One thing that I always notice is a critique of the mori girl fashion is that there is very little use of color in anything! Of course, this is true to some extent. I think that the neutral colors that many people associate with mori girl (white & off-white, cream, browns, soft pinks, etc.) are indeed the most popular way to wear it. I guess it's because it's easiest to mix with that kind of color pallet, and not have to worry about clashing colors or loosing the ethereal atmosphere because of colors that are too-bright. Of course, there is the very similar dolly-kei branch of fashion, but I hope that people who prefer the silhouettes and fabric use of mori girl don't just go somewhere else because there's "no color"! In fact, today I want to share some of my favorite color coordinations, to prove that yes- you can be a colorful mori girl too!!!
My inspiration today comes from Choco's
森ガールFashion and Style Book. Choco is credited by many to be one of the initial forces behind the mori girl fashion, and I think with good reason! To her, "forest wear" isn't just the pale colors of winter, but all the different colors of the seasons!!
While a lot of these are more muted (please buy the book to see the other fuller colored coordinates! It's worth the money!), they reflect in a lovely way the changing of seasonal colors. Spring and summer have the more full-bodied shades of things like flowers and the blue sky, but keep the mori atmosphere with the use of draping natural fabrics (spring), knits and the popular boater hat (summer). While autumn and winter are certainly more muted than the other seasons, she still uses greens, yellows, rich browns, and blues to create seasonal color. Her layering and use of knit outerwear, uneven hemlines, and scarves create a relaxed atmosphere, but still have that bit of quirk that the original mori girl provisions suggested.
What's important to remember about mori girl fashion, is that it's as much about the atmosphere as it is about the colors or fabrics that are used. Mori girl isn't necessarily about wearing neutral shades as it is about being dreamy and a little unusual or eclectic. It's completely possible to be a mori girl with color! When looking through mori girl magazines there is a whole range of shades in the outfits, and they very rarely detract from the overall look. So don't be afraid to play with color in your coordinates (as much as you're comfortable with, of course)!
Rock on, little mori girls!
xoxo, Bee
