BOYS It rains a lot in Finland, so boys water-comb their hair. It’s practical. Vintage leather jackets are major now, partly because they’re functional considering the wind, rain, and cold. Usually they’ll have tight fits and good cuts. They’re mainly black, but some boys will go for gray or maroon. Finnish boys are wearing a lot of knitted sweaters and shirts, also with tight fits. They’re usually secondhand with quirky patterns and colors. Dress pants are a big trend right now. They’re often high-quality, expensive brands because there’s heaps of Hugo Boss at the flea markets here. The most common jeans are skinny-fit Acnes. Shoes run the gamut from loafers, Chuck Taylors, Adidas, and Vans, to classics like these Menokkaats. They were the must-have sneaker of every Finnish schoolyard in the 80s. Man bags are still popular in Helsinki. They’re good for carrying extra shirts if you get soaked in the rain.

GIRLS For Finnish girls, makeup is sparse with one element highlighted, like bright red lips. Depending on the occasion, girls might go with big earrings, or locally designed or vintage necklaces in natural materials like fabric or wood. Absolutely no diamonds or bling on Finn girls today. Ponytails go on the side, like that girl from Napoleon Dynamite. Helmet hair is big and some 50s hairdos are getting more common too. Dresses are A-line 60s style, with a twist—the fabrics range from flannel to cotton and wool. Tops are oversize. Girls will mix high-fashion brands with secondhand. You’ll see the same girl in a tracksuit and sneakers one day and an evening dress and high heels the next. For leggings, go with Lycra or cotton either in dark colors or with colorful patterns. Knee-high boots, either flat or with high heels, are huge in Helsinki now. Another option is simple high heels in red, gold, or other strong colors.

BOYS Can you believe that anyone on earth is still wearing trucker caps? Boys in Barcelona are. Most guys here are growing beards too. Well-coordinated undershirts are for guys as well as for girls. No bright, daring tones for shirts in Spain right now—boys are going with sensible colors like brown, gray, olive, or blue. Tight tracksuit jackets and loose jeans, like trucker hats, are vestiges of fads past that Spanish boys are still clinging to like security blankets. Checkered slip-on Vans are a pretty solid choice here. For coats, go with Army surplus raincoats and parkas. Men’s haircuts are short in general, with a popular style being a long-sided fringe along the forehead (a bit like Hitler’s haircut but longer and less evil). Many boys in Barcelona have shaved heads or are sporting the typical Roman haircut, aka the good old Caesar. In general, Spanish men are running a little behind the rest of the world.

GIRLS Spanish girls are doing goth-like dyed black hair with a straight fringe. The flapper influence was big with them this winter. In Barcelona, we are thanking Christ for this development in girls’ hair because, up until now, an awful feathered-mullet look had been clinging tenaciously to female heads and showing no signs of leaving. Makeup is very minimal with really red lips. Undershirts should always match the rest of the clothes. Tight vintage shirts from the 70s are big and are worn with slim black suspenders. Girls in Barcelona are carrying extra-large leather bags loaded with useless crap. As in most countries now, extra-tight black pants are huge. You can accessorize with a leather rocker wristband (we think they’re corny, but a lot of girls are doing it here now). Socks are carefully color-coordinated too. For shoes, go with winter slip-ons.

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