mori kei is one of the many early 2000s subcultures that originated from the harajuku district inspired by living in the woods.
wearers of this type of clothing are usually referred to as mori girl (森ガール) or mori boy (森ボーイ). basically, forest girl/boy.
this subculture is based on nature and gives off a more elven/fae feel, its main color pallet consisting of earth tones, greens, whites, and other soft colors. plaid is a pattern that occasionally appears in mori kei fits, and sometimes baby blues and pinks will appear for a contrast to an outfit.
if you want to look for some clothing that would fit with this aesthetic, look for something loose and natural, and pieces that layer well together. such as a large cardigan/sweater vest that goes well with a frilly dress/skirt and leg warmers and tights. pants may also be used for a more masculine look.
"ゆるふわ" is what the loose layers achieve, hiding the curves of the body and therefore the wearer has a "fluffy" appearance. when layering, make sure to begin with the lightest/thinest layer first, and then move on to heavier materials.
lace, light materials, and embroidered clothes are musts, while accessories such as shawls, tights, and scarfs add to the layered effect.
linen, wool, and cotton are fabrics that are often used. fabrics that drape nicely will be your bff when creating a mori kei outfit.
mori kei is actually quite similar to cottagecore, but while cottagecore is focused on a rural life, mori kei is more based on forests and nature itself.
It also expresses a love of the forest, quiet hobbies, reading, drinking tea, herbalism, and a natural lifestyle.
hair and makeup often match with the almost whimsical and natural look of the outfits. makeup is kept relatively basic, with use of colors such as beige, pinks, and golds. minimalistic igari makeup is a nice example.
DARK MORI KEI/MORI GOTH
a subcategory of mori kei is mori goth, which uses darker, less saturated colors of the usually light color scheme of mori kei. it still follows the same layering scheme and relaxed silhouette, but as of now it has separated into strega, another subculture.
YAMA KEI
a more practical subcategory, usually for fans of the outdoors who love hiking/camping. this includes brighter and more vivid colors while also reverting to more practical clothes.
HAMA KEI
hama kei is a beach-based section, with uses of lighter clothing and less layers, as well as blues and yellows. you'd also see things such as stripes, anchors, and denim to add to the sailor-like outfits
