Autumnal

The inspiration for this post has two main sources: Laura Ashley ads from the 80’s (see an example here) and the Mori girl subculture in Japan.

I’ve been obsessing over vintage Laura Ashley dresses aver since I got my first one, so when I saw this long-sleeved version on the Vintage Boutique website I didn’t even hesitate and ordered it right away. Again, I was super lucky to have it fit me perfectly and I’m thinking about starting a small collection, haha.

Mori Girl (mori=forest in Japanese, so it literally translates as Forest Girl) is a Japanese subculture whose concept is to look as natural & close to nature as possible by using layering, earthy tones, petticoats, knits, shawls. Basically you need to look as if you are living in a cabin in the woods (the cute, not creepy type :P).

I also chose a poem that that I believe encapsulates the essence of Autumn. Voilà!

“Pale amber sunlight falls across
The reddening October trees,
That hardly sway before a breeze
As soft as summer: summer’s loss
Seems little, dear! on days like these.

Let misty autumn be our part!
The twilight of the year is sweet:
Where shadow and the darkness meet
Our love, a twilight of the heart
Eludes a little time’s deceit.

Are we not better and at home
In dreamful Autumn, we who deem
No harvest joy is worth a dream?
A little while and night shall come,
A little while, then, let us dream.

Beyond the pearled horizons lie
Winter and night: awaiting these
We garner this poor hour of ease,
Until love turn from us and die
Beneath the drear November trees.” *

Mori_girl (11)