On the Street, Beanie Time, Lauttasaari Helsinki.

 

The weather is getting colder around here in Helsinki. Time to grap favourite beanie to head and warmer jacket. This girl walked in front of me in her cosy slightly oversized white jeans and pilot jacket. I'm happy that nowadays there is alternatives to slim jeans in shops.

On the Street. Classic Trench Coat With Attitude, Helsinki

 

There has been very little any interesting street styles around lately. Or there may be, but I don’t personally move around very much due to pandemic Covid. Something anyway. Here we go.

I don’t remember where or when I saw this woman, but the feeling was, that this trench coat has been with her since 80’s. Thinking about the classic cut and thick material that lasts time. Accompanied with black polo shirt, the grey braid on the neck and giant yellow sunglasses from the same era as the coat.

This is a good example of two things. 1. When you buy quality, it may last your lifetime. –> very sustainable from the viewpoint of globe. 2. When you lean your style on classics like ageless trench coat, you make decision of style, not fashion. And style is the one, that lasts time.

On the Street. Man in Boots, Lauttasaari, Helsinki

Time to post this man in boots, carrying heavy plastic bags. Classic outfit toasted with moustaches from 80's.

Many may wonder, why doesn’t he have facemask in these days of coronavirus covid-19. In Finland the authorities have not made any rules that everybody should wear a mask. Therefor it is more rare than usual around here.

The Spring is coming warmer day to day. But it may be, that this gentleman keeps his boots and leather jacket on whatever the weather is. I wonder what is he carrying. Maybe the groceries to his old mama, who is quarantined to home for the sake of covid-19.

On the Street. Pride Forever, Kamppi Metro, Helsinki.

I saw this man already a month ago in metro station of Kamppi. Every piece of clothing was old and in good use. The classic blazer of light beige corduroy and worn jeans with the detail of too short trouser legs. Hair messy like just woken up. As he turned to look the right direction to go for, I was curious to see what kind of bag he was carrying. Oh yes, the pride tote bag. Pride all days long.

It is Pride week in Helsinki. The Pride parade will be in next Saturday starting at Senaatintori 11:00. What does Helsinki Pride look like. You can follow the hashtag #helsinkipride in social media. Time to celebrate equality of all people.

On the Street. Yellow as Sunshine, Stocca, Helsinki.

As you see from the outfit of this young lady, we have had quite a chilly summer so far in Helsinki. Word ”summer” gives us Finns good vibes. Mind is remembering the warm lovely days when everybody forgets the meaning of a pair of socks. Living near North Pole means that things can appear differently in reality. I have been going in same anorak parka that I use in May.

I saw this girl in the queue of the bookstore few pencils in one hand and queue number in the other. She had the sunshine in her anorak that lacks from the sky. I liked the primary color combination in her outfit and the idea of mixing two different plaid patterns.

What next? Warmer days to Finland, I hope. So that the kids of summer 2017 can get their feeling of never-ending wonderful summer days.

For my part, I will head to summer holiday of 100 % security of sunshine. Therefor, Flash For Zonzon takes a summer break as well. Next post will be online about August 10th or so. I did get my supplies from bookstore, new sketch books size A4 and A3. Plan is to take it super easy and draw whatever interesting I see.

You too, have a nice relaxing Summer Holiday, My Friend!

On the Street. Strolling Own Path, Kamppi, Helsinki.

Oh, I love these people. People who doesn’t give a shit what is in fashion or considered stylish at the moment. The patterned flared jeans, 80’s style leather jacket, pink rolled and knitted scarf on the neck. Tall skinny guy eyes alert to watch what is happening around.

At the moment there was an art happening going on in Kamppi shopping center. Katja Tukiainen is the artist that uses a lot of pink color. She was mastering a community art happening going on at that moment. Any passerby could take part in the big scale painting. The colour available was all shades of pink, light pink, pink pink, reddish pink, almost red.

I wonder if the guy illustrated here was going to take part in the painting session. I was already on the way forward.

***
Here is the link if you are interested  to know more about Katja Tukiainen Art.
Includes a lot of undisciplined Girl Power.

On the Street. Like a Graphic Designer, Hotel Clarion, Helsinki.

Few weeks ago I attended a graphic design day Vuoden Huiput Festival in Hotel Clarion, Helsinki. Vuoden Huiput is the competition of the best graphic design of the year in Finland. You may believe that when a bunch of creative people gather together, there is definitely some common feature that points out in the sense of style.

Few years ago the it-thing among graphic designers was massive black square glasses. But now the eyewear seems to be more brownish and roundish. Instead the biggest common trend among young male graphic designers in Helsinki right now is the tiny black beanie.

The beanie sits tight in the head both indoors and outdoors. I counted six guys wearing black beanies. The rest of this illustrated gentleman above is a combination of the target group "black beanie guys". Beards, plaid shirts, black pants, shy posture. Maybe the warm beanie gives a feeling of shelter in the wild world of our times.

On the Street. Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Postikatu, Helsinki.

Sometimes I think fashion is an ultimate form of degeneration. Walking around town quickly reveals the latest trend in fashion. Every other person looks like fallen and has therefore torn trousers knees. Ripped slit manifest itself some attention in the form of pale knees.

Then I found even from local grocery store jeans with ready made slits in knees. Humanity has come this far that we buy clothes that are pre torn for us. I think this is degeneration if any.

In these days when we should put all our effort to sustainable development this trend feels foolish. Okay maybe I’m getting old and intolerant. Forgive me.

This poor guy is my mannequin that shows us this ripped knees trend. Another trend is the quilted jacket he has. Shiny quite narrow sausage jacket, as I call it. Fits well for a narrow guy as he. Well considered detail was in his manner to reveal the ankles by rolling up trousers legs. Slender ankles, I admit.

On the Street. Red Rubber Boots, Mannerheimintie, Helsinki.

Once in Instagram someone commented about the fact, that Finnish women seem to prefer flat shoes instead high heels. That is true. Fortunately, the Finnish society does not place women expected value, how to dress.

Therefor there is great liberty if you like to walk in heels or flat shoes. Nobody cares. Most Finnish women apparently like the ability to move around freely without pain or other inconvenience. They choose flat shoes. Me too. I wear high heels less than once in a year.

This young lady leads the way in this path. Her brave red rubber boots are both practical and beautiful in rainy day in Helsinki City Center. She looks just lovely in her furry beret, jeans jacket and floral skirt.

I have heard, that women using flat shoes, isn’t the norm everywhere. In Great Britain a woman even must dress up in high heels if one wants to work for government positions. Correct me if I am wrong.

I think this is very odd. It is so old fashion to treat women as butterflies. Why make them suffer from day to day? I am sure that this regulation limits the number of qualified women to apply for those positions. At least it should not be the height of shoe heels that has any role in the work requirements.

On the Street. Skinny Jeans Rules, Helsinki.

In Internet I have seen several headlines about how to style skinny jeans. I saw this young lady in the ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn. I suggest that a good pair to skinny jeans is to give some volume to upper body. Like here the jeans jacket with ripped sleeves combined with stonewashed skinny jeans.

Nowadays the high waist seems to have a comeback. I don’t blame on that. But the skinny jeans despite…feels like torture, I prefer loose ones. But for spaghetti legs it is a radiant option.

By the way, I was on my way to Tallinn Art Museum Kumu to see a wonderful exhibition about the fashions of Victorian Female Image and Fashion, costumes from approximately 1845–1900. Open until 30.10.2016. The dress code for ladies in that time didn’t give much liberty to move. The tight corset and wide crinolines made sure that women stayed in their position. The dominant emotion of the 19th century was melancholy. No wonder, having to wear these forms of torture in clothing.

The dresses are from Aleksandre Vassiliev Foundation. To my surprise Aleksandre in his person is in Instagram as well. He feels like a lovely person.

On the Street. One of a Kind Denim Dungarees, Forum Helsinki.

Shoe heels clatter was the first impression in Kukontori (Cock plaza) in Forum top flat. Cape-like coat when viewed from behind and wild hair upright. Interesting. What about the rest? Surreptitious glance at the front. Who owns the heels clatter like this? Wow, what a denim dungarees!  But I got an angry challenging gaze back. Okay, it’s better move forward…

But anyway, have you ever seen high trouser cuffs like this? I think his style is wonderfully original.

On the Street. Cool Style Guy, Lauttasaari, Helsinki.

I saw this guy in the same Shangri-La event I told you about in last post. Cool guys get all… attention and get drawn to Flash For Zonzon. No long talks this time. The image tells it all.

On the Street. Monday Blue, Ruoholahti, Helsinki.

Sometimes on Mondays look at people’s faces is fun. Early on the morning while waiting for a bus life may feel a bit overwhelming. In particular, I like this guy style how he is dressed in different tones of blue. Probably red shirt wasn’t an option. The state of mind as he was, color blue is probably giving some consolation on early Monday morning feeling.

Color affects our mind and our mood affects to what color we can bear or what color we absolutely need to wear on that specific mood. It’s not everyday that bright vivid colors feel good. But sometimes it feels the only right way to dress up. Color in clothes is an emotional thing.

On the Street. Twinkle Star Fairy, Cable Factory, Helsinki.

It was a splendid sunny autumn day when – for a while – I thought I saw the Fairy. Someone walked towards me gleaming in sunshine. Blue hair flying around. Coming closer I realized it was big glittery stars on her sweater that reflected the sunshine so effectively. The long hair was dyed halfway to blue colour. That’s my fairy all right.

On the Street. Nice Simple Style, Lauttasaari, Helsinki.

Simple things are many times the best. Like having a cup of coffee, a pot of tea, reading a book, sleeping as long as needed, talk with a friend, laughing, walking in a woods.

Simple things can also make a memorable nice style. Like with this guy. There isn’t anything super special he is wearing, jeans, ankle boots, grey pullover and kind of marine coat. But to be true there is one exception here. Oh yes, there is this hair. Nowadays shoulder-long hair with men is quite rare. Maybe that is the key that makes his style memorable. The full stop above the letter i.

Okay. The list from the beginning needs some trimming.
Simple things are many times the best. Like having a good cup of coffee, a lovely pot of tea, reading a marvelous book, sleeping as long as needed in own bed, chat with a dear friend, laughing out loud, walking in a woods (this is good as it is).

On the Street. Grey Pea Coat, Vallila, Helsinki.

I love pea coat. The uniform of Corto Maltese, my hero. Traditionally it is dark blue, but grey is a good option. A pea coat is perfect to wear in November, when the frost has not yet bitten our noses. And note how the beanie is set. Hip and pop in Helsinki right now. With this I am referring to the previous post.

On the Street. Dandy in Kruununhaka, Helsinki.

A man who wears patent leather shoes during daytime goes inevitably in a dandy-category. At least if the rest of the outfit has some tones of arrogance and attitude. In Finland this kind of style is used maybe 1 % of the male population.

Skinny legs, like in this illustration, can be serious thing to some men. Once I was going to draw a live model class. There was a hard frost, -15 degrees Celsius, and no sensible person walked outdoors without long underwear, hat and mittens. The class was held in Suomenlinna fortress area. The marine environment with it's wind can make the cold even colder. Brrr.

When it was time to start drawing, our male model undressed. When it was the turn of the tight black jeans, to my horror, I noticed that he really didn't have the long johns under the pants. Oh dear, HOW do you manage out there without freezing to death? The answer was practical: "I appreciate my legs so much that I do not want to ruin their shape using long johns under my jeans."

How arrogant! I was sold.

On the Street. Tones of Blue Denim, Lauttasaari, Helsinki.

I have encountered this older gentleman on the street about ten times during the last few months. Every single time he has the same uniform, jeans and a denim shirt with a short vizor cap. Only the tones of blue denim vary. This denim look with wide pant cuffs could be from the era hundred years ago. So classic.

Blue denim is a wonderful material. I'm just wondering how does his wardrobe look like. A pile of denim shirts in slightly different shades of blue, pile of blue jeans, white T-shirts as undershirts. No worries what to wear. Casual and cozy. Easy as breathing.

On the Street. Summer Man with Marine Cap, Helsinki.

 

 This particular look with marine cap is hip and pop in Helsinki streets right now. Another variation on this style is with blue and white striped long sleeve T-shirt. The pants are alternatively jeans or khaki pants. But the leg cuffs are wrapped in both cases for sure.

On the Street. Padded Waistcoat Bodywarmer, Kamppi, Helsinki.

So far Helsinki winter has been very mild. Normally the temperatures are below zero in January, but not this year. Also, the snow seems hanging over the ground somewhere else in the world. A bit weird, but it allows people to walk around in light wool coats and even men's sports jacket as here. This guy has ensured the body warmth with a padded waistcoat under the grey tweed blazer.