Harajuku fashion has always been a landscape of creativity, individuality, and deeply emotional expression. Among its many substyles, mori girl (also called mori kei) stands out as one of the most poetic. Soft, earthy, nostalgic, and grounded in nature. Mori kei captures the feeling of wandering through a quiet forest while wrapped in whimsical layers, muted colors, and textures that feel lived-in and comforting.

At first, I couldn’t see the connection between fashion and lifestyle in this style, but as I explored, I realized they’re woven together. A person who wears Mori kei — even if only for a day — likely engages in activities that match the mood of the style: slow, intentional, reflective. This fashion pulls people into a quieter existence, encouraging them to appreciate stillness, and that is my favorite aspect of it.

This month, we’re exploring dark mori kei, a moodier, deeper branch of the style. Creating a Mori girl nail set is more than picking colors — it’s about translating a feeling, a wardrobe, and an aesthetic into tiny visual stories that rest at your fingertips.

I’m not writing this to be a thought leader on Mori Kei, but to share my own exploration into J-fashion styles. I want to participate in the J-fashion community more, and one of the best ways is to read, listen, and create. I may not wear Mori kei regularly (though I’m seriously considering building a small wardrobe), but I hope to connect with people who do. Maybe I'll help others discover that this style fits their lifestyle.

Below is a topical look at what mori kei is, what it looks and feels like, and how these inspirations guided the design of a 24-piece nail set. Our set incorporates textures such as wood bark, plaid, lace, chiffon, and sweaters.

What Is Mori Kei?

Mori kei, which literally means “forest style,” emerged in the mid-2000s. It’s defined by natural fabrics, soft silhouettes, layering, and an intentionally slow, peaceful, nature-connected lifestyle. Outfits often feature:

• Creams, browns, moss greens, and other earthy tones, sometimes accented with pastels.

• Natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and wool, chosen for their softness and texture.

• Details like lace trims, wooden buttons, scarves, and oversized knits, which give outfits a handcrafted feel.

• Vintage-inspired or handmade accessories, completing the story of the outfit.

The Mori girl is someone you might find reading by a window during a rainstorm, taking a long walk through a shopping plaza, or collecting small trinkets. The substyle you choose (yama, hama, or dark) influences what accessories or details you include. Mori kei is whimsical without being cartoonish. I especially love that Choco (main founder of mori kei) described mori kei outfits to be one that a younger girl would wear.

What Is Dark Mori Kei?

Dark mori kei shares the same roots but shifts the palette and mood. Instead of soft neutrals, the style leans toward deeper shades: charcoal, rust, blackberry, evergreen, and muted jewel tones. The silhouettes remain layered and woodland-inspired, but the tone is fairy-tale-like.

You can imagine dark mori as stepping deeper into a forest where the light grows dimmer, the air cooler, the textures heavier. It has a slightly witchy charm, drawing from nature's darker elements while still maintaining softness and warmth.

There’s a nearby substyle called strega, which is witchy and folksy, and I admit that at first I had trouble distinguishing it from dark mori. But in this nail set, I focused on keeping the softness of dark mori, avoiding the grittier aesthetics of strega.

What Mori Kei Looks Like

Visually, mori kei is:

• Long, flowing skirts and layered dresses or blouses

• Plaid patterns, earthy fabrics, and soft knits

• Lace collars, frills, and trims

• Natural textures like wool or crochet

• Loose, oversized, A-line silhouettes

Dark mori adds richer textures, slightly heavier fabrics, and deeper palettes. Think dark plaid, deep knits, and colors that feel like autumn. For this nail set, we kept the color palette neutral (mostly black and touches of gray) so it wouldn’t clash with the wearer’s outfit, while still conveying the layered, textured feeling of mori kei.

What Mori Kei Feels Like

Mori kei feels:

• Calm

• Warm

• Nostalgic

• Thoughtful

• Earthy

• Handcrafted

• Slow and intentional

It feels like dressing not just for layers, but for your day — the places you’ll go, the activities you’ll do. This explains why someone might wear a skirt over a dress or choose a specific headpiece: the outfit reflects the life you plan to live.

Capturing this feeling was essential for the nail set design. We keep an elegant and simple color palette, but play with many textures to add to the oddity and unusualness of the fashion. That was a key takeaway I got from hearing Miwako speak in this interview. Mori girls are unique in their vintage and hand crafted styling, and I think this is what separates them from more modern styles like cottagecore and natural kei. 

How I Created a Mori Girl Nail Set

Designing a mori girl or dark mori kei nail set means thinking about textures, fabrics, and small details that echo the wardrobe itself. For this month’s theme, I chose a mix of patterns and elements that tell a cohesive story.

Below is a breakdown of the design elements and why they were chosen.

1. Wood Texture (size 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9)

Wood is one of the strongest and more obvious symbols of mori kei. I chose the thumb for a tactile pattern since it’s the biggest nail to be seen. Why not start the set off with a direct translation of Forest Girl.

I’ve also ended the set with a wood grain. I had no idea what I wanted to do with the grey space, but when I put the paint brush to the nail it created a familiar texture. I decided to run with that idea seeing as it was meant to be.

2. Plaid Accents (size 3)

Plaid is a staple in both traditional mori kei and dark mori kei wardrobes. Skirts, shawls, and oversized layers often feature plaid patterns in muted tones.

In the nail set, plaid creates a cozy touch that feels like a flannel blanket or vintage skirt. It adds warmth, familiarity, and a nod to the layered clothing the style is known for. It features iridescent stones to bring back the uniqueness of turning odd trinkets into accessories.

3. Lace Details (size 4)

By incorporating lace-inspired patterns, the nails echo the delicate trims found on collars, blouses, and petticoats. Lace softens the set, but it is purposely hidden under the layers of black and 3D lace up corset to mimic dark mori kei.

4. Chiffon Influence & Sweater Nail (size 5)

Chiffon represents the airy, flowing layers of mori kei pieces. While chiffon is a difficult texture to capture on nails, we found a way:

• Sheer black translucent layering using inks
  
  
• Delicate black bow hidden in the folds
  
  

The chiffon-inspired nails in this set feel light and delicate, balancing the heavier sweater and wood textures.

Sweater nails are perfect for mori kei because they reflect the outer garments typically worn. Using raised gel lines, I created a knit texture that resembles crochet cardigans. Again, a symbol that is easily recognizable in the Mori Kei fashion style.

5. Cat Eye & Sweater Nail (size 6)

For added depth, some pieces incorporate a cat-eye finish. In dark mori kei, this effect adds a touch of sun to the dark forest vibe.

I created an additional sweater nail fitting a unique sweater design. It features 2 orbs to mimic buttons and a scallop trim to bring back the cuteness. This nail is very odd, but I’m hoping it will be received well!

Reflection

Creating this set helped me see how much I want to live a mori girl life considering my own life: uncontrollably fast and always moving. As someone who struggles to slow down, this style feels like a reminder to breathe, to be intentional, and to move through the world with optimism. The layers, textures, and muted colors offer a sense of peace and a way to see life more slowly.

I would love to wear mori kei someday because it aligns so well with lifestyle I want. Even if it’s just a few pieces, the style offers a rhythm and calm that I don’t often allow myself. This nail set was my first small step into that forest, and I can’t wait to keep exploring.