// 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

// Paris second hand

Posted on | December 23, 2011 | No Comments

I found this rabbit trapper hat (or Hrustsev hat… …eh) and a pair of almost unused English derby shoes from fabulous Kiliwatch.

Posted on | December 23, 2011 | No 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

// Space odyssey 2011

Posted on | August 21, 2011 | 3 Comments

Last week I bumped into a thing that a flight attendant from Space Odyssey 2001 could wear on her free time. I’ve said that I’m not too into obvious retro styles, but somehow I can make an exception with stiff, clean lined and retrofuturistic sixties dresses like this. Especially when they fit rather well. Especially when the material happens to be texturally pleasing cotton / nylon brocade with very soft, cotton’y hand feel. Especially when the color is delightful pale lime yellow — a color considered difficult for Scandinavian complexion in general — but happens to work with my mousy hair, blue eyes and easily tanning skin.

Excuse me for leaving this short — I’m off to painting my nails matte black for some nice contrast…

Posted on | August 21, 2011 | 3 Comments

// Dress code cruise

Posted on | August 8, 2011 | 2 Comments

What… …I have no idea… …what about shoes with non-slippery sole, leather skirt, sloppy knit and a generous bag to hold the camera and nylon parka…

Second hand leather skirt, Cheap Monday knit, Doc Martens in mint green, DIY friendship bracelets and MM6 bag.

Posted on | August 8, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Found the angle

Posted on | July 13, 2011 | No Comments

I discovered a while ago that indeed there is enough room space to use my cheap 50 mm lens for outfit pics (it’s 80 mm in actual use because of the shallow mount of Canon entry level SLRs — the lens is for the regular one). The camera is on the living room side and I get bit of the wall to the right side — and the wardrobe to the left as you can see in the second image. But the lens allows me to photograph in the low light so I have been experimenting with it lately. Now I just need some active USB-cable to connect directly my workstation — so I can use it as a screen — that should help enormously with the focus…

The outfit is nothing special — I often (try to) dress up those denim cutoffs with shirts or lightweight knits for random summery strolls in the town. Westwood boots are actually great in the summertime, well ventilated and the taupe color goes with everything. The shirt is old thrifted one — there is this mysterious Finnish silk brand called Järvi-Muoti (Lake Fashion… …uh, oh ) — I don’t know where the pieces are actually sold but I do come by a piece from them in the thrift shops every now and then — and very often end up buying them… Well, I suspect some of those iffy looking “silk shops” I have seen here and there, maybe I have to check out the one I remember — because regardless of the fashion status of this brand they do make some really nice basic pieces… …all in pure silk. Oh, I do have the other of my two planned sales purchases on my neck: the beautiful Sou Brette necklace. I’m so in love with it — and it definitely deserves some better images in the very near future…

Posted on | July 13, 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

// White T season

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 6 Comments

The wardrobe basics — well, they can be even better when they are slightly special. I know that I’m getting back to them again and again, just to clean up the clutter in my mind, remembering how simple dressing up can be.

However this white heavyweight Pour shirt is not exactly a basic tee — but something in-between a minimalistic jersey dress and tunic. The shape and length makes it perfectly versatile and the tail hem just encourages to layer it up with other garments.

It has been so warm and nice lately — thus the lightweight outfits. I love the tunic tucked in to these thrifted and cut acid wash jeans. I left the tight legged jeans purposefully longer — wanted leave more fabric to show off this pretty awesome bright blue / bold bleach wash. Boots are by Ash — and the arm chain by gTIE — honestly it needs some sleeve for hiding the attachment arm band… …works from front with this shirt, but not from the backside — could not resist for the photographing purposes, though…

Another garment begging the company of this tunic: the sheer tail skirt from Weekday. I turned it 90 degrees to get this pleasant hem play — additional perk: my operated knee nicely hidden. Wearing with old supermarket leather sandals, Lindex neck cuff and some very pink lipstick by YSL.

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 6 Comments

// Vintage floral

Posted on | April 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

I haven’t been sweeping the charity shops more than usual — good for me — but I have to say that embarrassingly high percentage of my life goes on by by browsing Etsy… Which is sort of good, because sometimes I bump into small treasures like this skirt — and on the other hand there is stuff in my faves for quite many posts to come…

The skirt is hand painted, from seventies and lovely, bouncy silk taffeta. I’m in awe about it’s gorgeousness! It’s in nearly perfect condition with only a small stain in the yoke — I tested water and cleanser to the seam and the colors seem to hold, although it is marked as dry clean only. Silk fabrics can be gently washed — but colors don’t always hold well and silk taffeta is prone to “water stains” — water and sometimes uneven drying leaves marks to it (dyed fabrics though are worse with this than white ones). I might end up hand washing it — and ironing when damp. It would also benefit from adding a zip on the side. It is a pull-on model and although the fit is perfect when the skirt is on the yoke is so small that I can barely pull my hip through it.

Could not resist trying it on with simple white t-shirt (uh, erm, I am affected by some mighty looks of this spring — but I have always liked low key tops with festive / flashy bottoms) — mine is considerably oversized Cheap Monday one. And the Topshop wedges.

Posted on | April 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

// Old lady dress

Posted on | April 13, 2011 | 5 Comments

One second hand piece I have wanted to find for ages is a nice “old lady dress” — a dress with demure length, buttons on front, modest little collar, lightly fitted, with sleeves. The problem with these is that often they are made of nasty fabrics — smelly nylon, very itchy polyester… However yesterday I went to my neighborhood Fida and my eyes instantly fixed to the mint green-black pattern I saw on the dresses rack. The closer inspection revealed it to be a perfect old lady dress, beautifully homemade by very skilled seamstress — and in addition to all that it looked like totally unworn. The fabric has very silky feel on it and beautiful weave, it must be either high quality polyester — or silk. I have to make a burn test. Either way it is a great find for 8 euros!

Obviously repeating patterns like this are not my absolute favorite, but somehow this particular one actually works, it has a surprisingly contemporary feel. The dress was meant to fit more closely, it actually has a zipper on side but goes over my head easily without opening it — still the fit is great with a belt, the shoulder line matches perfectly to mine. I prefer a heavy leather belt with this to cut the home dress feel, neon socks from We Love Colors and my beloved Carin Wester wedges update it nicely as well. Again… …I’m not after any obvious vintage look.

Posted on | April 13, 2011 | 5 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.