I’m A Scandi Stylist—Here’s What I’m Grabbing From Toteme FW26 

Toteme just launched its Fall/Winter collection, and as a Swede, I naturally found myself in its Stockholm store shortly after. Call it research, professional curiosity, or simply a very predictable Scandinavian instinct.

There’s a tendency to think of Scandinavian style as an exercise in restraint: clean lines, neutral colors, nothing too complicated. And while that’s not entirely wrong, it’s not really what I’m looking for when I shop. I like simplicity as a starting point, but when everything in a look feels too clean or too expected, it can quickly become a little underwhelming. I’m much more drawn to pieces that still feel easy to wear, but have something that sets them apart. The pieces that earn a place in my wardrobe are usually the ones that take something familiar and make it feel just slightly off: a knit with an unexpected proportion, a coat with a sharper silhouette, or a basic that isn’t quite as basic as it first appears.

That’s also where Toteme tends to get me. So, with the new collection now in store, I went to see what actually deserves a spot in my wardrobe this fall.

The minute fall arrives, my mind goes straight to coats. And while you might expect a Scandinavian stylist to reach for black, I actually think a statement coat is one of the smartest investments you can make. You can wear practically anything underneath and still look like you made an effort. And fur, to me, is about as luxurious as it gets.

To prove my point, I kept the rest relatively simple: the perfect leather pants, understated but far from boring, and slim croc slingbacks. There’s enough texture to make the look feel considered, while still letting the coat do most of the work.

Moving on to a more indoorsy look, I reached for the perfect jeans and my favorite kinda-cold-but-kinda-chic turtleneck. Toteme in a nutshell, really: nothing crazy, just absolutely perfect. And the slingbacks go with this too. It’s an easy daytime look on its own, but add some playful pearls, and it instantly feels ready for the evening.

For the office, I went full Scandinavian uniform: an oversized white turtleneck with brown flannel trousers. Simple, yes, but exactly the kind of simple I could happily wear on repeat all winter. I paired it with the croc bucket bag, which might just be my favorite bag from the collection. This is also where I’d play around with jewelry, adding earrings or a necklace when I want it to feel a little more dressed up.

After a summer of weddings and their inevitable dress codes, I’m enjoying being allowed to wear white again. Especially now that festive season is approaching and I have an excuse for a proper party dress. This bandeau felt like the obvious choice, with leather gloves making it feel more winter than wedding.

I also kept coming back to the patent leather pumps in that perfect rich red. They look great with a statement dress, but knowing myself, I’d probably wear them most with jeans. There’s something about an otherwise simple outfit with a very good shoe that always gets me.

Being cold is unfortunately a big part of my everyday experience, so layering becomes less of a styling choice and more of a survival skill. I went with a simple long sleeve, jeans, and a knitted cardigan, basically everything I want to live in once the temperature drops. The mini snake print clutch makes it a little less practical, in the best way, and black sunglasses are non-negotiable, regardless of how little sun Stockholm actually sees.

I’ll happily wear color, play with proportions, and make questionable styling decisions in the name of a good outfit. But when it comes down to it, every wardrobe needs something to hold it all together. Toteme is that for me: the pieces I can come back to, build around, and wear in a hundred different ways. With, of course, the occasional red patent pump thrown in.