// Pencil silhouette

Posted on | December 8, 2011 | 5 Comments

For my body type — curvy and feminine in relatively small boned frame — it would be all natural to explore the classic pin-up silhouettes. I just can’t do that. What I can do is to take a piece or two from that world and mess the silhouette by adding some oversizedness, clumpiness… …well, awkward shapes of my choice.

In my world this egg-shaped sweater is pretty much a perfect match for this old pencil skirt. I like how the sex-kitten angora fuzziness meets perfectly body concealing shape. The knit is heavyweight enough to have some body of its own. I also dug a pair of *gasp* kitten heel pumps with ridiculously sharp toe from my closet. They have looked so outdated for many years, but I still love their perfect nude shade and vintage appeal.

The knit is from H&M, pinstriped cotton pencil skirt with jean pocket details by Diesel and several years old — it’s truly restrictive with close fit, heavy fabric and no walking slit — the pumps are by Bronx, from the beginning of the millenium…

Posted on | December 8, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Outer layers

Posted on | November 18, 2011 | 1 Comment

Few days ago I discovered that I can wear this old H&M suede vest on top of my grey leather jacket with rather interesting results — not to mention how much this extends the season for both of these garments. The result is slightly boxy — the vest is partially padded and the collar of the jacket adds some bulk — but I think that the long, narrow sleeves balance that nicely.

I’m wearing the leather layers here on top of old Free People lace maxi skirt (worn as a dress) with Weekday nude shirt, black tights and Rützou wedges — one of the few heels that my knee tolerates these days.

Lately I have caught myself dreaming of more streamlined, more edited wardrobe. That is one tricky desire for me, on the other hand I love the possibilities with my packed wardrobe, love the random finds from the past, love the possibility to “forget” the stuff and then take it back to the rotation. More disciplined approach would make things easier, would make it possible to emphasize quality more than now — plus I’m running soon out of space with this hobby of mine… Maybe I should start with the shoes and just let few of the heels go. Their effective play time has decreased dramatically anyway…

Posted on | November 18, 2011 | 1 Comment

// As good as it gets

Posted on | November 8, 2011 | 3 Comments

My interest to H&M shoes has been quite low, most of the stuff they make tend to be imitation leather — and being a material snob that is the threshold for me. No imitation leather in my wardrobe. In shoes the material is particularly nasty, it does not breathe, it does not mold to the foot and it does not age, it just decays in use…

So I was very surprised to bump into these 100% leather loafers in there. Leather lined and perfectly quirky — what’s there to not love them?

Posted on | November 8, 2011 | 3 Comments

// Lace for winter

Posted on | November 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

H&M Conscious Collection did not get much blog exposure this autumn — I just wonder why. There were some quite nice pieces — like this organic cotton lace pencil skirt. A perfect, timeless addition to my wardrobe, bit more special than just a plain pencil skirt.

Wearing it here with Samuji paper thin wool sweater and old See by Chloé shoes snatched from some sale on my travels. And I’m not getting used to this darkness… …haven’t even been photographing outfits lately.

Posted on | November 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

// The everyday story

Posted on | October 14, 2011 | 9 Comments

Dear all. Im’ here to warn you about the dangers of self-employment. You might end up on endless rut of wearing T:s and denim — and getting overtly excited about a pair of jeans that don’t act as a cat hair magnet at all. Imagine the couple of extra minutes you get to share with your morning cuppa…

T-shirt by Blood Is the New Black, rubber coated jeans Cheap Monday, Rützou wedges.

This is also the time of year I try to extend wearing my lightweight leather jackets (that one is a great sales find from Selected Femme from last year) — the favorite fabric piles include this DIY poncho with gorgeous texture, it acts like a giant snood — an the yeti like Mongolian lamb vest, adding scarves and other sheepy items depending on the temperature. And what’s the thing with the fabric bags — I seem to pick one almost every day over my leather ones… I love the lightness and that carefree look of them — plus this one made of H&M Lanvin collaboration fabric remnants is particularly cheerful.

Posted on | October 14, 2011 | 9 Comments

// Summer accessories part one

Posted on | June 6, 2011 | No Comments

This spring I have been searching for an upper arm bangle from flea markets, Etsy and such with no luck. Fortunately I checked the neighborhood — not necessarily in the upper-arm-bangle-business — however I found that accessory label gTIE had moved the studio to the house next door. gTIE got started from Jenni Ahtiainen’s guest to find alternatives to traditional neckties. Today Jenni’s boutique designs and produces a wide range of accessories for men and women… …from necktie alternatives to jewelry and leather accessories.

gTIE accessories certainly have their roots in rock and punk culture, but I get some Scandinavian minimalism from Jenni’s designs as well. Many of her accessories are well adaptable to many styles. I was very drawn to a certain piece — a neck corset constructed from thin leather straps — but in the name of convenience (yes, the corset had just laces to attach it, with multiple tiny holes to lace into) and in fear of funny tan lines I bought this simple and beautiful arm chain. It fills the void of upper arm bangle, but is more comfortable to wear — and nicely upgrades those summery everyday outfits. With the arm chain I feel like I made an effort — even when wearing those denim cutoffs *yawn* and a t-shirt *ZZZZZZZZ*.

T-shirt is old Diesel one — I love this particular shade of purple and it goes so well with my coloring. Cutoffs, old as well… …H&M.

Posted on | June 6, 2011 | No Comments

// Thank you, Fleamarket Fairy!

Posted on | June 5, 2011 | 2 Comments

I just cant walk past Fredrikinkatu UFF without dropping in. These days the store is truly clean and organized — color coordinated rails are snap to browse through and the selection is so huge that there sure are some gems hiding…

My flea market strategy is that I often have some idea what I’m after — currently I’m searching for oversized mohair sweater / cardigan, 80’s jacket, anything with great print and silk shirts in bright colors… These ideas can’t be too precise, the best part in thrifting is that the things I find just quite fit to the schema I’m having — thus challenging and broadening my style horizon.

Well, I sure browsed through the jacket rails and my hand just stopped to one particular dry and dense fabric in red rail. Closer inspection revealed it to be an exceptionally well made shirt jacket, probably from 80’s — but the real surprise was the label, yes, the jacket was from YSL diffusion line Variation. The jacket shape was not quite what I was after — not to mention the color, red is always challenging to me — this one is truly vibrant, shifting to orange. But when I tried it on I instantly saw the possibilities.

It is quite a bit a granny jacket, but I think that these neutral colored separates refresh it nicely. Being my trustworthy washed black (grey that is) Cheap Monday jeans, slouchy rose flesh toned H&M tank and my workhorse boots from Ash.

Posted on | June 5, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Cheap and chic

Posted on | May 27, 2011 | No Comments

Nice round frames from Weekday & H&M.

Posted on | May 27, 2011 | No Comments

// Demure lengths

Posted on | May 17, 2011 | No Comments

A nude pleaty thing found it’s way to my wardrobe. I cut the lining out — I’m rather wearing it with separate slip or half slip (you can sort of see it in the pictures) when the top layers don’t provide the coverage I’m comfortable with. Nothing too ballerina-esque with this for my body type, here I’m wearing it with Weekday shirt, H&M shrunken cardigan and Carin Wester clumpy shoes. The skirt is from Lindex — and I was there just to pick a few pair of undies…

I’m kind of loving this demure length, it is so easy to wear and it agrees nicely with my proportions.

Posted on | May 17, 2011 | No Comments

// Converse girl

Posted on | April 4, 2011 | 9 Comments

Note to myself — Converse works really well in snow and ice. But the insulation leaves something to hope for.

Yes, I’m again all but age appropriate (38 today, time flies, I can tell) — but who cares about old ladies anyway! Pretty skirt and pair of tattered converse is kind of cliche, I like to add an oversized cardi and ugly tights to the mix. Dress is by Cheap Monday (I really stocked in the sales. I’m so very embarrassed, I need to keep out of there that time. Basically I want all the stuff that is left there and sold at the end of sales by ten euros or under. Oh, this is true for both Weekday AND Monki), grey dress underneath Diesel Black & Gold, tights from H&M, cardi from ASOS (and I’m kind of in love with it currently — the slouchy pockets and silk chiffon back are perfect).

Posted on | April 4, 2011 | 9 Comments

keep looking »

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.