Besides the big Swedish fashion chains such as H&M, Gina Tricot, COS and Lindex, there are plenty of independent retailers to discover in and around Stockholm. The different islands offer different types of shopping: if you are looking for vintage and small independents, for example, head to Södermalm, where small boutiques are lined up next to vintage havens.
SoFo
Dubbed SoFo by local creatives, the area “south of the street Folkungagatan” on the island of Södermalm, has quickly grown into a young urban creative hotspot – Vogue recently named it the third most hip area in the world, and the BBC referred to it as the “new Brooklyn”. During SoFo-Night, which takes place on the last Thursday of the month, many of the shops stay open until 9pm and put on live music, drinks deals and other offers.
In the past, these shops were run by local craftsmen, such as butchers, brewers, silversmiths and tanners – today you will still find gems such as Grandpa (Södermannagatan 21), which stocks smaller labels, next to famous Swedish designers, including Hope, Minimarket and Back.
For more affordable fashion, head around the corner to secondhand shop Stadsmissionen (Skånegatan 75), where you will be sure to find vintage treasures – just make sure you have plenty of time to dig around!
Other shops not to miss out on in the same area include: K17 (Kocksgatan 17), which stocks carefully selected men’s fashion and plays host to free acoustic live music on SoFo-Night, and sometimes more often; the Nudie Jeans Repair Shop (Skånegatan 75); Sneakersnstuff (Åsögatan 124); and Beyond Retro, for Stockholm’s best vintage selection (Åsögatan 144).
If you have a bigger budget, SoFo is also home to designer labels such as Acne Studios (Nytorgsgatan 36, or pick the Acne archive shop on Torsgatan 53 in the neighbourhood Vasastan); Our Legacy (Krukmakargatan 24); and children’s designer label Mini Rodini (Nytorgsgatan 36).
Midsommarkransen
Just a few stops on the underground from Södermalm is the charming neighbourhood of Midsommarkransen. An explosion of cafes, restaurants and bars in the past decade, has turned this area into one of Stockholm’s most sought after suburbs to live in.
This thriving creative community now has its own local cinema, festival and flea market. The old yellow stone buildings, now home to hip cafes, stores and restaurants, are a reminder of past times.
If you are a fan of vintage, head to Svandammsvägen 8, where you will find Vintagefabriken, a vintage shop run by three local girls, all of whom have a flare for the 1950s. Besides a great assortment of clothes and accessories, they also offer courses to get you in the right retro mood, including knitting, decorating and even advice on how to get your vintage hairdo right.
Markets in Stockholm
If you want to explore the city while going on a shopping spree, market hunting is the perfect activity. Start off lightly at Bruno Vintage market, open on Sundays inside a small shopping mall on Södermalm (Götgatan 36). Locals come here en masse to browse clothes and antiques.
From May until the end of September, Hornstull street market takes place right next to the water in the hip area of Hornstull on Södermalm. Wander along the water and cruise for clothes, accessories, art and antiques. Don’t miss the chance to grab your lunch from one of many food trucks in the area.
If you’re in Sweden, you have to try out a trunk flea market – essentially a car boot sale – so check the schedule on stockholmsmarknader.se for all your options. The trunk flea market in a garage by Liljeholmstorget square, which gathers local vendors and their cars one Sunday each month, is one of the best.
As you can tell, there are plenty of markets in and around Stockholm. If you’re in town during September, you should visit the 2km flea market in the suburb of Aspudden, just a few stops from Södermalm on the underground. Hägerstensvägen street is full of local vendors, selling everything from toys to fashion and furniture. But be prepared for crowds.
Fashionistas, meanwhile, will want to keep an eye on the flea market organised by digital magazine Make it last and their fashion insider friends, who empty their wardrobes to sell at bargain prices a few times a year.
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