When Topi walks into the street, he is noticed.
When Topi Välimäki, 26, walks around the city or posts videos on social media, his sexual orientation is questioned. Few believe that he likes to watch sports. Even fewer believe that Topi has been playing ice hockey for 12 years. This hobby was strongly visible in dressing up until the sixth grade. The top is great for breaking boundaries and playing with different contrasts.
In middle school, the man’s sisters made him buy other clothes. The first change to the dress code came through the jeans my sister bought. Little by little, Topi got excited about dressing up and she wanted to mix things up a bit while living in Tampere in middle school.
The other boys mainly wore sweatpants or jeans. This bottom was most often paired with a hoodie. Instead of a gray hoodie, Topi put on a pink hoodie. Instead of white Converses, turquoise Converses were found on his feet.
Many people thought these were too colorful and it immediately became a rumor, says Topi.
The top combines clothing pieces in an interesting way. Picture: Top’s home album.
“I wanted to develop my own dressing to be more individual”
In the ninth grade, clothing items that differed from the mass began to appear even more. The reason for this is heartfelt.
– During middle school, girls started to be interested. I noticed that they are more interested in my friends than in me, so I started paying even more attention to dressing.
This method worked. As soon as Topi had bought a collared shirt made of denim, interest started to increase.
– The girlfriend at the time told me that she became interested in me because of that shirt, Topi recalls.
In high school, Topi’s dressing became even more free, and compliments started to come more than before. This probably excited the man more, as well as a certain sight at the party.
– I looked admiringly at the style of a boy my age. He was wearing a poplin jacket, a colorful silk scarf and boots, Topi recalls.
Topi mentions only one source of inspiration by name and that is a fashion influencer Mikko Puttonen. Topi read Puttonen’s blog when she was younger and liked it a lot. However, she wants to mention that she sees a lot of great dressers on the streets and elsewhere, but she doesn’t intend to copy anyone.
After high school, Topi moved from Tampere to Helsinki to study as a tailor. There were also Aalto University fashion students in the same building. A little bit of inspiration started to appear here and there.
– I wanted to develop my own dressing to be more individual and attention-grabbing.
Topi thinks that the attention-seeking may be rooted in the fact that he has a twin sister. You always had to fight for attention.
If you don’t see the embed, you can watch the video from here.
Tights and skirts are among other items of clothing for Top. Picture: Top’s home album.
“I have always valued this trait in myself”
Contrasts have always fascinated Topi. It’s great about him that he seems like he likes painting and visiting museums, when in reality he likes horses and sports. It’s funny about him that he doesn’t look at all like he’s been playing sleazy for 12 years.
– I have always valued this trait in myself.
For several years, it has also been strongly reflected in clothing. It’s great about a top to combine things perceived as masculine and feminine in an outfit. About four years ago, he put on a kilt. About two years ago, she saw a supposed masculine man wearing a skirt and that was a while ago.
– I thought this was a nice thing. I’m going to rock this.
Topi likes the opportunity offered by skirts and dresses to layer different pieces of clothing with each other. She doesn’t like to wear shorts, so a skirt often works as a substitute.
“I wonder if this is even too much?”
In fashion, it’s important for Top to get attention and increase self-confidence. However, it has not always brought it. Topi remembers the first time she put on a dress and boots.
– Back then I was quite self-conscious. I felt a certain kind of uncertainty then. I knew that the look was very feminine and I wondered if this was even too much.
However, this experience is behind her and today she feels confident in any piece of clothing that only she likes.
In the video, Topi talks about the fact that it’s time to break the strict dress code. If you don’t see the embed, you can view the post from here.
In addition to clothes, Topi expresses herself with her accessories and hair. The shoes are at the center of her look and are usually the starting point to build the day’s style. For the past three years, she has been going to her trusted hairdresser, because she knows that she can get fashionable cuts that suit her style.
– Earrings, rings and scarves bring a nice extra touch to your outfit.
Through fashion, he also brings a touch of aesthetics to life.
– My room or my home is not very aesthetic. I’m not particularly interested in decorating, so clothes get to bring that aesthetic side to my life.
It depends on the day and the occasion, what Topi wears. Picture: Top’s home album.
“Based on the way I dress, assumptions are made about my sexual orientation”
This aesthetic dressing of Topi can be seen on the streets of Helsinki, especially in Kallio and on his social media accounts. The response to his videos has been mostly positive. Topi says that there has been a lot of speculation about his sexual orientation. Both on social media and in close circles.
– I’m often mistaken for gay, but I’m not.
– Based on the way I dress, assumptions are made about my sexual orientation.
This brings out a very important point that Topi wants to express in his videos.
– Such a basic person can express himself by dressing in many different ways.
– My friend is also a very basic guy and he has told me that it’s nice if you come to watch football when you look like that.
– Many of my friends are also “basics” and one of them once said memorably that it’s fun when you’re here watching football with us, even if you look like that, Topi recalls with a laugh.