The best places to find vintage clothing in Oslo
Oslo local Ingrid Bergtun has dedicated her career to making second-hand clothes last forever. Follow her expert advice and go hunting for some retro favourites in Oslo’s vintage shops.
Reducing our consumption of new clothes is an important action we can take towards preserving our planet. More than half of all Norwegians have actually reported that they have purchased second-hand clothing! Oslo is a hub for fashionistas hunting for retro outfits and rare vintage pieces.
All around Oslo, you will find vintage and second-hand stores. Some are brand new, and others come with a long history.
Vintage Chanel bags and retro style
Ingrid Bergtun is one of many Norwegians who loves to save second-hand clothes. Together with three other Norwegian women, she runs “Fæbrik”, a small Oslo-based business whose goal is to show how old garments can be transformed into new, unique pieces of clothing.
During the last few years, this group of friends has used social media to inspire hundreds of thousands of Norwegians to dust off their sewing machines and make something new out of something old. Ingrid's passion for retro clothes has now become a full-time job.
Everything is better about second-hand clothing, if you ask me! It's better for the environment, and I love the fashion nostalgia. I love it when I find a sweater that looks like one my mum or dad wore when I was a child, for example.
In Oslo, there are vintage shops for every taste, whether you're on the hunt for a vintage bag from Prada or Chanel, or simple retro clothing.
You can choose to sift through second-hand clothing yourself, or you can visit certain vintage shops which feel exactly like a regular clothing shop, with a curated selection of pieces in good condition. Personally, I think I prefer the stores with hand-picked items, but going on a good old treasure hunt at flea markets or in second-hand stores filled with all sorts of garments is a lot of fun too!
Ingrid's expert advice:
Keep an eye out for flea markets (called Loppemarked in Norwegian). Especially during spring and autumn, many schools organise flea markets. You'll also find weekly markets in the weekends, such as the ones at Vestkanttorvet and Birkelunden. The prices here may be even lower than in second-hand shops, and you can make some really good deals!
Oslo's vintage shops on the rise
With second-hand shopping gaining in popularity, Ingrid is pleased that Oslo now boasts an unusually high number of stores catering to all sorts of styles.
So many exciting things have happened in recent years. New concepts are cropping up all the time, and the market has grown significantly, especially for curated vintage. Today, you can find something for everyone.
Ingrid and her colleagues at Fæbrik are passionate about finding high quality materials which can be used to create garments with new designs. Thus, she is always on the hunt for quality textiles.
I also like to look for jackets, handbags and trousers, still with the materials in mind. Older garments are often manufactured with proper, high quality textiles.
A visit to the western part of Oslo, and Grünerløkka in the east
Reuse being an integral part of both her job and her hobby, Ingrid has better knowledge about Oslo's vintage scene than most, and she is more than happy to share her favourites. Her top picks carry everything from simple, thrifted T-shirts to vintage Prada sunglasses.
If you're looking for curated vintage, with a more selected sample, it is worth venturing from the city centre towards the western part of the city, as well as to Grünerløkka to the east, where there are many good shops that I like.
Second-hand shops in Grünerløkka:
Ingrid's top vintage shops
1. Ditto - Thrifted vintage fashion for men
Address: Industrigata 47a, 0357 Oslo
Streetstyle with clothing and shoes by famous brands, mainly vintage for boys and men. Men aren't always prioritised within thrift vintage fashion, so I appreciate that Ditto specialises in this segment. I also like to look for sweaters for myself here.
2. Lé Trend - 90s vintage clothing
Address: Pilestredet 7, 0180 Oslo
The place to go for 90's fashion such as low-rise jeans and rare T-shirts that nobody else has. This is a colourful shop carrying both famous and lesser known brands.
3. Eftir - curated vintage and unique jewellery pieces
Address: Holmens gate 4, 0250 Oslo
This is a cool concept where different sellers have separate areas within the shop. You can find some luxury hand bags, and most of what is available in the shop his hand-picked. On the second floor, Fjong offers a rental service for garment which you may use for a short period of time.
4. Past - retro style and Levi's
Address: Markveien 54, 0554 Oslo
Past is a particularly good place to look for vintage Levi's. They have a whole wall full of trousers. They are also very knowledgeable when it comes to finding the right fit for your needs. They also care about good materials, and sell beautiful silk shirts.