I had a few hours to kill at Helsinki between my flights recently and although many of the shops were shut due to a refurbishment of the terminal, Marimekko was still open for business.
I’ve written before how I love this label more now than I ever did living in Finland, so whenever I’m back at home I always end up buying something to take to England.
This time my eyes caught an unusual item to be shopping for when heading for Lapland: a sunhat. But I couldn’t resist; besides I’ve been borrowing the Englishman’s straw one bought on a ‘hat run’ in Corfu long enough (five years at least).
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| The Englishman’s straw hat as worn by me in Corfu. Sharing a hat on holiday is tricky… |
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| The sun was flooding into the lounge from the large windows today so I managed to make this self-portrait look a little summery. |
My new Marimekko hat is something very different. It’s made out of one of their vintage prints, it has a wide brim (good for preventing those harmful sun rays from hitting my face), it folds for easy packing, and it is fairly rare outside the Nordic countries so it won’t be worn by anyone else on the poolside, say – this is wishful thinking now – in Soho Beach House in Miami.
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| This hat is so easy to travel with because it takes no room at all in a suitcase. |
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| There’s a zip as well as two magnetic poppers. There’s also a small side pocket inside with a zip. |
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| My two purchases |
The bag comes in various prime colours. I was very tempted with a black one, but felt I should keep to the same colour as my old holdall. Besides, I love red anyway. Marimekko still sell the classic holdalls Peruskassi too; the ladies at the airport shop told me they’ll never stop making them. Good old Marikmekko know their market.
I absolute love that sunhat and it looks great on you!
How much was it? I might have to send my Finnish family on a hat shopping mission…
Oh God I love the hat.. I am such a hat girl.. I have a trilby type also protective against UV rays .. from Orvis its a mans hat ..I wear it all summer xx No were near as stylish as yours xx
You've got me Mette! I really can't remember…
Ruth, I'm planning to wear the hat with my black maxi skirt & flip flops. Pray for summery weather in NW3!
Helena xx
That's a very fine hat – I'm a big Marimekko fan myself, I like their stripey t-shirts and we have some lovely patterned crockery.
Best hat and bag ever!
I have a black/white stripe Marimekko umbrella, also purchased at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, that makes rainy days in New England a bit more Finnish!
Love the bag and the hat! Have the same pattern on my new Marimekko umbrella bought at the same shop!
That is a gorgeous hat! It looks great on you xx