Quaint Style Shopping Guide:
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How to Create Your Own Quaint Style:
The Aesthetic of Forest-Dwelling Royalty.
Mori-Kei elicits a strong sense of fairytale-idealism into its woodsy aesthetic. That’s what makes it so quaint. It’s warm and cozy and practical, but whimsical, quirky and imaginative. It’s hard not to look at it and think of Snow White, or of Briar Rose from Sleeping Beauty–It’s ultimately the look of Princesses, or Princes, finding solace in the woods.
Shop My Curated Lists of Quaint Products:
•Total Steal (Clothes Under $10, Accessories Under $5)
•Cheap (Clothes $10-$20, Accessories $5-$10)
•Bargain (Clothes $20-$35, Accessories $10-$20)
•Deal (Clothes $35-$75, Accessories $20-$50)
•Budget (Clothes $75-$150, Accessories $50-$100)
•Splurge (Clothes $150-$300, Accessories $100-$300)
•Spendy (Clothes $300-$800, Accessories $300-$800)
•Extravagant ($800-$2,000, Accessories $500-$800)
•Premium ($2,000-$5,000, Accessories $800-$2,000)
•Luxurious ($5,000-$10,000, Accessories $2,000-$5,000)
•Exorbitant ($10,000-$25,000, Accessories $5,000-$8,000)
•Wait…Who ARE You? (Over $25,000, Accessories over $8,000)
4 Elements of Quaint Style:
1. Relaxed and Comforting Silhouette.
The silhouette of your outfit will make or break the factor of practicality and comfort of your Quaint, Mori-Kei look. It’s all about loose-fitting, but often feminine, relaxed shapes, sometimes lots of length, and DEFINITELY layers upon layers.
Think: Long blouses and tunics, shift dresses made with flexible materials, pinafores or sundresses over vintage blouses, chunky sweaters, vests or decorative corsets, all kinds of hosiery, loose-fitting trousers, and skirts (even layered under or over dresses to add more detail).
Short A-line dresses with leggings make for an excellent base: Especially if you top it off with a big, chunky cardigan.
2. Practical, Cozy, Old-Fashioned, and Idealistic Fabrics.
The fabrics are where you can find that perfect juxtaposition of practical and cozy, but nostalgic and fairytale-esque. Think fabrics that have lasted the test of time.
Cotton, linen, corduroy, and wool are primarily practical and timeless, while lace, silk, and chiffon are charmingly romantic, whimsical, and nostalgic. Knitwear and crocheted pieces, velvet, and furs (whether faux or vintage so no other animals have to be killed <3 ) are all cozy and tend to have all of the above qualities. Mixing and matching a variety of these fabrics will add tons of character to your quaint outfit.
3. Deep, Earthy Colors.
Lots and lots of brown, white, and off white/beige are the perfect neutral colors to base your quaint style around. They maintain a humble, relaxed, dainty, and independant or sustainable look that gently hints at a sweet, down-to-earth but idealistic nature. Natural but ethereal all at once.
The lighter the shade, the more you’ll elicit a gentle and dainty-princess or -prince look. The darker the shade, the more you’ll summon the peaceful solace of the forest.
Black is great in moderation but It runs more dramatic than quaint, which can lead to it looking witchy, rather than fairytale-princess-esque.
4. Forest Flora and Fauna + Other Playfully Nostalgic Prints:
Quirky prints and/or symbols really add to the charm and set your look apart. It’s the fastest way to add character and imagination to an outfit!
Other Must-Have Quaint Pieces:
Pinafores and Aprons:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Quirky and Vintage Oxfords:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Dainty and Sweet Mary-Janes and Flats:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Rugged and Cozy Boots:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Warm Knit, and Fur Hats + Earmuffs:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Cozy Scarves:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Cute Gloves and Mittens:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Hosiery (Such as Leggings, Stockings, Tights, High Socks, and Printed/Knitted Crew Socks):
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Old-Fashioned Vests:
(Shopable examples coming soon)
Symbolic Accessories Reminiscent of Simple Forest Life (Old-Fashion florals and wildflowers, mushrooms, moss, acorns, pinecones, berries, trees, deer, owls, foxes, hedgehogs, bunnies, birds, fairytale-esque illustrations, cottages, polka-dots, fair isle, plaid, gingham, etc):
(Shopable examples coming soon)
All Menswear:
(Shopable compilation of just all the menswear options coming soon)
Remember: Style is Personal.
The most quaint thing you can do is simply be yourself. Adding to or changing any of the above “rules” to best suit you, your tastes, your personality, your story–Nothing else style can offer will make you feel as content and relaxed in your big, beautiful imagination as embracing every aspect of your natural self.
Style isn’t “one-size-fits-all” and none of us fit into a perfect little box–We all have wonderful variations that make us unique, and they can be reflected in what we choose to wear! That’s the beauty of personal style.
When you discover what your version of “Quaint Style” looks like, i’d love to share it on this page to inspire other Mori-Kei Princesses and Princes that stop by!
Just snap a picture, tag me @StoryBehindTheCloth on Instagram or @BehindTheCloth on Twitter with the hashtags: #MyStoryBehindTheCloth and #QuaintBehindTheCloth, or email me at StoryBehindTheCloth@gmail.com and i’ll post your picture and link in a new post!
Also, feel free to ask me any questions you might have about defining your personal style! The comment section, my email, and social media accounts will always be an open door to you.
Is “Quaint” not your style?
Stick around for more Style Guides in the near future, and take a look at what’s to come on my Pinterest!
Read More Quaint Blog Posts:
“It Isn’t Love If It’s Selfish” – An Outfit Representing Lost Love and Vulnerability
For so long, i’ve told myself: “It isn’t love if it’s selfish”.
There’s still nothing in me that has stopped believing that’s true.
Desire paired with selfishness is only possessiveness and in action, it’s only consumption.
It’s cruel and it enslaves. It suffocates. It disregards the needs, wants, and desires of another. It inflicts pain to all involved.
But what makes something selfish, anyway?
I’m not sure i actually know….. Is everything i want automatically selfish in my mind?… everything i think i can’t have?
Quaint Fashion Deals: Deep Discounts on Mori Kei and Cabincore Style Clothing
Quaint Style is charming, peaceful, sweet, and independent. Based off Mori-Kei and Cabincore/Cottagecore, It’s quirky but cozy…fit for a princess who’s grown accustomed to being lost in the woods.
Enjoy these quaint products at sales prices over 40% off while you can!
I regularly curate this page, so come back again to browse more newly discounted products in a few weeks.
The Strength of Accepting Weakness
Accepting weakness begets strength.
I am queen of my darkness, and equally queen of my light.
I can own my struggles, i can own my pains, i can own those emotions that feel so very close to death.
They are mine, but i am not theirs.
I can relax in who i am, moment to moment, and see beauty even in the dark and quiet.
Connecting With Emotion
Spending some extra time deciding on my outfits is my favorite way to recognize my emotions and prioritize my mental health.
Artistic expression has always allowed me an avenue to slow down, explore, and find beauty in the things i feel.
Sometimes connecting with my emotions feels like pure magic… I find power in being in sync with how i feel and accepting myself as i am.
Where is Far, Far Away and How Do i Get There? | Peaceful and Adventurous OotD
“Where is far, far away and how do I get there?” Adventure fuels my soul, but i’ve felt incredibly stuck. I MUST maintain inner peace as the first step in any new adventure. This peaceful and adventurous outfit embodies these things.
Pages – An Outfit Representing a New Chapter of Life
Life is a story… That we get to take part in both reading and writing!
We get to create who we want to be.
We get to watch life unfold.
Let’s enjoy every page!
What do you hope to “write” in this next chapter of your life?
Happiness Is Freedom
I do not believe that false “joy” and stagnant “hope” are the answer…But i do believe that happiness can be discovered in little things when you feel like it’s nowhere to be found. When we’re able to find true happiness, we gain power to free ourselves, both on an emotional level and in a way that allows us to more easily work towards our goals, which will set us free on a more tangible level.
Dressing Up With Nowhere to Go – Day 7
I challenged myself at the beginning of this week to stop being lazy about my outfits just because i have nowhere to go, and instead start getting dressed up in clothes that make me feel good about myself that day.
I was surprised just how much more empowered i’ve been feeling with this simple task. By putting on clothes i love, and doing so for no apparent reason besides deciding i want to, i’ve also been putting on confidence.
What do you think? Will you try getting #AllDressedUp this week and see what it does for you?
Dressing Up With Nowhere to Go – Day 5
The day didn’t start out fantastic, but…I’m going to be fair to myself, with a focus on self-care and making sure i’m comfortable–first and foremost–while still pushing myself to do all that is necessary so that i feel accomplished at the end of the day.
So i’ll start off with comfy clothes and accepting that this post is being published later than the other ones were.
Dressing Up With Nowhere to Go – Day 4
Oops. Two days in a row the title is not true. My family is going out this afternoon to see a play, and i decided to go with them. Funny how the week i decide to dress up despite having nowhere to go, i actually have places to go, huh?
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this is very much an autumn attire collection, i like the style. it looks comfy and trendy as well.