Where to thrift in Stockholm (+ Scandi Fashion Style explained)

Image Credit: Photo and Art by The Style Historian. 

With thrifting, you never know what you're going to get.

And I try to keep my expectations low, because sometimes luck just isn’t on your side.

But if there's one thing that surprised me – it’s the quality of thrifting and secondhand shopping in Stockholm, Sweden.

In recent years, Scandi Style has blown up our algorithms and made its way to North America, influencing global brands and introducing an effortless ease to wardrobes.

With friends currently living in Stockholm, I had to go see what the hype was all about – not only clocking the street style, but also – the thrifting situation.

What is Scandi Style?

Scandi Style is marked by four main categories:

Function-first.

In a city like Stockholm, the lifestyle is incredibly active. You'll see people of all ages walking, running and prioritizing movement. Similar to most of Europe, the cities are built for walking, cycling and not being in a car. Plus, with no humidity, you can be active all day without being bogged down by the heat. 

Despite what the internet might try to sell you, no one is wearing uncomfortable footwear.

Sneakers and crocs all the way, baby. Save your fashion flip flops for another trip!

Image Credit: July 2024, lunchtime walks in matching fits in Stockholm, The Style Historian. 

Layers.

With an ever-changing climate driven by the coast of the Baltic Sea and an active lifestyle, it’s common to see people wearing sweaters draped over the shoulders (preppycore aesthetic, for sure).

Image Credit: July 2024, almost identical outfits spotted in downtown Stockholm, The Style Historian.

There's even a Swedish line (kläder efter väder) that literally means you dress for the weather (and go out despite it). This is one of my favourite things about Scandi Style – I wish we were more weather resilient in North America and ditched our cars more often.

Prioritizes comfort – an effortless look.

There is an air of being much more casual than what you'll see in the streets of Toronto and New York City – places where people have places to be and the stress that that chaotic energy inevitably carries when living through the grind. The energy of Stockholm is very light in comparison.

Image Credit: July 2024, commuters waiting for the ferry in Stockholm, The Style Historian.

In Stockholm specifically, no one is going anywhere quickly, and the clothing matches that sense of ease. In a culture that values wellbeing over everything else, this is evident in their clothing – it’s a sense of effortless cool, chic and not being stressed about it.

(Though, I do have to remind myself that this look is *actually* incredibly curated, much like most of what’s on the internet, despite what the chic casual tries to tell you).

Sustainability.

Scandinavia loves sustainability and this ethos is toted wherever you go. In fact, Copenhagen Fashion Week is the only global fashion week implementing sustainability requirements for its designers. Fifty per cent of collections must be made from upcycled and recycled materials and include a sustainable manufacturing process.

Besides all the excellent street wear, I love how most attendees bike to the global fashion week, with a large line up of bikes outside the venue - speaking to the function-first mentality of fashion style in Scandinavia.

Image Credit: Bikes locked up outside Gamla Stan in Stockholm, July 2024, The Style Historian. 

While I’m even more obsessed with Scandi Style and Scandinavian brands than even before my travels, I can’t speak enough about the thrifting.

Three thrift shops not to miss while in Stockholm

As with most thrifting, it really is all about location, location, location and the thrill of the hunt – these isn’t an exhaustive list of all the thrifting in Stockholm, but sharing a few of my faves.

Huma Secondhand

This is definitely for the Brat girlies. While a chain, the marketing slaps and the folks get it.

I've never seen so many curated collections of Crocs in my life. It is v cool, and worth checking out. Everything was interesting, unique and not something I’d find at home.

Image Credit: Marketing poster inside Huma Second Hand, Stockholm, July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Image Credit: Exterior of Huma Second Hand, Stockholm, July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Image Credit: More marketing from Huma Second Hand, obsessed. July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Stockholm Stadsmission

Think of this like a Salvation Army, where profits go back into the community. I cannot say enough good things about this spot, though the quality does vary by location.

We were lucky to check out one of the best locations in Gamla Stan (Stockholm old town) – their collections were all high end, curated and we ended up finding made-in-Europe leather bags for only $30 CAD each.

Image Credit: Gamla Stan (Stockholm old town), where we found the best Stockholm  Stadsmission in the city. July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Image Credit: My best finds by far - so glad I packed that extra room in my luggage! July 2024, The Style Historian. 

These bags were all made in Europe (Paris, Finland, Italy) and made from real leather. They were in spectacular condition, and I still can’t believe the price.

And Stockholm Stadsmission even has their own line where they upcycle donated materials into well-made items, like this cute little top I know I'll be wearing everywhere, from a casual park hang to the office. It is so well made, the tailoring and stitching is chef’s kiss.

Image Credit: Just me hanging out in the Stockholm Stadsmission dressing room doing the Lord's work!! July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Ok this last location is also… Stockholm Stadsmission, but hear me out – the experience at this location was completely different than the scores I got above.

This location gave Value Village, but in the best way.

Image Credit: Exterior shot of a second Stockholm Stadsmission, a great gem for home, decor and books. July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Image Credit: Some gems over at Stockholm Stadsmission. July 2024, The Style Historian. 

Image Credit: Stockholm Stadsmission marketing, July 2024, The Style Historian. 

While the clothing brands were less quality, it still deserves an honorable mention for the books and décor. This was definitely a place where you had to be settled in and get digging.

This is just a quick snapshot into some of my time in Stockholm, but I’d for sure visit again. I shopped, shopped, shopped and was obsessed with the active lifestyle and carefree nature of the people I met and interacted with.

Have you ever been to Stockholm before? I’d love to hear your thoughts – and also… why is everything just way cooler in Europe?!

Until next time,

-       TSH