By: Ingrid Friberg & Tegan Ross.
In Nørrebro, thrift stores are lining the streets, buzzing from the young fashion shoppers. But they are no longer just here for the bargains, but for the one-of-a-kind looks.
Outside the store entrances, a young crowd is looking through the colourful racks of oversized t-shirts and denim jorts.
“I just really like browsing,” says Hildur, a regular thrift shopper. “The pieces are unique and have more personality.”
What used to be the cheaper option, is starting to become a natural part of fashion. A decade ago, Copenhagen had only a few thrift stores; now they are all over town.
Ivory is having an afternoon stroll through the shops. She says when she shops for clothes, it’s usually second hand.
“I really like finding independent, unique pieces and to tailor my style to me.”
Besides the uniqueness, the sustainability aspect is a big draw. Recent numbers from Euromonitor reported that 1 in 4 consumers buy second hand to help the environment.
Karen who works at a kilo thrift store nearby, notices the trends up close. “I’m very against the over-production of clothes,” she says.
However she warns the risks. “I don’t think the trend is necessarily a good thing, because it also promotes overconsumption of reused clothes.”
In Scandinavia, used clothing prices are on the rise. Though if it’s because of inflation or the higher demand is still not determined.
Still, the thrill of the hunt keeps shoppers coming. “Any shop that I see, I’ll go in and have a look,” Ivory says before leaving.
