I’m beginning to comprehend now why Finland ranks first on the list of the happiest nations on Earth ☺️ there is so much tranquility in the way people around you and you yourself, Tiia, live 🫶🏼
I don't know about tranquility! But I do think that Finns have a unique ability to focus on the simple things in life. Even if the big picture isn't always perfect (and let's face it, it's not), we know how to appreciate the small things. We also complain a lot, and a lot of us are anxious pessimists (one of my favorite sayings in Finland is that "a pessimist will not get disappointed"), but within all of that, we still know how to see beauty in imperfection.
I ordered a sweater off of eBay last fall which had few details - I just needed another navy blue wool turtleneck as fall approached. It turns out it was a crew sweater from an historic Netherlands sailing vessel that operates cruises and made by a Dutch company that specializes in maritime sweaters (cannot recall name as the sweater is at my summer place). It was amazing - with a turtleneck that can be tightened at the neck with a draw string, close cuffs (unlike most modern sweaters) and made from the grade of wool with the least pilling - hugely functional. Well, and I still have my handknit traditional fisherman sweater from college in the 1970s. I am most definitely a sweater person 😍
Actually, my old one is rather yellowed; I’d probably look into a way to treat it before wearing it. I bought one from Anne Mashburn a few years ago and am not sure if it’s hand knit but does look roughly the same.
Tiia I love your wisdom as it always feels like it’s just for me. This line “It’s never really about a particular category of clothing for me. It always comes down to the individual piece.” Is something I’m learning personally this year. I used to think I wasn’t a jeans girl, turns out I just had ill-fitting jeans. Interestingly I’ve never felt like a turtleneck person but perhaps I just haven’t found the right one for my body- yet.
Thanks Kelly! I know what you mean about being a jeans girl! It took me a loooong time to figure out what types of jeans I like to wear. I still don't think that I'm the type of jeans girl who'd want to wear jeans every day, but it was a revelation to find the two pairs that I currently own.
I love this piece so much, not least because I have at least 4 pairs of socks that need darning that I am in denial about. I’m very bad at it but I can’t bring myself to throw them out—they’re a very nice wool.
I too relate to that feeling of being disconnected and it’s so beautiful when we find meaning in the most unexpected ways. I didn’t grow up interacting with nature very much, so whenever I do so as an adult feels like magic to me. And I love that you can talk to your father about clothes ❤️
I'm really bad at darning, but I'm getting better, slowly!
My dad is not at all interested in clothing (he's all for practicality), so it's been extra special to hear him go on and on about this brand that he loves so much!
Connecting with nature is a huge privilege, and when you grow up with it, nature is like a spiritual home. I feel so lucky that through my dad I have this connection to the sea and other bodies of water as well. My stepdad used to take me bird-watching, too, so that's another link to nature that I cherish. My stepdad and I actually have an ongoing friendly competition of how many bird species we encounter each year!
Wonderful post. I had an old Greek fisherman sweater, oversized with a very loose, wide, holey kind of knit that I thrifted and adored. A classic cream color. I accidentally shrank it, and I still mourn the loss of it. I have tried to replace it over the years but nothing quite fits in the same slouchy way. In the years since, I have acquired a vintage Italian fisherman sweater, and a more traditional but not vintage Irish cable knit. I like both very much, but nothing is like that first Greek one. I’ll continue to hunt. Honestly, even though I have loads of sweaters, if I find a really special vintage one, I snap it up without hesitation. There is nothing like them, and I never regret it. My favorite pieces in my closet that have stood the test of time for years and years, and I still love are nearly all vintage.
Ah, the misery of a shrunken vintage sweater! I hate it when that happens. I hope you will eventually find your perfect one!
Vintage sweaters are just really amazing, aren't they. The weight they have is something else, not to mention the texture and the durability. Nothing new comes even close!
I would love to find a genuine vintage Aran sweater (or a cardigan) one day. I've found two so far, but the sleeves have been too short for me so I've sold them in my shop. But one day I hope to find The One!
That was so beautiful, Tiia! I live near the sea as well, and have been enjoying the gulls settling into their nesting spots on the rooftops. That you made the connection of that sweater, your dad, and the idea that so-called "trends" are just repackaging of authentic, worn and loved clothes. Great article. And you should write a book - one article at a time, you're practically doing it already. ;-)
If you haven’t considered writing a book, you should!
That's very sweet, Cristina! (And no, I haven't. I can't even imagine how violently my impostor syndrome would kick in!)
💯
I would read your book Tiia!
I’m beginning to comprehend now why Finland ranks first on the list of the happiest nations on Earth ☺️ there is so much tranquility in the way people around you and you yourself, Tiia, live 🫶🏼
I don't know about tranquility! But I do think that Finns have a unique ability to focus on the simple things in life. Even if the big picture isn't always perfect (and let's face it, it's not), we know how to appreciate the small things. We also complain a lot, and a lot of us are anxious pessimists (one of my favorite sayings in Finland is that "a pessimist will not get disappointed"), but within all of that, we still know how to see beauty in imperfection.
I ordered a sweater off of eBay last fall which had few details - I just needed another navy blue wool turtleneck as fall approached. It turns out it was a crew sweater from an historic Netherlands sailing vessel that operates cruises and made by a Dutch company that specializes in maritime sweaters (cannot recall name as the sweater is at my summer place). It was amazing - with a turtleneck that can be tightened at the neck with a draw string, close cuffs (unlike most modern sweaters) and made from the grade of wool with the least pilling - hugely functional. Well, and I still have my handknit traditional fisherman sweater from college in the 1970s. I am most definitely a sweater person 😍
Oh wow, I love the sound of your fisherman sweaters! And I love that you still have your sweater from the 70s. Do you still wear it?
Actually, my old one is rather yellowed; I’d probably look into a way to treat it before wearing it. I bought one from Anne Mashburn a few years ago and am not sure if it’s hand knit but does look roughly the same.
Very rarely I read something beautiful on Substack (maybe I should explore this platform a bit more…?). Nevertheless this was beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you for reading! <3
And yes, you should definitely explore Substack! There are amazing writers here!
Connecting the dots is the most magical experience. Thank you for sharing this beauty of a piece.
Thank you, Laura! <3
Tiia I love your wisdom as it always feels like it’s just for me. This line “It’s never really about a particular category of clothing for me. It always comes down to the individual piece.” Is something I’m learning personally this year. I used to think I wasn’t a jeans girl, turns out I just had ill-fitting jeans. Interestingly I’ve never felt like a turtleneck person but perhaps I just haven’t found the right one for my body- yet.
Thanks Kelly! I know what you mean about being a jeans girl! It took me a loooong time to figure out what types of jeans I like to wear. I still don't think that I'm the type of jeans girl who'd want to wear jeans every day, but it was a revelation to find the two pairs that I currently own.
I love this piece so much, not least because I have at least 4 pairs of socks that need darning that I am in denial about. I’m very bad at it but I can’t bring myself to throw them out—they’re a very nice wool.
I too relate to that feeling of being disconnected and it’s so beautiful when we find meaning in the most unexpected ways. I didn’t grow up interacting with nature very much, so whenever I do so as an adult feels like magic to me. And I love that you can talk to your father about clothes ❤️
I'm really bad at darning, but I'm getting better, slowly!
My dad is not at all interested in clothing (he's all for practicality), so it's been extra special to hear him go on and on about this brand that he loves so much!
Connecting with nature is a huge privilege, and when you grow up with it, nature is like a spiritual home. I feel so lucky that through my dad I have this connection to the sea and other bodies of water as well. My stepdad used to take me bird-watching, too, so that's another link to nature that I cherish. My stepdad and I actually have an ongoing friendly competition of how many bird species we encounter each year!
Wonderful post. I had an old Greek fisherman sweater, oversized with a very loose, wide, holey kind of knit that I thrifted and adored. A classic cream color. I accidentally shrank it, and I still mourn the loss of it. I have tried to replace it over the years but nothing quite fits in the same slouchy way. In the years since, I have acquired a vintage Italian fisherman sweater, and a more traditional but not vintage Irish cable knit. I like both very much, but nothing is like that first Greek one. I’ll continue to hunt. Honestly, even though I have loads of sweaters, if I find a really special vintage one, I snap it up without hesitation. There is nothing like them, and I never regret it. My favorite pieces in my closet that have stood the test of time for years and years, and I still love are nearly all vintage.
Ah, the misery of a shrunken vintage sweater! I hate it when that happens. I hope you will eventually find your perfect one!
Vintage sweaters are just really amazing, aren't they. The weight they have is something else, not to mention the texture and the durability. Nothing new comes even close!
I would love to find a genuine vintage Aran sweater (or a cardigan) one day. I've found two so far, but the sleeves have been too short for me so I've sold them in my shop. But one day I hope to find The One!
It is need a beautiful thing❤️
<3
That was so beautiful, Tiia! I live near the sea as well, and have been enjoying the gulls settling into their nesting spots on the rooftops. That you made the connection of that sweater, your dad, and the idea that so-called "trends" are just repackaging of authentic, worn and loved clothes. Great article. And you should write a book - one article at a time, you're practically doing it already. ;-)
I have my late father’s fisherman’s sweater. Nine years on from his death, I still can’t wear it without sobbing, but I will, I will.
Such a beautiful piece of writing.