Paramore, Mori Girl and COOL MOM

[aimeekitty]

I know a lot of people who aren't into lolita fashion read my journal. Sometimes it's hard to explain the fashion... or explain why people like it (other than "it's cute, it's pretty...")

Because really it is in it's purest form an esthetic. And people can add lifestyles and meanings to it but it's about a look, first. USUALLY when mainstream media picks up something, it's just off. But this music video by Paramore really FEELS like lolita. The lead singer is may be wearing Bodyline (a knockoff brand, and I hate ankle socks) but she chose a simple elegant piece, and she looks good in it, and the combined effect of the video (the lighting, the fairytale theme,... even dark fairytale) FEELS like lolita.
Just so I'm not misunderstood... while the themes in this video definitely go with the feel of lolita... I don't think that lolita is -necessarily- an escape ("Because your real life is tragic, You built up a world of magic"), it's something different to different people. (I have nothing to escape, I'm not wearing it as a reaction to men, I'm not trying to be a princess.) Often people try to analyze why girls wear it. I'm not saying that's not interesting,... but sometimes it's just, "because I like it." Thanks to ~ Carousel of Crowns.

(from Spoon March 09)
I've been reading more about Mori Girl style (more and more ... WonderRocket, and mori books on amazon.jp) and Dolly/Antique Doll (grimoire blog (shop)). Overall the style is not something that I'd want to adopt, because bag dresses are NOT flattering on me, nor are all those layers on layers. And I'm not Hagu. But I think parts of it are inspiring. It's not dependent on brand, perfection, or being young/thin. The details and colors and feeling of the clothes as a "big picture" is charming. I could see people taking stuff from Anthropologie, Pink House or even lolita items and wearing them inspired by this style. I really want a faux fur fox stole in brown. :)

Something else I enjoyed reading was this article about COOL MOMS in Japan. Specifically:
"They tend to like costume play. That’s why they have no resistance to have individual sense of fashion. Free and unique fashion styles are created by them, because they prefer to choose fashion items for self-expression."
That's cool, man.

Some other blogs you might enjoy reading
I like looking at blogs with pretty pictures... -----
Such Pretty Things
Carousel of Crowns
Lolita Charm
F* Yeah Lolita
The Lost Princess
The Unicorn Diaries
Deerlings
The Wood Between My Worlds
Cherry Blossom Girl
From Betsy With Love
this is glamorous
damare_kozou
redridinghood

Some pretty TUMBLRS
http://elleianne.tumblr.com/
http://theprincessblog.tumblr.com/
http://sweetlolitas.tumblr.com/
http://cottoncandydays.tumblr.com/
http://poisoned-apple.tumblr.com/
http://darkseraph.tumblr.com/
http://kyandi.tumblr.com/

Comments

[ashbet]

I love the Cool Mom stuff!!

And that is a NIFTY video :D

-- A <3

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

<3

[batchix.livejournal.com]

i love the look of lolita but I know I can't pull it off, it doesn't fit my personality or rather how i view my own personality. But looking like a scrubby forgotten antique doll i would love. Bag dresses aren't really flattering on me either since i look pretty androgynous- especially right now, but layers and looking post apocalyptic i can pull off.

I dunno, my personal style- at least aesthetic wise- is some big melting pot with labyrinth, last unicorn, transformers, jaycee and wheel warriors, my little ponies, peaches and cream barbie and jem all mixed in. Add a dash of pinafores and strawberry shortcake, then a little practicality as per taste. Mostly i just wear t-shirts and jeans... but tomorrow when I go to the district and then little tokyo for valentines day I just may dress up. <3

Kind of want to make a sort of heraldic image for myself using all the things I love. I always wanted to make reliquaries out of my old toys. Holding onto that favorite barbie miko's half bald head, or the rubber eraser optimus prime that i found on the playground and was the ONLY optimus i had till i was an adult... all set in a beautiful bedazzled case.

[xbaudelaire.livejournal.com]

Your style sounds like Fairy-kei <3

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

You have me thinking about what I should wear tomorrow! I think Mitch and I are going to Santa Monica. :)
I'd love to see your outfit and I think the heraldic idea is really cool! Actually, in general, I'd just like to see more of what you wear. We have a lot of similar tastes, even if I dress like a cupcake sometimes. <3

[(Anonymous)]

you look adorable in your cupcake and lolita dresses! I can't get comfortable in frilly clothes with the exception of the one i got from forever 21 recently. I'll try to take some more pics, i just tend to wear whatever is clean for work. X3

you saw my christmas party dress didn't you? That's my favorite dress ever. XD

[batchix.livejournal.com]

whoops! I was posting from D's computer and it didn't log me in. that was me! D:

[callister-07.livejournal.com]

Actually Hailey the lead singer is wearing the Bodyline music class jsk. You were right in your guess Ms. Aimee. I have this one and I love it. I am so glad to see a band like this using these kind of elements in their music. It is really beautiful in a more realistic way and yet it still retains that fairytale essence.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

yes, the lighting and feeling is very romantic, isn't it...? while still being a bit dark.

[callister-07.livejournal.com]

it is. I think that's why I have always liked this aspect of fairytails better than the ones Disney fed us.

[quentin-watson.livejournal.com]

I'd never even heard of "mori-girl" style until just now reading your LJ entry. Definitely something I'd like to learn more about...

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

have fun! there's some really interesting stuff there! You could spend a good part of the day just looking at mori stuff on tumblers.

[xbaudelaire.livejournal.com]

What a great post, thank you! I'm checking out all of the blogs now and enjoying them so far. :3

I have the same feeling about Mori Girl. I love the colours and the concept, but it looks like it would be very unflattering on a curvy western figure because everything seems to be so baggy. I want to try it too, though!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I get lost in all these blogs with the dreamy photos!

I did find a good number of mori girl pics though that I think would work well for me. They have to have a defined waist though. ... but I could definitely go for the skirt styles, both short and long... and maybe pair it with a fitted blouse with pintucks or prairie-type embroidery. I used to wear those all the time.
So... it feels a little bohemian/nordic or something.

[milk-eye.livejournal.com]

You're spot on about Anthropologie; I've purchased a lot of their clothes and wore them in a Mori Girl style. I really love the natural aesthetic, it's so different from my usual route :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I can totally see you loving Mori Girl, actually...! I'd love to see some of your outfits, if you got time!

[ashbet]

*raises hand* I would also love to see Corinne outfit fabulousness! :D

-- A <3

[nativegirl.livejournal.com]

I just found out what Mori Girl style was recently and I've since become infatuated with it. I've been inspired by Loli and FRUiTS style since middle school (though I don't dress in either) so I was embarassed actually that I had no idea about Mori. But I agree with you completely - it does have a very nice aesthetic, and it's imperfection is what's so charming about it.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I think Mori is a little more recent...? it feels like an off branch of Pink House though, which is really kinda old... and then the last few years or so, a lot of japanese street style uses a lot of layers, ... and you can see a certain preoccupation with fairytales and european styles... so I think this style kinda came about naturally. (just my 2 relatively uniformed cents)

[kimber-rose.livejournal.com]

I love that video, as soon as I fist saw it, I squeed with joy at seeing a western artist wear lolita *well*. And I thought it was Bodyline too, though I was thinking it might be one of their AP or BABY knock-offs. And it does suit the video so well, and I think it does suit the song in a way too. It's sort of. . . rebellious Alice to me.

(I hate the ankle socks too, but what are you going to do, right?)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

her socks look cute in the context of the video, but if I saw her in person, my head would secretly cringe about the socks. I don't know why I don't like them. haha...

[applcheeks.livejournal.com]

I've been dabbling in a casual mori style, it is so charming. Though I find myself needing to bring more shape into an outfit because like you said "I am not Hagu" and shapeless dresses are not such a good look. lol I bought a few books off of amazon japan a few months ago for inspiration and a lot of the looks I have seen are not quite as Hagu-ish as most would assume. Have you seen some of the Summer looks? They might be more your style. =D

Antique dolly style has really stolen my heart it seems a bit more mature and super feminine without being too much. I've been scouring for more info but there isn't a ton out there. =/ In the mean time I'm looking for subduded flower patterns, patterned tights and oh yeah can't forget the fur!

I also love how both styles aren't really brand oriented. Sure you can rock the Wonder Rocket and Grimoire but it doesn't have to be a requirement.
I have also heard that Mori is invading Harajuku, I'm curious to see how this will afect the Goth/Loli elements there. Though I think Alice Deco is a great example of how Mori/Antique Dolly can make a beautiful combo with lolita. ^_^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

weeeeell, could you recommend some books I might like? :)

when I looked through some mori tumblers yesterday I found a decent amount of stuff that was more relevant to shapes I could wear, sooo you know. :) Show me some stuff, though!

Alice Deco is AWESOME. Makes lolita so much more fun to wear as a casual style.

[applcheeks.livejournal.com]

Ack, sorry for the late reply! My flickr account expired so I went ahead and added my pics to my Tumblr. =3 Most of the outifts I gravitate towards have less layers and some can of shape either from a jacket/vest/caridgan or paired with another structured pieces.
http://genki-gal.tumblr.com/tagged/mori_girl

As far as books I have Choco's Book and Wonderland they are both nice photobooks. Choco's is definatly a how to style guide it has a fair amount of writing but also some great pictures, very simular to Mamechiyo in a layout style. Wonderland is actually a board (think baby ages) book photobook it's stricly Emikyuu clothing (which I love) but the feel is very simular.

There are a few new magazines specific to Mori Stlye you can get from Amazon Japan, but I haven't had a chance to check them out. I can grab some links if you are intrested in magazines too. ^_^

I've been getting copies of "Spring" magazine which is a girly style fashion magazine, but it borders on Mori Style mixed with current trends. A lot of the photoshoot and snap pics are very close to Mori style but with less of the "I-rolled-around-in-my-bed-linens-and-walked-out-the-door" look. XD

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Sure, well magazines can be just as good as books if they have lots of pictures! Unfortunately I can't read -any- japanese, so that does limit things a bit!

haha, what's going on here:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/フィンランド・森の精霊と旅をする-Tree-People-トゥリー・ピープル/dp/4903971015/ref=pd_sim_b_4

http://www.amazon.co.jp/森ガール-fashion-style-BOOK-~おしゃれが好きな乙女に贈る“森ガール”のすべて~/dp/4839933197/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266470762&sr=1-2
looks lovely from what I can see of it!

love this:
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxw164e74S1qzmezqo1_500.jpg
I wish I could find some floral tights big enough for me!

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxtg7gDN191qa5207o1_500.jpg
this is kindof what my everday style is, give or take, actually. (or jeans)

[applcheeks.livejournal.com]

I have been stalking the internet for patterned tights too! I've found some that might work though they are a tad pricey they have a TON of options. The Queen size is suppose to work for taller ladies up to 6'2. =D
http://www.lookfromlondon.com
(I'm also wanting the star pattern)

http://www.amazon.co.jp/フィンランド・森の精霊と旅をする-Tree-People-トゥリー・ピープル/dp/4903971015/ref=pd_sim_b_4

LOL!!! Spooning with bears! If you look closely... IS THAT A WEDDING RING!? I looks like it was a NHK special about Spirit in the forests of Finland. XD But. SPOONING WITH BEARS!

I do like the Choco book! If you want a preview I think you can snag scans from the Mori Girl Community on Lj.

So Magazines!
Mori Girl e-mook

Mori Girl valon vol.1

Mori Girl valon vol. 2 (out 3/25/2010)

Mori Girl papier* vol.1

Unfortunatly I don't know anything about any of them but aside from EMS shipping they are pretty cheap!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

they list the star pattern as being Q size, but then there's no choice to make it queen!

I like these two, though:
http://www.lookfromlondon.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=marissa%2B6103&CartID=1

http://www.lookfromlondon.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=tartan247&CartID=2

$17 shipping though unless you get at least 6 pairs. HMMMM

as to the mags, I wish they had them at my local kino! so much easier if you can flip through them!

and yes, SPOONING WITH BEARS. all new meaning to FOREST GIRL.

[uminomamori.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen mori before today and some of the photos are really cute. I like the idea of earth, forest, fairy inspired flowy clothing. It reminds me of the Aesthetic dress movement.

I usually think of lolita as kind of doll inspired already. Dolly seems similar.

[calalillith.livejournal.com]

*dying from the pretty* X3

[amanda-mont.livejournal.com]

These styles are so fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

[hinoai.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Aimee!!! Reading about Mori Girls was really fascinating.. I see bits and pieces of this fashion all over Japan, especially during summer and fall, but I didn't know about the background/reasoning behind it.

It's so cute! <3<3