Lolita, in MY office?

[farasha]

For a while, I've kind of felt like I was on the edges of the lolita community because I don't get very many chances to wear lolita. I have a full-time office job that requires at least business casual, which meant that I pulled my suits and matching skirt and blouse sets out from the back of my closet and put my lolita in the back instead

Comments

[farasha]

And that's totally part of knowing your job's dress code! IT people can get away with a lot because they aren't required to talk to customers or clients face to face. I'm an administrative assistant, so I'm constantly showing clients into the conference room and dealing face to face with our loan officers, so I have to tone it down.

[kai_yukashi]

LOL i work in Engineering/Software and I feel like i can get away with wearing tshirt/hoodies and jeans but not lolita, because most of my coworkers are older generation male, and while they probably won't go 'what are you wearing???" at me, i'll be getting far too many odd looks (and potentially obtain an odd reputation, possibly an impression that i can't code because i dress funny

[nerorizim]

I get what you mean...i'm in aerospace engineering and i have to pretty much ixnay the lolita for work. its hard enough to get other people to take me seriously :T and yet i can wear the rattiest jeans/teeshirts and nobody cares. its frustrating

[tatteredseraph]

Some of the Classic brands like IW and VM, or even AatP, have some lovely jaboted blouses that could take the place of pussybow blouses, which have been en vogue in mainstream fashion recently again. These can go with pretty much anything, from pencil skirts to trousers to full on Lolita skirts or simple jsks. Again, IW are amazing for producing such skirts and dresses for this, which lend an elegant, vintage inspired look, if your workplace isn't hyper-conformist in work attire. I also second fairly minimal poof on the petticoat, although a very light petti still adds a bit more shape than none at all. I would also say that taking a nod to Aristocrat styling to a degree also assists in being able to wear Lolita as work-wear.

[farasha]

Yes, the classic brands are GREAT for pulling pieces into your office wardrobe, and the Victorian vintage aesthetic is coming back in right now which works great for us lolis! I had someone at the office ask if my blouse was by a Western designer (I forgot which one she named), and she was pretty surprised when I told her it was actually imported from Japan.

[tatteredseraph]

I get similar comments from the secretaries in my department, who are always raving over my outfits and asking where I get stuff from. I also highly recommend All Saints as a Western brand which do a lot of Victorian inspired tailored suits, etc, including footwear, which work beautifully when mix-and-matched with the right pieces from the Lolita brands. I do this a lot if I have to say, represent my department or give presentation talks. Interestingly, it actually makes me one of the smarter dressed there!

[princessfuzzbal]

I will sometimes take a piece here or there and add it in with the rest of my business casual clothing (blouse, skirt or a very small headbow). I wore one of my very frilly lacy blouses with waist ties, and everybody was asking me where I got it. They were amazed when I told them where I got it from, and wanted to know more. My manager even told me that my blouse was really cute. :) Even better was when I showed them the detachable sleeves- now everybody in my office wants a blouse like mine!

[pan_desu_yo]

If possible, do you think you could include some photos of your loli office coords? You know, for the visual learners of the group!

[farasha]

Sure thing! I don't have a real camera so they'll unfortunately be the dreaded cell-phone-in-a-mirror shots, but I promise my shoes aren't anything special to look at :) Let me get 'em uploaded and I'll throw 'em in the post.

[farasha]

And photos are up in the post! The quality is a bit disappointing but hey, you work with what you've got.

[bahia]

Hmm for some reason I can't see the pictures. Can other people see them?

[momo_6548]

These are great tips! I plan to wear lolita in college some, but I wanted to incorporate small things in first so it wouldn't be such a shock. I especially love the idea for the bow clipped into a half-ponytail. I feel like that's a great look for anytime and a simple way to incorporate accessories into daily life.

[farasha]

I want bows in half-ponytails to become a lolita trend! I never felt comfortable with a giant bow on top of my head but when I put it in the back, suddenly it works!

[momo_6548]

It's good for smaller bow clips or combs as well! It's nice to add a bit of cute to your hairstyle without it being overpowering.

[pretty_pastels]

Do you mind if I add a few tips?

* Pastels can work in an office setting! Pastel colored blouses looks great under grey and black suits. It gives a bit of fresh air from what normally would be a bit drab outfit if it were a white blouse.
just make sure it not one with a large,frilly Peter pan collar. Leave those at home.
Opt for soft, low neck bow tie blouse. (when I mean low neck, I don't mean the ones that show your cleavage)

*Chiffon and light airy blouse are in with Lolita, and with mainstream fashion. Double-points!

*You can wear bow,jewels,vintage, etc (even those AP ones!) barrettes in a half-up do with a few loose strands framing your face. Very adorable c:

*high collar ruffled blouses look so great under suits. It gives off a royalty vibe that I love so much.

*If you have to wear slacks, you could always wear the ankle socks in adorable prints that brands and off brands started releasing with some flats or low heels. They look adorable when they peek out.

[farasha]

The pastel comment was more directed at things like Milky Planet or AP's carousel print in lavender, both of which are way too much for an office, but I totally agree with you. I love pairing a light pink blouse with a black suit jacket, and I have a skirt and shell set that's a very pretty shade of lavender. Hm... methinks I need to edit that portion of the post.

[pretty_pastels]

Oh no, don't get me wrong. I completely understood what you were saying.
It was more directed towards girls who believe they can't wear any eye catching colors in the office only the usual black,grey,white and brown.

Pastel colored suits with a pastels colored blouses is so adorable~
I wish more people would realize that colors can work in the office!