Flea markets are a big part of Finnish culture, and Helsinki is a great place for people who are interested in second hand shopping. In Helsinki, you will find the best places to shop, from flea markets to carefully curated vintage shops.
For Finns, saving through flea markets and buying used pieces is part of their culture, which became very popular among the urban population during the economic recession of the 1990s. Recycling used clothes amongst friends and family and handing over old furniture to neighbours has been a common activity, especially in rural areas in Finland.
The do-it-yourself enthusiasm is strong, especially amongst the older generations. Nothing was thrown away, everything was kept in case it was needed for some purpose later.
Finland is a country of flea markets, and repurposing second hand products as well as vintage shopping is an intrinsic part of Finnish culture that is especially strong in Helsinki. Although the older generations have long bought from flea markets, the younger generation has now learnt to incorporated the idea of sustainability into their everyday life and consumption habits.
Flea markets and the acquisition of second hand goods are such an integral part of Finnish culture that hundreds of such flea markets are organized around the country. With technology, this market system is not limited to seasonal spring cleaning and sales, but popular digital markets such as tori.fi and vintage Marimekko groups on Facebook have meant that Finns can now continue their passion for saving and ethical shopping all year round.
Finns believe not only in buying used fashion products, but also in buying used household goods. Flea markets always have a choice of Iittala and Arabia tableware. These products are so highly valued by Finnish households that now Iittala stores have started their Vintage service. The stores receive used Iittala and Arabia dishes and sell them as Vintage products. People can take their products of said brand that they no longer have use for and hand them to the stores to sell or rather explore the ever-changing assortment of Vintage items and find a gem.
Almost all Finns have a very practical approach to things. Historically, Finland comes from modest beginnings, even after independence, there was a lack of things for a very long time, as a result of the harsh climate, people understood the importance of goods and thus formed the basis for a frugal mindset that many Finns still adhere to.
Frugality is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why luxury home grown brands in Finland, such as Marimekko, Makia or Lumi Accessories, are affordable for the majority of the population. What makes these brands luxurious is their quality and durability and not their price range. The products of these brands have similar prices to the regular premium brand, which makes it clear that it is against Finnish nature to pay exorbitant prices.
Courtesy of the recycling culture, second hand stores have become chains in Helsinki, especially the large Kierrätyskeskus chain. These centers recycle items, repair electronics, and maintain an extensive inventory of a variety of household and fashion products. Most flea markets are run on a self-service basis, where sellers can leave their wares and the market sells them on their behalf. The vintage market has grown, and districts in Helsinki, such as Kallio and Punavuori, have become centers for vintage shoppers.
Although the success of flea markets continues and everyone is welcome to rent places and sell goods at markets, even in Finland, online platforms are becoming increasingly popular for buying vintage fashion and household goods. As the new Finnish generation seeks their style inspiration online, the online marketplaces for used clothing are larger than ever.
However, the strong presence of individual style and collection of vintage pieces does not mean that Finnish frugality goes overboard, because sustainability is not a trend for them. Searching for treasures and finding ordinary goods with a rich history is part of the Finnish heritage.