Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 10

Day 10: Name 5 things you dislike about mori kei.

This one is always so hard for me. But I'll try my best.

1) The way that if you don't layer just right it may look frumpy or unflattering. If you are a larger size like me, or have curves, then you know.

2) The fact that it is soooo hard to wear mori in summer. Like, I know, I know. It's possible and people do it. But I get so hot in the summer that I can't be bothered to try.

3) The size of the community is so small these days. It's always been small but it gets smaller and smaller. 

4) How hard it is to find mori-specific pieces. I can find all kinds of pieces that work together no problem, but finding those unique pieces with all the little details? It's rare.

5) The weird and silly things people ask me when I wear mori, including but not limited to: "Are you Amish?", "Is this a religious thing?", "Is that a costume for something?", and my personal favorite "Why don't you ever just wear jeans?" 

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 9

Day 9: Name 5 things you love about mori kei.

1) The use of delicate lace

2) Layers, layers, and more layers

3) The cozy feeling wearing mori gives

4) The creativity and many variations within the style

5) The friends, experiences, and happiness it has brought to me over the years

How about you? What do you love about mori?

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 8

Day 8: What trends or changes do you wish would become popular in the mori community?

This one is hard for me to answer. I've been in the community for so long now, and I've seen so many trends come and go.

I suppose if I had to pick, I would like to see more incorporation of patterns again. I always loved the outfit snaps with unique patterns and color matching. I'd love to see that make a more widespread comeback.

Overall though, I am happy with the recent shift to more individualized expressions of mori. Mori is so diverse, so it can be worn in so many ways. And I love that about it.

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 7

 Day 7: What season is your favorite to wear mori, and why?

My favorite season to wear mori is Autumn! There are so many reasons, but a few are the Autumn color palettes, the ability to wear more layers, big chunky Autumn scarves, and the cooler temperatures. I also enjoy Winter and Apring for wearing mori (really anything but summer) but Autumn is the best, I think.

A few classic, fall inspired mori coordinates!

How about you? What is your favorite season to wear mori?

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 6

 Day 6: What is your favorite hairstyle to wear with mori?

I recently made a big decision and chopped off my hair! My previous hair was really long (like down to my waist long), but super damaged, so I figured it was time to get healthier hair. 

So now, I have short, wavy hair that does what it wants. I usually let it air dry and do nothing with it. It has a mind of its own! But sometimes I will add cute clips, a scrunchie, or a tiny half updo bun. 

I haven't taken any good pictures of my new hair yet, but here is a quick snap from the day I cut it! It was a humid day so not the best, but I like the change! 

I was originally planning to grow it out again, but now I'm not sure. I kind of like it short! It's easy to manage. What do you all think?

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 5

Day 5: Let's talk about lifestyle! What do you consider to be activities that fit a "mori lifestyle"? Do you have any "mori hobbies"?

I personally don't really subscribe to the lifestyle aspect of mori. I do think there are hobbies that fit well with the aesthetic, but I find it kind of restrictive to place lifestyle expectations on a fashion style that anyone can enjoy.

If I had to pick hobbies of mine that fit with the mori theme, I would say hobbies with a focus on slowing down and enjoying the moment, and nature-related hobbies, are the closest! Here are a few of my personal hobbies.

1) Knitting! I love to knit. I never have time to finish projects, but I love the repetitive act of knitting and how relaxing it is, and I love having a unique finished creation I can wear in my outfits. Here are a few of my favorite projects. (By the way, you can also find me under forestsandtea on ravelry!)

                      Hufflepuff Scarf                                                      Cream Shawl

2) Hiking! I love to hike. I used to do a lot of rugged hikes back in the US. I do a lot less of that in Japan, as Japanese people associate hiking with climbing mountains, which are very different for me. But I love to be out in nature, and it's one of my favorite things to do.

Here are a few images from Mount Daisen, which I attempted to climb but didn't make it all the way to the top of.

3) Photography! I'm by no means a professional photographer, and I honestly have no idea what I'm doing, but I recently bought a nice camera to document my life here in Japan. I've found I really enjoy snapping pictures of the amazing things I've experienced here.  

A small shrine in Ikurado Cave

A Haniwa statue in Miyazaki

A light exhibit in Tottori Prefecture

A shop front in a tiny local town

Another tiny shop front

Lanterns at a Cherry Blossom Festival

Lanterns at night

Another shop front

Hydrangeas at a mountain shrine

Hydrangea baths for a little frog!

A very photographic goat friend

How about you? Do you have any mori hobbies?

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 4

Day 4: How does where you live influence your expression of mori kei?

I'm from the United States originally, so when I've responded to this kind of comment in the past it's always been about my home country. But these days I'm living and working in Japan. Not forever, but for the time being. So the influences look a little different now.

Overall, Japan has a very distinct aesthetic that extends to all areas of life. There's no better way to explain it than "put together" I suppose. Japanese people always try to look nice, no matter what they wear or where they go. This has influenced me to often be more put together as well.

Other influences that I've picked up are wearing more neutrals and fewer prints, something that is super common here. I've also picked up the silhouette of feminine styles here, which tends to be longer skirts and more shapeless clothing.

It helps to be a foreigner here who fits in fashion-wise. I find that when I wear more standard Japanese-type clothing, I get stared at less, have better interactions with people, and fewer people walk the other way when they see me in the grocery store. I'm sure this is different for people who live in Tokyo, but in the countryside "othering" of foreigners is still a major thing that happens. I don't think it's necessarily on purpose or malicious, a lot of people just never interact with or see foreigners. But it helps to fit in a bit whenever I can.

The sad side of this means I've worn mori less since I moved here. It's easier to wear more toned-down mori outfits or simple outfits that make me not stand out. I'm trying to push myself more and wear the things that make me happy more often. Hopefully, I will have more chances to wear it this year.

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 3

Day 3: What are your inspirations for your own fashion style? Do you have anyone that inspires your style? Or any themes?

At this point in my life, my fashion inspirations are whatever makes me happy! However, I do have a soft spot for classic mori style, as well as some iterations of modern natural kei that I see housewives wearing here in Japan. It's charming, cozy, and sweet.

Classic Mori Looks

Modern Natural Kei

My own personal tastes tend to lean towards things I love, like the color lilac, clothes that are comfy and easy to move in, and neutrals that look good for any occasion.

I sadly left many of my clothes back in the states when I moved to Japan, or I sold them in preparation to move, so I don't wear mori as much anymore. But it still has a dear place in my heart and makes me so happy. 

How about you? What defines your style?

Mori Kei 30 Day Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: What was your first mori outfit? Share pictures or describe it. How does it compare to your current style?

I've made an entire post on this before, which you can check out here. But this was my first ever mori coordinate.

Wow. I was such a baby! 

Overall, not much has changed about my style. I still prefer neutrals, wear a lot of layered dresses, and still love shawls. But I like to think my layering has improved a lot. This outfit had very uneven hems, a shirt that stuck out rather awkwardly from under my dress, and the shawl was actually a tablecloth that wasn't quite big enough to stay on my shoulders. 

The overall idea was fine, but the execution could have used some work.

How about you? What was your first mori outfit like?