Fyeah's "Lolita 52 Challenge" - Week 1
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A little while ago I decided to write more journals here about both lolita and my personal life. To help with the lolita side, I'm going to participate in this challenge. Its one topic a week to write about for 2013... I need to catch up on the first two!
Topic: 5 Pieces that every Lolita wardrobe should have, regardless of style
1. Chiffon Blouse. I'm not very strict when it comes to adhering to the Lolita Rulebook. However, it is just a fact of construction that most brand JSKs are sewn to be worn over a blouse or top. Lets be honest here, back shirring was not really designed to accommodate a wide range of sizes. The only thing it can consistently help you do is layer more or less under an item. Otherwise, the bodice gets distorted and can lead to uncomfortable back aches. Dresses that have square bodices with low back cuts can look pretty strange without something under them
To feel more comfortable, I will either wear a bolero over the JSK or I will reach for a chiffon blouse! They allow you to feel more covered and princessy without adding bulk. All of the brands routinely release chiffon tops in the spring. Angelic Pretty is usually more inventive with the overall design of the blouse so you would have to experiment to find the right JSK/blouse combination. AATP has a few set silhouettes they have released consistently. I once bought a chiffon top after the "Night Fairy Fantasia" release (that looks similar to this black one) without realizing the material, lame, had tiny sparkles in it! I sold it before I lost weight and I have been hunting them ever since!
2. Hair Styling Tools.
Pretty descriptive as it stands Elaborate hair is unusual in the modern world so it automatically makes me think that someone put extra time into their outfit. That is what lolita is all about right? the lush feeling of looking one-of-a-kind in a perfect outfit bought/created for that specific moment
My coords seem to disappoint me over and over again because I never know what to do with my head! Natural hair doesn't seem to cut it anymore but I find wigs very uncomfortable. As a result, I've been trying to collect images/tutorials of hairstyles I can use when I am in a rush to create a coordinate. It took me an entire year to open my hair curler and my first thought was "WHAT?" Who knew you had to twist the hair around it to hold? That seemed too simple to me and I kept trying to figure out what to do with the clip bit. It just sounds like a round straightener but more uncomfortable... You have to hold your arms up and put your fingers directly next to the heated barrel. I'm seriously astounded that we haven't invented a better curling solution. I've been looking into sleep in rollers (like my grandma wears every night) or one of these fancy 3 barrel curlers.... but what do you do with that? Like a figure 8 pattern? or do you do it bit by bit like those 90s crimpers? I'm at a loss D
<- seriously uncomfortable looking
3. Elaborate TIghts/Socks.
The wardrobe items I tried to add in to this list described things that would take an offbrand wardrobe into the "awesome" category for me. Apart from elaborate hair I love seeing interesting legwear! Patterned tights and socks are a huge inspiration to runway fashion but they rarely make it into the everyday world. Why? Because they are so "one time use!" They don't last very long so if you buy something elaborate it can be difficult to wash and store them. On the other hand, you can't use them repeatedly too quickly or they start to loose the shock factor. My solution to this issue is just to buy an arsenal of tights XD However, I've seen a lot of people be more creative! You can layer tights to get a more interesting effect (and this is also awesome for the winter!). Another solution could be wearing two pairs with one leg in each. The resulting harlequin effect can add interest to color blocking off brand coords.
4. Medium Bag in a basic colour.
Another statement piece I love to see is bags! I don't mean that bags have to be super lavish themselves but I love when they make a lolita statement on their own. Its just another layer signifying that the coord is intended to be lolita rather than otome or plain girly. I think all Lolitas should have a medium bag in the colour predominantly found in their wardrobe. For me, this is brown (though black is catching up!). My treasure chest bag is used for chocolate themed cords, forest themed cords, or general classic outfits. Because of the interesting shape, it pops out of the outfit even if I'm wearing something semi plain.
I love IW bags for this. Their placement of scallops or bows i tastefully one and they can work well with gothic, classic, or sweet with the right bag clip or accessories
5. Well Fitting Underthings.
Nodding again to shape here, I think it is important for Lolitas to have a goo arsenal f bras and underthings to deal with garments. Due to the shapeless bodices on many items, girls with any sort of chest end up looking squished or flat. The best way to combat this is usually an arrangement of wired bras with minimal padding. I've also found that shaped sports bras can help you keep the look of... well, boobs, without squishing them into square ramps. Its not always about how tight garments are! Its just that the square bodice cuts don't leave darts or any room for a chest. In order to keep boobs visible (which effects the entire visual proportion of your frame) you sometimes need to shape the help yourself.
( . )( . ) <- not getting an actual picture for this one so there you go haha
A little while ago I decided to write more journals here about both lolita and my personal life. To help with the lolita side, I'm going to participate in this challenge. Its one topic a week to write about for 2013... I need to catch up on the first two!
Topic: 5 Pieces that every Lolita wardrobe should have, regardless of style
1. Chiffon Blouse. I'm not very strict when it comes to adhering to the Lolita Rulebook. However, it is just a fact of construction that most brand JSKs are sewn to be worn over a blouse or top. Lets be honest here, back shirring was not really designed to accommodate a wide range of sizes. The only thing it can consistently help you do is layer more or less under an item. Otherwise, the bodice gets distorted and can lead to uncomfortable back aches. Dresses that have square bodices with low back cuts can look pretty strange without something under them
To feel more comfortable, I will either wear a bolero over the JSK or I will reach for a chiffon blouse! They allow you to feel more covered and princessy without adding bulk. All of the brands routinely release chiffon tops in the spring. Angelic Pretty is usually more inventive with the overall design of the blouse so you would have to experiment to find the right JSK/blouse combination. AATP has a few set silhouettes they have released consistently. I once bought a chiffon top after the "Night Fairy Fantasia" release (that looks similar to this black one) without realizing the material, lame, had tiny sparkles in it! I sold it before I lost weight and I have been hunting them ever since!
2. Hair Styling Tools.
Pretty descriptive as it stands Elaborate hair is unusual in the modern world so it automatically makes me think that someone put extra time into their outfit. That is what lolita is all about right? the lush feeling of looking one-of-a-kind in a perfect outfit bought/created for that specific moment
My coords seem to disappoint me over and over again because I never know what to do with my head! Natural hair doesn't seem to cut it anymore but I find wigs very uncomfortable. As a result, I've been trying to collect images/tutorials of hairstyles I can use when I am in a rush to create a coordinate. It took me an entire year to open my hair curler and my first thought was "WHAT?" Who knew you had to twist the hair around it to hold? That seemed too simple to me and I kept trying to figure out what to do with the clip bit. It just sounds like a round straightener but more uncomfortable... You have to hold your arms up and put your fingers directly next to the heated barrel. I'm seriously astounded that we haven't invented a better curling solution. I've been looking into sleep in rollers (like my grandma wears every night) or one of these fancy 3 barrel curlers.... but what do you do with that? Like a figure 8 pattern? or do you do it bit by bit like those 90s crimpers? I'm at a loss D
<- seriously uncomfortable looking
3. Elaborate TIghts/Socks.
The wardrobe items I tried to add in to this list described things that would take an offbrand wardrobe into the "awesome" category for me. Apart from elaborate hair I love seeing interesting legwear! Patterned tights and socks are a huge inspiration to runway fashion but they rarely make it into the everyday world. Why? Because they are so "one time use!" They don't last very long so if you buy something elaborate it can be difficult to wash and store them. On the other hand, you can't use them repeatedly too quickly or they start to loose the shock factor. My solution to this issue is just to buy an arsenal of tights XD However, I've seen a lot of people be more creative! You can layer tights to get a more interesting effect (and this is also awesome for the winter!). Another solution could be wearing two pairs with one leg in each. The resulting harlequin effect can add interest to color blocking off brand coords.
4. Medium Bag in a basic colour.
Another statement piece I love to see is bags! I don't mean that bags have to be super lavish themselves but I love when they make a lolita statement on their own. Its just another layer signifying that the coord is intended to be lolita rather than otome or plain girly. I think all Lolitas should have a medium bag in the colour predominantly found in their wardrobe. For me, this is brown (though black is catching up!). My treasure chest bag is used for chocolate themed cords, forest themed cords, or general classic outfits. Because of the interesting shape, it pops out of the outfit even if I'm wearing something semi plain.
I love IW bags for this. Their placement of scallops or bows i tastefully one and they can work well with gothic, classic, or sweet with the right bag clip or accessories
5. Well Fitting Underthings.
Nodding again to shape here, I think it is important for Lolitas to have a goo arsenal f bras and underthings to deal with garments. Due to the shapeless bodices on many items, girls with any sort of chest end up looking squished or flat. The best way to combat this is usually an arrangement of wired bras with minimal padding. I've also found that shaped sports bras can help you keep the look of... well, boobs, without squishing them into square ramps. Its not always about how tight garments are! Its just that the square bodice cuts don't leave darts or any room for a chest. In order to keep boobs visible (which effects the entire visual proportion of your frame) you sometimes need to shape the help yourself.
( . )( . ) <- not getting an actual picture for this one so there you go haha