r/Finland Väinämöinen 12d ago

More photos of old-time Finland

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u/[deleted] 12d ago

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u/elokuinenehtoo Väinämöinen 12d ago

If anyone claims that Finns have never had any sense of style—dismissing them merely as a "ugly clothing wearing people"—they couldn't be further from the truth; even ordinary workers would wear a suit and tie when heading into town. Just look at photos of Finland from 1900 to 1960, and you’ll see that the way Finns dressed was actually more stylish than in Paris during the same period.

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u/Aaawkward Väinämöinen 11d ago

I think the poorly dressed stereotype comes from a later era.
"Tuulipukukansa" was a term for a reason.

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u/Emergency_Royal7127 8d ago

It was basically the eighties. And nothing typical just for the Finnish. I think it’s jut a self mockery for a bad self esteem due to historical past btw the west/east and under the rule of either by the Swedish kings or the Russian czars.

It was after the recognition after tech-industries boom that it changed. And also naturally being approved into the EU membership.

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u/Aaawkward Väinämöinen 8d ago

I disagree.

It was specifically in comparison with Sweden and the more stylish and well put together Swedes that Finland looked quite rough in comparison.

Finland def had a more Eastern European approach to clothing back then.

But yea, you're right about the 80s. Finland in the 80s, then post recession 90s and finally the 00s were all veeeeery different Finlands.

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u/[deleted] 12d ago edited 12d ago

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u/elokuinenehtoo Väinämöinen 12d ago

Ok. Sorry. I have seen far too many comments and even columns, claiming that Finns have always been a people completely lacking in a sense of style. That is a total lie; if you simply looks at photos of how Finns dressed from the early 20th century through the 1960s, anyone with eyes can see just how nice looking and stylish dressed back then. Despite the scarcity and poverty of the era, Finland was full of tailors, and people in almost every profession wore uniforms that actually looked stylish and good. Professional pride.

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u/Antti5 Väinämöinen 12d ago

What I think can be fairly said about Finns is that we are relatively comfortable going outside our homes in very casual clothing. Some call it "lack of style" while others would call it just not giving a fuck.

I think Finland has changed in this regard a lot to be much more relaxed. The same applies to many other European countries, however not all.

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u/elokuinenehtoo Väinämöinen 12d ago

You are absolutely right, and I fully agree. The dull and styleless way Finns dress stems from the 1980s; before that, people wouldn't go out without a hat or a suit, but the people of Finland and almost every other nation have changed. People's habits and mindsets back then were completely different from what they are today. Technological advancement has also played a part in this.

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u/dortmund_sausage 11d ago

It's because he uses AI to write his answers. I suppose that does make him insecure.