Modern Mori: letting my inner Tumblr Girl redesign my dream style
Fashion has always been one of those things that I haven’t trusted myself in. I was told throughout my career that my clothing choices weren’t good enough, that purple wasn’t a professional color, and that a sweater could never be a business choice. Now, outside of that industry, still with an office job, I’m leaning more into my intuition, and coming back to a more whimsical style that I have always wanted to inhabit, but was never confident enough to try on.
I grew up in Seattle - a city that embodies cozy, comfortable, and nerdy. It was a normal thing to talk anime at school and play Pokemon on our Gameboys on the bus. Always being an architecture and design nerd, the temples of Japan were always a goal and aspiration of mine. I still dream of going to Japan and touring temples.
Something else that came out of Japan that I discovered in my Tumblr days was the Mori Girl style. It embodied everything I wanted to be. And, Mori Girl fit right into the roster of Tumblr fashion aesthetics that were filling the internet (and high schools like mine) in the 2010s. New Girl Twee style, just like layered Hipster Grunge, brings texture and pattern mixing in balance with accessories, and finding personality through clothes.
And now, the 2010’s are back! With aesthetic styles like Cottagecore, whimsical patterns, buffalo check, and lace, my fervor for layers and texture has haunted me like a ghost recently.
Now, as an adult, I know that clothing layers, the weight of fabric, and the softness and coziness I crave is a side effect of my Sensory Processing Disorder. If I’m physically uncomfortable, I can’t mentally focus in my life. I now plan my wardrobe and what I wear knowing this. I love heavy sweaters, soft fabrics, a loose fit, and comfort, with clean lines and modern jewelry.
Mori Girl, or 森ガール means “Forest Girl” and was coined by the admin Choco, based on a comment one of her followers made about her personal style. The online community is really what grew this style, as everyone found each other and connected originally on social media, and then branched into the street fashion world. In Japan, this style isn’t found in very many places anymore, but it is still prevalent throughout the rest of the world.
So, I let my inner Tumblr girl design three different outfits that I would love to wear, reminiscing back on the styles I grew up wanting to wear as an adult.
I started with some classic, saturated, earthy colors, and multiple layers. Starting with a rusty red sweater with a simple collar, with a loose-fitting spaghetti strap linen-like dress. An oversized, funky sweater in multiple earth tones and patterns brings tons of personality. A black, velvet bow keeps the chic edge of the collar with detail, and layers of necklaces keep that delicate feeling. Silver as the metallic feels more casual, with chic accents like lace and velvet. A woven purse brings even more texture. Tights add a cozy feel, with lace-detailed boots and leg warmers, and added detail in lace laces and boot charms finish it off.
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This next outfit is definitely more modern, with cleaner lines and fabrics instead of linen-like textures. A cleaner lace-like set of tights pairs with chunky working books with thick soles, both in this light, oatmeal, flax tone. A collared striped shirt is clean, with a long pinafore dress on top for layering. A pom pom sweater brings exaggerated texture with subtle pattern, with a silk-like scrunchie. The bag in this outfit is cleaner too, with a whimsical touch with paired swans in a necklace, layered with a crystal choker.
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This third outfit is light and summery, with a clean linen-like shirt dress, with a lace layering skirt underneath, seen through the side slit and underneath. A wide neck sweater continues the texture with a classic knit pattern. Delicate socks contrast with dark leather details like chunky shoes and a fantasy-inspired belt. Final touches are delicate, with spring florals and modern gold accessories.
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I hope you love these outfits! It was so fun to let my inner child and inner Tumblr girl out. One day I hope to keep these standards in my wardrobe and continue my journey to being authentic with my style.
Sources:
https://mori-girl.fandom.com/wiki/Mori_Girl_Wiki
https://www.japanesestreets.com/reports/1078/62-rules-for-living-in-a-forest
https://j-fashion.fandom.com/wiki/Mori_Girl#:~:text=girl)%20meaning%20girl.-,History,you%20are%20from%20the%20forest.%22
https://idontknowmuchbutimlearning.blogspot.com/2017/09/an-introduction-to-mori-kei.html
https://deerlightfulforest.blogspot.com/2014/11/so-what-exactly-is-mori-kei.html
https://morigirls.livejournal.com/1122.html
