I noticed the first trees were beginning to turn last week as I made my way home through 
the forest. It won’t be long before the pavements are strewn with golden leaves and fresh shiny conkers waiting to be gathered by eager hands. Do you remember as a child seeing a large pile of leaves as an opportunity too good to miss? My own children are much the same. They run towards the carefully gathered piles with abandon, kicking and throwing and generally hooting with joy at the innocent childhood pastime.
Of course as their parent I also notice whether the leaves are wet/muddy/in a puddle etc etc and try to dress them appropriately in anticipation. Shorts are beginning to look like a bad idea, and the list of weather-appropriate clothing looms ever longer now that we head back to colder times. September and October are months for sorting through closets, clearing out the old and too small and preparing for the annual ‘winter clothing’ trek to the shops.
We need, to begin with at least, a decent rain
suit: generally trousers and jacket with wellingtons (gum boots) to match. This will be followed by a warm comforting snowsuit and the ubiquitous snow boots. All topped off with enough changes of clothing to deal with even the most adventurous of children as they continue their play outside throughout the seasons.
But where to buy? There are plenty of shops in the city that offer the full array of winter clothes to suit a whole range of budgets: from the new children’s department at Illum’s to second-hand shops specialising in good quality children’s wear. As they say in the Nordics, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. How prepared are you?!
Den Blå Ballon – Sells a selection of new and second-hand clothing for children including some funky Danish brands.
Viborggade 2, 2100 Cph S; kundeservice@villakulla.dk, 3526 8026; www.denblåballon.dk
Mini a Ture – Award-winning Danish children’s wear brand that can be found everywhere. They offer a good quality range of outdoor clothing that lasts the distance especially if you buy a size up. Winter jackets from 799kr.
Magasin – Magasin department store has a good children’s department offering a number of brand names. It’s a one-stop shop for snowsuits, coats and boots.
Stores in Kongens Nytorv, Fields or Lyngby; www.magasin.dk
Sostjernen – Specialising in the almost indestructible brand Angulus, from whom I have had many pairs of children’s shoes and boots. Sostjerne also has a wonderful selection of beautiful clothing for children.
Østerbrogade 50, Cph Ø; 3555 4690; www.sostjernen.com
H&M – This staple brand has a good quality, mid-priced selection of children’s clothes. It’s where I stock up on spare tracksuit trousers and socks for the cubbies. You can also find outdoor clothing here too including footwear and slippers.
Købmagergade 69, Cph K
Sally McWilliam has lived in Copenhagen for four years with her family. During this time, she has established a website, www.scandineighbour.com, in which describes many of the wonderful places to visit within the region. Sally is also a co-founder and author of the new English blog for Aarstiderne, www.soiltostove.com.
