// Sweet obsolescence

Posted on | February 9, 2012 | 2 Comments

I finally got my old (+ 12 years) wrist watch repaired. Originally this sport watch had a pleasant rubber wrist band — but it did not really last in use, so it was replaced with a steel band from the same manufacturer. I have to say that I love it — however obsolete thing a wrist watch is in these days — especially considering gadget freak like yours truly.

I’m not wearing anything special these days. Just trying to keep warm underneath multiple layers of wool and second hand fur. Today I was brave enough to pull on a thick pair of tights under bright orange neoprene skirt I got with mere pennies from ASOS final sale. Both this fluffy wool second hand coat and H&M angora sweater have proved themselves in the freezing temperatures. Good thing I’m not prone to itching, coarse wools just encourage the blood circulation on my skin and make me feel extra warm…

Posted on | February 9, 2012 | 2 Comments

// 2ndhand coat

Posted on | January 24, 2012 | 1 Comment

This lovely wool coat was waiting for me in UFF 5€ day — it comfortably accommodates my chunky sweaters underneath. The generous lines don’t mind a little bulk underneath — but I do like to pair it with skinny jeans to avoid excessive aunty vibes. Nothing wrong with aunty vibes, though, it’s just my personal preference to mix a bit from here and there. I also feel that neutrals like this love a drop of bright, like my neon Cambridge Satchel I bought last winter. Or a colorful scarf… …there’s actually a lack of those in my wardrobe and as a first aid I snatched this rather nice speckled one from remains of Zara sale. Would not mind a brighter one, though. Jeans Cheap Monday, shoes Surface to Air and the grey leopard scarf in lightweight wool H&M.

I feel that all fun in winter wear is about outerwear — coats, scarves, hats… …too bad they occupy such an amount of space. Wool and leather coats, even fur are so fun to thrift!

Honestly I don’t wear heels outside now (snow… …ice… …bruises… …broken bones…) but my black chelsea boots are continuously wet, just could not drag them to our living quarters…

Posted on | January 24, 2012 | 1 Comment

// 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

// 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

// Velvet leaves

Posted on | October 17, 2011 | 6 Comments

I found this Ritva Falla for Marimekko tunic / dress from charity shop recently. It is gorgeous burned silk and viscose velvet — and the body is lined with silk. The color suits me surprisingly well, I thought that the rich honey glow of the velvet pattern would wash me out, but the cool purply grey base binds it beautifully to my palette. It is definitely long enough to wear as a dress, at least with opaque tights — I wish I had a pair of monster wedges and a short A-lined wool coat for serious Charles Anastase F/W 2011 vibe… Like in many Marimekko clothes the cut of this garment is not really interesting — but the fabric saves a lot, and there’s enough of it to tuck and drape the thing to more interesting shapes.

However I don’t have those accessories — thus the tunic will probably end up used with jeans and in layered outfits. I just got the thing washed and happily just fitted it on with my Cheap Monday jeans, KG pumps (older ASOS outlet find, these would certainly deserve more love, they are perfectly walkable despite of the towering height) and a pair of supermarket sunglasses… …and oh, it is again the time of bad quality images — the light is so low…

Posted on | October 17, 2011 | 6 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

// That shoulder… …thing…

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 3 Comments

Oh, girly beyond the measure!

This weird mass of a knit on my shoulders is truly an accessory — Warmi shoulder straps in gorgeous baby alpaca, from The Moon & Mars as well. My second favorite shopping strategy (after shopping second hand in musty charity shops) is to browse the remains of sales in small web boutiques — unique items, low prices!

Actually when I picked this I had two of my old mohair sweaters in mind — too bad that I found that I had already got rid of them… Nevertheless this thing can be worn over any top with fitting arm insets. It is extremely impractical below coats — that slightly limits its use in the wintertime. It’s easy to slip on, though, so that monkey brain looking thing I’m digging from my purse is probably just a knit shoulder accessory…

It sits pretty well over my ancient AllSaints cardigan — and I figured again another way to wear the cardi, the long straps tied together and just hung behind the neck. The dress is from Cheap Monday — a sale find from last year, tights by Falke and again those Docs. If you suspect that there is some thing going on between me and Dr Marten you are absolutely right. I’ve had severe and persistent IT-band issues the whole summer continuing to the autumn — thus the low heel is still strongly preferred on daily basis. I really need a pair of basic brogues this autumn, most of my low heels are too summery — or too informal for certain situations.

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 3 Comments

// 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

// I made it

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 5 Comments

Yeah, I finally made it! Actually knitting this sweater was a snap — but those about five million yarn ends and particularly tedious finishing job with laceweight mohair almost demolished my working ethic.

The giant tube shape, bold stripes and the material are all nods to my first knits in the end of 80’s and beginning of 90’s (mohair, giant, unflattering). That yarn has a touch of luxury, it is baby soft kid-mohair — and a strand of pure silk runs through it, keeping the delicate thing together. It is so lightweight that in spite of that size the sweater can easily be layered under jackets and coats. It is long and can be worn as a dress (I doubt I will do that, though) — but the shape allows it to be gathered to the shoulders — and the hem rises up. The funnel neck is large enough to be worn as a hood. I’ve knit my safe haven for upcoming winter.

THE CURE — Lullaby by Caro69

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 5 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.