Featured Brand: Marble Sud

Japanese fashion label Marble Sud has been a favourite of mori girls for quite some time, having been highlighted in Choco's Mori Girl Fashion & Style Book, as well as the Mori Girl eMook. Marble Sud clothing features playful prints and graphics and avoids being too delicate. There are graphic-print tshirts featuring lovely ink drawings, and everything else comes in delightful patterns.

 

The first outfit reminds me very much of Yu Aoi's Dandelion photobook in which she travels to Russia.

These pictures were taken from the latest issue of Spoon. The loose dress on the left looks cute when paired with sneakers and leggings, while the ethnic-inspired outfit on the right is perfect for woodland nomads. I also love this dreamland-themed photoshoot, particularly the picture of the model dozing off to another realm.

  

Much of Marble Sud's clothes are light, casual and down-to-earth. This is great for mori girls who are unwilling to compromise on comfort. The dresses, skirts and tops somehow always manage to retain a quaint air.

 

Adorable accessories make those daily walks even sweeter. With an umbrella that cute, afternoon showers become a pleasure rather than a hindrance.

Image source: Choco's Mori Girl Fashion & Style Book, Mori Girl eMook, Spoon

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Topshop dresses

Topshop is a high street brand I've never directly associated with mori girl style. But with the popularity of vintage-inspired fashion in the last few years, most mainstream shops have come up with vintage-inspired dresses that mori girls may like.

One thing I noticed in a lot of the dresses currently selling at Topshop is the generous use of neutral tones favoured by 'classic' mori girls in Japan.

 

The first dress could be incorporated into a layered outfit, while the second dress has a very cute silhouette.

Prints such as vintage florals and checks are used quite copiously these days in high street stores. I actually really love the dress on the left. The pockets and loose shape are just right, and it has quite a Japanese aesthetic that brings to mind brands like Muji.

I had to save my favourite dresses for last. I am head over heels in love with the first dress especially. The colour, the cut, the embroidery--everything is just right.

While most mori girls have a love of authentic vintage clothing and thrifting, I can't deny that it's sometimes nice to be able to walk into high street shops and be surrounded by things I love.

Image source: Topshop

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Cath Kidson accessories for serious items

Mori girls often feel a bit anachronistic, stuck in a time and place that doesn't quite match what's immediately around them. I sometimes feel a little strange trying to shop for things like laptop sleeves and business card holders. They seem so boring and serious. British brand Cath Kidson's charming vintage-inspired prints lend a bit of cheer to such items. I especially like those made of polka-dotted material. Polka-dots are a favourite of mori girls too. It's just a pity there's nothing in candy or animal prints! I'm sure many mori girls will go one step further and make their own.

Business card holder and spectacle case in vintage florals.

 

Business card holder and cell phone case. This is my favourite print of all those featured on the website (I've always loved white polkadots against navy). They have Blackberry cases too, for the more technologically-inclined mori girl.

 

Laptop sleeve and gadget case.  I myself use a laptop sleeve (though not from Cath Kidson) rather than a laptop bag. I just zip my laptop into its sleeve and toss it into my bag. It seems easier than carrying around a laptop bag.

Image source: Cath Kidson

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Mori girls in the New York Times

Mori girl style has unexpectedly gained the attention of the New York Times. The article (click here to read) portrays mori girls as 'living dolls' who shun any remotely aggressive or assertive behaviour and are terminally 'fragile'.

I can't say I completely agree with these sentiments. It is true that the mori girl subculture advocates a slow-paced lifestyle that is perhaps more passive than those of so-called 'carnivorous' women. It is also quite true that mori girl style tries to downplay sexuality, leaning more towards a sexless aesthetic.

However, I don't think the mori girl lifestyle advocates fragility or weakness in any way. Mori girls, while peace-loving, are ardent about expressing their individuality, albeit in discreet ways. Their penchant for unique clothing, creative hobbies and rejection of mainstream attitudes to life are a quiet protest against the status quo.

The article does make a good point about the escape from reality the mori girl lifestyle offers, though. It'd be a pity to waste all that imagination, wouldn't it? :)

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Featured Brand: Mother

Japanese brand Mother has a somewhat odd name. The word 'mother' brings to mind maternity clothing, or accessories for toddlers. Once you understand the concept behind Mother, however, you'll realise its name is really quite apt. The brand's clothing can be likened to treasures salvaged from mothers' closets, feminine and timeless pieces to be handed down to the next generation.

 

Vintage-inspired floral prints give a whiff of sweetness and elegance.

 

Softly-shaped dresses with gentle floral motifs.

 

These looks come close to the styling of more folkloric or ethnic-inspired mori girls.

 

Roomy scarves and a bohemian, nomadic vibe are well-suited to more adventurous mori girls.

 

Vintage-inspired florals transform these boots and skirt into the stuff old fairytales are made of.

Image source: Mother

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Featured Brand: Colkinikha

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Alice in Wonderland-themed Q-pot accessories

Some of you may have known for some time about Q-pot's Alice in Wonderland-themed accessories. I think Alice is a mori girl in her own right, with her insatiable curiosity and her army of offbeat acquaintances.

The Q-pot Spring/Summer 2010 range of Alice in Wonderland accessories centres on the Mad Hatter's tea party. Continuing Q-pot's fondness for accessories that reference all sorts of confectionery treats, the teacup, teapot and spoon are motifs that appear in the collection.

I am enamoured with the teacup ring on the left!

The necklaces in the first picture are strung with pendants shaped like teapots pouring tea.

Each of the major characters (not the Queen of Hearts though!) has a series of accessories dedicated to them. These Alice pendants make me wish my name was Alice too.

These rings and pendants pay homage to the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter.

The number 364 adorns the jewellery in the first picture. For those who need a refresher or just aren't that familiar with the story, the Mad Hatter's tea party celebrates the unbirthdays of all those present. Everybody has 364 unbirthdays a year--what better excuse for a celebration? The pocket watch on the right is a reference to the March Hare who is eternally convinced he's late.

Alice in Wonderland is one of my favourite children's tales, and I think it's whimsical and wonderful enough to be of interest to any mori girl.

Image source: Q-pot

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Alice in Wonderland-themed shoot in Kera May 2010

Q-pot candy motif accessories

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Featured Brand: Lepsim Lowrys Farm

Lepsim Lowrys Farm is an offshoot of popular Japanese streetwear brand Lowrys Farm. Their latest catalogue is moody and contemplative. While a bit darker than the cheery, quirky style that some mori girls sport, it is very autumnal and suited to the dark forest tones that most mori girls will feel an affinity for.

Ah, yet another appearance of the adorable toggle coat that has become increasingly popular in recent winters. These pictures make me feel like going on a woodland campout.

I love the lamps and the exploratory mood of the whole shoot.

 

Big scarves wound all the way around the neck like in the first picture are popular with mori girls. And the rustic atmosphere of the lodge in the countryside is quite inspiring.

Honestly, these clothes don't seem to be targeted particularly at mori girls. However, I think the photoshoot captures the richness of fall--the season that inspired mori girl style in the first place.

Image source: Lepsim Lowrys Farm

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Featured Brand: Ciaopanic

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