How to master Alicia Vikander's 'Scandi simple' style

She’s the Swedish-born ballet dancer turned actress who has taken Hollywood by storm, appearing in a string of hits, and winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2016 for her role in 'The Danish Girl'.

Now, Alicia Vikander has followed in Angelina Jolie’s footsteps to gain six kilograms of muscle and don combat shorts and double revolvers as Playstation’s favourite action heroine, Lara Croft. Outside action-wear, her fashion credentials are more aspirational; for starters, she's a Louise Vuitton spokesmodel and Vogue cover star. So what is it about her sartorial choices, both on and off the red carpet, that have cemented the actress as a style star to watch?

Firstly, it doesn’t hurt that 27-year old Vikander has the willowy limbs and graceful poise that ensure almost anything looks good - a combination of genetics and rigorous dance training at the Swedish Royal Ballet School in her formative years. Working with stylist Victoria Sekrier (the ex-model is Vikander’s sartorial right hand woman), she skates through awards seasons, premieres and appearances, perfectly balancing fashion-forward with entirely effortless.

Versatile, timeless, with a getting dressed ease we all wish we could master, Vikander’s style blends understated minimal (sleek tailoring, neutral colours, pared back accessories) with an edge of bohemian - there’s something of the ‘Chloe-girl’ (a regular label in her wardrobe) about her style spirit- delicate ruffles, sheer details and pretty prints nod to feminine without being overly girly.

As muse and model for Nicholas Ghesquire’s Louis Vuitton, it’s unsurprising that Vikander is a natural at red carpet dressing. And that Louis Vuitton is, of course, a staple in her event repertoire. Custom designs by the French house make up a large proportion of her red carpet appearances. In terms of silhouette, she is apt to mix it up, appearing one day in a high-necked, all-over lace gown, and the next a strapless creation, slashed (ever-so-elegantly) at the navel.

Vikander punctuates her loyalty to Vuitton with a host of other big names - Gucci, Rodarte, McQueen. But, she is also an avid supporter of more under-the-radar fashion brands. Barbara Casasola is one of her favourites - the Brazilian-born, London-based designer’s clean lines and modern use of colour chime perfectly with Vikander’s aesthetic. And she is partial to sleek, modern designs by Gabriela Hearst, Brock Collection and Rosetta Getty.

Away from the high-octane glamour of the red carpet Vikander’s ‘off-duty’ style is equally covetable. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, she described her look as ‘Scandi simple’ and the description rings true. Her day-to-day wardrobe (read flying/shopping/city living) rotates a series of tailored trousers, crisp shirts, cashmere sweaters and classic coats - always finished with a Louis Vuitton bag. The palette tends towards neutrals - tan, camel, navy, black - shot through with hits of colour and print.

Several of the labels which underpin the actress's wardrobe are stylish names with a Scandinavian connection. Rodebjer, based in New York and founded by a Swedish designer, delivers luxury staples which recur in Vikander’s arsenal - slouchy sweaters, cropped trousers. Stockholm-based label Toteme was founded by influencer and editor Elin Kling; Vikander is a fan of their outerwear. And the actress has worn several pieces - from dresses to sweaters - by LA-based Anine Bing. Founded by a Dane, the label’s sleek staples and pretty prints chime perfectly with Vikander’s downtime aesthetic.

She fuses these with a sense of dressed-down, Californian cool - think Sweatshirts from Ragdoll LA and luxury basics from Vince. Add in a pinch of European chic - French labels Sandro and Maje deliver just the kind of interesting pieces with the nonchalant edge that runs through the actresses wardrobe. On holiday, the bohemian edge that runs through Vikander’s style becomes more pronounced, wearing broderie anglaise, paisley prints and ethereal silhouettes from the likes of Zimmermann and Isabel Marant’s whimsical diffusion brand, Etoile.

One thing's for sure, whether hopping aboard a yacht in Ibiza, walking the red carpet in LA or wandering the streets of London, Vikander's fresh, elegant, and completely effortless looks are setting her on the path to style icon status.