All the Outfits I Wore to Copenhagen Fashion Week as a Midsize Model

      Jennifer Atilémile embodies the concept of a woman who can do everything. A genuine multi-hyphenate, she is a model, writer, creative, activist, and intellectual. Serving as an editor in residence, she provides an insider's perspective on the fashion industry.

      I have a deep affection for Denmark. Each time I visit, I return home with a fresh appreciation for my own life and the Danish people. It's no surprise that Copenhagen was recently recognized as the happiest city in the world, topping the 2026 Happy City Index. This was my first time experiencing summer in the city—10/10, highly recommend.

      Naturally, my curiosity led me to Google, where I typed "Why are people in Copenhagen so happy?" The answer consistently pointed to one idea: empowerment. The city is often praised for allowing individuals to shape their own lives, highlighted by a quote from Danish professor Christian Bjørnskov: "What is special about Danish society is that it allows people to choose the kind of life they want to live."

      This is why Copenhagen is admired for its street style and why I feel such a strong connection to it. The fashion here reflects true personal expression rather than simply following an algorithm's suggestions for being trendy or chic. The residents truly embody the act of taking up space.

      I relate deeply to their concept of hygge. I even have a Substack blog titled To Life, With Love. Hygge is all about savoring the simple, joyful aspects of life with loved ones, something I strive to practice daily. It’s no wonder that the fashion here mirrors how people live. Each day, individuals dress with purpose, joy, and love, evident in their street style.

      I stayed at Hotel Ottilia, located in the former Carlsberg brewery. Aside from the absence of air conditioning (a luxury I've come to appreciate since moving to the U.S.), it served as a perfect hub. While it was somewhat distant from the center for an event like fashion week, it was a 15-minute bike ride, which I ended up doing nearly every day. By the trip's end, I think I was biking for hours daily. The hotel bikes had only three gears, and after arriving sweaty to events too often, I switched to a LimeBike. Here’s a breakdown of what I wore in Copenhagen.

      **Day 1**

      **Morning:** OpéraSport sheer dress, Good American jeans

      I attended the OpéraSport show wearing this look. I enjoyed the sheer top layered over baggy jeans (Good American). Initially, I considered wearing the dress alone with a contrasting underlayer but chose the jeans instead since it was my first day and I wanted to gauge the level of formality before fully committing. A piece like this offers versatility—knowing I can style it in at least two ways makes it a worthwhile purchase, especially for light packing.

      **Evening:** Stella Nova dress, Nike Moon Shoes

      This dress was beautiful. I cycled to the presentation, opting for Nike Moon Shoes rather than kitten heels. While I might have preferred the heels for the evening, the dress’s open back really captivated me.

      **Later:** Dissh matching set

      This was one of my favorite outfits on the trip. It included both a dress and pants, and true to Scandi style, I wore them together. The fantastic feature of this outfit is that each piece can be worn separately for the rest of the trip. That first day was extremely hot, and since I had committed to biking everywhere, the loose fabrics were a blessing. It's much easier to ride a bike in pants than in a dress, although I maintain that cycling in a dress can be quite chic.

      **Day 2**

      **To the show:** Saint Art pants, The Frankie Shop shirt, basic tank

      Recognizing I'd be changing almost immediately upon arrival, I chose something comfortable to sit in while getting my makeup done and still managed to look effortlessly stylish. I vastly underestimated how often I would need flip-flops, as they are a staple in Copenhagen. This made my packing a breeze, and honestly, it's an excellent carry-on hack.

      **On the Gestuz runway:** I walked in a chic '80s-inspired suit for Gestuz. I adore a blue-collared shirt paired with work-style pants, and the khaki-blue combo was particularly striking.

      **To watch:** By Malene Birger dress, The Frankie Shop shirt, AWD sunglasses, Polène bag

      I adored the vibrant color of this dress; it truly stood out during golden hour when the show occurred. I layered it with the Frankie Shop shirt, and the blue from the sunglasses coordinated nicely with my shoes. However, the standout piece was the special edition Polène Béri Lif bag. It’s currently out of stock, and I feel fortunate to have what I can only describe as a work of art.

      **Day 3**

      **Showroom appointments:** Oasis tee,