Finnish Fashion & Style: Another Look in Scandinavia

After writing about the fashion and style of Stockholm, Sweden, a friend of mine asked me about Finnish fashion and style. I've been here in Finland so often, but realized that I never wrote anything about any of the things that I've seen, especially after spending the summer in Helsinki(love that city!!!!), so this will be the post that will cover that. Helsinki is the capital and the largest city in Finland and is located in the region of Uusimaa in southern Finland, on the arm of the Baltic Sea (the Gulf Of Finland). Helsinki is 50 miles north of Tallinn, Estonia, 250 miles east of Stockholm, Sweden, and 190 miles west of St. Petersburg, Russia (I so wanna check out Moscow and St. Petersburg!!!). Helsinki was chosen as the World Design Capital for 2012, and was voted as the 8th best city to live in. Whenever I am out and about, I'm always checking out what people are wearing and their style. I'm always seeing some interesting things. In Stockholm, you see a lot of minimalist pieces with one piece that takes the attention, but in Helsinki, you can notice a couple of things that take the attention. They could be so opposite, yet they work in an interesting way. The Finnish, like the Swedes combine a touch of the traditional cold weather staples, but they always do it with a bold color. The Swedes may do it with black or blue denim, but the Finns take it there with a red or green jean and a really funky sneaker or shoe. All of the outerwear is very sports oriented, so there is a lot of techno fabrics and everything is worn in a street style. Here are a few examples of funky, Finnish street style. A lot of the pics were taken in warmer weather and I couldn't find much on Finnish street fashion at the moment of this writing.

Getting back to the prints, (Finland is the home of the printed fabric) they are never screaming at you. They are quite wild, but not so much where it's overpoweing. The Finns combine this very well with the basics, but they also include interesting hairstyles and makeup, which take their looks to the next level. Asymetric and colored hair are a couple of the many trends that you will see here. You would believe that you are living in a community of artists here, because everyone does their own individual style. Some rock the heavy metal looks of the 80's with a touch of today. Others are rocking the sharp hipster look that is big everywhere in the world and is also made fun of in the States (skinny jean, boots, glasses). To me the styles between Stockholm and Helsinki are like night and day where Stockholm is like the business day look and Helsinki are the party animals of the night. If you ever get the chance to stroll through Helsinki during the summer or even in the winter, go for it and check out the people. You can show off your great sense of style with not a lot of money here as well. H&M, Kapp Ahl, and Gina Tricot are great places to get great pieces that are not as expensive, but showcase a lot of style. For guys, Dressman and H&M are perfect for sharp looks without spending a ton of cash. Marimekko and Eurokangas is great for printed fabric, if you're creative and willing to make your own pieces. Check them out. I always do!!! Stay fashionable and sexy!!!!!