// A suit with a chain

Posted on | September 24, 2011 | No Comments

My time has been consumed by work lately. I do not intent to endorse hectic lifestyle with all work, no play –mentality, but hey, in our own small company I don’t always have a choice. I do feel bad, though, that I have opted out from couple of interesting, fashion related events.

However I treated myself with couple of nice accessories for this autumn… …ah, probably for many autumns to come, these are quite timeless pieces.

The first one is Bliss Lau body chain I’m wearing underneath that excuse of a suit. The piece itself is heavy, braided type chain, gunmetal in color. It consists of two large loops connected with two leather bridges, the other one you can see in the front. Despite of the simple construction — or maybe because of that — the chain can be worn in several ways. There’s at least three ways to wear it as a simple necklace, two ways to wear it symmetrically around body (although the other one is not too comfy with my body type) — and one way to wear it across the body. The best part is that it was a bargain in the lovely The Moon & Mars net boutique. I wanted a small chain, to be sure that the chain won’t go under my bust separating the breasts in the middle — and the size was perfect for this. Now I think I could even wear this over some fitting tops.

However, stylewise I’m slightly hesitant to enter to the territory where this kind of bondage jewelry references. I guess that I will be wearing it a lot like this, just peeking out from neck openings, in ensembles that can not be considered sexy by any means. Partially this is just about my attitude towards clothing myself up — but I also feel that worn in this way there’s some restrained energy I’m always drawn to.

I’m wearing my ancient Filippa-K jacket — to be honest it has seen its best days, but somehow I still like it in this badly worn state. The giant black Weekday t-shirt and extremely carrot shaped, cropped pants by Cheap Monday create an egg-silhouette which is not actually flattering, but I love it still. And then there are my trustworthy DocMartens…

Posted on | September 24, 2011 | No Comments

// The simplest of sundresses

Posted on | July 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

This ages old Filippa K dress has saved so many dog days — despite and because of the material. It is polyester jersey, practically wrinkle proof so I can throw it to any bag and take it out from there without any visible damage. The a-lined shape is such that I truly feel ventilated — nevermind this one being a close sibling to those black garbage bags — material-wise… Two invisible life-savers underneath: American Apparel ruched cotton jersey top (um, have I said “comfy” yet?) and very decent, almost short-like granny pants by Sonia Rykiel for H&M — the latter is necessary because of the almost opaque nature of the dress… Even with these little flaws this dress never fails to make me feel dressed up — even when the temperatures fight against all attempts to truly dress up.

The simple shape guides me to simple accessories, my old silver flip-flops, Weekday cuff. Naturally I have to break the pattern a bit… …the hand-tooled leather bag is one of my many steals from Etsy vintage department…

Posted on | July 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Star-spangled rip-off

Posted on | April 10, 2011 | No Comments

In Finnish blogs there has been some interesting discussion about fakes, copies and rip-offs. I haven’t paid much thought for this issue until recently — I’m not after that certain “Celine” or “Chloé” –look — or whatever is the hottest shit this season so my interest to high street rip-offs is low by nature.

Needless to say I would never buy a pirate copy of any product.

Anyhow… …I bought a pair of Jeffrey Campbell shoes from the winter sales. I knew those JC ways to rip-off a designer look and then produce about million variants of the theme cashing out all fashion inclined with limited budget — but I could not associate anything particular to this model so I went for it. Duh, the shoes are almost 1:1 copy of Stella McCartney wedges — I don’t pay much attention to her accessories because she does not use leather — and I don’t use plastic shoes (unless they happen to be Westwood for Melissa wing wedges — which I still don’t have — and even with these I would love to go for the original leather version if it were available). Hmm. I feel embarrassed. I don’t want to do this ever again.

I have done a lot of high street shopping during my lifetime and I do have respect especially for H&M group, even the main chain has some original design thing going on all the time, not to mention the crown jewels of the group: COS, Weekday and Monki, they sure prove that it is possible to make original and inventive clothing in middle and low price range. I do shop in Zara occasionally — although I’m truly aware of them ripping off the most wearable catwalk looks and practically riding on that. But they do use good materials, cut a nice jacket and I do dig that they don’t advertise at all.

So… …I picked up that super pretty scarf there couple of months ago. I needed a lightweight, neutral colored one. The ultra light wool-rayon mix scarf had a nice hand feel and those little stars really appealed to me.

Fast forward to our Rome trip. I spotted some Faliero Sarti scarves at a window of some boutique and went in to have a decent look. One of them was scattered with little white stars and had a really nice hand feel…

So this Zara scarf is another 1:1 rip-off. What really blows me is that they are copying a high profile, exclusive brand that does not mean a thing to maybe 90% (or more) of the regular high street fashion consumers. How should I interpret this? Maybe they are just too lazy to design anything of their own? Maybe they trust the minor percentage of their customers to recognize the reference and happily go for the cheaper version? (Personally I’m pretty sure that most of those who know that brand can afford an original one…)

Anyway — I got pretty sick… …this is not the kind of entrepreneurship I want to support. I’m not throwing off these lame copies, I’m using them and remembering every time I wear them what I really want to support. Original design, that is. Or a nice, well done interpretation of a classic — some shapes and constructions truly are too general to be owned by anyone…

This is the original Faliero Sarti for comparison…

…the other stuff I’m wearing in the picture: Day Birger & Mikkelsen silk secretary blouse, CK bra, Filippa-K pants, Pura Lopez pumps, vintage heraldic necklace.

Posted on | April 10, 2011 | No Comments

// Wear a suit day

Posted on | June 1, 2010 | 6 Comments

As a handful of internet geeks know — today is an international Wear a Suit Day. It is also Wear a Dress Day, but apparently I was in a suit mode.

Im wearing pretty familiar stuff, my suit is not actually a suit but Anette Görtz jacket paired to old pair of Filippa-K cigarrette pants. They are indeed a part of a suit, but I preferred the Charlie Chaplin-esque charm of this convertible jacket to the dry and clean lined Filippa-K jacket this time. The shirt is a customized H&M one, vest from American Apparel and shoes… …yeah, those Rützou wedges. And I changed to navy blue polka dot shirt before actually going out… …it just started to feel right for the day.

Posted on | June 1, 2010 | 6 Comments

// Counting on Filippa — but thinking about Miuccia

Posted on | May 2, 2010 | 7 Comments

For me the spring really starts when I can go out with bare legs. I’m not too sensitive to cold, but this spring my bare-legged sprints outside have been very short ones. However I have managed to pick up a coffee from our downstairs cafe wearing bare legs and Miuccia Prada silhouette. Why am I always thinking about her from simple outfits consisting full (printed and / or embellished) skirts, plain tops and flats? Conservative — yes, but also super comfortable.

AA sweatshirt (I need a sturdier and more close fitting sweatshirt with large neckhole), old Filippa-K printed and metal sequin embellished skirt, Pretty Ballerinas ponyskin printed flats, old metal bead choker as bracelet. Especially the back view reveals how short torso I have.

I have been unbelievably lazy with my hair lately — but I decided to improve my habits. Hair dresser on Monday, can’t really remember the previous time — maybe some three years ago when I decided to stop dyeing my hair .

Posted on | May 2, 2010 | 7 Comments

// Wearing the haori

Posted on | April 9, 2010 | 4 Comments

I have photographed just one actual outfit this week (bit busy week at work plus it has been so cloudy and dark) … but in addition to that I had to experiment a bit how I’m planning to implant the kimono stuff to my actual outfits. I really sought out another haori, a simple men’s style and in color that is totally lacking in my wardrobe: maroon. The maroon / ivory weave of this silk looks so exquisite, I really love it. I think I need third — a long one — made from softly draping silk, to be worn when lounging at home and maybe also as a dress…

I’m wearing the husband jeans ™ (old Acnes), Castañer wedges and an old Filippa-K vest with understated transparency detail, AA tube bra underneath. I also plan to layer the haoris with my old FCUK dark jean jacket, but I need to wash it once or twice to be sure that the color won’t bleed.

And I thought that it would be just fair to photograph the ratty Topshop bag — I have been carrying it with me almost every day for several years now and it has served so well. Truth is that I love it but our relationship kind of reminds me of an old marriage… …which is not necessarily a bad thing after all.

The red little monster peeking under the jacket is the tying cord, actually…

Posted on | April 9, 2010 | 4 Comments

// The old trench coat

Posted on | March 29, 2010 | 6 Comments

On Sunday we went to see Tom Ford’s Single Man. What a pleasant surprise, it was a deep and emotional movie with impeccably beautiful cinematography. And it was the first actual outing for the spring coat this year — bit cold still but I survived!

I have quite a bunch of formal wear from my previous life — and truthfully I like most of that stuff. I just have to mix the things up more or less to make those work for me now. I never wear skirts as short as this tiny tulle example without longer layer on top. The childishness of it really draws it together with serious garments for contrast — thus I took out my old trench coat from the wardrobe. Polka dots in slightly oversized navy blouse, Docs & opaque tights fill up this mishmash of outfit, distantly inspired by certain Japanese designers. I was particularly delighted about how the shirt cuffs show up from the coat sleeves — yeah, this kind of little things make me sometimes very happy…

The skirt is a sale find from H&M — and I like the idea but the execution leaves something to hope for. I dislike the shiny satin waistband and how the lining shows through from the upper part. Shirt is one of my beloved second hand finds, trench from Filippa K.

I look somewhat uptight in the pics, but this time I did not have too much options to select from. I took just few pics before leaving to the cinema. The slightly larger image format still scares the hell out of me, but this way I have neater production path for pictures (which you can actually see as slightly sharper images), plus enough room for two column image galleries in the content area. Funny how those plus 75 pixels make me again painfully aware of putting my face on display to interwebs. What can a blogger say… …oh well — maybe? If it does not kill you…

Posted on | March 29, 2010 | 6 Comments

// The double denim

Posted on | March 26, 2010 | 12 Comments

So, one phenomena that amuses me a lot is those definite no no’s of all sorts of style quides. You don’t have to be very aware of trends or fashion to be aware of those… …Carrie says no to scrunchies… …Trinny & Susannah say this and that… …Oprah says… …oh, you got it… And then BAM — the style disaster turns to a trend — and the most unexpected people are BREAKING THE STYLE RULES *wheezzz, the air goes in*. And suddenly everybody is doing it. Like yours truly.

But truth to be told I have never been thinking that one can’t wear for example double denim. I think that I get the reasoning behind the style rulebooks in this case — double denim can be extremely boring or it can be quite redneck’y. But both of these aspects could probably be worked to extremes to create something interesting (I would love to work the ultimate boringness of denim if my own appearance were bit edgier). Or it could be possible just to think why it could be boring or what exactly are the hillybilly elements of double denim looks — and try to avoid those instead of avoiding the whole concept.

So this is not the answer for double denim looks, no! It is just my workaround that does not involve denim cutouts… …the elements are different shades of denim, unusual shapes combined to classics and few simple accessories.

I built the look around a lovely denim jumpsuit I found from Lindex. Lindex is little bit like Scandinavian Primark — affordable, totally safe bet to go shopping with your working class mom (if you happen to have one); she will love it and she can afford a bunch of momsy basics — but there are often gems in there (they even had some collaborations) — and those are probably not as worn-to-death-by-all-(Swedish)-style-bloggers than all the H&M highlights… Ok, the jumpsuit has totally unapologetic harem cut. I combined it to vintage men’s denim shirt. I love all sorts of processed denim, but nothing beats the feel of it when it has actually worn in use. The cuff and the pockets are bit torn — but they just add the flair of this piece. Over the shirt I’m wearing the old Filippa-K blazer, booties are from Vagabond, the sequined silk scarf Day Birger & Mikkelsen and the sunnies Pilgrim. When I bought these few years ago they were like HUGE, now when I look at them they look very considerately sized…

Oh the jumpsuit only… …this one I’m going to wear to pieces…

Posted on | March 26, 2010 | 12 Comments

// Self-deception, the good kind

Posted on | March 16, 2010 | 8 Comments

No, it is not time for shorts and even these very walking friendly platforms are still bit risky considering my bad balance and the amount of ice still left (I still made it to grocery shopping for lunch — just not telling that the market is actually across the street…). But the sun is shining like ALL THE TIME and I’m feeling so positive because of that! So excuse my fashion blog cliche pile — at least I tried to offset it a bit with mixing things up. Note: this is not irony… …it’s just like couple of my few flowery garments sneaking out from the wardrobe to enhance my positive mood…

The tunic is several years old Lindex find from some sale rack — and it has surprisingly nice details for a cheapie cheap cloth: very lightweight soft hand cotton, nice unfinished trimmings on hem and neckline, fabric covered buttons. And the length is fun… …like almost a dress… The boots are from Vagabond, tights and jean shorts from H&M (yay — I can use the tights I broke under the OTK:s), coat is ancient Filippa-K and the vest Zara — but acquired as second hand. I still love the front lace detailing of these Vagabond boots. Still don’t like the heel. They are quite loose — but I sort of like that. Would love to add an OTK boot pair with perfect heel and well fitting leg to my wardrobe. From my point of view (badly scarred right knee) those should be actually considered as necessary basics — and definitely purchased as long as they are all over…

The dreaded SCRUNCHIE has made it to this blog, permanently!

Posted on | March 16, 2010 | 8 Comments

// The transition has begun

Posted on | March 11, 2010 | 3 Comments

The transition seasons are definitely my personal favorites… …I can use my whole wardrobe and layer deliberately if I feel like that — but I don’t have to be afraid of freezing to death. It has been sunny and relatively warm lately, but the pavements are icy except in the middle of the city. Thus I encouraged myself to leave the heavy coat home today and trusted the combination of thin thermal jersey, lined silk dress, lightweight wool jacket and giant handknit scarf. It worked! Now I just wait wait wait for all the ice to melt — I want my heels back!

I’m wearing Zara splatter print dress, Marjan Pejoski lace print leggings, old Filippa-K blazer, super heavy DIY wool scarf — and my ancient Vagabond shoes from the beginning of nineties. They remind me slightly of Amelie, especially combined with girly dresses. I love their clumpy shape, heaviness and how beautifully they have aged. The outfit left me thinking that I definitely need vests. Knitted… …woven… …whatever — they would be great addition to this kind of transition outfits. Maybe I should knit one.

Posted on | March 11, 2010 | 3 Comments

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About

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Contact: kamicha (a) gmail dot com

I'm especially interested in young designers creations, non-established labels and indie fashion. So if you have something interesting to show, feel free to contact!

You can find Finnish design from both specific and some outfit posts - but both are tagged.

You might be also interested in DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

More about me and this blog.