Collections Lolitas Accumulate

January is typically "Wardrobe Month" in the online lolita community. Suddenly we all remember that the LiveJournal community still exists, and hurry to post our wardrobes on EGL before the end of the month. As with previous years, I am not intending to do a wardrobe post. I simply don't have the motivation to spend hours taking decent pictures of everything, especially given recent circumstances. Maybe I will do it one year, but it wont be this year! But my wardrobe has still been on my mind a lot recently anyway. I think seeing what other lolitas have naturally makes you focus on what you have more. But I have mostly been having a bit of a think about what I may potentially want to sell in the near future and having a general tidy. It was whilst I was having this cleaning session that I noticed I had piles of stuff which appear to have accumulated. It is not clothing, but other stuff that naturally comes as part of following any fashion. I simply don't have the heart to throw them out. They feel really personal to me and they tell the story of my journey in lolita fashion throughout the years. And yet, wardrobe posts are so focused on the dresses and clothing that these little mementos tend to get ignored. I wanted to focus on them today, because they really mean a lot to me.

Notes from other lolitas- Whenever I buy anything, I always love seeing the little notes that people include. Sometimes it could just be a simple thank you, or perhaps it may include something that references what you have purchased or a private joke. I love all the different cute paper and stationary I get. This may sound weird, but I also like looking at other people's handwriting. There is just something really pleasing to the eye about good handwriting! Adding notes adds an element of caring to a purchase. It makes you feel that as a buyer, the seller didn't simply chuck your item in a box and then forget about it the second they get their money.

Brand Tags- They usually include Japanese washing instructions that I can't read anyway, but for some reason I have this weird compulsion to never throw out my brand tags. A lot of the logos look cute anyway. I think as well that sometimes when you are selling things on, there is an emphasis on how new things are. You will often see in the description whether the item you are buying comes with tags or not.

Stickers- I absolutely love getting stickers! I never want to use them, because I want to keep them looking new and pretty (one of the reasons why I never go out of my way to specifically buy brand novelties). Some of my stickers have memories attached to them too. The Baby ones in the picture for example, are ones that I got from Hyper Japan. I had just brought my mini Usakumya, which is quite an iconic lolita brand item. The lady in the store looked amazing in head-to-toe Baby, was happy to demonstrate how to properly tie waist ties and did this whole gesture of sealing up my bag and handing it over in this obvious 'presenting' gesture. The Pixie Bunny one is from where I won her competition, so that has happy memories attached to it too.

Postcards- These are an easy way to get hold of some Imai Kira artwork, as she works with Angelic Pretty a lot. It is really exciting when you get artwork of a print that you may own. Like notes, sometimes the postcard may have personal messages on them. One of my postcards from when Angelic Pretty Paris was Boddywood included a note to say I had been entered in to their contest for a place at their tea party (I won, but was unable to attend unfortunately...). There are also a great number of talented artists in the lolita community who really love to have the chance to showcase their artwork. I completely forgot to photograph the postcards that came in my Tea Party Club event goody bags. Some of the free postcards are super cute!

Catalogues- Physical printed catalogues don't seem to get printed as often as they used to be. Or sometimes you will find the art used for special "art books" instead (typically these art books are a novelty item with a small leaflet, which has a few pictures of a new release). Metamorphose gave me a catalogue when I ordered Magical Moonlight, which I thought was a really nice touch. It meant I could see how the dress looked on a model and how the whole series looked. I know some lolita like to cut these up and frame the artwork as well, a bit like with the postcards.

Novelty fair items- I have only ever been lucky to receive a special novelty item, given away during a brand's promotional fairs, once. It was a Metamorphose drink flask, which I got with my Meta lucky pack all the way back in 2010. They held a Winter Novelty Fair at the same time as their lucky packs came out. These items are only available for as long as stock lasts and some of them can be hard to locate. Sometimes you will get novelties that are designed exclusively for events, which provides a long-lasting memento to a fun day you had. Badges and hand mirrors are quite easy to make, and are another way to show off a print that you love.

Fabric Swatches and spare buttons- Do Angelic Pretty do fabric swatches anymore? It has been ages since I have received one with anything I have brought. It does mostly seem to be AP who do the fabric swatches, but most brands will often provide a spare button. Given how fragile some of the buttons can be, it is obviously a very good idea to keep hold of these spares! I have a drawer in my sewing box stuffed full of spare buttons. I don't think I even own some of the items the buttons go with anymore.

Shopping bags- I actually had to throw out a load of Bodyline bags once because they wouldn't fit in my "Bag of Bags". I have a big Metamorphose shopping bag which I use to keep hold of all of my plastic shopping bags. I really love how when you buy from brand stores they will provide you with a spare shopping bag, even if you haven't attended the physical store. It is nice how they know how much their fans appreciate these bags! A lot of the time the bags are cute and colourful. If you have too much stuff to fit in your actual bag (which happens a lot with a lot of tiny lolita bags) these brand shopping bags are a cute and cheap way to 'remain lolita' instead of carrying a bag from a high street store.

Clothes hangers- I didn't take a photo of mine, because they are not always that exciting to look at. Sometimes when you order bigger items from brands you will find that they throw in a clothes hanger for free. They are often just bog-standard hangers with no indication that they came from a lolita brand, but on rare occasions brands have put out branded hangers. Knowing how much clothing I have, I simply am unable to throw out a clothes hanger, because you never know when you are going to need it.

GLBs and other Japanese fashion magazines- Unlike the glossy 'weekly' magazines which typically get thrown out after being read, Japanese fashion magazines are more like books. Sometimes when I am feeling ill or a bit bored, I will sit and look through all of the street snaps. There is something really satisfying about sitting down in a comfortable seat, all snuggled up, with a physical magazine in hand. It feels a lot more personal than finding content online, as you can hold it in your hands and you have the physical reminder to keep. And as embarrassing as this sounds, I did go out and buy the Japanese Gothic Lolita Bible when I saw I had been featured in it! For me personally, that was a really special moment and I wanted something to remember it.

So as you are flicking through all of those wardrobe posts or even making your own, take a moment to think about the person behind the clothing. Some of the items I mentioned in this post are highly sentimental to me. They have memories attached to them and some are unique to me. They document my lolita story through the years. I keep a lot of the personal stuff, such as the notes, with my lolita scrapbook so that I see them frequently when I need some inspiration. Do you have any 'collections' outside of your lolita wardrobe? I am curious to know what other lolitas think of these little mementos and if you cherish them, like I do.

Wardrobe Supporting Acts

Recently I have been going through some of the old blog posts on some lolita blogs, as I do from time to time, and there was something I noticed. There are lots of posts about what lolitas feel are important clothing items that every lolita should have, but nothing about the items behind the scenes. I am on about the items that help support your wardrobe and help you maintain a happy wardrobe environment. Chances are, you probably already have some, or almost all of the items on this list. But I feel it is still important to document these wardrobe saviours, as they are the things that you maybe don't think about or perhaps are an after-thought. So here are my favourite wardrobe supporters!

A Nude/skin tone strapless bra- Colours like white can seem fine for underwear, until somebody takes a photo of you using flash, and your bra is suddenly visible for all to see. The best way to avoid this embarrassment (which it pains me to admit, I have experienced firsthand) is to get a bra which matches your skin tone. I found a really nice light nude bra which I am pleased to say has never shown up in a single photograph! It is also a good idea to consider a strapless option, as sheer and chiffon bodice details have become more popular in lolita recently.

A camisole, with a lovely design- On a similar note, if you are a lover of chiffon blouses and decide to team that blouse with a skirt instead of underneath a JSK, then it is a good idea to get a camisole with a nice design, seeing as it will be on display.

Sweat pads- These are pads that you stick to the inside of the armpits of a dress or blouse to stop sweat and deodorant from transferring on to your clothing. These are hardly a vital item, but if you are prone to sweating or are the sort of person who is always finding marks on their clothing, then they may be worth a go. I have also heard of people cutting up panty liners as a cheaper alternative (the thin pads, not the thicker ones) and that they do a similar job. I have to admit that I am yet to be convinced by sweat pads, but at least they are there as an option. It is also worth mentioning that these are not a substitute for washing!

Moisture traps- I remember when I first moved out of my mum's house and I experienced damp for the first time. I lost some stuff after a cold, but relatively average UK Winter because of the high level of moisture in our place. That Winter taught me a very valuable lesson about ventilation and moisture. We cleaned up, painted our place with anti-mould paint and made the vents in our place bigger. Another change we made was the addition of moisture traps. They typically have a chamber that the water collects in at the bottom and you put these crystals in the top, which typically get changed every 6-8 weeks (depending on the time of year). I don't keep a moisture trap in my actual wardrobe, but there is one in the room close by, just to keep the moisture levels under control. Thankfully, none of my lolita wardrobe has ever been damaged.

Lint roller- Perfect for dusting down your clothing when you need a quick fix, rather than washing something. That's pretty much it!

Drawer dividers- This is another item that maybe isn't vital, but it is amazing how much drawer dividers can make a difference. By having your accessories organised neatly, it is easier to find what you are needing with just a quick glance (good if you are having a last-minute outfit change and time is short). Also, drawer dividers mean you are more likely to remember those accessories which tend to get lost at the back of a drawer and forgotten about. An organised drawer is also very pleasing on the eye!

A steamer- Or at the very least, a good rack that you can put your clothes on after you have a steamy shower. Steaming is a good way of getting out light creases, without needing to iron. You can get mini steamers, or full sized ones. Steaming is also a good option for certain fabrics.

Bloomers- This is an item that does get included on a lot of these lolita blogging lists, but I still feel they are an important addition to this list. Whilst I personally avoid bloomers when it gets especially hot or when my digestive condition is playing up, the rest of the time I will wear them. In an ideal world, people should not be looking up your skirt anyway, but sometimes these things do happen. When I modeled at Frock On, all the models were told to wear bloomers. After going to the rehearsals and seeing the height of the stage, it did make sense to wear them. But a sudden gust of wind is an everyday example of why bloomers are important in lolita. Also, bloomers are just a part of the general aesthetic of lolita. Even if people are not going to see them, a lot of lolitas still count bloomers as an essential part of a lolita outfit.

So that is my list of wardrobe supporters. Can you think of any others? Please share in the comments!

Challenge Your Wardrobe... Again!

After my last Challenge Your Wardrobe post, I have thought up a few more challenges for a lolita's wardrobe. A few of these may be a bit harder for some, but hopefully there is a challenge here to suit everybody.

Tone down a usually OTT piece to wear in a simpler, more casual everyday outfit- I find that I have pieces in my wardrobe that I only ever wear to lolita meets because they are generally too OTT to wear as casual, day-wear. If you are able to tone down an OTT piece successfully, then you will probably get more wear out of it.

Try 3 new hair styles- They could be hair styles that work around a certain hair accessory, or just something a bit different to what you usually do with your hair or wigs.

Co-ordinate a widely hated print well- Extra points if it is AP's Whipped Magic (sorry, WM fans). There are a couple of prints out there which are hated by a large proportion of the lolita community. So I am always impressed when I see somebody co-ordinate these hated prints in a way that works well and is generally liked by the online community. This is a bit of a tricky challenge but who knows... you may change somebody's mind about that print!

Ban prints for 5 outfits- This one is especially difficult for a print fan like me! Sometimes it is good to take a break from what you know. By removing prints it gives you the chance to either come up with some cute solid coloured outfits or by trying to find a way to make the outfit interesting without resorting to prints.

Learn a new craft and then make your own accessories to match your wardrobe pieces- Knitting, crochet, trying to sew something using a pattern from the Gothic Lolita Bible... there are lots of different new crafts to try out there. If you are new to crafting then even creating something simple can be rewarding.

Wear an accessory in a way you wouldn't usually- For example, who says that a necklace has to always be worn around the neck? Maybe you could drape it in your hair between some hair accessories. I have seen many sweet lolitas wearing wrist cuffs around their ankles. These are just 2 suggestions and the only limit is your imagination.

Dream Dresses Obtained! Now what?

I found myself in a bit of a strange position recently. I had just one dream dress left to obtain. To me, a dream dress is a lot more special than any ordinary lolita dress. A dream dress is much more exciting and you can't wait to wear it and come up with all sorts of outfits for it. I could never imagine selling my dream dresses and they have a special place in my wardrobe. Obtaining your dream dresses can sometimes be quite an adventure. I have experienced a lost of heartache whilst tracking down some pieces! So I had this one last dream dress to obtain and due to an unexpected surge in money, I decided to ruthlessly hunt this last dress down.

And... I got lucky! AP's Sweetie Violet in pink was the last dream dress on my list and as you can see, I now own it. I was so excited, that when the box arrived, I even managed to slice open my thumb because I was that eager to open it (no brand dresses were harmed!). 

But there is also now this great emptiness because... what exactly do I do next? My wardrobe is so full it is threatening to burst and I just haven't been getting as excited whenever I see a good deal.

The way I see it, I have a few options-

1. Upgrade all the dresses which I maybe am not so happy with- Sometimes when you are hunting for dream pieces, you may find yourself settling for stuff. Like for example, you might get hold of your dream print, but it isn't in your top colour choice or you may have settled for a different dress cut. A prime example from my own wardrobe is my pink Starry Night Theatre JSK. I have always wanted the blue, but the blue SNT always felt so ridiculously expensive because it was the most popular colour and the auction prices reflected this. Now I am not spending out on any big stuff, I am considering upgrading my pink JSK for the blue. There is also my navy Dream Sky skirt. I have always felt that the JSK would be easier to co-ordinate and the short mini skirt doesn't really fit the lolita aesthetic. 

2. Collect all the smaller items on my dream list- stuff like jewellery and socks don't take up that much space. I have been so focused on dresses recently that I feel I may have forgotten how cute lolita accessories can be! The majority of my Facebook wishlist isn't dresses any more and perhaps I should now focus on all the non-dresses on there.

3. Brainstorm further outfit ideas- I love my dream dresses and want to wear them in as many different ways as possible. To do this, I could hunt down different accessories to give old outfits a fresh twist. They don't have to be expensive either. Some really good Taobao stores have popped up in more recent times. I could even go around local charity shops and vintage stores to find more unique pieces.

4. Wait for future dream dresses- Inevitably, there will be dresses that come out in the future that I will want to add to my wardrobe. How do I know this? Because every time I feel I have made some real progress with my collection and narrowed down my wish list, I always end up finding new stuff I want! I am still as passionate as ever about the fashion and I love discovering new stuff.

5. Focus a little more on my other hobbies- I don't really talk about these much because this is a Japanese fashion blog, but I have lots of hobbies and interests outside of this fashion. If I am being honest, there have been times where I have neglected my other hobbies for the sake of lolita and I really regret it. There have even been times where I have been shopping and have refused to buy something because I have wanted to save up for lolita related stuff. Although I love lolita, I feel there is so much more to me than just this one passion. In all honesty, there are times when I need a break from the frills too, so having other interests keeps me happy. I am really glad that I will now have the chance to explore this other part of me.

Getting to the stage where I feel my wardrobe is "complete" doesn't mean that this is the end. If I were to suddenly fall out of love with the fashion just because I had all the clothes I wanted, it would be more like a shopping addiction rather than a hobby! Perhaps now I will have more of an opportunity to truly enjoy the clothes I love and focus on what I already have, rather than what I could have. It would be pointless to buy more new stuff just for the sake of it. Besides, I am sure my bank account is now breathing a sigh of relief!

Challenge Your Wardrobe

After having a bit of a creative slump recently I have been wondering what challenges I could set for myself with my current wardrobe. I want to see if I can wear things in new ways or maybe give an abandoned piece a bit more love.

So I have come up with a few challenges, just for fun. Whenever I am feeling a bit down or bored I can give one of these challenges a go. Who knows... maybe I can come up with something really great!

Here are a few challenges I have come up with. Feel free to use them yourselves.

- Combine your favourite wardrobe main piece with a colour you have not worn it with before

- Take your least worn dress or skirt and come up with 5 different outfits for it

- Have a blouse or an item that you always seem to wear with nearly every outfit? For your next 5 outfits you are banned from using it.

- Put a list of all your main pieces in to a hat and in another hat put a list of some of your blouses/accessories/etc. Pick an item from both hats and see if you can make those 2 items work together.

- Take a main piece that is a certain style (sweet, classic, gothic, etc) and try to make it fit a different style. For example, take a sweet dress and try to wear it in the classic style. Don't forget other smaller sub-styles such as pirate, country and sailor!

- Take inspiration from magazines like Kera and do a 10 items, 7 outfits challenge.

- Try to make an outfit that in total costs under £100

Sometimes doing challenges like this can make you see your clothes in a different light. Even if the end results don't turn out that great, at least you will have hopefully had fun!

My Wardrobe!

I am sorry for posting a day later than I usually do, but I spent all of yesterday screaming at Youtube waiting for my new videos to load.

I have had some requests to show my lolita wardrobe and I have decided to give you what you requested! I finally got a proper wardrobe in December. Up until now, I had been relying on a clothes rail but it suddenly collapsed due to the sheer weight of everything!

Now, because I had such a hard time uploading my videos, I am afraid you are going to have to go to my Youtube account because if I have to upload them again to blogger, I think I might actually cry!

Part 1 is here-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6eA7ak17cc&list=UUmQn5QQK11iqnGg0ZaBPUVQ&index=2&feature=plcp

My camera memory ran out, so I had to do it in 2 parts. This is part 2-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4XJkM9SDQo&list=UUmQn5QQK11iqnGg0ZaBPUVQ&index=1&feature=plcp

I am really sorry about the lighting on the video. I was trying my best with limited light and a very basic camera.

Coincidentally, the EGL theme for January is wardrobes and I have been keeping an eye on the posts. I am unsure if I am going to post this on EGL or not because I am still growing my wardrobe and I don't think it matches up. My current thoughts on my wardrobe are that I need more blouses/tops, solid coloured hair accessories (which work with more than one item) and lots more lavender items. I never realised this before, but my wardrobe has quite a wide-spread amount of colours. I see lots of people have less colours in their wardrobe but as a result, it means they don't have a hard time finding items to match. It makes me wonder if I need to have a re-think about the colours in my wardrobe.

Here are some additional photos which include items not in the videos. (I left out my petticoats and bloomers)

This is what my hanging space looks like at the moment. My home is incredibly small, so it is impossible to fit my entire wardrobe in to one photo. The wardrobe was a flat-pack one from Ikea. My husband James and I had great fun putting it up! My shoes are organised by colour with the pale ones on the shelf shown and my darker shoes underneath. I try to split my other items up by colour too, but I failed miserably. On the far right, you can just about see where my blog mascot Ahiru-chan lives with a couple of her ducky friends. Underneath Ahiru, I keep all my Gothic Lolita Bibles and Kera magazines.

I completely forgot to show my accessory hanger! I have lots of random stuff in there, but you might be able to see a pink chocomint star clip, a rose brooch I made from a GLB pattern, Bodyline strawberry hair ties, an Angry keychain (from Hangry and Angry) and my waist cinching belts at the bottom.

I own lots of pairs of solid colour black tights because they are very versatile. A recent addition were these harlequin style diamond tights. I have always wanted a pair! I found these on Ebay.

Two of my jewellery boxes (there is more!). Can you see why I didn't put all of this in the video? I am always buying jewellery!

One of my favourite things to buy is rings. I managed to get most of them on (minus melty moon and my AP initial rings). All of these are off-brand rings. Some were given by friends and others were found at conventions, such as the MCM Expo and Hyper Japan.

So that is my wardrobe! Don't expect me to make another video for a little while, because this one really exhausted me! Do let me know what you think. What do you like and dislike? Where can I improve? Do you think my low quality video was a massive waste of time? (I hope the answer to the last one is 'no'!) Thank you for watching!