Apologies about the quality of this post. It is the first more 'personal' post I have written since my current health problems started. I tried my best and I hope you all enjoy it. Unfortunately my health has deteriorated further and it could be that I need to stop blogging for a while. Perhaps I will start my Christmas break a bit early. So hopefully you will all be hearing from me again soon but if you don't, I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas. The rest of this paragraph should probably come with a bit of a Trigger Warning and if you don't wish to hear about my health problems just skip on to the next paragraph. It is only just dawning on me just how sick I have been, not just recently, but for a long time. I tried to put on a brave face and I pushed people away because I hate being a burden. The problem is, I need to find a balance. When I get stressed, my body basically goes in to meltdown, like it is doing right now. I did a test run of a lolita outfit a few days ago and it was physically painful even having a petticoat on for a short amount of time. And all I could focus on was how my rib cage and pelvis was sticking out because I have lost so much weight. That 'magic' I feel when I wear lolita wasn't there and all I could see was this shell of a person. Unfortunately I haven't even been able to support my closest of friends when they have been having problems, as the second I feel overwhelmed it is as if my emotions switch off to spare me the physical pain. This is incredibly selfish of me but I haven't figured out yet how to stop that 'switch' from clicking. I realise now that I didn't allow myself the space I needed to grieve when my nan died earlier this year (see, I don't think I even mentioned this on here because I was so determined to put on my "everything is fine" face) or have the courage to tell people that I was feeling too upset/depressed to do things, which has been going on for a lot longer. I put so much pressure on myself that wasn't necessary and I needed to tell myself that it is okay to cry, it is okay to not have all the answers and importantly, it is okay to be a bit selfish from time to time and just take time out for yourself. I am sorry for this emotional outburst and I will focus on getting better (and I mean properly better, not pretend better). And now, on to the post I attempted to write...
I was in my local drugstore recently, trying to find my usual anti-aging serum and was utterly dismayed to find that my local branch had decided to stop stocking it. It means I now need to order online (when I get given loyalty card coupons which don't work online) or travelling to the nearest bigger store. Maybe it is the stress I have been under lately, but I could feel the rage building and in my mind I was firing up a long-winded complaint letter to be posted publicly on their Facebook page. I felt absolutely distraught that I couldn't get hold of this serum and frantically trying to remember how much I still had left in my current tube. It was a bit of an eye-opener really, because I had always felt that I was okay with getting older, but my actions seem to tell a different story. I am spotting the early signs of getting older around my eyes and on my hands (which never seem to get softer, no matter how much hand cream I put on!). There are a lot of people my age who are starting to get grey hairs. This is yet to happen to me, and I don't think I know how I am going to feel about it until it actually happens. I would like to hope that I would spot that first grey, give a little shrug and then continue going about my day. It is not as if I wish to be a slave to this "ideal" that the beauty industry shoves down our throats, but at the same time it is not as if I haven't noticed the changes I am going through either. I guess it comes down to personal preference.
I have been thinking more and more lately about how I feel about becoming an 'Older Lolita', not that I am there quite yet. If you were to ask most lolitas, I think the majority would probably say that an 'Older Lolita' would probably be somebody in their 30's. That is not to say that people in their 30's or above are old, but that if you look at the age of the typical lolita, it would probably be somewhere in the early to mid 20's. Age is a bit of a sensitive topic in this fashion. A youthful appearance is something that is not necessary to enjoy the fashion, but certainly 'desired'. Whilst there are many older lolitas who get admiration, there are unfortunately some who make negative comments about age. Words such as "Grandma" get thrown about casually, when some of the lolitas these comments are aimed at are not even old enough to be a grandma.
I will admit that when I first started wearing lolita, I had this set idea in my mind. I was going to limit myself to a maximum of 10 dresses (I currently own about 40 main pieces), I was only going to wear lolita to conventions (I ended up writing this blog, being a part of a lolita community and wearing the clothes casually on my own) and I would probably stop wearing the fashion when I hit 30 (It is looking increasingly less likely that this will happen). But what my younger self didn't realise was that it wasn't my age that was important, but my self-confidence. I may be in my late 20's, but I certainly don't feel 'past it'. Do I still feel comfortable wearing lolita? Yes, I do. And it is less to do with the opinions of other lolitas, and more to do with how I feel within myself. I have had all sorts of insults hurled at me over the years, but getting older is a fact of life that none of us can change.
As I have gotten older, I have found that wearing lolita has become a whole lot more enjoyable. Most lolitas will find that they can afford to buy more dresses and attend more meets because as we get older, typically we find we have more disposable income. I have had younger lolitas say to me before that they wish they could afford as many dresses at me and my response to that is usually to tell them that when I was their age, I was in a similar position myself. I understand that frustration of seeing all these new releases coming out and feeling overwhelmed by the size of my wishlist because I experienced these feelings when I was younger. It feels a lot easier to wear lolita when you don't have the guilt of working out how you are going to be able to afford things.
I also don't feel that older lolitas should feel the need to change to a more 'mature' lolita style as they get older. Let's be honest here- if you were to ask a member of the general public, chances are they will still think that you are a weirdo regardless of whether you are wearing sweet, classic or gothic. I have found that I have developed this built-in 'cutesy scale'. When it comes to dressing up in sweet lolita, it is almost as if this 'cutesy scale' instinctively tells me when something is too cute for comfort. Whilst I may still wear sweet lolita, I have in the past sold items which I don't feel comfortable wearing any more. Again, this has less to do with the opinions of others, and more to do with how I feel within myself. I think as well that as time has gone on, my style has evolved. I wear sweet in a more mature way now because that is simply what I prefer to wear now. Sweet lolita is the style I fell in love with and what took me from a casual lolita to a more regular lolita wearer.
I think another factor that has become more apparent as I have gotten older is the age difference between me and other comm members. There have been meets where I have been more than a decade older than some of the other lolitas. It feels really strange to hear conversations about school when you have been out of education for so long! But I feel it is important to give everybody a chance. I have met very mature 20 year-olds but also some very immature 30 year-olds. At the very least, you should have lolita fashion as a common interest if you go to a lolita meet.
So I guess to summarise this post, getting older in lolita is less to do with wrinkles and grey hairs and more to do with how you view yourself and confidence. If you want to wear a more sugary cutesy outfit as you get older, then that is your choice. When I was going through my initial ita phase, I came to realise that despite not looking my 'best', I was still enjoying the meets I was going to. And I feel a similar thing could be applied to age as well. If you are happy and enjoying yourself, then you are never too old for lolita, regardless of your actual age. A good outfit is still a good outfit, no matter who is wearing it.
Beautifully written. And its exactly how I feel. I have my few wrinkles and gray hairs, and im 32. But I still dress in Kawaii fashion, lolita and Gyaru. By now I should have "graduated" according to some. But I was never one for "rules". Theyre more like guidelines and suggestions. I will do what I want and have fun with it. And as long as you enjoy it that is all that should matter. You do what you need to, hun and concentrate on feeling better. Take baby steps if you need to. Don't force yourself if you aren't ready. Its okay :)
ReplyDeleteKieli~<3
Exactly, the so-called 'rules' are definitely more guidelines. If I continue to have fun wearing lolita, then I am going to keep wearing it.
DeleteThank you for your kind words. I am hoping things have gotten a bit more 'back to normal' now but we will see how things go. I wont put pressure on myself.
I must say, I recently discovered two long wrinkles on my forehead (and yeah, I do wrinkle it a lot, it's just a part of my expressive face), which sent me into a little meltdown and starting to use an anti-wrinkle cream. Even though I thought that I'd be fine and cool about spotting the signs of ageing, that initial discovery at the age of 24 went far from casual. :P
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's a lot more to do with how you feel rather than how you look or how old you are. You can be the most baby-faced 30-40-year-old, but if you're not feeling the more mature Classic look, then don't do it as it'll only make you feel unhappy if what you really want to wear is OTT Sweet. And all this shows - you can wear whatever, but if it makes you happy and confident, I found that people will often compliment you on that.
I wish you as speedy a recovery as is possible. It sounds like you do need to allow yourself feeling a bit selfish now and I'm sure that your close ones will not only understand, but will also support you in that. I remember the hell hole I was in when my nan passed away, it was the most difficult thing I have ever had to deal and come to terms with. Let me send lots of virtual hug your way and again, I hope your health will improve soon. xx
I had something similar happen to me when I saw a photograph of myself and saw how bad my crows feet had gotten. It just seemed to come out of the blue and creep up on me, which made me panic and research eye creams!
DeleteThis is exactly how I feel. I still really love sweet lolita, so I see no reason to stop wearing it. But I think I have a limit, so I have seen my style of sweet mature a bit over the years. It is about what you feel comfortable in.
Thank you so much. My loved ones have been absolutely incredible and very patient with me. I know now that I have a lot of support and there are people looking out for me. I feel much better already simply from having a bit of 'me time' but also giving myself the space to properly grieve and process everything. Thanks again <3
I'm a lolita, I have chronic pain, I still work but I don't know for how much longer, I'm overweight, and...I'm 52. You'll be fine. Today was the 6th Anniversary Party for the San Francisco Angelic Pretty store, I wore OTT sweet (Freshly Picked Strawberries), and Asuka told me she loved my coordinate. My hair started to go grey when I was in my early 20s. I used to be anal about doing my roots but people have told me that my hair looks ombre when it grows out, and if I really don't like how it looks on a given day, or I'm frustrated that there's less of it than there was 30 years ago, I can always put on a wig. :) I do however highly recommend snail cream/serum. I had no skincare routine to speak of until I was in my 30s and it keeps me looking young.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I completely agree with everything you said. Despite having the odd panic, I think deep down I know I will be fine. We all have bad days and there are ways to combat that if we don't feel comfortable, such as putting on a wig! :) I have never tried snail cream before but I have to admit I have been curious about it in the past. I may give it a try some time. Thanks!
DeleteExcellent post, and I'm sorry to hear about your health condition. I know how it feels to be wary about letting people in and telling them what is going on, wanting to avoid being a burden or wanting to just appear as capable as other people. And sometimes you just don't want to have to explain everything and answer lots of questions. I sincerely hope that things start to get better for you, and you make your way towards recovery. Please try not to be too hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteI think you are spot on about age not mattering in lolita as much as we worry about it in our late 20s. I look at women I know in their 40s who are very vibrant and wear things like patterned leggings, bright pink Dr Martens and coloured hair, and I don't think of them as too old to wear those things, so why should lolita be different? Also, some of the oldest people in fashion have cultivated truly unique styles, such as Iris Apfel. It seems silly to think of her saying she is too old and should start dressing sensibly.
I think part of the problem isn't just the view of lolitas looking cute and young, but society's view of women generally, that once you are past a certain age you are deemed to have less value and shouldn't stand out. I disagree with this mindset.
My hair started to go grey around two years ago (it can happen faster or slower for redheads than other people, apparently), and I must admit I cried over it a lot. I felt stripped of something very important to me. Dying it felt like a lie. But now I'm not as hung up on it, and feel like my personality is to have res hair, so there is no shame in making it look nice through products. If I don't dye it there is still red hair there, but it is mixed in with brown and white hair. That isn't me.
I think also that the longer you have been in the fashion, the less exciting it can feel, you can only get worked up over new releases and wish list items a number of times before it feels the same. 2016 hasn't been a great year for new releases imo.
At least, there are a lot of lolitas the same age online, so it doesn't feel alone to age. I don't know many people that quit due to age.
I hope you have a good Christmas and that you start to feel better over your break.
Thank you so much. I really do need to focus less on putting up these barriers around me and let people in more. But I agree it can be difficult sometimes.
DeleteI think you have made a very good point. This is not just a lolita specific thing and I admit that I have noticed that even outside of wearing lolita, there has been the odd funny look or comment if I have decided to wear something cute that day. I guess a lot of the media puts out this idea that youth is more desirable, which is very unfortunate. I know a lot of amazing people who are really talented and have so much to offer. Why should they hide that away just because they have gotten a bit older?
Well if you feel that having red hair is part of your personality, then I think you should definitely keep dying it! I am sure there are a lot of people who colour their hair, young and old, who completely agree with your sentiment.
Yeah, it is really sad when that initial rush of excitement you experience in lolita fashion wears off. After a while you see all these trends that keep repeating and you can almost predict what brands are going to put out next! I agree, I think 2016 was a terrible year for new releases. I have felt that way the past few years, but 2016 felt especially bad to me.
The online community is definitely a good way to connect with lolitas of a similar age. It is really encouraging when you see people of a similar age or a bit older still wearing lolita however they want.
And thanks again for taking the time to comment. It means a lot.