What to Pack for 1950s Copenhagen
For Women
Daywear (Elegant & Effortless):
Full circle skirts or midi pencil skirts
Fitted blouses with Peter Pan or notched collars
Twinsets or cropped cardigans
High-waisted trousers in neutral tones
Wool or plaid swing coat with a belt
Sensible flats or low kitten heels
Leather gloves and a structured handbag
Silk scarf tied at the neck or in the hair
Subtle red lipstick and softly waved or pinned-up hair
Eveningwear (Supper Club & Ballet Outing):
Tea-length cocktail dress with a cinched waist
Pearls or minimalist gold jewelry
Small clutch and matching gloves
Fur stole or sleek shawl
Classic pumps
Chignon or soft pin curls
Weekend & Leisure:
Simple cotton day dresses in gingham or polka dots
Ballet flats or lace-up leather shoes
Wool beret or headscarf for bike rides
Knit sweater with culottes or cigarette pants
For Men
Daywear (Copenhagen Cool):
Slim-cut wool trousers or cuffed slacks
Crisp dress shirts in white, light blue, or pinstripe
Knit vests or v-neck sweaters
Short trench coat or wool overcoat
Leather oxford shoes or loafers
Fedora or newsboy cap (optional but dapper)
Classic wristwatch and neutral tie
Pocket square for a subtle flourish
Eveningwear (Opera or Formal Gathering):
Dark single-breasted suit or tuxedo
Wingtip dress shirt and skinny tie or bow tie
Cufflinks and polished dress shoes
Slicked-back hair with a side part
Weekend & Casual:
Cardigan over a collared shirt
Casual wool or cotton blazer
Flat cap and scarf
Bicycle clips (you’ll be cycling, of course)
Accessories & Essentials
Leather suitcase or structured travel bag
Vintage camera or sketchbook for Danish street scenes
Minimalist sunglasses
Mid-century guidebook or Danish design magazine
Pocket Danish-English dictionary
Thermos for coffee or flask for snaps
Travel-size grooming set or compact vanity case
Classic book (like Kierkegaard, if you’re feeling deep—or Hans Christian Andersen, if whimsical)
1950s Copenhagen was a charming blend of postwar optimism, Scandinavian minimalism, and mid-century style. Picture cobblestone streets, design-forward cafés and impeccably dressed Danes cycling to work. The fashion leaned clean, structured and subtly elegant—functional yet fashionable. This packing list channels that understated cool of Nordic life in the 1950s, with nods to modest glamour, sharp tailoring and the early stirrings of Danish design culture.