In Bergen, you’ll find over 20 second-hand shops, swap meets and places where you can have your clothes repaired, helping to promote reuse and reduce consumption. Fretex and UFF are the largest retailers of second-hand clothes and homeware, whilst Livid, Evig Vintage and Slit’an are among the shops offering curated vintage items. You can also sell your clothes at Det gule hus or Loppeliten, or have them repaired at the library.

Flea markets and swap markets in Bergen

Clothing swap Bergen

Regular swap market in Bergen. Follow their Instagram for more information on when and how. You can also be a part of their organisation as a volunteer or join the monthly sewing club.  

Byttebua

Byttebua is a permanent swap market for students in Bergen. It is a collaboration between the Sustainability Pilots at the University of Bergen (UiB) and Spire Bergen. They are located at Lars Hilles gate 3, in Nygård school. 

DNT Youth (Norwegian Trekking association)

Occasionally hosts flea markets for outdoor equipment. They also has an agreement with BUA.

Bærekraftige liv

Operates, among other things, a thrift corner and a sewing workshop, in addition to being a neighborhood movement working to make where people live greener. Has local chapters in various neighborhoods, including Sandviken.

Landåspikenes flea market

Flea market held regularly at Slettebakken School and sometimes at Thon Senter Bergen.

Thrift shops in Bergen

Fretex

National scheme run by the Salvation Army. Clothes, interior, books, and shoes are some of the things you can find here.

Address: Lars Hilles gate 14-16

VelBevart

Thrift store selling furniture, clothes, interior, etc. Operated by YWCA-YMCA. Open every day except Monday and Saturday.

Address: Nattlandsveien 81

Miljømarkedet bruktbygg

This is a second-hand shop run by Norges Miljøvernforbund (an independent environmental organisation). They sell donated furniture, windows, books, doors and more. 

Address: Professor Hansteens gate 55 

NMS Reuse

Thrift store close to St. Mary’s chuch. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

Address: Øvre Dreggsallmenningen 20

Reuse Bergen

Thrift store in Åsane, not far from IKEA, run by the Norwegian Lutheran Mission. Sells both clothes, furniture and things for your dorm.

Address: Liamyren 5

Vintage shops in Bergen

Slit’an

This is a vintage shop located near the theatre Den Nationale scene. It has clothes and accessories from the 1920s to the 1990s.

Address: Christian Michelsens gt. 7

UFF Second Hand

Large thrift store. Here you can find a variety of vintage items from different eras. Also has a lot of accessories.

Address: Fortunen 4

Episode Vintage

This thrift store is part of a Dutch chain. Here you can find a lot of goodies.

Address: Veiten 4

Livid

Vintage shop at Galleriet shopping centre. If you need alterations on trousers, they will do it. Also sells new jeans, sewn in Portugal, and has its own collection with Made in Norway, the only jeans factory in Scandinavia.

Address: Torgallmenningen 8

Evig Vintage

Here you can buy handpicked vintage clothes selected by the shop owner.

Address: Strandgaten 80

Divert Design

Local shop behind Bryggen. Here you can find vintage clothes as well as silver jewelry and other items you need.

Address: Steinkjellergaten 6

Kostym Vintage

Here you will find vintage clothes, shoes, and accessories.

Address: Skottegaten 21

Öy Vintage

ÖY is a concept store that sells coffee, vintage, jewelry, interior, and art - all from local vendors and artists. You can find treasures from Vintage Queen and Cozy Vintage, among others.

Address: Kong Oscars gt. 22

Salongen Vintage

At Salongen you will find clothes and shoes, as well as accessories.

Address: Lodin Lepps gate 4

Fileks secondhand

Latest addition to Bergens collection of thrift stores.The garments are sorted in Norway.

Address: Øvregaten 13

Schau Design

Schau Design opened in 2005 and here you can find second-hand retro lamps, designer furniture and much more.

Address: Lille Øvregaten 5

Where can you sell your own clothes?

Det gule hus (The yellow house)

A place for selling your own clothes. You get the money for the sale, minus 22% commission to the store.

Address: Bjørnsons gate 28

Loppeliten

Take a short light rail trip to Fyllingsdalen and you will find this store where you can buy children's clothes that others sell from a shelf. You can also rent a shelf yourself.

Address: Krokatjønnveien 11A

Kirppis

Here you can sell everything from clothes and shoes to books and larger items. Take the bus to Drotningsvik Centre.

Address: Drotningsvik 132

Repair and Redesign in Bergen

DNT ReTuren Sewing Workshop

At last, Bergen has its own place where you can hand in your outdoor gear for repair. Don’t throw away your Gore-Tex jacket, or buy a new rucksack just because the zip is broken. It can be fixed! DNT members get 15% off. The repair workshop also breathes new life into old products through redesign. You can drop off items you need repaired at the Tursenteret in Marken.

Address: Tverrgaten 4–6 (Tursenteret in Marken)

Bergen Public Library

The library has its own repair days where you can get help fixing clothes. In addition, you can borrow a sewing machine for free every weekday and fix things yourself. Collaborates with the Grandparents Climate Action. Location: sustainability department

Address: Strømgaten 6

Bærekraftige liv (Sustainable Lives)

Organizes various sewing workshops and pop-ups focusing on reuse and redesign.

Address: Kanonhaugen 39

Clothing Swap Bergen

Repair Café CSB brings equipment and materials and you can get help fixing your clothes with holes, broken zippers, etc. Located at various places in Bergen, including Bergen Kjøtt. They often collaborates with student organizations.

van Tellingen Textiles and Sewing Workshop

Bergen’s first and only shop selling surplus textiles. Here you can also book a sewing machine for a reasonable price and mend or sew new items in lovely, bright premises. 

Address: Øvregaten 4

How to buy second-hand clothes: 8 tips

• Inspect the Quality: Check for any signs of wear and tear, such as stains, holes, or loose threads. Don’t forget to check the zippers, buttons, and other fastenings.
• Wash Before Wearing: Always wash used clothes before wearing them. This helps to ensure they are clean and fresh.
• Know Your Style: Have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. This can help you avoid impulse buys that you might not wear.
• Be Patient: Finding the perfect piece can take time. Don’t rush the process.
• Research the Brand: If you’re buying designer items, do some research to ensure they’re authentic.
• Consider the Material: Look for high-quality materials that will last. Natural fibers like linen, wool, and silk tend to be more durable than synthetic ones.
• Think About Alterations: If a piece doesn’t fit perfectly but you love it, consider whether it could be altered to fit.Visit the repair and redesign section in this article. 
• Try Before You Buy: If possible, try on the clothes before purchasing to ensure they fit well. Sizes can vary greatly between brands and over time.