As a master’s student in sustainable urban planning and design, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring how cities can enable sustainable living. Measures to achieve this are infinite, spanning sectors and requiring varying degrees of investment and expertise. But there are also many small solutions which are pretty simple. The Swedish loppis is a great example of something that creates a lively urban district while maintaining a small carbon footprint and fostering community.
So, what is a loppis?
It’s basically a public flea market where people buy and sell secondhand items or crafts; loppisar (plural) can be found sporadically starting around late spring to early fall throughout Sweden. It’s a common weekend activity in the summer, especially for anyone who likes treasure hunting, bargains, or just hanging around a lively part of the neighbourhood on a Saturday morning.
Once upon a loppis in Söder…
Over the weekend, I wandered into a loppis in Södermalm. It was a typical one, with no theme, just anything and everything being sold at little tables, racks, and blankets by various vendors. I ended up finding a cool pair of white summer jeans for 50 Swedish kronor (about five euros). Although the bargain is great, I try my best to buy secondhand and thrifted clothing over fast fashion because I strive to be a low(er) carbon consumer.
Locating a loppis
If you’re a fellow miscellaneous market lover, you’re probably wondering how to get to a loppis yourself. Depending on your style, you can plan ahead or wing it. Websites like loppiskartan.se or svenskaloppisar.se are two examples of where loppisar are registered. You can filter your search by various criteria.
But, whether you’re in Stockholm or the Swedish countryside, if you keep an eye out, you’re bound to wander past a loppis at some point. Hotspots include city parks, especially on weekend mornings. As loppisar are free events, don’t be shy to check it out, you never know what you might find or learn.
Pro-tips:
- Cash is king! If you don’t have a Swedish bank account (and therefore the money transfer app Swish) you will probably need cash, as few to no vendors can charge you by credit card. It’s one of the few times I can say this about Sweden!
- If you have a particular interest – vintage clothes, woodworking, vinyl records – scout your theme in advance through various loppis websites. Although many loppisar are general, some are specialised and may be worth seeking out.
- The websites are for not only finding a planned loppis, but registering a new one. If you don’t see one for the types of goods or in a location you think there should be one, you can take the initiative to start one :).
Now that you know what to look for, I wish you luck in your loppis hunting. It’s a great way to enjoy the city, explore a new area, and be part of something local and sustainable. Enjoy!
// Claire