Mori Kei for Boys-And-Boyesque-People
I’ve talked about cottagecore fashion for masc-aligned people, but mori kei is a similar-yet-different fashion. I’ve mainly only found guides for our femme-people, so I’ve decided to make my own guide!
First note: mori is Japanese for forest, and kei is Japanese for style. The style mori kei originated in the mid-2000s, I believe, because of a girl named Coco. The style harmonizes much with the cottagecore ideals- becoming closer to nature, unplugging from electronics, enjoying simple things, respecting the Earth, and old-fashioned motifs feature heavily, along with natural-themed motifs.
To give you a sense of mori kei on masc-people, here are some pictures: (Note! Does not belong to me, is simply just images I was able to google and locate)
Now I’m going to break down the outfits into key components:
-Layers
-Natural, unsaturated colours
-Natural fabrics, like linen, wool, cotton, leather, etc.
-Prints like stripes, polka dots, florals, plaid, nature-themed prints are prevalent
-Loose fits
-Wrapping elements
-Comfortable, loose sneakers or some form of hiking boot
-Little structure
-Natural accessories, like walking sticks, newsboy caps, straw baskets, straw boater hats, leather belts, etc.
You might think this is all well and good, but how do I achieve this style?
-Stock up on henley-styled t-shirts, short and long sleeve, in colours like navy, sage, burgundy, white, ivory, brown, khaki
-Invest in loose-fitting pants in that same colour scheme. Bonus points for fabrics like corduory, twill, or linen.
-Look for a nice belt. I’ve noticed that a lot of well-done mori boy outfits have aesthetically pleasing belts.
-Pay attention to prints. Look for botanical-like florals versus abstract. Search for textured prints and pay attention to feel.
-Have fun with fabric. Natural fabrics have tonnes of different textures and feels to them. You can use this to make your outfit more interesting.
-Layer! T-shirts, cardigans, heavy coats, pants, socks, scarves, boots... There are many ways to give your mori outfit some more dimension to give it more of an aesthetic appeal.
-If it’s too hot where you are for layers, focus on fabrics and loose fits. Let your linen henley t-shirt drape over your cotton shorts, add a straw boater hat and some weathered sneakers, and that’s plenty mori on it’s own.
-Incorporate adventure-like elements into your fashion, such as a compass on a piece of yarn for a necklace.
Aside from the fashion, how can you incorporate mori boy aesthetics into your hobbies?
-Take up a wind instrument, like the flute
-Read more books
-Learn about folklore
-Watch TV shows like the anime Piano no Mori
-Listen to music like PoPoyans, and also check out traditional Chinese and Japanese piano and flute music for that mori feel.
-Go hiking and camping!
-Draw! Paint! Create some type of art.
-If it’s all you want to do, soak up some sun.
-Dance in the rain
-Take photographs
-Try tea
That’s all for today.
