Saving

The most important part of building a lolita wardrobe is saving up for one. And for most girls (myself included), saving money cn be difficult. So here are some tips on saving your cash.

1. Transfer a set amount from every paycheck into a savings account. Ten or twenty every couple of weeks adds up quick.

2. If you don't have a job (or even if you do), labelling a jar and dropping spare change into it every day also adds up. Not as quickly, but it really does.

3. Eat at home before you go out shopping so you'll be less tempted to get lunch while you're out. While less fun, this also lets you save.

4. If you have a problem with impulse buying, bring a friend along to dissuade you or bring a picture of your dream dress along to help keep impulse buys down.

5. Last but not least, always keep track of your spending and finances. No matter what you're saving for, it's best to know what comes in and what goes out.

What are your favorite saving tips?

Brand vs Replica

Now, this is a question that weighs heavily on almost every loli's mind. Am I a poser if I buy replicas? Many people will say yes, that replicas are fakes and any lolita who buys them is a poser. Some say that you are not a true lolita and that brands might go out of business. Many lolitas who purchase replicas are afraid of posting on daily_lolita or EGL because they don't want to be flamed or made fun of.

But the truth is, some lolitas really can't afford brand pieces. I am one of those lolitas. Right now, I'm about to enter college, which is my first priority. I want to build my wardrobe, but even spending $100 on replicas is a stretch.

And what about those brand pieces that are no longer available or are only available on the Japanese webshops?

Personally, I think replicas are okay, especially if you realize that you are paying much less and therefore sacrificing the quality of the piece. If you are willing to take that risk and own a lesser piece because of budget or preference or what have you, then go for it! Don't let anyone tell you what to think or what to buy. Angelic Pretty and Baby won't go out of business just because you buy replicas.

I recently bought a replica of AP's Wonder Cookie. I eventually want to own the real thing, but as of now, it is unavailable and difficult to find on the comm sales. I also eventually want to do a comparison of the replica and the real thing. But I will still post on EGL and daily_lolita and refuse to care if someone decides to flame me without knowing my intention or current situation.

What is your view on replicas?

But What Will My Parents Say?

Ah, the parental barrier. For those of us who still live at home or see our parents a lot, the subject of lolita will indefinitely come up. Now, different parents will have different views, but all may not at first understand. For example, my own mother doesn't get lolita and thinks it's for little kindergarten girls. It hurts a bit when she says my favorite style is for little girls, but I just explain to her the ideals behind lolita. Lolita fashion is based on modesty and expression of oneself without baring all of one's assets. I feel as though my parents respect me and the fashion just a little more after hearing what it's all about.

So try doing a small presentation to your parents explaining that lolita is in no way related to the novel and is not some kind of weird fetish, but a form of modest self expression and respect of the female form.

Share with your parents your favorite prints and styles. It can be a fun way to get to know each other better.

Assure your parents that they are not obligated to buy your $300 dresses (unless they offer... then go for it, haha!). They'll feel better about the fashion if they know you're working for it, and will therefore get more value from it. Lolita is a great budgeting teacher! Parents might be more accepting if they know you're learning life skills from your hobby.

Most of all, have fun! DOn't let any negative comments deter you. Let it all slide off your armor of icy indifference and continue on with your frills! Good luck!

What do your parents think?

Do I Have to Dress in Lolita Every Day?

This is a question tht many new lolits, including myself, have struggled with. Do I have to dress in lolita every single day? Will I be shunned if I don't? What if I want to wear jeans and a t-shirt some days?

The truth is, you really don't have to constantly wear lolita! There are those that do, called lifestylers, but they make up a small percentage. And contrary to popular belief, no one will shun you for not wearing lolita daily. In fact, on a normal day, I wear jeans, hoodies, cropped tees, and floral prints. These are hardly lolita, but they don't make me any less of one. Lolita is a fashion, just like gyaru, punk, 80s, and anything else you would see in the mall. You don't have to be fully dedicated to one particular fashion. You can dabble, and have several favorites. Lolita is the same! And even within lolita, one can dabble in different styles.

The bottom line is: you are no less of a lolita just because you choose to wear different fashions. Some people have work where they can't wear lolita; some people have uniforms fr work or school. Some people have limited wardrobes and others simply don't want to go out in lolita by themselves. All in all, a lolita is a lolita no matter what he or she wears. It's all about what you feel on the inside, not how you look on the outside. =)

Pinterest

Hello, all!

I just wanted to recommend a site called Pinterest, which is like an online corkboard. It's a great place to collect a wishlist or document a wardrobe, like mine here.

You can also make one at pinterest.com.

It's great for making a wishlist, especially if you're first starting out. A wishlist will help you keep track of your favorite styles and brands, and help you visualize pricing and budgets. Plus, it's always fun once you get to move a wishlist item to the wardrobe board. ;)

Post your wishlist or dream item below!

Do Something For Yourself

Sorry for my absence!

In this post, I just want to say that before you begin to obsess about dressing in lolita, try some smaller things for yourself.

1. Paint your nails! Right now mine are pink and blue. <3

2. Do your hair! Tie in a ribbon, put in a small bow, try some elegant braids.

3. Take a bubble bath!~

4. Pamper yourself!

Trying these things or having a ritual will get you into the lolita mindset as well as allowing you to relax and be happy!

What is your favorite pampering activity and why? =)

Bodyline Review

As you know, I ordered these shoes from Bodyline a few days ago. I got them yesterday, five days after I ordered them. They arrived in a bag, which was a little odd, but they were unscuffed and safe.

They also fit perfectly. I ordered them by cm, not by the conversion chart, and I'm glad I did. My feet are 24 cm, measured by standing on a sheet of paper, marking the front and back, and measuring the paper. The 24 cm shoes fit wonderfully. The only thing is the ankle ties are a little snug, but bearable.

I will definitely have to buy white shoe polish to go with them, for they will undoubtedly get dirty very quickly.

Overall, I'm very happy and would order from Bodyline again. I love my new shoes! =)

Before You Buy

Before you go out or online and start buying things, make a list! It is easier to build a wardrobe once you know what you'll need.

Blouse

Dress, JSK, or skirt

Petticoat

Stockings

Shoes

Jewelry

Hair accessory

Other (purse, parasol, etc)

Now! You can have multiples of each of these, but this basic list will start a wardrobe for you. But wait! Don't go buy yet! Look around your house and in your closets for things that might work for a basic style. Blouses, shoes, stockings, maybe even some jewelry. You might luck out, and save a lot of money in the process! Here are some things I found in my house:

White decorative blouse; good for by itself or layering with a JSK.

Three pairs of shoes; two flats and one pair of boots. Better for classic or gothic or casual.

Some jewelry and a hairpiece better suited for classic and gothic. Found at Forever 21 and Bijuju.

More jewelry and hairpieces. Better suited for sweet, casual, and Alice themes. Found at Claire's, Charlotte Russe, Tasty Peach Studios, and homemade bow.

I also found a couple of pairs of stockings and tights that I could wear, crossing out some basics in my wardrobe. And while your tastes may be different and your lolita style more difficult, you still may be able to find some useful pieces and some fun jewelry you can incorporate into your everyday wardrobe while you work on your lolita wardrobe. The closet raid is a great way to start and a great way to save money!

Next is a shopping spree post in which we go to local stores to look for loliable clothes! Stay tuned!

The Dangers of Having Two Styles

While shoe shopping yesterday, I realized I had a problem. What shoes could I buy that would match both of my styles? After some heavy picture browsing and research, I saw that lolita shoes ran very similar across the style board. I finally chose the white pair from the previous post, white because it matches pretty much anything; a good starter. Fantastic! Problem was solved.

But I began to wonder. Were there other staples that could work for both my gothic/classic and sweet style? Or would I have to buy completely seperate wardrobes? More research showed me this:

Blouses are a staple and usually come in white or black. Vastly different styles can use practically the same blouse, as shown below.

Both blouses are white with a flared sleeve. You could easily just buy one or two blouses and use them for different outfits.

Tights and stockings are staples, too. Simple solids can be used with almost any style, but you can get away with some similar patterns. However, you can also get away with buying matching stockings with your outfits, as they are cheaper.

Petticoats and bloomers are also those things that one need not necessarily buy matching sets in for each outfit (unless you are that sort of person and have the money to burn, haha). So once you have these staples, you can build two completely different wardrobes with just JSKs, dresses, and skirts. And the cost is significantly reduced (which may be the best part!) ;)

First Pair of Lolita Shoes

That's right! I just bought my first pair of official lolita shoes.
Before I had been wearing Charlotte Russe flats with bows on them, but it seemed time to upgrade. I was also on a shopping kick... (My poor bank account, haha. Time to build her back up!)

I'm a little nervous about sizing, after all I've heard about Bodyline, but hopefully I'll get it right! *crosses fingers*

What are your favorite or dream lolita shoes?

A Lolita Forum

Dressed to a Tea is a very useful and fun lolita forum! Please check them out, and come visit me there! =)

Choosing Your Style

So, now that we have a world of knowledge under our stylish belts, now what? Buy the first dress we see? Nope! First things first. What style should you go for, in a sea of so many different colors, prints, and frills?
If you don't already know, this step can be hard, especially if you like many different styles. Which is the best for you?

Do you like pants better than skirts? Boystyle may be for you.

Do you prefer prints or solids? Prints are more often found in sweet, country, punk, wa, and qi lolita. Solids are more often found in gothic, classic, sailor, hime, and some sweet lolita.

Do you prefer darker or lighter color schemes?

What is your favorite theme? Do you prefer cupcakes and ice cream cones or instruments and tea cups? Strawberries or cherry blossoms? Tiaras or plaid?

How would you like to wear your hair? Huge, Marie Antoinette style? Curled? Straight? Multi-colored wig?

Do you like more mature styles or younger, brighter styles?

Which lolita pictures or dresses are you drawn to the most?

This site gives descriptions of each style if you would like to read more in-depth.

Answer these questions and see if you can narrow down your favorite style.
It's okay to have more than one favorite style! Most lolitas have two styles they dabble in. I prefer gothic and sweet lolita, two opposites of the spectrum. They leave one open for options. But for right now, let's focus on one style.

What is yours?

Do Your Research!

As a baby lolita, one must first know what they're talking about. I know everyone says this, but it is a vital first step for Babies. And besides, it doesn't have to be boring! Lurking on blogs and lolita communities is a great way to get a fun start! Here are some of my favorite places!

http://egl.livejournal.com/
The ever fmaous EGL site, while enormous and sometimes overwhelming, can be very helpful. I would suggest searching the 'Beginners' tag. But they feature contests and fun things to do, creating a fun, interactive experience!

http://www.fyeahlolita.com/
A very informative blog with great tips to starting in lolita fashion. Also a good place to find reviews and lists. Great layout and plenty of pictures!

http://lolita-charm.blogspot.com/
Another great place for reviews and tips. Less pictures, but still very informative and just fun to browse!

http://lolita-handbook.livejournal.com/
A great place to start! Complete with labelled pictures and plenty of tips in every category you can imagine!

Also be sure to search around and check the EGL community's affiliates to see if you can find a lolita community for your area. Maybe, if you're lucky, you can find a lolita mentor who can help you in your journey! <3

Do you have any favorite blogs or communities?

Advice All Lolitas Should Start With

I want to become a lolita, you say.
So become one, I reply.
What can I do to look like a lolita?
I have no words with which to reply to this.
You need a headdress, don't you? And a pannier.
Is this coordinate strange?
Is it not wrong for lolita?
Why do you want to do lolita?
Because it's trendy, because my friends do it...
If that's the case, you have no right to wear lolita.
If you just do what the others do, you will look like a lolita.
But I want you to think about something.
Who do you live for?
You think you want to be yourself, but you are afraid of isolation.
You yell that you want to be free, but you take comfort in following convention.
When you are praised for something you don't even feel comfortable with, are you really satisfied?
Girls who wear Vivienne Westwood but don't even know the Sex Pistols.
Even when wearing a jersey, a princess is a princess.
My lolita rules are mine alone.
So you are the only one who can find your own lolita rules.
My god and your god are different, aren't they?
There are angels who wear elegant dresses and play tamborines,
But there are also angels wearing armor and carrying swords whose job it is to fight.
I can't answer your question.
But there are a lot of hints all around you.
You just haven't noticed yet.
What you feel is right is your answer.
Sew frills onto the hem of your heart!
Put a tiara on top of your soul!
Have pride.

- Novala Takemoto

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to my blog! Within this blog, I plan to chronicle my transition from lurker to lolita and share tips and trials we all come across on the way. I hope my journey will be able to help other baby lolitas in their transition! Let's enter the frilly world of lolita together! =)