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?