Little Things I've Picked Up

I only began researching into Lolita fully since last August. Before that I had one lonely Kera issue from 2007, that I'd flick through looking longingly at BTSSB and Angelic Pretty. I also kept the memory of seeing all the kids in Harajuku. One in particular, which I'm pretty sure was a Brolita. He had a wine red velvet dress on in the classical style, with his hair curled (which I'm pretty sure was his natural hair). He was running through the park and straight past me. It was like some sort of fairytale scene.

Anyway, enough of the reminiscing. I feel very grateful to have been introduced to Lolita in that way, because it never occurred to me that Offbrands existed (sometimes good, sometimes awful) or that sometimes outfits could go hideously wrong. In my mind for a very long time, you either scrimped and saved for the real deal or you made your own JSKs and skirts while waiting to have enough money to but that perfect OP. So here are some of the things I found out while delving deeper into this frilly culture:

COSPLAY AND LOLITA DO NOT MIX

Personally, I never put two and two together, but it seems that many a newbie think Cosplay costumes, double up as Lolita. I'm really not a fan of Cosplay, so a definite yes for keeping these two things very, very separate.

Really?

CHEAP LACE IS NASTY LACE

This is something that really concerned me before. How could you tell good from bad? After a little more reading and a trip to my local haberdashery, it's more simple than I first thought.
Cheap lace has that netted base and a very coarse, synthetic feel. Nice lace generally has a soft cotton feel and intricate, well made details. Simple!

Yuck!

Yum!

MODESTY IS TOP!

Skirts just above or below the knee, high necklines and nothing that's going to make you at all like Nobokov's Lolita in the slightest.

BIGGER IS BETTER

This is just a personal rule for myself, but I think sweet lolitas look much more effective with bigger hair. I've really got into planning outfits with wigs and I now definitely see the advantage of them. Big, colourful hair seems to compliment an outfit perfectly and also gives a lovely base for all those hair accessories. Bobs can also look good, more on classical styles but I always think they look a little flat if not done professionally. But who am I to say? I might be proved wrong yet!

Look at all that hair!

ACCESSORIES ARE VITAL

When I see outfits beautifully coordinated, but with not much else going on, my heart sinks a little. Bracelets, cuffs, rings, necklaces, hair bows & grips and bags all make masses of difference. One thing that seems to be a solid lolita rule is that attention to detail will get you everywhere.

BUT ABOVE ALL, LOLITAS HAVE BUNDLES OF CONFIDENCE

Something I admire in every active lolita. To go out and where those clothes must take a lot of guts, as well as a strong personality. I one day would like to step out of the house in my frills, but find that because I know no other lolitas find it impossible and stick to coordinating in a scrapbook. So for all those alone lolitas I have the upmost respect and admiration.

These are only a few things I've thought of off the top of my head. When I get stuck into posting more structured articles, I'll probably do some more comprehensive lists.
Peace & Love X