorizing, when in doubt, remove something
Final Thought
Copenhagen doesn’t ask much of you, just that you dress with function in mind. That you’re prepared for a shift in light, a sudden breeze, a spontaneous swim, a glass of wine that turns into a full evening. The best clothes here are the ones that let you do more, feel more, and think about them less.
Bring pieces that carry the day for you. That slip on quietly in the morning and still feel right at midnight. If it doesn’t serve you across several moments, it doesn’t belong in the suitcase.
Sources: Cover (@ellakarberg), images @Lunaschulze, @filipatoremo, Pinterest
Thanks so much for reading <3
Let me know what else you are interested in for your summer travels here, maybe where to shop for cool pieces once you’re here?
Gorg! x
Love this! Headed to CPH this summer and will be using this as my bible