[MOOD Styling Letter] Vol.01
- A quiet story of styling that unravels customer concerns
Until now, MOOD has introduced items based on the brand's background and the context of the collection.
Starting with this blog, we will take it a step further and begin creating outfits based on the styling concerns that our customers have actually shared with us, and carefully put into words the intentions and thoughts behind them.
"I want to enjoy wearing a set as everyday wear," "I admire frilly items but I'm not good at them," "It's difficult to balance them with my height, so I don't have confidence in my outfits" -- all of these are very specific, and for that reason, I felt that these themes quietly connected to someone's worries.
There is no single "right" answer when it comes to clothes, but once you understand the basics and the order in which to put them together, there are moments when choosing clothes becomes surprisingly easy. I hope this series will give you some small hints.
Three concerns and styling tips
Here are three concerns we will address:
- "I want to wear suits and sets more often on a daily basis."
- "I want to wear a frilly shirt in my own style without looking too sweet."
- "I want to know tips on how to coordinate outfits that look balanced even if I'm short."
For each of these concerns, MOOD will actually create a style and explain, one by one, which items should be used and what role they play.
What is important is not to give an answer like "Just copy it like this",
Thinking about things in this order might make it easier to apply to your own wardrobe.
The goal is to share our thought process so that people can feel that way.
I hope this is helpful.
Problem 1: I want to wear a set as everyday wear
"I like suits and sets, but I always end up wearing them as work wear or formal wear.
What if you want to wear it more casually and on a more everyday basis?
The key to incorporating a set-up into your daily look is finding the right balance between loosening up the business vibe while still maintaining a neat look. In this styling, the "loosening up" is controlled by the layering and choice of accessories.
First, choose a loose-fitting gray jacket and pants set, and wear a logo-printed T-shirt underneath. The open chest and print slightly relieve the tension that is typical of a suit, instantly making the outfit feel more casual.
A polka dot and striped silk scarf is wrapped around the neck, adding a touch of playfulness and elegance to a place that draws attention. The tailoring around the neck is what makes the suit not look too casual even when tucked into a T-shirt. The upper body, including the necklace around the chest, is constructed with vertical lines running through it, maintaining a balance that is casual yet not sloppy.
The bag is a soft leather Boston bag, sized to fit under the arm. The dull sheen of leather, which is different from the sheen of a silk scarf, gives the whole look the feel of "a sophisticated casual outfit." Furthermore, by matching the sunglasses and shoes, both in brown, a single "brown axis" runs through the gray set, giving the styling a calm and composed look.
Rather than forcing yourself to dress down in order to "wear a suit for everyday use," you can add a touch of breathability with a T-shirt, while subtly adding a touch of luxury with a neck scarf, a leather bag, and brown accessories. This styling is MOOD's answer to taking a step away from a suit as business wear and drawing it towards a "setup for relaxed everyday wear."
Problem 2: I want to wear a ruffled shirt without looking too sweet.
"I'm interested in frilly shirts, but I feel like they give off a strong "cross-dressing" vibe, so I can't really incorporate them into my outfits.
How can I wear it in a way that is true to myself while still keeping it sweet?”
The reason why frill items can be difficult is that the feminine elements tend to be concentrated in one place. So in this styling, rather than erasing the "sweetness" of the frill shirt, I took the approach of layering elements in a different direction to restore balance.
A frilly white shirt underneath creates a classic, dressy mood, while a leather tailored jacket is layered on top, instantly shifting the look towards the masculine side. The weight of leather and the straight lines of the lapels maintain the softness of the frills, creating an impression of strength rather than sweetness. A leather cord that looks like a tie is added around the neck, and while it's not as business-like as a tie, it adds an accent that gives off a hint of rock or punk.
For the bottoms, she deliberately paired it with wide-cut checked pants. If she were to pair it with skinny pants, the frills and leather would come off as a bit too hard and give off a somewhat costume-like impression, but the wide glen check pattern creates a "space" that comfortably accommodates the dressiness of the frills and the ruggedness of the leather. Another key point is that the generous volume that gathers at the feet is reminiscent of 70s and 80s culture, and it shifts the focus from a binary choice of feminine/masculine to a style that is reminiscent of music and movies.
To finish off the look, accessories such as a voluminous leather bag, gloves, and sunglasses are layered to add a modern vibe that transcends the sense of time that only vintage clothing can offer. The bag with gold hardware and plates adds a luxurious weight, while the sunglasses add a light, airy feel, so the classic feel of the ruffle shirt blends naturally into everyday wear with a sense of culture, rather than as a "special dress."
When you feel like you don't like frills, instead of thinking in terms of "sweet" or "not sweet,"
Frill (feminine) × Leather (masculine) × Wide check (culture)
As you can see, it's a good idea to combine different elements in one look. Rather than trying to eliminate the "cross-dressing" vibe, layering other elements to create a different nuance will make it much easier to incorporate a ruffle shirt into your wardrobe.
Problem 3: I want to create a balanced outfit even though I'm short
"I'm short, so I find it difficult to coordinate my outfits.
I would like to know some tips on styling my body to look balanced even if I'm short."
The most important thing when styling for short people is how to control the amount of looseness and the vertical lines. In this coordination, we have firmly grasped these two points, and by adding softness and elegance, we have created a balance that is not affected by height.
The foundation of the outfit is a pair of voluminous, wide-flared pants. The silhouette naturally widens towards the hem, creating a single line that falls straight down to the floor, making the lower body appear longer regardless of height. By layering an oversized cardigan that completely covers the hips, the volume of the pants and the looseness of the upper body are matched, creating a continuous vertical mass overall.
Another key point is that the bottom button of the cardigan is deliberately left open, allowing the shirt underneath to peek out vertically. This "vertical opening in the front" prevents the loose silhouette from looking heavy, and the eye naturally flows from top to bottom, ultimately enhancing your style. A slightly blue shirt is chosen for the inner layer, and a thin ribbon-like tie is added around the neck, making the area around the face look brighter and more open.
A generously voluminous stole is draped over the top, creating another vertical line that overlaps the front of the outfit. Both the stole and shoulder bag are chosen in soft tones, creating a gentle contrast within the black base outfit. The bag's shoulder strap also creates a visually elongated effect by running diagonally across the body. The outfit is topped off with long shoes that appear to connect to the bottom of the pants, creating a natural look that extends all the way to the legs.
For those who are short, instead of simply wearing loose items,
・Make a strong vertical line at the bottom
・Make sure the volume of your top matches the base.
・Be conscious of creating a vertical gap with front openings, scarves, and bag straps.
If you keep these three things in mind, you will look more balanced regardless of your height.
Rather than "hiding" the size of the body, the lines are used to naturally elongate it. This styling is one answer to help you grasp this feeling.
The look of the brand you want to refer to and its backbone
Behind these three looks are memories of the brands and collections that MOOD regularly uses as models. Rather than directly copying, by understanding "what is important in their style," it becomes easier to apply this knowledge to your everyday outfits.
1. A perspective that brings the setup into everyday life
In the style of daily setup,
- Learn from Dries Van Noten's layering: the coexistence of tension and relaxation
- Phoebe Philo: The combination of relaxed tailoring and high-quality T-shirts, a specialty of Céline and The Row.
The image is based on the following:
By layering a nice jacket and slacks with a logo T-shirt, a light-catching vest, and a small scarf, you can create an atmosphere that is more like a relaxed casual outfit than workwear.
2. Use frills for nuance, not sweetness
When styling a ruffle shirt,
- Pairing a classic ruffled blouse with a mannish jacket from Yves Saint Laurent
- An atmosphere that intersects romantic and rock, like Ann Demeulemeester.
I was conscious of a look like this.
Rather than toning down the ruffles themselves, the collection layers leather jackets, wide checked pants, and voluminous bags, creating a subtle blend of feminine, masculine, and cultural elements in the same outfit.
3. How to create vertical lines that will stand out even if you're short
For height concerns,
- Vertical layering of wide bottoms and long knitwear, as seen in Jil Sander and contemporary Céline/The Row
- Maison Margiela's silhouette is designed to stretch vertically while leaving some space.
Such patterns come to mind.
Draw a line down to your feet with wide pants, then layer an oversized cardigan, a long dangling scarf, and the strap of a shoulder bag on top. By doing so, you can create a "silhouette as a story" that draws the eye naturally from top to bottom, regardless of height.
Conclusion - Get a little closer to your clothes
Styling concerns can sometimes sound like concerns you have about yourself.
"I don't think it suits me," "It's difficult because I'm short," "I don't like sweet things" -- behind these words, it feels like there is a quiet desire to actually enjoy clothes more.
At MOOD, we are sympathetic to that feeling,
Adding this perspective might change the picture a little.
I hope to be able to deliver these suggestions through my styling and knowledge of the brand.
Regarding the future - your questions will serve as inspiration for styling
In the future, this blog will continue to answer questions and concerns from our readers.
- How to coordinate your outfit
- Background of the brand and collection
- How to choose the material and silhouette
I plan to carefully put these points into words one by one.
Even something as trivial as "I'm not sure what to wear for this occasion" or "I want to know how to make the most of this item I have" is fine. Direct mail, messages, and conversations in-store can inspire your next styling.
We hope that this series will gently accompany your wardrobe and help you feel a little closer to your clothes.
