Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2017, Page 36

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2017
36
WWW.HANDKNIT.IS
Best clothing store
Húrra Reykjavík
Hverfisgata 50 & 78
Húrra Reykjavík is a white-cube space
located on Hverfisgata, a street that’s un-
dergone a huge facelift in recent years.
The store has become a fast favourite
with locals, including all the members
of our panel, who collectively called this
one immediately. “Húrra has created a
buzz and excitement around fashion
never before seen in Iceland,” they said.
“They have also single-handedly created
a sneaker culture here. Before Húrra, no
one had ever camped out to buy a pair
of sneakers in Iceland.” The excitement
is for people of all ages, they noted: “My
boss who is 63 years old just bought
shoes at Húrra.”
Runners Up
Herrafataverzlun Kormáks & Skjaldar
Laugavegur 59
This upmarket haberdashery sells top
quality menswear and accessories. Their
suits are cut to various pleasingly retro
fits, and made from sturdy Shetland
tweed. It’s an experience to shop
there—the service is old-fashioned, and
there’s an in-house barber and a tailor for
alterations. It’s on the pricey side, but you
really get what you pay for here.
Aftur
Laugavegur 39
Aftur is a mecca for Iceland’s stylish
gothy fashionistas. Whilst most of the
young Reykjavík crowd is wearing
baseball caps and 90s throwback pieces,
the older ones are often seen in flowing
black caps and dresses. If you want
to get this particularly distinctive 101
Reykjavík look, go here.
Previous Winners
None: it's a new category.
Best place to buy a wool
sweater
Handprjóna-
sambandið
Skólavörðustígur 19
The Icelandic wool sweater, or lopap-
eysa, is a staple of Icelandic clothing.
These thick woollen sweaters last a very
long time and are warm, breathable
and showerproof, being made from
the thick, bristly Icelandic wool known
as lopi. Their popularity with visitors
means that they’re sometimes now
mass-produced outside of Iceland for
tourists, then shipped back in: but one
place you know you’ll get the real deal
is at Handprjónasambandið, Iceland’s
very own hand-knitting association.
“It’s an experience to shop there,” said
the panel. “They have all colours and all
fits, from neon green to a Spiderman
pattern—whatever you want.” Choose
wisely!
Runners Up
Red Cross
Laugavegur 12b & 116,
Skólavörðustígur 12
Lopapeysur can be pretty pricey, so if
you’re on a budget, secondhand can be
the way to go. The various branches of
Red Cross has a fluctuating but often
quite wide choice, and you’ll know the
money goes to a good cause. The panel
remarked: “There’s a good selection,
and they are all ‘authentic,’ if you will.”
Farmers & Friends
Hólmaslóð 2 & Laugavegur 37
Of the more high-street-style options,
the panel opted for the Farmers Market
outlet, Farmers and Friends. “Their
sweaters have a modern look that is
very fashionable, and a nice fit,” they
said. “If you want to wear your sweater
with a short skirt and high heels, the
Farmers Market brand is it.”
Previous Winners
2016: Handprjónasambandið
2015: Red Cross
2014: Handprjónasambandið
2013: Handprjónasambandið
Best goddamn store
Kjötborg
Ásvallagata 19
Kjötborg is a neighbourhood convenience store that takes people
back to the days before supermarkets and chains. A favourite with
Vesturbær locals, it’s a bastion of continuity in a rapidly changing
city. “I used to go there when I was really small and they still know
me,” said one panelist. “I can write down my name if I forgot my
wallet. It’s one of those places—a neighborhood store.” Another
added: “When the food is at its sell-by date, they go around to el-
derly people and give it to them for free. It’s one of the few stores
left with such a personal touch. It’s one of the last authentic corner
shops.”
Runners Up
Góði Hirðirinn
Fellsmúli 28
The Icelandic version of the Good
Shepherd is an Aladdin’s cave of
secondhand furniture and jumble. “I
love going in there—it’s all about the
hustle-and-bustle, and unexpectedly
finding a piano,” said the panel. “Some-
one just found a fake vagina sex toy
there. There was a price tag on it and
everything. Amazing.”
Borðið
Ægisíða 123
This neighbourhood spot in Vesturbær
is a relative newcomer, but has quickly
become a favourite with locals. It’s a
café that also serves as a delicatessen,
with a cheese and cured meats counter
and shelves of fancy pasta and unusual
dips and sauces. “It’s so cute and Ital-
ian-style,” remarked the panel.
Previous Winners
2016: Geysir
2015: Geysir
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2017
Shopping
Stuff is better than money anyway