Vintage Helsinki

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Vintage Helsinki

Helsinki is the perfect place to go hunting for treasures from the past. Finns love to shop second hand and the Finnish capital’s vintage scene is vibrant, unique and sustainably chic. There are second hand and antique shops all over Helsinki as well as several popular flea markets where you can find high quality clothing, furniture and collectibles.

Much of what you will see is Made In Finland. Finnish design is timeless and built to last so you are sure to discover beautifully kept pre-loved objects from 1960s Marimekko dresses and Itttala glassware to an original Alvar Aalto chair.

Put on your walking shoes and follow the vintage trail — it’s a great way to see the city and if you haven’t already fallen in love with Finnish design, get ready to swoon!

Helsinki

Helsinki is a modern, pocket-sized European city known for design and high technology. Helsinki’s attractive and unique character comes from its proximity to the sea, as well as its location between the East and the West.

Helsinki

The Fleas

Kirppis means flea market in Finnish. It is used loosely here and can often refer to a smaller second hand shop or a pop up market as well as the more established fleas.

There is a long tradition of flea markets in Finland and a local favourite is Hietalahti, a seaside outdoor market in southern Helsinki. Open daily during summer months, it is a hive of activity. Friends and families turn out in numbers, especially on weekends, and set up stalls selling everything from gently used clothing and household items to true vintage gems and antiques.

The flea market trend is growing, particularly among young people. “You save money and the environment” say the organisers of a new Sunday flea market in Hakaniemi Square.

Päivi Toivonen and Orvokki Hyytinen want to turn this event into something more than just a flea market, opening it up to local artisans and food stalls selling traditional Finnish cuisine and even a salmiakki (salty Finnish liquorice) tent!

The pair also host an annual four day giant flea in Kaapelitehdas, an old cable factory turned cultural hub that attracts more than 200 vendors.

Twice a year Helsinki is the setting for a city-wide flea market during Siivouspäivä (Cleaning Day). Anyone can set up a stall anywhere in the city to participate in this fantastic celebration of green living.

The Non-Profits

Fida and UFF are Finland’s two largest second hand chains selling inexpensive but quality goods since the 1970s.

Fida is a faith-based organisation and an excellent place to find designer housewares and furniture at very reasonable prices. The clothing is mostly contemporary but there are vintage finds here too. Each Fida has a distinct style and there is a big turnover so shop around and often.

Like Fida, UFF turns the profits from the sale of recycled clothes to support development projects overseas. The quality of the clothing is superb and the choice can be dizzying with row upon row of garments organised by colour and season.

Design District

There are several antique and second hand shops in and around the Design District in the heart of Helsinki. Not to be missed is Artek 2nd Cycle. Artek is the interior design company founded by Alvar and Aina Aalto and 2nd Cycle is Artek’s own vintage collection, giving a new life to old classics.

Fasaani Antik is another top pick. A cavernous potpourri of vintage Finnish design, you will lose yourself here amidst the endless shelves of Finnish glass and tableware and vintage furniture. This is the place to go if you want to add to your existing collection because the selection is vast and comprehensive.

While you are in the Design District, why not pop into the Design Museum. Their permanent collection tells the history of Finnish design and a walk through it will help you know what to look out for.

Kallio for vintage hunters

Kallio is Helsinki’s hippest neighbourhood with some of the best vintage to be found in the city. Located in Helsinki’s north east end, the area has shaken off but not forgotten its working class roots. There is an edge to the street life here and an independent streak amongst its entrepreneurs.

Here are our three picks for Kallio vintage shops:

Soul Vintage
Soul Vintage aspires to be more than just a vintage shop. Hand-picked goods, art, coffee, bikes for rent and a great sound track are all on offer here. The place oozes cool and is definitely worth a visit!

Rupla (pictured)
Started by four young guys, the vintage clothing selects are tasteful accents to the room rather than the main course. This is a hipster hangout with a bar serving up raw cakes and coffee. The space is used for ukulele festivals, yoga classes and other live events. The mid twentieth century lounge chairs are there for customers to relax in and purchase should they wish to.

Hoochie Mama Jane
This colourful boutique is literally crammed with vintage cocktail dresses, shoes, bags and fabulous accessories spanning much of the twentieth century. Glamorous and a bit cheeky, Hoochie Mama Jane is a great place to go if you are looking for that perfect outfit for a night on the town.

Kruununhaka for antique lovers

The wide, stony streets of Kruununhaka are a marked contrast to Kallio’s density. The pace of life here is definitely less frenetic but the neighbourhood has several excellent vintage shops and three of the finest that you should visit:

Play It Again Sam
Play It Again Sam has the reputation as the best vintage store in the city. The landmark shop carries high end vintage clothing from late 19th century to the 1970s and is a destination for those wishing to buy or rent costumes for fancy dress parties and the theatre. A Black Swan ballet costume, an early twentieth century wedding gown and a beautiful pink sequinned flapper dress from Paris all grace the shop. Elegance personified, this place is a mecca for vintage clothing lovers.

Lasikammari
Lasikammari is another jewel in Kruununhaka’s crown. There is likely not a better display of vintage Iittala glassware in the city. The owner has been collecting for twenty years and she has only the best in her shop. Each piece is labelled and dated and many items have the original drawings and blueprints for the design. A wonderful place to buy gifts for a wedding or other special occasion.

Kaunis Arki (pictured)
Kaunis Arki is a visual treat for the eyes. Beautifully cluttered with classic Finnish design from days gone by, you will find furniture, lighting and housewares here, all in pristine condition.

Töölö for dressing up

The Töölö neighbourhood is just north of the city centre and home to two great dress up shops:

Mekkomania
Mekkomania which means Dress Mania in English, is a small boutique full of pretty vintage dresses for women and small girls — an ideal destination for a mother and daughter excursion!

Penny Lane
Penny Lane is a cherished vintage and curiosity shop in the area for over twenty years. The selection is plentiful so give yourself time to explore. On the main floor a one hundred year old grand piano and gramophone are surrounded by shoes and accessories and upstairs is a fabulous array of timeless dress-up clothes for men and women. The philosophy behind Penny Lane is to promote recycling the past in the fight against throwaway culture. Something Helsinki seems to be doing very well.

These are just some of our favourites. The rest you will have to discover on your own!
Here are a few suggestions for vintage shopping outside the Finnish capital. Just about every Finnish town and city has at least one flea market and a handful of second hand shops.

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Vintage Helsinki