On the Street. Never Ending November, Lauttasaari, Helsinki

This year in Helsinki the winter has not been the same as it used to be. No frost, no snow. Mostly only grey days, rain and wind.

I have seen this character on my home street regularly walking head down, hood on the head, no face to see, dressed in totally black protective equipment to fight against the somewhat hostile weather type. Slowly walking to the seashore and back.

I admit. The feeling is like never ending November has hit this corner of the world, Helsinki. Is this the future along with the climate change? Just thinking…

On the Street. Beanieboy in Metro, Helsinki.

I traveled in a metro and opposite to me stood this guy leaning to a handrail. There was something, maybe the simplicity of his style, that triggered this drawing. Maybe the personal touch in his style was the wide bootcut jeans, while many men goes in slim jeans. The unusual little thing.

On the Street. Lady My, Lauttasaari Helsinki.

December has been the darkest month in a year in Helsinki. There is no snow at all and the shortest period of daylight, just six hours a day. And with cloudy sky it can be miserable.

Therefor, when I saw this lady walking towards me in her colorful coat and pink hair bun, at once I needed to tell her: ”Oh Mrs, your outfit is so marvellous!”. Unlike I assumed, she didn’t look happy at all. Instead she passed me rapidly mumbling to her male companion: ”…you are wrong, I’m no Mrs…”

Well, in this business one can go wrong. But then again, the muttering completed this person to Lady My, grown up version of Tove Jansson’s Little My. She is always somewhat angry or pissed at one thing or two.

This image may be a symbol of the ending decade. It has good reason to be a little angry. Eternal farewell, you know. There it walks to the left and gives space to new one. Happy New Year! Let the new decade bring good adventures for you.

On the Street. The Return of Chunky Beanie, Metro Helsinki

It’s beanie time again here in Finland. November coldness writes the rule. I saw this girl while waiting for metro. First thought was like, how in earth anyone combines brown rustic plaid jacket with turquoise light blue delicate checkered pleated skirt.

But when I had the two minutes (metro waiting time) to stare and consider the style again, I found a rule. This is kind of Jin and Yang -play. Encountering opposites.

Pale winter pastels; light blue skirt, pink chunky beanie and scarf plus mint-coloured backpack, against brown tones. And the materials delicate combined with the rustic. Not bad at all.

And note, the chunky beanie is here to stay, already third winter in a row. Just look at these blogposts:
Chunky beanie 2018
Chunky beanie 2017

On the Street. Real Life Manga, Metro Helsinki

Two friends dressed in long black wool coats. It starts to be that time of the year. The season of black outfits. Many people rely on black, when the cold season crawls out from the spot it has been hiding during sunny season. 

This sight turned my head and this pale girl was nailed to my mind. Some tone of manga characters, big clumsy boots and sheer white shirt with a scarf that is more like rope. The scarf turned many times round the neck. No makeup. This sight includes symbolism to November that starts in two days.

On the Street. October Like Grey Flannel, Helsinki

October, the month of Inktober. Let’s participate, at least this first day.

I saw this guy in Habitare fair last year. Just found this illustration under a pile of papers. Habitare is the yearly organized interior, design and furniture fair in Helsinki. Good place to see somebody to draw after.

In October we dive in to the grey, rain and puddles. This blonde fellow was dressed in the tones of black, grey wool flannel trousers, white shirt and black v-neck knit. Fits to the mood. Classic and cosy. To be in style, we can always trust in classics.

On the Street. Walking on Baana, Helsinki.

I met this gentleman in Baana Helsinki. Baana is a passage in Helsinki. It is build on an old unused rail passage. Now the passage serves as a road for pedestrians and cycliststs. There is also a place to play basketball and ping-pong, sitting and taking easy as well as nice green planting. The stone wall is home to a diverse array of nature plants. Baana offers easy relaxed access to city center from Ruoholahti direction.

The first impression was sound, shoe heels clack. Then I saw this self assure man in his black and white outfit. White hair and black narrow moustache. White shirt and pants with black coat and high heel cowboy boots. With a clack.

It was a very quick moment to make a note to mind. I drove bicycle, just few seconds. This image is the picture that is left from that moment.

Unfortunately a city never stops developing. Right now there is plans in Helsinki to cover the whole Baana and build buildings on top of it. Personally I am not a fangirl of this idea. It would ruin the harmony that is on the area right now. A city needs the places where people can breathe without the hectic presence of traffic. But if this place is covered and made underground, the impression will not be the same at all.

There is an address that opposes this unfortunate Urbaana-project. I have taken part of it. If you live in Helsinki area, you can do the same.
https://www.adressit.com/ei_urbaanaa_kampin-etu-toolon_alue_pelastettava

On the Street. Shades of Brown, Lauttasaari Helsinki

Bye bye Summer. You were very dry in terms of Street style. Frankly, I didn’t see anything special since last post. I spent time in Spain, in Helsinki, in Woods and Seashore but saw nothing special in terms of Street style. Many other inspiring things though. Marvellous plants and nature. But since this blog is not about nature nor plants and flowers, there has been a little silence around here. Let’s hope that autumn will change everything.

At least I saw this guy in local grocery store. Fancy thing was, that everything was toned in brown. Even the plant pattern in his shirt was drawn with brown. Different Shades of Brown from the suede chelsea boot toe to top curly ponytail. I wonder. Is Brown new Black this autumn?

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. Silk Scarf Makes the Style, Ruoholahti, Helsinki

I saw this woman from bus window. She was waiting a bus and stood there like sunshine. During winter and cold springtime people haven’t used too much color in their outfits. Therefor it was a pleasant surprise to find this carefully thought combination. Apparently inspired by spring and sunshine.

Note the bright colored silk scarf on her neck. The use of silk scarves is the knowledge of older women. Knowledge how to add the final touch to the outfit. A splash of gentle amount of pattern in otherwise quite simple outfit makes the difference.

I have promised myself try to live not to buy any new clothes. Because frankly thought, I have already something for any occasion in closet. There is one exception to this rule.

If I find a beautiful silk scarf from second-hand store at bargain price (under 10 €) I have permission to make an investment. Because that’s what it is. Silk scarf feels luxurious, the pattern and color gives many possibilities to alter the mood of outfit and the gentle warmth to neckline is welcomed in winter. With accurate care silk scarf lasts a lifetime. Good investment, right?