Next Destination On Our “Holiday Shopping Around The World” Gift Guide: Stockholm!
We’ve been taking you around the world for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, making our first stops at Athens and London. Today, we’re continuing our European trek , stopping at Stockholm, before skipping over to Berlin. Below, then, you’ll find a number of adorable gift ideas inspired by Sweden’s capital. You can “tack” me later (yes, that’s “thank” you” in Swedish!).
STOCKHOLM
Swedish Hasbeens High Heel Jodhpur in Hot Pink, $350. Available at SwedishHasbeens.com
When we think of miscellaneous items associated with Sweden, we’re likely to think of meatballs, Dala horses, Volvos, strawberry tarts, ABBA, salty licorice, Ingmar Bergman films and, yes, clogs. Though the traditional wooden shoes are most closely linked to The Netherlands (and, in particular, Amsterdam), they also played a huge role in Swedish fashion history. In fact, Troentorp clogs, which hail from Troentorp, a small village south of Bastad, Skane, have been crafted in the same place since 1907. But, of course, as time has passed, many have sought to modernize the clogs of yore — and few brands have done so with as much verve and charm as Swedish Hasbeens. Take, for instance, this clog and bootie hybrid, made of vegetable tanned leather and sustainably grown lime tree wood. Their minimalist silhouette, the clean cut of the 3.5″ heel, and the smoothness of the leather al work to make these shoes seem effortlessly cool, while the leather’s punchy berry pink color instantly draws the eye.
Björn Borg “Hot For Her” Christmas Box, $44.95. Available at BjornBorg.com
Named after Swedish Wimbledon champ Björn Borg, this underwear brand specializes in whimsical pieces for everyday wear, all boasting sporty cuts and playful prints. Packaged inside an envelope-shaped plastic with a pink “Hot For Her” tag, this kit features two boxer brief designs: the psychedelic Kurbits, which features spiraling shapes and poppy-like flowers, in hot pink and the purple, green, and white Addis Dream print, which features a design reminiscent of palm tree leaves or open fans. Both underwear feature a 2cm elastic waistband and are made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane.
H&M Peplum Top, $29.95. Available at H&M stores.
When it comes to retail, Swedes know how to woo the masses — hence the success of both IKEA and H&M. The latter, of course, has become a global titan thanks to its affordable, on-trend fashion offerings. This season, for instance, H&M tapped into the baroque trend with a cotton-and-polyester top featuring an ornate embroidered pattern made with glittery gold threads., along with a peplum accent along the waist.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo on Blu-Ray, $17.69. Available at Amazon.com
The Hollywood adaptation of the best-selling novel by Swedish author Stieg Larsson earned leading actress Rooney Mara an Oscar nomination, as well as amassing four other nods in the Cinematography, Sound Editing, Film Editing, and Sound Mixing categories. Mara nails the role of Lisbeth Sander, a brooding, anti-social computer researcher and hacker who forms an unlikely alliance with a newspaper journalist and helps to solve a decades-old murder, all the while enacting her own brand of revenge on those who have wronged her.
H&M Glittery Envelope Cliutch, $12.99. Available at H&M stores.
Prepare for the confetti and tinsel explosion that accompanies New Year’s Eve festivities with this envelope-shaped clutch, made of imitation leather and featuring a triangular front snap with a hidden snap fastener.
Efva Attling Magnolia Mini Pendant, $300. Available at EfvaAttling.com
A true sculptural piece, this silver Evfa Attling pendant measures 50 mm by 14 mm, and features curved petals that move and shift constantly so that the magnolia at times resembles a closed bud, then appearing to bloom as the petals disperse and radiate outward.
Cheap Monday Second Skin Jeans in Clay Leopard , $49. Available at RevolveClothing.com
Known for its colorful and printed jeans, Swedish clothing brand Cheap Monday has been keeping edgy hipsters in body-hugging, street-savvy duds. These stretchy jeans feature black leopard spots against a slightly muddy ochre yellow backdrop. The all-over fading, meanwhile, gives the jeans a cool worn-in feel.
Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen Duo in Good Morning Eyes, $12 . Available at PixiBeauty.com
For over 10 years, Swedish-born makeup artist Petra Strand has been specializing in products that allow women to look younger and more radiant without looking overly “done,” adopting a minimalist approach to makeup that’s accessible to all women and far from intimidating. This adorably packaged eye pencil set, for instance, features two full-sized, waterproof Lid Last Shadow Pens: one in Shell Sheen, a pearlescent pink color, and the other in Brun Beam, an espresso brown shade. The crease-proof, jumbo-sized, crayon-like eye shadow pens are packed with vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that soothes and smooths the skin while protecting it from the free radicals that can cause premature aging. For a quick pick-me-up, simply glide the Shell Sheen shade along the lids and then trace the upper and lower lash lines with the Brun Beam. Instant transformation!
IKEA Alsklig Vase, $9.99, and IKEA Varlikt Bowl, $4.99. Available at IKEA stores and IKEA.com
