The Scandi Jumper is all the rage this holiday season in England.
The fashion trend this holiday season in England is something called The Scandi Jumper. Translation – a thick knit pullover sweater with depictions of snowflakes, stars, or reindeer.
It’s all thanks to a popular BBC crime drama called The Killing, which takes place in cold, cold Copenhagen. The lead character, Detective Sarah Lund, wears these sweaters (paired with jeans) rather than the usual detective suit and viewers love her for it.
This particular sweater is traditionally called a Faroese, after the Faroese Islands, and it was made by knitwear company Gudrun Gudrun. The story goes that the actress playing Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabol) chose this sweater for her character and she felt so comfortable wearing it she didn’t take it off. Consequently in season one it’s in just about every scene, which is huge exposure and voila … major trend.
Many British women are embracing the sweater because of the Lund persona. Lisa Armstrong, Fashion Editor of The Daily Telegraph in London, recently told BBC radio’s Woman’s Hour that she’s a fan of the Scandi Jumper because she loves Sarah Lund and all her foibles. “The jumper is a kind of by-product of her dysfunctions … I think she seems to have commitment issues with everybody except her jumpers.”
Broadcaster and Antiques Roadside expert Lars Tharp, also a guest on Woman’s Hour, pointed out that by sporting the Scandi Jumper Sarah Lund might be seen as rejecting the idea of power dressing and that strikes a chord with women.
Personally I think Sarah Lund is just a sloppy dresser, which in itself says a lot but I haven’t seen the show so I’ll refrain from further comment. Now this is not to say I don’t like these sweaters. I do, for ice skating or a winter walk on a day off but on the job? Well, it’s not a professional look.
An American version of The Killing aired on AMC earlier this year, complete with another version of the Scandi Jumper. But it hasn’t reached trend status here. At least not yet.
PS – Readers, if you’d like to sport a Scandi Jumper yourself (not at work, of course) I’ve seen them at thrift shops and vintage stores. The real deal, often handknit from Scandinavia and at good prices.
For those of us who are tired of such a dressed down look in the office, etc… you have definitely hit a high note in your remarks here.
Perhaps the British women took longer to even begin to go to the casual side and the pendulum has not had time to begin the swing back…yet!
Living in California, some of us have had enough. We want some glamour!
So, “Bravo” for your stand. You are not alone. Some of us are standing right beside you;-)
See you soon,
Jacquelyn G
It’s good to know, Jacquelyn, that I’ve got company. I’m so sick of seeing nothing but jeans and Uggs and flip-flops … it’s depressing, really. And the way men dress is even worse. Middle-aged men in shorts and tennis shoes in church in December. Very unattractive. How is it in France?
I can only speak for Paris. I noticed last yr that I saw a lot more jeans on even the French, and their children, as well as tourists. Many guys with pressed jeans and blazers or suit jackets. Women,many short skirts, high heels even on moter bikes. But also very classic elegant women too.
Men& Women on bicycles wearing suits. Women in heels riding bikes.. No helmets. Their casual does not compare with ours. You can see the thought behind their ensembles…but Paris is known for it’s artistic bend.
Will speak more at Collectors Choice on Saturday if you are there?
JG