One of the things that I love about this fashion is that there aren't really any "rules." There is a lot of flexibility and personal fashion cross over and I think this appeals to people (especially those coming from more stringent fashions like lolita!). (ﾟヮﾟ)
However, I think it's interesting that at the onset of mori girl fashion, provisions were laid out by those who had been at the forefront of the style, like the mixi community. Something I find particularly interesting about these provisions is that it's as much (if not more!) about how you live as it is what you wear.
So, while it says things like "Dresses in A line clothes," "Loves smock-like one piece dresses and blouses," "Loves ponchos and boleros," and "Wears flat soled shoes as default foot-wear," it also says things about how to be! Some of these are things like: "Finds old/vintage items charming," "Girlie-girlie," "Loves to hang loose/chill at cafes," "Feel happy when the find cute books at bookstores," and "You were told you permeate a laid-back aura at all time." How interesting it is to me that this is a fashion as much about who you are as it is about what you're wearing!
I think that this is some of the appeal of mori girl, though. It isn't just about putting on clothes and suddenly being part of a fashion culture- it's becoming (or nurturing the already existent) person who takes time to see things and appreciate them in a world that is too busy and over-sexualized. It encourages people to take time and live slowly. Of course, some people might not like the lifestyle aspect of it, or find the whole idea too contrived (see numa girl!). But I think for those who are looking for a fashion that reflects some part of themselves, mori girl is a breath of fresh air.
For me personally, I had already felt drawn to many of the more quirky parts of mori girl. However, I
I read a really interesting article on almost the same thread on the FASHION JAPAN website, called 62 Rules for Living in the Forest. I highly recommend the read.
What are you own opinions about mori girl? Did it fit into what you wanted/needed from a fashion, or did it appeal in some other way? I'm interesting in hearing what people have to say~ ☆
One of the things that I love about this fashion is that there aren't really any "rules."
ReplyDeleteSame here. I don't generally dress in the very layered, lacy style, but more of the boyish and clean-looking breton top/boyfriend jeans/rucksack style. But they're both mori somehow! It is less about wearing specific kinds of clothes and more about who you are than other fashions like lolita and fairy-kei. I'm wearing a Labyrinth tee and shorts today, but I still feel "mori" because that's inside me.
(I think I'm also more of a numa/witch girl, even though that whole concept was actually a joke and not a serious subset of mori XD)
I agree with both you and Rhiannon. IMO it's not so much a fashion as it is a philosophy, an attitude to life and living. And as such, you cannot really regulate it with stringent rules of how to dress, as in e.g lolita. And even though mori girl (as a fashion defined as such) originated from a specific person, time and place, this is the way lots of people have been living (and dressing) before that. This is how I live my life, and it is really not important to me whether that means I can call myself a mori girl or not - but having a community of mori girls does mean that I can find like-minded people!
ReplyDelete@ Rhiannon
ReplyDeleteThe flexibility of the mori style is I think one of the things that I really love about it. I always feel a little sad when I hear complains like "I don't like wearing white/loose clothes/skirts/etc... so I can't dress in mori", because that totally isn't what the style is about and these imaginary limitations are holding people back from wearing a really lovely style!
(hahaha I know right! XD I read the article about it ages ago and was like "b-but...but that really is me!")
@ elle s'ennuie
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you agree! I also agree with your sentiment of living your life a certain way, regardless of whether or not you have a name for it. It is nice to find like-minded people though, you're right! I always enjoy hearing from people who first find the style and their reaction is "I thought I was the only one- but I'm not!" I think it also gives mori girl a timelessness, regardless of whether or not it stays trendy. :)
I was fascinated by the lifestyle part and by the style at the same time *W* I feel mori philosophy is close to my way of being, even if I don't fit all the provisions. But I really dislike people who give too much importance to the lifestyle too (not talking about you at all, obviously), in every fashion, and all the true-poser talk. I think what's really important is to have your free will even if you're part of a community.
ReplyDelete