// Quick meshup

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 8 Comments

The branching H&M emporium is really getting me… …this spring Weekday was full of stuff for me to desire. Their racks were full of oversized T:s in draping viscose and mesh fabrics — and part of them in half price. So I could not hold myself in Stockholm, I snatched this nude mesh tunic and gray viscose T for me although the Helsinki shop is opening next week…

I was not in the mood for anything complicated… …wearing the whole Stockholm catch over Black Milk spartans — which are the best fitting black pair of leggings I’ve ever had and I gladly ditched my loose Gina Tricot ones that have shed their wet look coating partially. I was bit hesitated to pull the shiny PVC panels over my fleshy tighs, but I worried too soon. The spartan cut is quite thigh friendly and the shiny panel gives some welcome sci-fi detail to my simple and lazy leggings & tunics outfits. Rützou wedges and old Pilgrim leather bracelet.

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Old shreds

Posted on | May 11, 2010 | 8 Comments

I still like this T-shirt. It is one of the two I shredded in the end of last summer. It is such an item that it does not necessarily need that much accompaniment. The webby texture shows up nicely against the pale blue Cheap Monday jeans. I changed the Rützou wedges to DrMartens before going out — but actually the knee feels better in heels. Maybe I have permanently altered my physique for wearing heels…

Sorry, I forgot to change the auto focus mode… …all my front pics were focused everywhere else except on me…

Posted on | May 11, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Diamond legs

Posted on | April 14, 2010 | 8 Comments

I sort of regret not realizing the possibilities of all sorts of funky tights, socks and leggings until my early thirties. Before that I have been one of those very cautious legwear users, opting for opaque black tights and very, very undetectable nudes (I was particularly specific about the quality of sheer nudes — yeah, the thrill of styling back then… …haha). Then Lindex and H&M expanded their legwear selection and I found myself staring and stroking the microfiber in bright colors more and more often. And thanks for the interwebs, these days my options are not limited to those two (not too bad) options. I’m also always checking the hosiery departments of large department stores when traveling.

Recently I wore some super simple things for running some errands — Babooshka Boutique tunic dress over DIY skirt, We Love Colors diamond tights in nude and black, Rützou wedges and old super narrow glass beaded scarf. I really like how heavy and jewel like this piece is. Without the tights I would never have considered photographing this.

Would you wear diamond tights?

Posted on | April 14, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Those ripped nylons…

Posted on | April 1, 2010 | 10 Comments

I’m shamelessly recycling the styling trick I stole from Barbara i Gongini lookbook, ripped knee highs over ripped nylons. Yesterday they added some interest to this simple everyday jersey outfit built around rather familiar elements: H&M cardigan, All Saints dress, couple of different skinny double belts and Rützou wedges. Added the Chewbacca lamb vest / coat combo over this for going out… …and no, I don’t have anything special to say about this…

Posted on | April 1, 2010 | 10 Comments

// The hazmat T

Posted on | March 13, 2010 | 10 Comments

I’ve had too little time for crafts lately, plus I’m knitting a scarf that takes ages to get finished — so I was truly in a need of instant reward type of DIY project. So I took a cheapie lightweight H&M striped T, poured some chlorine on it, went to cook something and let the stuff to do its trick meanwhile. Naturally that was hazardous for the color but it even created some tiny holes to the material… …I quite like it, it is probably not the most obvious home bleach job.

I would love to wear some stitched and padded leather on the bottom… …but unfortunately don’t have any. Now it’s just my old Lee jeans, Rützou wedges, second hand fur and leather cuffs from some cheapie accessory shop. The slightly too short sleeves of the fur leave them nicely on display.

DIY instructions

You need
chlorine; regular domestic bleach, for example Clorox
a (striped) cotton T
plastic protection for the surface

Other natural fibers might work as well — but be careful with the time and don’t be surprised of funky color changes — and note that chlorine does not bleach synthetics.

Protect the surface you are planning to use (if you do this on bathroom tiles it is not necessary). Place the t-shirt on top of the plastic. Pour and sprinkle some chlorine on it — you probably want some nice splatter patterns so don’t rub the substance on the material — just let it be where it goes. Let the chlorine bleach the poured areas from 20 min to about an hour. Rinse the garment well and wash it.

Posted on | March 13, 2010 | 10 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

// Skin colored

Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 6 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 | 6 Comments

// Lace print

Posted on | January 14, 2010 | 9 Comments

One of my best sales scores this year was this pair of Marjan Pejoski lace print leggings from Asos. They are quite thick and warm, and super soft — plus I love the fact that the print is so deceptive that they can totally pass from a real lace pair, very disconcerting property in this climate…

I don’t really shop often in Gina Tricot — and when I do I usually get some very basic t:s or tights. But I have to say that once and then even GT can surprise. My “dress” is actually a sheer cotton peasant tunic & sheer cotton ruffled tank top pair, I have snatched both of these from GT sales rack in the end of last summer — and actually like them a lot. By pairing them they may or may not create something that can pass as a mini dress; I don’t care too much about hem lengths when I’m wearing full cover leggings. The cashmere cardigan is from COS, pendant from Pilgrim (mighty old one), familiar Rützou wedges — and the second hand rabbit fur is enough to keep me warm. It has not been totally freezing lately, but boy do we have snow…

Posted on | January 14, 2010 | 9 Comments

// Just in time

Posted on | December 30, 2009 | 7 Comments

Dear London readers (if there are any), how do you survive the magnificent high street — and shopping possibilities overall — of London?

My strict shopping plan was not totally waterproof — although our two nights visit did not give that much opportunities. I decided to steer clear from all too expensive things, nothing is as disappointing as reckless out-of-budget purchase that turns out to be a bad mistake. But I’m not a big fan of reckless in-budget acquisitions that turn out to be mistakes either… So I had a VERY short list of things that I could actually have use right now — and I limited my high street visits to few of my favorites. But still I had really hard time to hold my horses… …and yeah, I also slipped from my high street bargain plan.

I was after a charcoal or black longish knit jacket/shrug/cardigan with not too conventional construction, and I thought that All Saints would be a sure try for a score. Unfortunately many of this winter’s jackets were bit or bit more lacy — not necessarily a bad thing, but that was not in my mind at this time. Still I decided just to walk through Selfridges designer floor (ok and maybe try on some shoes, just try; good thing was that the ink blue and white Marni platform ankle boots just did not fit to my feet). And could not resist to have a look through Martin Margiela rail — this was after all his last season in charge of design. Duh, there just happened to be this quite simple, but in Finnish climate eternally useful lightweight wool knit. Yes, I know, it is not a cardigan. But it is Margiela — and due to slight imperfection on the back it was in the sale on fraction of it’s price. And I know that although it is not a bespoke piece, it will be very, very useful item in my everyday wardrobe.

The shape of the knit is a giant parallelogram with almost identical openings in top and bottom — and delightfully awkwardly placed long sleeves. The knit can be arranged on slightly different ways, although it is not an actual multiuse garment. The hem can be pulled straight and the piece acts almost like a dress — at least with opaque leggings or with some sort of underlayer, this way the neck opening is really deep — and the front bottom rises quite high — but the back view is full covered from the neck to almost to knees — and hand movement is lightly restricted. But the bottom can also be hitched upwards to hips or even to waist, the body part forms nice baggy drapes, hand movement is totally free and the neck opening can be arranged beautifully. I’m also pretty sure that the upper part can be used like a hood, just haven’t tried it yet.

Oasis leggings and Rützou wedges keep company to the new knit. Although I’m slightly hesitant on using leggings as trousers, the beautiful alienesque detail on the hip of this pair has made me stepping out from the comfort zone once or twice this autumn. And yes, I know that I might be too big to that, but who cares — fat and fashion polices of this world: just cough the gingerbread crumbs out of your lungs, that helps instantly.

In the moment I purchased the sweater I understood something about the allure of high street.

I will probably never have enough money for designer pieces that literally take my breath away.

I can have a T by Alexander Wang, some simple and very satisfying basics with a twist, like this knit. I love them, sure, but they are certainly not too expressive. If I have some good luck I might find few neat items as second hand or score a bag or pair of shoes from sale. But within my short London high street visit I saw several items that literally took my breath away. Ashish for Topshop boots were actually so sweet in real life that I had really hard time departing without them. Those mirrored Christopher Kane power mesh pieces were awesome (but the bodycon lace insert dresses were hideous). Emma Cook boots were super, I would have been very tempted if there were a pair of taupe ones left in my size. And add to that all the good pieces that are not designer collaborations, there were so many. All Saints is always kind of good to me. Although I feel that their skull and bone aesthetic is off somehow (and I’m afraid that they are not my thing anyway), I really dig many of their deconstructed cuts especially in knits and jerseys, some plaid designs, fun bustle inspired cuts and soft, soft lightweight leathers. COS is another really good/bad (check the desired option) place for me… …many pieces look quite basic, but then there is some neat little design twist, or the material is just so good. Topshop… …ok I love the shoe department, but Oxford Street flagship store is just too much for me, my senses distort in there.

However much I might love many of the single pieces the only thing that bugs me on the high street finds are that… …after all they are high street. I can afford (too many of) them — and so can many other people. And I’m not even going to the ethics of mass consumerism this time. And no, I’m not talking about indie fashion or rising designer stars either.

Well. I have a plan to change my fashion consuming habits dramatically. But about that later.

Posted on | December 30, 2009 | 7 Comments

// Down to the rabbit hole

Posted on | December 11, 2009 | 9 Comments

multiplied multiply2 multiply3 multiply4

I suck in so many things, like posing and using something else than natural light in photography. But I really want to solve this winter light conditions thing somehow, so you have to bear my experimental take on the images.

This is just an outfit post, simple stuff. Gina Tricot leggings and Rützou wedges with sleeveless black tunic underneath a vintage polyester lace dress (I hate the feel of this stuff but like the look so much that it is a keeper), vintage rabbit fur I bought from five euro day from UFF about seven years ago and repaired myself — now there is a new tear in the left elbow. And Jimmy Choo for H&M belt. I love it, it has so long adjustment portion that it can be easily worn on waist and on hips.

Posted on | December 11, 2009 | 9 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.