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The Substyles Mini-Series: Dark Mori for a M
Wardro
When I

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create my mori ward
was a bit lost as to wh
start. I pretty much j
bought anything I
considered ...

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Hello my deers! Welcome to the first post in my new mini-series about mori substyles! I have has become wildly po
▼ 
August
(3) been meaning to talk more about these substyles in-depth for a long time, but I just never got on the internet recen
Mori Music Finds: Misc around to it. Today, I'll be starting off with one of the most well known (and most often and, as such, has attr
(5) bit of attention from
misunderstood) substyles, dark mori.
mori community....
The Substyles Mini-
Series: Dark Mori There are a few posts about Dark Mori still floating around the internet, a lot of outfit Mori G
Almost Mori: What is ナ photos, and the name of the style generally is common in the collective mori consciousness. Natura
チュラルコーデ A few posts I would recommend for more information about the style are Miss Kellie's post, How to
( Japanese natural fa... the diff
Crow Fairy Laura's post here, one by Milk Teeth here, and one by Carnivale Salt here.
(This p
However, although it is well known, the specifics about the style are often confusing, and the updated December 2
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history of its creation is almost unknown to most.
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Source mori gyaru
the bygone j-fashion
The history of dark mori is quite interesting. Unlike mori kei, dark mori was not created in
Japan, but rather on the internet by western audiences sometime around 2012. The style also the mori challenge
appears to never have spread to Japan at all, and there are no street snaps of dark mori, or yama kei
magazine looks, at least not that I can find. Regardless of its creation, the style is still dark mori
considered to be an official substyle by almost everyone in the mori community.
hama kei
japanese natural fash
The style was actually created by a group of various people on Tumblr and other social
media platforms. One person who was well known for helping create the style is Mai mori boy
Magi (previously known as shortcuttothestars). Eventually, the base ideas for dark mori and mori lolita
those who created it would create a new style, Strega, and leave the dark mori community.
However, although they left the community behind rather quickly, the term dark mori and
its style still lived on and grew to become almost as well known as mori kei itself.

DARK MORI VS STREGA

 Source

As the official creators of dark mori created the style, they came to realize that many of them
desired a different sort of style, one focused less on rules and the silhouette and ideals that are
attached to the mori kei style. This led to the creation of Strega fashion, which has now
become well known amongst online fashion communities. The style is often confused with
dark mori, partially because of their similar origins, and also because of some style
similarities. However, Strega officially is quite different from dark mori.

The official description via Mai Magi of Strega is as follows:

Strega means witch, and that theme is, therefore, the center of the fashion
There are no other rules
There are no established color schemes
Inspiration is taken from fairytales, folklore, and myth, all things magical and
witchy
Inspiration is drawn from goth, boho, mori and whatever else you prefer
It is different from mori in that it doesn’t have any ties to japan or Japanese
street fashion
It is different from goth in that it has no inherent ties to goth culture or music
NO ONE can demand to know what Strega is or exclude anyone from the
fashion or tag! Strega is the witch inside us, coming out through our clothing.
 Source

You can learn more about Strega here if you are interested. But to sum things up, the creators
grew tired of the restrictive nature of mori kei, and sought to create a more all-inclusive
style. Because of this, Strega outfits may often resemble dark mori. But although Strega can
sometimes be dark mori, dark mori cannot be Strega, as it follows the guidelines of
traditional mori kei style.

THE FASHION
So what exactly is dark mori? What makes it different from traditional mori kei? The main
difference is its focus on dark color schemes, the aspect of the style that gives it its name.
Black is by far the most popular color scheme for the substyle, but dark blues, dark reds, and
dark browns, as well as white, are all used occasionally.

 Source

Similar to mori, dark mori focuses on the use of lace, many layers, knit fabrics, and natural
fabrics. Its silhouette is almost indistinguishable from traditional mori kei, although dark
mori outfits may add some "creepy" or "witchy" elements, such as ripped clothing, or witchy
stripes. 

Source
Overall, fewer prints are used in the style, with mainly stripes being used if anything.
Additionally, more block colors are used in the style than mori, especially in the form of
large blocks or continuous color.

DARK MORI CHECKLIST

Source

Those who created the style actually worked together at its inception to create a dark mori
checklist The checklist was originally hosted on the now-deleted blog Strega's Forest, which
was originally a dark mori blog, that later moved to Strega with a large portion of the
community. The checklist has been reuploaded to various blogs, although the original post
has been lost over time. I have copied it here for you to read, and have reworded some points
slightly for grammar's sake.

Style:
Wants to look like a witch or a dark fairy from the woods.
Likes to wear dark, dusty colors, but also jewel and earthy tones.
All white outfits can be pretty for a ghostly look.
Vintage clothes are a must.
Antique, used, or ragged laces and silks.
Flowers, leaves, feathers, or antlers make pretty headpieces.
Natural stones, bones, taxidermy and silver jewelry is best.
Leather accessories (belts, pouches, cuffs, corsets…)
Anything fur related could work.
Knitted items are good, and handmade is best.
Layering is the key,
Medieval, Victorian, Folklore and 1920’s inspirations.
Ethnic clothes.
Hats are big, quirky and always decorated.
Floral patterns and animal prints.
 Might have some Lolita or Steampunk inspiration
Helena Bonham Carter is a great style icon.
Dramatic silent movie makeup, tribal paints or very natural looks
works fine.
Legwear is fun to experiment with. Wearing stripey socks can be
used to create a witchy look.
Can look flirtatious and seductive at times. Corsets are welcome for
this look.
Crushed velvet.
Prefers dresses and skirts, the longer the better.
Shawls, ponchos, and hoods.
Laced up boots, pointy shoes, victorian heels, and clogs.
Braided hair, messy curls, or dreads are good hairstyles.
Lifestyle:
Likes anything spooky or creepy.
Collects oddities.
Might be attracted by witchcraft and esoterism.
Might tend to have a natural lifestyle.
Believes in Fairies, and Spirits.
Crafty girl.
Has a familiar/pet, and most likely a cat or rats.
A rather solitary girl, kind of an introvert.
Might prefer Dark Music scenes, from traditional goth, ambient to
Black Metal.
Likes Tribal Fusion Dancing.
Strangeness over prettiness.
Loves books. Old bookstores are a favorite place.
Somewhat rebellious, strong-willed and free-spirited, but still
ladylike.
Romantic and melancholic.
Might have little quirks, or superstitions.
Loves tea.
Folklore, fairytales, legends, and myths from the North are
favorites but might like Oriental cultures as well.
Loves antiques.
Thrifting is a favorite activity.
Always thinks "warm and cozy."
Might be a bit messy, but always with style.
Might drink alcohol on occasions. Mead and spicy wines drunk in a
horn, or strong alcohol in a pretty flask.
Collects bottles and other glasses.
Likes to take walks in the forest, after the rain, at dusk, or event at
night.
Preraphaelites, Arthur Rackham, William Bouguereau or Brian
Froud are favorite artists.
Sort of like Mori Kei x Antique Kei x Gothic x Naturalist Kei x
Curio…
 Source

This list is useful in understanding the basis for the style, but it is by no means official or even
widely accepted by the mori community. It is important to note that not even the original
creators of dark mori would follow this list religiously, and would pick and choose from these
items. Additionally, most of these points came to describe Strega more than dark mori as time
went on, leading them to become less relevant to the style.

Have you heard of dark mori? Do you like it or wear it? I find the style quite charming, and I
have worn it occasionally. But it is its unique history really interests me. It is interesting to
see how much the style has grown and changed over time, and how it has become such a core
part of the fashion community!

Until next time my deers!

For more information on mori substyles, check out the posts below:

Mori Boy

Mori Lolita

Casual Mori

Posted by
Kathryn
at
4:12 PM

Labels:
the substyles mini series
2 comments:

Molly August 24, 2019 at 2:53 AM

Oh! Another style post!!! Oh happy day! I am very fascinated by dark mori and I have worn it
sometimes a few years back (or at least I tried). I am interested in Scandinavian folklore and
pre-Christian (is that a word?) myths (it is a part of my heritage) and I like the more misty and
dark side of the Forest life at times. What I do no like is the more serious "Strega-things", with
a lot of "dark symbols" but we are all different. And even if I do not like them they at times
fascinates me. (I am a historian and I have also studied Religion and Theology at university).
The Fairy-tale thing (my English is not as I would wish and I do not know all word I want to
use, sorry) both the light and soft side as well as the darker and more dangerous side is
something that has always interested and fascinated me. Old Folk Tales tells us a lot about
what is is to be human. About good and evil and how to handle life. I can see why people like
this style and maybe I will try it again someday this autumn and winter...just to feel a part of
the late autumnal mists...Thank you again for a very interesting post/Molly an island in the
Baltic
Reply

Nocternia Obscura November 23, 2019 at 3:00 AM

Just found you. Lovely post, thanks for sharing!
Reply

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