Another time, we met in the city centre for a different kind of lesson — a second-hand shopping tour. We wanted to practice Czech and German vocabulary related to clothing and shopping but also enjoy a casual afternoon together.
Our first stop was Kirpputori Bueno on Itsenäisyydenkatu. We started naming things around us — tričko (T-shirt), kalhoty (pants), bunda (jacket), boty (shoes), šála (scarf), čepice (hat), peníze (money), and platit (to pay). Laura and Christoph tried to repeat them in Czech while teaching me their German versions: Hemd (shirt), Schuhe (shoes), Jeans, Jacke (jacket), bezahlen (to pay), Mütze (hat), Schal (scarf), and Geld (money).
While browsing, we also talked about how important it has become for us to dress in a more sustainable and conscious way. We agreed that buying second-hand clothes is not just a trend anymore — it’s a small step towards reducing waste and choosing quality over quantity. This mindset is becoming more and more popular both in the Czech Republic and in Germany, especially among young people.
After we had gone through most of the shop and found a few nice pieces, we continued to Uff Vintage on Hämeenkatu. There I found beautiful wool sweaters — perfect for winter in Finland! Then we came up with a challenge: each of us had to choose an outfit for someone else, without any rules. The goal was simply to be as creative (or ridiculous) as possible. Within minutes, we were surrounded by colourful jackets, sequined shirts, and hats that looked like they came straight from the 80s. Trying everything on was hilarious, and we ended up taking a few funny photos to remember it.
At the end, we talked about traditional clothing in our countries. Christoph and Laura told me about Dirndl and Lederhosen, especially popular in Bavaria, and I explained the Czech kroj, which differs from region to region but is always bright and richly decorated with embroidery. We learned new words, explored new places, and had another great opportunity to understand more about each other’s cultures — and maybe even about our wardrobes.
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