Dolly Kei

Dolly Kei Lolita by dizzylolibliss featuring opaque stockings

I've been meaning to make this post for sometime now and thought it was best I posted something after a long hiatus and why not let this be my first post back.

First off, what is Dolly kei?

Dolly kei first started Japan. It is a hodgepodge of elements that takes influence from historical fashion, Medieval, 1970's prairie style, eastern European tradition dress, Gothic stories, and a fondness for taxidermy

Dolly kei and Mori-girl have many motifs and themes in common, making it difficult to make out whether an outfits is Mori-girl or Dolly kei. Both styles evoke images of fairy tales. While Mori-girl might be what characters like Gretel, Rose Red or Rose White are wearing, Dolly kei would be what the witch or soothe-sayer is dressed in.

There is an undeniable spooky factor visable in Dolly kei that isn't in your typical Mori-girl (maybe in dark Mori-girl but that's something to be discussed in another post). Memento Mori jewelery such as broken porcelain doll's head necklaces, raven skull pendants, and butterfly wigs earrings are coordinated with tattered and noticeably wore clothes giving this style a more eerie mystique and separating it from the sweeter more innocent Mori-girl.

Grimoire is the boutique which birthed Dolly kei. It the most whimsical, and ghostly shop and website set up. It is so enchanting that you can nearly forget that perhaps the spine hanging from the ceiling  belonged to someone that is now of the dearly departed.

Is this style for you?

Do you enjoy Eastern European fairy tales?
Do you like dressing in vintage and worn dirndls and embroider aprons?
Do you have a taste for the macabre and dream of a pearl embellished crow skull broach?

Then Dolly kei may be for you.

Back to School

The end of carefree summer days is drawing near soon many of us will be returning to homework and test. Yes, pretty soon the fall semester will start and we have to begin buying supplies and yes new fall clothes.

So what should a loli wear for school????

Going to school in lolita, is a little difficult since the main focus of school is learning (though some of your classmates are otherwise entertained), but that doesn't mean you should have to swear off wearing lolita at school. With a few simple guide lines you should be ready to start the new school year.

Sweet

School Outfit: Sweet 3 by dizzylolibliss on Polyvore.com

Classic

School Outfit: Classic 2 by dizzylolibliss featuring sandals

Gothic

School Outfit: Gothic by dizzylolibliss featuring suede flat shoes

Tips

Try to minimize the distraction:

*School is for learning and loli can be very distracting, so try to use solids or simple prints like polka dots, stripes, plaids. Milky Planet or Bold florals can be a bit to much for school.

* The accessories are just as important as the dress, but for school less is more. Big head eating bows aren't only be distracting, it can also be a visional obstacle to anyone sitting behind you.

Be comfortable:

*Wearing Loli to school means sacrificing pouf. Remember school desk aren't accommodating to big pouf, so consider using a one less petticoat or a slightly deflated one.

* I recommend using very comfortable shoes, walking from class to class or home is much easier when you have comfy shoes. Flats are comfy and might comply better with school dress codes that disallow heels or open toe shoes.

Be safe:

*Remember to always check your school's dress code before going in any fashion, just to avoid having to put on a huge pink shirt over your coord or worst be sent home to change.

* Though most of my coordinates have brand items, I would recommend using less expensive options for school. You never know what stains or tears can occur so you'll feel less of a hit to the wallet if it isn't a brand dress or dream dress.

* Wearing loli to school can be a little daunting confidence wise. Shelby Cloud one of my favorite Lolitas has some wonderful video talking about the topic. Link!

Have fun! Loli is one of the things that brings you pleasure with a few adjustments loli in school can be an option.

** I will be writing something about loli and school uniforms, keep an eye out!

Lolita VS Mori Girl

Ever dreamed of living in a quaint little cottage in the woods, well then perhaps you'll fall head over heels for the next Lolita hybrid: Mori Lolita.

Mori girl is an aesthetic that has charmed its way into the hearts of many since it first step out onto the fashion scene. Like Lolita fashion, Mori girl originated in Japan and draws from other fashions like natural kei.

"Mori" in Mori girl means forest in Japanese, and Mori girl seek to resemble a forest dwelling girl, or a forest fairy. The Mori girl aesthetic is attributed to Choco from the Mixi community (an online Japanese community similar to facebook), who became inspired after a friend commented that she looked like a forest girl.

What is Mori girl?
Ever imagined what Gretel, Heidi, and Little Red Ridding Hood would wear?

Well Mori girl fashion comes closest to what would be.

Innocence and quirkiness are essentially what a Mori girl wants to emulate. Muted tones, natural fibers, antique items and second hand pieces are all part of the Mori girl aesthetic. This style is very free form with guidelines not strick "must follow" rules.

Mori Lolita?

Now with the looseness of Mori girl and the sometimes rigid rules of Lolita, it is a little difficult to see how these could mesh well, but I believe that those that have found a fondness for Mori Lolita, have to find balance. There's a lot of give and take.

The sub-style best suited to adapt for Mori Lolita would have to be classic Lolita, though sweet Classic especially Classic Sweet Lolita would work well too. Classic and Mori girl share many motifs such as muted tones, floral prints, antique pieces and historical flair.

How to get the look?

Color is key: pastels are welcomed but mostly in a washed out tones; earthy browns like chestnut and chocolate are perfect; creams, off whites and white are also great colors for the Mori girl palette.

Prints: florals, forest theme, fairy tale characters, can all tie into Mori Lolita.

Accessories: think maybe one or two statement pieces of jewelry. Perhaps a simple cancan hat or flower pin for the hair. Remember simplicity is what keeps this aesthetic clean and whimiscal.

Knits and Crochet: shawls, cardigans, sweaters; knitted items all seem to scream forest dweller and should definitely be a part of a Mori Lolita's wardrobe.

Need more Mori girl?

Here's a couple of links

Choco's Mori girl community guidelines on Mixi: link!

Blog dedicated to Mori girl fashion: link!

Livejournal Mori girl community: link!

Mori Lolita by dizzylolibliss featuring flower tops

Lolita VS Steampunk

The Inventor Loli by dizzylolibliss featuring flower jewelry

Here is the first installment of Lolita vs Other Fashions. Lets begin!


This time around I want to focus on Steampunk Lolita, but let's begin with a quick overview. 

What is Steampunk any hoo?

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.^[1] Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history. 

From Wikipedia

Let's have some fun:

What is your Steampunk sensibility? Take this fun quiz to find out Hello Quizzy

Needs some guidelines? Check here: A sense of structure

Steampunk Lolita, wtf?


Many will argue til they are blue in the face that Steampunk-Lolita is not a substyle of Lolita, some will hear nothing less than that is is a valid substyle. Why is it so controversial a style? Well, it boils down to the question: "Is Steampunk cosplay?"

Lolita and cosplay are at odds. Most Lolitas do not want to be associated with cosplay in anyway, and rightfully so. Lolita isn't a costume, it is a fashion ( of course we needn't even mention the reasons here). No with all the technology that is invented for Steampunk outfits anything from jewellery to "hand guns," the cosplay line gets very blurry at best and non existant at worst. This doesn't mean that you have to swear off the Steampunk aesthetic in your Loli. If you have just been shot like Momoko in Kamikaze Girls by this hybrid, resist the urge to just throw a pair of googles on with your favorite Lolita garments. This hybrid will probably not mesh to well with OTT Sweet styles of clothing or gothic. The best would have to be classic especially if it is heavily influenced by the Victorian Era ...no Rococo please.

If you want more Steampunk heres a LJ community: Steampunk Fashion and for more Steampunk Lolita here's a LJ community for you too: The Aesthetic Engine!

In Her Shoes: Flats

I cannot tell a lie. I do not like Lolita shoes (well most). I haven't liked them since I first came to know of the fashion, and though some styles (the famous Tea Party shoe and the original Vivienne Westwood ballerina rocking horse shoes) have grown on me. Most styles still boggle me.
I often find that most Lolita brand shoes are to bulky, to rough looking, the complete polar opposite of the frilly, airy delicate and graceful garments. I've heard that the bulky footwear is meant to stabilize the fashion, to act as a solid base. Honestly I think that's a load of manure and the combination makes for an odd couple.

So what are some alternatives? Let's travel into the land of mainstream fashion particularly.

The Ballet Flat
How much graceful can you get, inspired by the ballet slipper.

Lavender set 1 by dizzylolibliss featuring ballerina flat shoes

Or it's sisters

The Mary Jane Flat

The T-strap flat

To be continued...

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Spring is here and so are spring showers. How's does a Loli to dress during the rainy season?

Here are some ideas...

Classic Lolita

Classic Rainy Lolita by dizzylolibliss featuring wedge boots

Sweet Lolita

Rainy Polka Dots by dizzylolibliss featuring western chief boots

Gothic Lolita

Gothic Storm by dizzylolibliss featuring a black umbrella

Remember to stay warm and to bring your umbrella.

Lolita vs Other Fashions: Introduction

I love Lolita fashion, it is easy to tell. I dress up. I gush at new prints and releases. I dream of Lolita. I stalk blogs and site dedicated to Lolita. I write a blog dedicated to Lolita fashion. I love Lolita fashion, I do, I do, I do.

Now don't get the wrong idea, this isn't one of those post about how Lolita Fashion is superior to other fashions, or how much I hate [insert fashion] because it clearly taking Lolita fashion in the wrong direction. No, this article isn't about that at all. Indeed it is quite the opposite.

I am sure that since Lolita fashion first occurred as an epiphany there has been a desire to stretch it in many directions. To combine it and mod it to suit all taste. There are some that would get red faced arguing that Lolita wasn't intended to be that way but for those that believe that, there are many others that are just itching to explore the boundaries of what Lolita fashion can be.

This is an intro to some of the more controversial lolita hybrids. A series titled Lolita vs Other Fashions.

The next number posts will try to detail these new emerging fashions, I hope you enjoy them. I invite you to comment on any Lolita hybrid you want to see. Of course please give me your opinion of the subject of these lolita hybrids.

Many thanks and much love to you.

Sailor, Pirate Lolita

The next set of Lolita sub-styles are the center of many debates of whether they count as an actual sub-style ( ie sweet, classic, or gothic) or if they are cosplay.

I like to begin with a definition of cosplay or costume play:

A type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often ^[2] drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and Sci-Fi as well as other pop-culture. Favorite sources include manga, anime,tokusatsu, comic books, graphic novels, video games, hentai and fantasy movies. Any entity from the real or virtual world that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject. Inanimate objects are given anthropomorphic forms and it is not unusual to see genders switched, with women playing male roles and vice versa.

Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture centered around role play. A broader use of the term cosplay applies it to any costumed role play in venues apart from the stage, regardless of the cultural context.

From Wikipedia

I like this definition, it is very in-depth. Of course it can be taken to mean that Pirate and Sailor are or are not cosplay. Ultimately it is in the eye of the beholder. For our purpose we will describe these styles as a sub-style of Lolita.

Sailor Lolita:

Sailor Lolita was more popular a few years back and like other sub-styles has fallen out of favor. Of course the name clearly implies what it is, it is lolita infused with the sailor theme.

Popular motifs are anchors, nautical strips, sailor collars and ties, cute sailor style hats. The usual colors are white and navy, white and black, or white and pink but red, white and blue combo can definitely work to achieve this look.

Since this sub-style isn't as popular there aren't many brands that release sailor style lolita. If you are interested in wearing this style be open to searching through off-brand sites like Bodyline and Fanplusfriend, or being vigilant for any brand releases.

Pirate Lolita

Pirate Lolita is rarely seen but it hasn't truly gone by the wayside. Baby's Alice and the Pirates is a brand that caters to this particular style.

Within Pirate Lolita there are sub-styles too.

• Sweet : link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4
• Gothic : link 1, link 2, link 3
• Classic : link 1, link 2, link 3

These separations have much to do with color, and motifs used. Sweet pirate lolita uses pinks and pastels, while gothic might use darker colors like black and purple , etc. Classic would probably dive into browns, maroons.

All use the same motifs with slight modification:

Skulls and cross bones, treasure chest, jewels, pearls, swords, cannons, eye patches, buckles

The use of tricorn hats, big lapels, buckle shoes and boots is prevalent.

Again Baby's Alice and the Pirates is a great place to begin your pirate lolita wardrobe but other brands, off brand and non japanese brands do occasionally release pirate theme items.

So keep an eye out if this is your flavor of Loli.

Wa and Qi Lolita

Among the hardest of the substyles to coordinate Wa and Qi Lolita tiers between what is considered lolita and what is cosplay. The seasoned coordinator might have an easier time establishing these styles into a truly Lolita outfit and not have it be knocked down as cosplay or worse and ita outfit.

I personally like Wa and Qi, dreaming of coordinated that still have yet to manifest.

The element of Japanese or Chinese traditional fashions are mixture with the lolita silhouette.

For Wa Lolita it is common to see yukata or kimono, obis, getta. Kanzashi and other traditional hair adornments are also worn. Meta also makes a kimono fabric jsk which are perfect for the beginner experimenting with Wa Loli.

In Qi Lolita it is usual to see a quipao usually modified to allow the cupcake skirt quintessential to Lolita underneath. Traditional Chinese hair adornments are also used to replace alice bows or the rectangular headdress.

Examples of a well done Wa and Qi lolita coordinate can be found here:

Wa loli 1

Wa loli 2

Qi loli 1

Qi loli 2

Brands that cater to Wa or Qi Lolita:

• Metamorphose temps de fille

Unfortunately Wa and Qi are not as commomn as before and searching in the major lolita brands will be a challenge, but if you look outside to the off brand arena you can find some elegant items.

• Fanplusfriend
• Bodyline

Another note:

Since Wa and Qi Lolita are a mixture of culture and Lolita fashion I would also like to share with you:

Han lolita a style that mixes Korean traditional Hanbok with Lolita, some examples:

• Han loli 1
• Han loli 2

Wryd Loli a style once coordinated by a member of the Livejournal Community, EGL, it s just lovely and fits with the articles theme.

If you want more info on Wa and Qi here are some links that may help:

• Waloli/Qiloli Style
• Wa loli Lolita Fashion

Shiro and Kuro Lolitas

Shiro Lolita and Kuro Lolita were also among the main substyles a few years back and have seemed to go by the wayside as of late, but with the resurgence of old school Lolita, these are two substyles worth mentioning. So what are Shiro and Kuro lolitas exactly? Lets begin in with Shiro-loli, while following all the basic guides of Lolita she prefers to dress in head to toe white, like her the Kuro Lolita prefers to stick to one color black.

Brands that cater to the Shiro and Kuro Lolis:

Items for the Shiro and Kuro substyle can be found in all Lolita brands all the rules of the basic Lolita silhouette apply with the added rule of using a one color color scheme.

Punk Lolita

The Punk Lolita like the Hime Lolita, has fallen out of popularity, but when I started it was one of the main substyles. The Punk Lolita is an ode to interpreting Lolita in any way you like. Mixing lolita with the punk elements: studded bets, plaid, torn up tights, and doc marten or engineer boots; The Punk Lolita is the tough cookie of all the Lolitas. At the forefront of the Punk Lolita is the singer and master punk/lolita mixer, Nana Kitade (pictured above).

Brands that cater to the punk lolita:

• Baby the Stars Shine Bright
• Putumayo
• Atelier Boz
• Black Peace Now
• Sex Pot Revenge

Hime Lolita

Looking over a copy of Kera magazine I eyed a Hime Lolita, I looked at her intently since its been a while since I've seen a Hime lolita. I would say that Hime Lolita is the link between Hime Gyaru and Lolita, evidence is in the big hair and the crown motifs present in both styles. Of course I would never suggest that one could interchange items between the two but I wouldn't be surprised if some did managed to pull off  either style with elements of the other.

What to expect of the Hime Lolita:

This Lolita is the princess of the land, she can be seen wearing tiaras or mini crowns. Like the Classic Lolita, which takes its inspiration from the Victorian Era, it is easy to see the Rococo influence in Hime Lolita. I imagine this Loli takes great inspiration from Queen Marie Antoinette.

Brands that Cater to the Hime Lolita:

• Baby the Stars Shine Bright
• Mary Magdalene
• Mille Fleurs
• Juliette et Justine

Coordinating Outfits

What makes a style charming? Is it the separate pieces or the creative ways that one brings together said pieces?

Sometimes you can have the perfect items in your wardrobe, put still without the right mixing and matching of these items you will get a blah outfit.

Sure brands release sets everything from headwear to socks are pre-coordinated, but it can be a little too cookie cutter, even for a fashion that isn't in the least cookie cutter.

Coordinating outfits is a skill of the well dressed, a skill that can definitely be learned but it does take lots of trial and error.

Yet getting the experience can be a difficult venture especially if you haven't the money to buy many pieces in a short space of time.

So what's one to do when you're just starting out in a fashion with a small budget.

Go digital!

There are many resources that allow for coordinating practice and today I will share with you my favorites!

Polyvore, is my favorite. It allows the user to take stock pictures of garments and match them. You have the option of adding background borders. There is also a Livejournal community: Lolita Outfits, where you can post Polyvore created outfits for critique from other lolis

Off brand 2 by dizzylolibliss featuring pink tights

Dress up games much like the vintage paper doll, You have garments, usually graphics instead of stock photos, and a cute doll to "pin" them on. Here are some of the most Loli-esque that I could find on the web.

Amp Games Sweet Lolita Dress Up

Queen of Dorks Lolita Dress Up Game

Dress Up Who Hime Gyaro & Sweet Lolita Dress Up

Dress Up Who Lolita Fashion Dress Up

Andorea-Chan Lolita Dress Up

Sweety Game-Sweet Lolita Dress Up Game

Decololita

eLouai's Candybar

Country Lolita

Mori Girl Dress Up

Causal Lolita

Japanese Gothic Lolita Fashion

For other fashions, mainstream et al , I like to head over to Roiworld. Before the site was in Korean and due to getting hit after hit from the western world they signed up with Lifetime and voila the english version of Roiworld was born. Roiworld is not focused on Lolita fashion but it can still help as a practice for coordinating outfits since many mixing and matching tricks can style jump.

Dress up games are definitely a great tool to learn especially when you're starting out or if you have a limited wardrobe.

Overall have fun!

Tutorial Tuesday

Oh my gosh its time again for another tutorial tuesday and this one will focus on skirts, yes a basic for any Lolita's wardrobe.

Today Evange posted to EGL LJ comm her tutorial for box pleats

I made a pleated skirt a while back and wished this tutorial had been available then. I came out great but it would have been much easier had I been guide.

Next up the simple skirt from LOTR, they have names their version the hobbit skirt, but no worries ladies this pattern is loliable: my suggestion adding a ruffle at the hem, perhaps a some cute lace

Another option for a basic lolita skirt: the flared skirt comes in two options: Pour_me_coffee's LJ tutorial and Desany's tutorial on her youtube channel LolitaCupcakeXD.

Don't know how to add a ruffle well there is a good tutorials that can give you some guidance.

RhodyGunn's tutorial, which comes in 2 parts: part 1 and part 2

What about a ruffle skirt? Murphy offers a layered ruffle tutorial that with a little tweaking can

Back ruffle skirts are also big in Lolita... One of the basics especially for those who love bustles.

Kidcaella answers to many wishing to figure out this skirt.

What's a back ruffle skirt without a cute overskirt? Chiaki_Ayumi's tutorial is sure to please!

Enjoy and happy crafting!

Cont. Tutorial Tuesday

I just wanted to add some inspiration for all your dessert crafting

Blogs:

• Milky Ribbon
• Apricot Cafe
• Dolce Deco

Videos:

• Adrine80
• Jisfruit
• Small Passions

Have fun and happy crafting!

Tutorial Tuesday

Bonjour mes amis!

Welcome to another Tutorial Tuesday today I would love to show you some sweet tutorials for your dessert accessories.

It is truly surprising how many prints are centered on dessert. AP's Fruits Parlor , Melty Chocolate and Milky★Planet are just a few. But let me mention some of the other brands too!

• BTSSB's Creamy Soda Pop, Cherry Ribbon
• Innocent World's Chelsea Print , Dessert Dress
• Meta's

To accessorize many turn to... dessert accessories. Cake Hats, truffle rings fashioned from polymer clay or felt. Though some examples look like they just came out of the oven, and appear to just as complicated as rocket science. But low and behold the internet and some very wonderful people have open this world up to us making tutorials so that we too could concoct our own yummy fake desserts.

Ready Set ...GO!

Shiri's youtube channel Gentleman Bunny offers polymer clay tutorials for making fruit canes and cakes and tarts! My favorite and one I will try out soon s her Swedish Princess Cake .

A team effort comes from Eva and Jia through there youtube channel Evalrie, these amazing girls offer many tutorial in felt and even other Lolita accessories.

Other helpful youtuber Angela from Garden of Imagination, makes tutorials that though intended for miniature houses can definitely fit our purpose.

For all my crocheters out there dessert patterns come via Norma Lynn on her website Cake Sachets.

So get to your crafts stations and whip up some delicious treats!

Have fun and Happy Crafting!

Tutorial Tuesday

Bonjour mes amis!

This tuesday I would like to focus on hair accessories and obviously I would like to show a few tutorials on bows.

elizabethzap1 has posted a very helpful video on youtube on how to make cute ribbon bows.

JynDesign's offers a tutorial on making flower corsage hair clips

I've been eyeing Victorian Maiden's and Mary Magdalene's rose corsage hair combs for the longest time but have yet to purchase them for the hefty price tag they tote, so as a true spend thrift I wanted to make them myself and luckily Tian Shi had posted an easy to follow tutorial on the main Lj comm.

Another fun accessory and one I really want to try for this autumn and fall seasons in the mini top hat and the one I found with a few changes (in material)... and a few add ons (rose or ribbons the possibilities are endless) has the perfect shape, comes from Tom Banwell.

finally another great bow tutorial comes from Layer Cake Lie (posted to EGL Lj comm)

This is the first of the hair accessory tutorials I will make another when I find more.

I hope you enjoy and happy crafting!

Tutorial Tuesday

I always have a hard time figuring out what to do with my hair when I decide to get all dolled up in Lolita, I usually revert to a lazy bun(boring and messy!) or my regular straight fringe and two curly buns (a la Princess Leah); which is cute but also boring.

Scouting the internet I came across a Loliable tutorial by Binosusme for the Classical Lolita, it has a very Victorian Maiden, Mary Magdalene vibe to it. It is simple yet elegant and could even go with out a hair accessory.

For the cute Sweet Loli Bubzbeauty's tutorial offers 4 easy and quick hairstyles that incorporated a cute hair clip.

Forthe Gothic Lolita (and the others to) Loepsie teaches us to make no heat curls, for the classic EGL look.

Hope you find these useful. Have fun and happy styling!

The Basics: Lolita Silhouette

Bonjour mes amis!

For the next series of post I will be referencing to the basics of Lolita.

What I mean by the basics is what makes an outfit Lolita.

The Skirt (on skirts, Jumper-skirts (jsk) and dress (op): The quintessential item that can make or break your Lolita coordinate.

Ideally it should be bell shaped but I have seen a-line, trapezoid and circle skirts (though not as common). Something that will flare out and accomodate a petticoat. If you want to truly put this basic on its head you could also try for a pencil skirt a la Victorian Maiden.

But what ever the shape you choose, take note Lolita prides itself on modesty so this should be at knee or just 2 inches above the knee.

skirt 1

skirt 2

skirt 3

jsk 1

jsk 2

op 1

op 2

Tops: Blouses and cutsews, they are the thing that goes with the skirt or under the jsk. Though there are many options for tops. Not any old thing will work. Traditional a Peter Pan collar blouse or for a sailor inspired look a sailor collar have been the ideal, but brands come up with many variations.

Here are some other varieties:
blouse 1
blouse 2
blouse 3
blouse 4

The camisole styles offer a summer option:
cami 1
cami 2

Then there's the cutsew, a jersey knit top sometimes with cute graphic to boot.
cutsew 1
cutsew 2
cutsew 3
cutsew 4

Socks and Tights: This is your most open item, by that I mean you can go along with brand socks ( super cute but very expensive) or even hit up your local boutiques and novelty stores for options. Usually the kept at knee length or over the knee and thigh high.

sock 1

sock 2

If you have an issue with knee high socks or want to cover up a too high skirt (for taller lolitas)

tights 1

tights 2

Headwear: everything from a head eating bows to cute cake hats and mini top hats.; and the old school headdress too! Remember to hit up accessory departments in your locals stores.

bows 1

bows 2

hat 1

hat 2

headdress 1

headdress 2

headdress 3

Undergarments: The petticoat has been suggested as the most important part of your wardrobe, it is the base without it you have no silhouette. Don't fall prey to getting a square dancing petticoat they don't have the right shape! Almost all Lolita brands have options:

petticoat 1

petticoat 2

petticoat 3

There is also the option of making your own, I recommend Sugardale's Tutorial!

Bloomers: remember the part where Lolita was all about modesty well, bloomer help to keep your modesty on windy days or when bending forward.

bloomers 1

bloomers 2

bloomers 3

Like the petticoat, bloomer can also be handmade. There are also tons of tutorials online. This one involves recycling.

Shoes: There are many options but at the same time some are clearly un-loliable.

The Mary-jane style shoe is the most basic of Lolita shoes; and is the base of many brand shoes (cute teaparty shoes). Other options the famous and infamous (Naomi Campbell incident) RHS (Rocking Horse Shoes)

shoe 1

shoe 2

shoe 3

shoe 4

Final Note: All these are suggestions, the Basics are open to interpretation; though mind the bell-shaped or flared skirt and petticoat when looking for items, they are the staples of Lolita fashion.

Have fun and happy shopping!

*image credit to owner.

Budget Lolita: DIY

So you've scouted your local boutiques, Forever 21, HM, even departments stores and still can't find what you're looking for.

Every beginning Lolita has experienced this frustration with the readymade world. So what are you to do?

Make it your self!

But how you ask, well if you know where to begin you have a juicy option to build your wardrobe.

Where to begin? You have lots of resources at your dispense.

Sew_loli Comm in Livejournal: offers but tutorials, and inspiration and also gives you an audience to give constructive critique or to help when your projects get a little out of hand.

EGL Comm Memories : EGL staff have placed the many tutorials submitted into an easy to access page.

These lead to lolita specific tutorials but with a little creativity and knowledge you can use other resources not necessarily meant for Lolita and make a whole new garment

Visit Craftster an online community dedicated to you guess it crafts! There are also some Lolita members who share and post tutorials so you won't be lost.

Threadbanger website and Threadbanger on Youtube: They offer non Lolita tutorials but a Tuxedo Bib tutorial posted by the girls at Burdastyle and Caplet tutorial by Jenn have huge loli potential. Keep you eyes open and you mind wheels rolling to convert their ideas.

Now if you can't find what you got in mind, You could also look up patterns and add some lace and bows and voila JSK or OP. Make sure you have a good idea of what Lolita fashion s before trying this out.

Burdastyle offers patterns (both free!) for simple dress and blouse that with a bit of tinkering can be your next Lolita JSK and blouse.

You could always head down to your local fabric store and purchase one of their patterns.

Here are some of my suggestions:

Vogue's Very Easy Misses' Dress reminds me of the bodice of BTSSB Cherry Ribbon Summer OP; a simple change for a fitted skirt to say a gathered one; Voila you have a cute new BTSSB inspired OP.

Can any one see the similarities between Butterrick Misses' Dress B5351 and Angelic Pretty's Dream Dollhouse JSK?

Yes, you got it.. it's the bodice (with a few more embellishments of course) and if you take that bodice and flare out the skirt portion of this pattern and some lace and a some bows.

Remember with a bit of creativity, basic sewing skills and knowledge of Lolita, you too can come up with your own Lolita wardrobe items.

Have fun with it and happy crafting!