One of the things that I always find very interesting is when people come into the various mori girl communities that I follow and start asking about "rules".
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
was am also a girl who doesn't match the "provisions" entirely. I think I'm perhaps more like a "numa girl" hahahaha. BUT, I haven't let that stop me- I like that this style has encouraged me to go more slowly, and on my own path. ☆ It relaxes me to wear it.
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~ ☆
