Oslo Shopping
July 6th 2007 10:23
For a fashionista like myself, shopping is an integral, if not essential part of any trip. Although Oslo probably couldn't and wouldn't call itself a fashion mecca in the league of Paris and Milan, it has a wonderful range of shopping centres, department stores and boutiques offering all the great global labels, including many of our own from down under.
Paleet, on Karl Johans gate is the most glamorous and luxurious of Oslo's commercial centres. Its central lobby houses a dancing bronze sculpture, surrounded by potted palms and tiny glass encased boutiques full of gorgeous, glittering wares. Music plays softly, seducing one to spend, spend, spend. The spiral staircase and glass domed ceiling beckon to galleries above. Fortunately price-tags tend to bring me to my senses and many of Paleet's are as exquisite as its wares. This is no place for bargains, but it's a great place to dream and gather ideas. It also has a lovely cafe, under the dome, at the edge of the gallery, with a great view over thpalm and the statue in the lobby. Aker Brygge, down on the wharf, has its fair share of expensive designer shops too but it also has the bargain EU chains like H&M and Etam. Here I found some of the best boot bargains in the known (to me)world. Over the hill from the Royal Palace is Majorstua the largest shopping area in the city. Its main streets Hegdehaugsveien and Bogstadveien where most of Oslo's designer label boutiques are concentrated
Christiania Glasmagasin, in the city centre, is a conservative, classic, traditionlal department store with black-skirted, white bloused (yes blouses - not shirts!), elegant assistants, who hover discreetly behind the curtains in the changing rooms with armfuls of gorgeous garments, offer refreshingly honest opinions and then withdraw, leaving you to make your own decision.
However, most interesting in Oslo, are those clothes and designer goods which are unique to Norway and which are becoming more and more of a trademark. The knitted sweaters are stunning, with intricate, traditional designs and warm, cocooning wool. They're not cheap but are true timeless classics and have that last a life-time look and feel. Souvenir shops Holm, The Best of Norway, Oleana, William Schmidt provide a proverbial visual and tactile feast for the textile lover. I spent hours gazing and stroking among sweaters, beanies, warm shawls, wool plaids and fabrics and skeins of wool. Norway is also famous for its glass, most specifically crystal from 240 year-old Hadeland Glassworks, also one of its most popular tourist attractions. Other popular Norwegian souvenirs are, reindeer skins, wood-carvings, knives and but not least trolls. These joli-laid (ugly but in a beautiful way) little creatures with their scrunched-up, pudgy faces and shocks of hair (all colours, including green!) come in all shapes and sizes. Each has his or her own character, habits and habitats. There are books with troll genealogies for the really keen troll collector and troll story books for kids. They're said to bring luck - I had to buy one!
Karl Johansgate
Aker Brygge
Christiania Glasmagasin, in the city centre, is a conservative, classic, traditionlal department store with black-skirted, white bloused (yes blouses - not shirts!), elegant assistants, who hover discreetly behind the curtains in the changing rooms with armfuls of gorgeous garments, offer refreshingly honest opinions and then withdraw, leaving you to make your own decision.
However, most interesting in Oslo, are those clothes and designer goods which are unique to Norway and which are becoming more and more of a trademark. The knitted sweaters are stunning, with intricate, traditional designs and warm, cocooning wool. They're not cheap but are true timeless classics and have that last a life-time look and feel. Souvenir shops Holm, The Best of Norway, Oleana, William Schmidt provide a proverbial visual and tactile feast for the textile lover. I spent hours gazing and stroking among sweaters, beanies, warm shawls, wool plaids and fabrics and skeins of wool. Norway is also famous for its glass, most specifically crystal from 240 year-old Hadeland Glassworks, also one of its most popular tourist attractions. Other popular Norwegian souvenirs are, reindeer skins, wood-carvings, knives and but not least trolls. These joli-laid (ugly but in a beautiful way) little creatures with their scrunched-up, pudgy faces and shocks of hair (all colours, including green!) come in all shapes and sizes. Each has his or her own character, habits and habitats. There are books with troll genealogies for the really keen troll collector and troll story books for kids. They're said to bring luck - I had to buy one!
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Great write up and the pic of Aker Brygge is lovely.
Charles.