.png)
This month's prompt was defiance. Defiance is such a strong word.
When I think of defiance I think of political activism and protests, which, although important, don't feel very mori. Or perhaps when you think of defiance, you may think of negative things, like a "defiant child" or something similar. Also not very mori.
So how does defiance fit into mori? Well, there are a few ways one might take it, and I think that the word can, in some ways, really resonate with the core of what mori is, and the mori community.
What does defiance mean to mori folk?
Defying Gender and Fashion Norms
Really, at its core, every alternative fashion style is somewhat defiant. It defies expectations on what to wear, what to be, identity, and more.
In mori's case, the style defies very clearly Japanese definitions of femininity. You've probably heard people say over and over that dressing in mori is meant to be dressing for your own happiness, and not how society and men say women should dress. This is super true! The original Japanese women who were instrumental in making mori possible decided that they didn't care what other people had to say about how a woman should look, and simply chose what made them happy instead. They defied a society that told them they had to dress motherly, or cute, or like a salary woman, or whatever else, and chose themselves instead.
Although many mori-type clothing styles have since become mainstream in many countries, I still think that wearing what you want for the sake of making yourself happy is its own sort of defiance. And I'm grateful for the original mori girls who chose to step outside of the box society put them in and create such a lovely fashion style.
Defying Age Expectations
Somewhat tied into the last point, mori also defies expectations of what is "appropriate" for people to wear at a certain age, especially for women.
Think about it: mori is often lacey, frilly, and cute. People are often told to avoid such things as they get older, but mori says all ages can embrace them! Mori throws out the expectations of what clothes are childish and what are not, like many other alternative fashion styles, and instead embraces what you love no matter your age. I love that about it.
And friendly reminder, you are never to old to wear mori! Or any other alternative fashion for that matter. Wear what makes you happy!
What things should be "defied" within the mori community?
Old-Fashioned Values
Okay, bear with me for a minute. This one is going to get a little heavy, but it needs to be said.
I think a lot of people at this point are familiar with the phrase "Vintage style, not vintage values" that often goes around in online fashion communities. It's a defiance of old-fashioned or harmful values, bigotry, hatred, discrimination, and more that often accompanies vintage style fashions. Think people wearing the styles of the 1950s or the 1800s, when many groups had no rights. It's a reminder that although your fashion may be old, you live in the modern world, and don't want to promote or return to a time where people were discriminated against.
Mori isn't vintage fashion per-say, but I think it's important for mori folk to recognize that we live in a world where fashion styles like mori are becoming more and more popular. And these styles are often tied to those promoting a rise in patriarchal, misogynistic, homophobic, and fascist ideologies. I think it's incredibly important for mori folk to be careful how we interact in online and irl spaces because of this.
Mori folk wear clothes that evoke a sort of vintage, old-timey, prairie, cottage, etc. feel. We are likely to get lumped in with some unsavory ideologies and individuals if we aren't careful. So I think we too need to embrace the "style not values" mantra. And if you see harmful behaviors in the mori community, disengage, block, or call it out when appropriate. Let's keep the community safe for all mori folk!
Mori Stereotypes
Okay, heavy stuff over! Let's finish this out with a light hearted thing to defy!
One of the most fun things you can defy in mori is its own tenants and rules! Hate lace? Don't wear it! Want some more color and not a beige mom aesthetic? Wear your brightest colors all at once! Like short skirts, not long? Wear that mini skirt in your outfit!
Mori is such a versatile style. There is so much potential to mix and match it to fit you and your personal interests. So if a part of mori doesn't suit you, don't be afraid to defy the norms and create something new.
( Of course, there can be times that your something new leaves the realm of mori entirely, but that's okay too! Even that would be in the spirit of the original mori girls, who taught us to dress for ourselves, and not for anyone else ♡ )
So how about you? What does defiance in mori look like for you, good or bad? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear your answers. Until next time, my deers!
No comments:
Post a Comment