Notes: This post is now quite old and rather outdated. I made a new updated post here that has more accurate information, as this post contains some old rumors and incorrect information. I recommend checking it out as well. Thanks!
(This post was updated December 2018.)
When first venturing into the vintage and feminine side of Japanese fashion, it can be hard to differentiate between Mori Girl and her sister styles, such as Natural kei, Dolly Kei, and Cult Party Kei. All of these styles have similarities, but each are their own unique styles nonetheless. That is why I am creating this quick guide to the most commonly confused styles: Mori girl and Natural Kei. Hopefully, after reading this post, you'll be able to spot the differences yourself!
Mori Girl fashion was created with the forest in mind. Mori Girls are categorized by the fact that they look like they dwell in the forest. Mori Girl has taken some inspiration from Natural Kei, but is very much a style of its own.
Typically, Mori Kei's most prominent features are lots of lace, many flowing layers, and natural color tones, with little bits of color thrown in. Personally, Mori Girls remind me of little forest fairies.
Mori's sister style Natural Kei was created with the forest in mind as well, but not in the same sense as Mori Girl. Natural Kei style should remind you more of a girl who lives in a cottage in a small town on the English or French countryside. The style was originally created in the 70's, so the traditional look has pretty much died out, although not completely.
Natural Kei's most prominent features are things like layers of ruffled skirts, bold floral and prairie prints, and lots of bold color contrasts. It personally reminds me of Little House on the Prairie.
However, Natural Kei does have some things in common with Mori Girl, which mean that some outfits can pass as either style, and it still will be acceptable to call it whichever you please.
But also remember, there are no set rules for the Mori Girl fashion or lifestyle. There is the official Mori Girl checklist from mixi, but by no means consider this the set in stone rules. You don't have fit with every single thing on this checklist to be a Mori Girl. You also don't have to dress Mori Girl 24/7 to be one. I think it's perfectly acceptable to dress in other styles sometimes, and still classify yourself as a Mori Girl.
Feel free to blend and experiment with styles. Find out what you really love! But until then, I hope you found this post helpful. Good luck diving into the forest dwellers world!
Hi~ <3
ReplyDeleteThis post was really useful and great~! Thank you ^^
Btw, I found your blog just now, and I like it, really cute :3
http://rabbits-and-flowers.blogspot.com
Thank you :) I'll definitely be following your blog now. I'm always excited to meet new Mori Girls!
DeleteThank you sooo much <3
ReplyDeleteI didn't post in a while just because of my exam-period, but this week I want to write an update ^_^
Thank you again~ I always like meeting new mori girls too ~
Thanks for explaining this! Its was quite helpful :>
ReplyDeleteNatural kei can be best described as Scandinavian/Nordic or Finnish inspired style, alot of the natural kei clothing shops have Finnish or Swedish names for the labels on the clothes they also do Moomin collabs at the natural kei clothing shops (Moomin is Finnish). Dolly kei has alot of folk influenced stuff incorporated, such as Eastern European, Gypsy and German dirndl wear.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. My mother says that her mother dressed herself and my mother and her sisters very much Natural Kei in the 1970`s. She made those dresses and petticoats and aprons herself. We have photos of them and they all look like little Holly Hobbies. Though it was not commonly known as Natural Kei back then at least not where we come from. It was just a style that my grandmother liked because it was feminine and modest and so very pretty.
ReplyDelete