// Excuses, excuses

Posted on | March 3, 2010 | 6 Comments

I spilled some tomato soup to one of my favorite tunics a while ago — and it did not come off despite of my efforts on stain removal. That was maybe the lousiest excuse for going some t-shirt shopping… …especially when I abused even that and end up walking out from the shops with this dress, SR knit and even another piece… …dammit I’m weak.

The dress is Vero Moda new “high end” label Very, quite modestly priced for 50 euros. It is silk but the quality is not much to speak about, I had to go through all the seams and cut away the spilling fabric remnants. But the cut is really clever — you can’t actually see all the nice little folds on the side seams in these pics (what was I thinking when photographing this?) — and I do like this particular shade of yellow.

But I think that I was deceiving myself thinking this as an everyday wear to be used right away. Of course this kind of tunic is easy to layer with all sorts of everyday stuff — but the smoothly shining silk is so delicate, even a splash of water can leave a stain to it. Plus… …an additional discomfort factor with silk is the static which is really bad here at wintertime when the air is very dry inside the buildings. At summertime silk absorbs moisture from air, that improves the conductivity of the material and reduces static.

So I’m just dreaming of actually wearing it. With my leather pants from Selected, old sequin jacket (probably from Asos, although it does not have any labels) and wedge ankle boots from Rützou. Or with my DIY tulle leggings, Ash wedges and Pilgrim necklace. It looks a bit risky — but it is just the angle, trust me ;-D. And excuse my extremely tired face, I’m actually starving because of this pine mouth experience…

Posted on | March 3, 2010 | 6 Comments

// Twist in my sobriety

Posted on | February 27, 2010 | 10 Comments

Dammit! I fell to the temptation of designer collaboration and now I’m the owner of this citrus colored cardigan. So I broke my high street clothes shopping restriction. Was it worth it? Well, I think that I quite like the acidic colors of this little one, the quintessential Rykiel details (seams on the right side, using the purl side of the knit as RS, sturdier stockinette stitch on sleeves) and even the bows surprised me pleasantly. They are not sewn but you can tie them yourself — or leave untied which might be often my choice when wearing this. Even the cotton feels surprisingly nice to my hand. The only downside is that these colors work for my coloring only at summertime when I have some actual tone on my skin.

Sonia has also special place on my mind… …I made my first designer boutique purchase from her flagship store on Paris. I was after the Domino bag with silver studs, and it was not on display on the shop. The friendly staff served me extremely well and dug out one piece from stockroom. That pleasant experience slightly eased my reserved attitude towards fancy designer boutiques and after that I have stopped in in few just to feel the atmosphere and see the clothes. I’m still very hesitant with the ones with guards on door, though…

What next… …I think that I should continue with my plan. 30 euros for not-that-necessary thing is not the end of the world.

Posted on | February 27, 2010 | 10 Comments

// Oh, Stella!

Posted on | February 24, 2010 | 3 Comments

Thank you for this nice little silk dress you designed for common folks like yours truly to buy from my regular H&M with a budget that does not break my arm and leg. It has helped me through several family parties, where I don’t necessarily want to look too fancy, just a bit more nice than in my usual severe black and white heavy winter stuff. It has served also beautifully worn down as a part of layered outfits. The dusty shade of blue green delights me every time I’m wearing it and I really like the subtly lingerie-like decoration with ribbons and shiny silk satin panels.

My husbands granmother had her 90th birthday last weekend. That makes me humble.

The tights are also from H&M and the wedges by Castañer. Can’t really recall from where I’ve got those two bangles.

Posted on | February 24, 2010 | 3 Comments

// The scrunchie strikes back

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 6 Comments

To be honest I’ve never ditched all my scrunchies from back then… …a velvet one is such a gentle way to keep a long hair up in the nighttime. Ahum, practically this is my night look for hair — I hate to wake up with hair in my mouth. I was just thinking if I could incorporate it to day looks.

I am aware that I have awfully large forehead — but it has been like this from my teenage years. On the other hand I really like the severity of no loose hair around the face, all other facial features of mine except that hairline are softly feminine, and I like this contrast.

Otherwise I’m wearing everyday winter stuff. The dotted scarf I picked up from local charity shop and it is a decent substitute for the Comme des Garcons for H&M one — which I did not buy when it was time. The material of this one is not as beautiful, but I like the combination of beige and black, plus the ample amount of fabric. My cashmere-silk sweater is from Zara, jeans are my husbands old Acnes, shirt is thrifted, mohair mix socks from who knows where, ebayed Martens. I’m getting sick on winter clothing…

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 6 Comments

// And science runs through us

Posted on | February 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

This is not an outfit post by any means, just snapped a quick one when I happened to wear one of my favorite T:s. This is American Apparel viscose shirt with black and white tie dye pattern. I adore it… …unlike many of the cheapie tie dye prints that have floated around in the tracks of the recent tie dye trend, this one looks like a real thing. Like someone had really, thoughtfully pulled the garment together with tight bands, soaked it in a dye to get this fabulous x-ray-like or alienesque symmetric pattern to it. I also like the loose fit, the drape of the viscose and the generous neck hole.

Moving to this one:

Posted on | February 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

// Cropped sweater

Posted on | February 22, 2010 | 5 Comments

Ha ha, I have been extra sensitive to cold lately — thus the thick layers — but I can’t really explain the insane expression in the first pic. I probably just look like that.

But I like the bulkiness somehow. And the urban nomad theme continues. I wish I had some more primitive jewelry. Like real bones and teeth. Hitched the pans upwards for some ruching action, but I wish that there were even more creases. I NEED a cape to be used over really bulky layers like these.

Old Zara cropped sweater, COS cashmere cardigan, American Apparel see-thru tank, American Apparel see-thru circle scarf, Necklush, Selected leather pants, old boots with rubber bands and couple of Pilgrim pendants.

Posted on | February 22, 2010 | 5 Comments

// More everyday wear

Posted on | February 18, 2010 | 6 Comments

The snow levels are still very high and temperatures low. I feel that my outfits are mostly like this… …some thickish pants (there are not actually too many of those), one pair of my flat winter shoes, some wool and scarves in the upper part. Nothing too creative.

Familiar stuff, A.F. Vandevorst shrug, American Apparel circle scarf (oh how I love the draping of this), DIY mitts, 2or+ viscose tunic, really old Stefanel dress underneath (this had actually two layers, I have probably ditched the nasty polyester slip), Lee Norma jeans and my old post apocalyptic boots for lazy ass winter nomad-warrior look. The second hand lamb vest has given extra mileage for my old, old Filippa-K coat — I prefer this monochromatic look when I’m wearing it over outerwear.

Posted on | February 18, 2010 | 6 Comments

// Under the influence

Posted on | February 12, 2010 | 5 Comments

Remember the peek of this crochet jacket from a while ago? I found it from local charity shop and despite of it’s few flaws I was so fascinated byt it that I had to have it. The worst thing of it was that it was covered with all sorts of fabric tags, extra buttons and random sequins. Ok, most of those were easy to detach, but some of the fabric tags were glued on, not sewn. I got most of them out but the damn butterfly had different sort of glue… …and there it is. And I actually did not mind the few random sequins after all…

The other problem is the lining. Both the color and the material are awful — plus it has been sewn on really carelessly, it curls to the top from the front side when the coat is worn open. Don’t like the snap-on plastick buttons either.

But I could not resist to try it on with the Black Milk lace leggings for 100% lace look. Scary! What I’m actually admitting here is that I was so fascinated about the Prada lace collection few seasons ago that I’m probably still influenced — and I got my memory refreshed on my Berlin trip: Departement Store Outlet had one awesome piece of Prada heavy quipure lace peplums left…

Silk turtleneck tunic is from H&M, mesh dress from American Apparel, Rützou wedges, narrow silk-sequin scarf on my hair from Day Birger & Mikkelsen.

Posted on | February 12, 2010 | 5 Comments

// Wardrobe confessions

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 9 Comments

The weird thing of my wardrobe is that I have outrageous amount of dressy dresses — athough I never go out . I guess that I’ve always had soft spot for them… …but then I had a longish period in my life with very, very pared down clothing and when ‘healing’ from that I had a bit deranged understanding of my wardrobe needs.

Anyway, I experimented with the leggings also combining them to dressier outfits. This Rodebjer silk number is probably one of my favorites — although the cut of the body is not best for my build (it’s open to the navel). I have figured out different solutions for that, one of them being this old Zara feather cape worn over it — I purchased that for a theme party several years ago.

I feel like an ice skater… The leggings are from Black Milk, shoes those Rützous and the silk organza jacket I’m adding is from H&M.

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 9 Comments

// Skin colored

Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 4 Comments

Talking about the basics, I have to admit that I have been one of those lazy leggings and tunic wearers last years. The combination is probably seen more often on me than jeans and t:s — although this very wintery winter of ours has forced me into some heavier options. But I’m dreaming about spring here and allowed myself to play with some lighter stuff I actually can’t use right now.

The starting point of few outfit experimentations was this awesome pair of Black Milk leggings. Yeah, I have the shopping restriction going on still, but leggings are one of the basics I’m allowed to with a good reason — I broke a pair of lightweight ones last month, plus I followed my fitness regime pretty well on the January and felt like a small reward would be appropriate . The leggings are like nothing I have owned before. The lace is quite heavyweight and very soft. They are less stretchy than any other pair of my leggings — but how well do they fit when I get them on! No bags on the knees, no creases. I also like that they are relatively opaque. I will definitely go for more James’ designs later… …I’m especially waiting for to replace the empty hole of my heart left by the H&M PVC panel pants I had to return (Hi guys there at Black Milk, what about side panelled PVC legging version?). The prices are not bad, remember that they are Australian dollars.

First I wanted to go for a soft and simple look — maybe not all romantic but… The tunic/dress is Sonia Rykiel for H&M and it’s totally unlined meaning it’s all transparent. This time I solved the requirements of modesty (haha) by layering two lightweight white knits on it, old long sleeved cardigan from AllSaints and almost equally old silk cotton knit vest from Tiger of Sweden. This is also a trick I’m using (probably overusing) all the time, wearing two or more very similar garments on top of each other to create just a bit more interesting layers. COS lightweight striped scarf looks delightfully out of place — and yes I should use other shoes than these Rüzou wedges but I was too lazy to dig my closet. I have been in a jewel rejection mode lately, but this outfit could easily take some adornments — although I kind of like this slightly eerie, nightgownish look without any.

Ok, it was an unusual photoshoot — I took three sets with these leggings and shoes, changing just the top part. The other two are coming eventually.

Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 4 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 my DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

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