Monday, January 26, 2015

°˖✧✝ 2015: The Year of Old School Lolita... Kinda ✝✧˖°

2014 was the year of the bonnet and the year of Classic Lolita, but, hear me now, I claim 2015 to belong to Old School Lolita!

Do I expect Lolitas to burn their chiffon, use their floor-length underskirts as curtains, or trade in their Triple Fortune bonnets for rectangle headdress? Do I expect us to party like it's 2001? No, of course not! Though, a Lolita can dream~ 

What I do anticipate, however, is an influx of Old School elements either being recycled or re-imagined this year. I've noticed a slight interest in the style from the major brands for awhile, but it's quite evident that more curiosity for the style is growing, with the name Old School Lolita now being used as a trendy term by those of us in the West. Don't believe me about the brands' involvement? There are some of us who are still confused by those flat "bonnets" BABY started producing at the start of the Classic trend. 




BABY's Labyrinth in the Reminiscent Mirror Bonnet Headdress
Source: Lolibray 
Is it a bonnet? Is it a rectangle headdress? The world may never know.

What I've noticed is that this new trend is a bit minimal, meaning that it focuses on a slight incorporation. So, instead of a full blown Old School outfit, they pick certain essential Old School elements and add them to current outfits. A lot of times, they go unnoticed because of how minor they are.   

So don't worry about your precious chiffon. This revival isn't about eliminating, but more about incorporating. There's no way the fashion will completely diverge back to how it once was. I just don't see that happening. Instead, this year, look for certain accessories or the way an outfit is styled to appreciate this Old School resurgence.

Old School Elements being RECYCLED 

Take this very recent photo shoot with Midori. At first glance, the styling of her outfit seems pretty modern for our fashion. But I swear this outfit has Old School elements to it. I can go on and on about how her Alice bow, natural hair in soft ringlet twin tails, and lacy bell/princess sleeves highlights an Old School aura, but I'm looking at a specific item she is wearing that screams Old School. 
    

Do you see it yet? Not really? Well, what if I put up another photo- a street snap of a Gothic Lolita more than half a decade ago?


The rabbit! It's the rabbit! Eerie, right? The two photos look like they're from two different worlds. But one thing links them together is that cute rabbit! I nearly screamed when I saw Midori modeling with this bag, because I just  KNEW I've seen it before.    

And that's the one thing that's great about this comeback, the constant deja vu that I'm having. Every week or so, I'm saying, "Hey, I've seen that somewhere before," more often.

Old School Elements being RE-IMAGINED 

Okay, so here is the REALLY fun part about this comeback. We get to see tradition styles being worked over to produce something fashionable for today's Lolita. Look at this picture for example. This is a shot of a lucky Lolita at one of Angelic Pretty's latest tea party. She won a great prize, but look at what she's wearing! It's Angelic Pretty's 2014 Princess in Love JSK. This picture has been reblogged by countless Lolita, but none have mention how Old School it looks. When I first saw the picture, I stopped and thought, is that a printless, multiple tiered dress layered with clashing white lace?! Is that a rectangle head dress?! You bet your petticoat it is.        


The prize is in the way, so I know it'd be hard for people to see, but could they really not notice the Old School vibe? Just in cased you don't know how detailed this JSK is, fest your eyes on its stock picture. 

Source: Lolibrary
I invite everyone to click the link to marvel, either from disgust
or delight, at the detail shots. Either way, you'll be shocked. 

While Old School is usually described as being "tacky," "too costumey" and just plain "ugly," I haven't heard or seen any comments that label this outfit the same way. And this JSK is a pure lace monster. Where are the naysayers now? I like to believe that most of them are liking and reblogging this picture not knowing what exactly lies underneath that prize. But even so, there hasn't been any flack about the areas that can be seen. And that headdress gets me every time I look at it. I remember a time when a Lolita couldn't wear a rectangle headdress without being mocked or ridiculed. Does anyone remember them being called "maxi pads," a term of endearment now, but, in the past, a term to humiliate? Though, now you can see a Lolita sporting one more frequently than prior years.       

It's still early in the year, but I have faith in my prediction. The only thing I can be certain about now is that I'll have fun seeing how this trend plays out. I can't wait to see what outfits today's fashionable Lolitas will create with Old School elements, whether they realize it or not. 

°˖✧ 'Till next time


Tuesday, January 13, 2015

°˖✧✝ 1st Meetup of the Year ✝✧˖°

It doesn't sound too glamorous, but some Lolitas and I went to the BABY store in NYC to start up the new year. I was invited in December, but was hesitant because I didn't know the person hosting. However, I took a plunge and agreed to go because the same friend who invited me had agreed on going also. Plus, I was hoping the store would have some left over pieces from their winter sale (I'm a sucker for deals)! Even with my initial skepticism, the day turned out to be extremely fun and enjoyable.      

Disclaimer: I am in no way saying to indulge in risky encounters with unknown people, especially online. If you feel uncomfortable, please, do not force yourself into hazardous or dicey situations. Uncertainty is usually a sign for you not to do something. Have good judgement. And, above all, be safe.

Hat, Blouse, Shoes: Bodyline 
JSK: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright 
Socks: Metamorphose temps de fille 
Accessories: Handmade or thrifted

Here is my outfit for that day. I don't know, but every time I go to the BABY store I have an urge (or should I say feel pressured) to wear either BABY, the Stars Shine Bright or Alice and the Pirates. I should break the habit (I don't like feeling forced into doing something). I've had this JSK in my closet for awhile, waiting for the right time wear it. Though, mostly because I bought it in the middle of summer and was not brave enough to wear it in so much heat! I'm not so much in love with the socks in this outfit. I put them on because just as I was leaving out for the train, which was departing in about 15 minutes, I got a run in my tights! I quickly picked up the socks and left out the door. I wish most of my outfits were actual planed and not me rushing. Even the crucifix on my head was last minute! As I put my hat on at the door, I said to myself, "A cross would look really good on my forehead." 


At the store, I was hoping to find a black chiffon blouse hanging in the back of the rack with a 30% or 50% discount sticker, but, to no avail, there wasn't any thing left on sale. And to add to the loss, there weren't any black accessories left, AGAIN! There was a mere lonely black hair clip on display, but the metal was bronze, not gold like all of my other accessories. So in the display case it shall lay until some other Lolita comes and buy it. 

Some of the other Lolitas bought multiple pairs of stockings, but nothing big. As I said before, they just had a sale, and it was apparent. There were hardly much left on the racks (the signs of a good sale). You can tell they were wanting for new stock. There was even a mailman delivering their packages as we were shopping! I bet he brought in a black rectangle headdress. The world is working against me!    

I wasn't leaving the store without buying something, so I opted to purchase the latest Gothic & Lolita Bible. Being in the shop is always fun, though. And the sales clerks are right there to add to the atmosphere! When I was looking through the mook I just bought, I saw some pictures with a little Old School vibe to them, and I started saying things like, "See, Old School is coming back, baby" jokingly around the store. Everyone began laughing and added in on the fun, even the clerks! One of them changed the store's music playlist to Malice Mizer and repeated, "Old School is coming back!"

Excuse me while I waltz around the room.

Afterwards, we wondered into a Japanese restaurant. We didn't even know it existed even though it's located just around the corner from the BABY store. Thankfully, our inquiry turned out favoring for us and our empty stomachs! Not only does the restaurant have a chic interior, but they also have one of the greatest lunch specials ever.


My lunch special include a salad, miso soup, dumplings, a choice of meat
(I chose beef teriyaki), rice and sushi.
There were even sauteed vegetables underneath the beef! 

Can you believe it? I got all of this for $11. But don't let the cheap price fool you. The food was fantastically cook and prepared. But I'm kinda biased towards darkly lit restaurants~      

But then darkly lit restaurants means the bright, unforgiving flash of cameras! Gurrrr~
My new friend, Jasmine and I.

Not wanting to leave the city without desert, we stopped at the bakery, Sweet Buttons. Their mini cupcakes are the cutest! On the way back to our meeting point, we stopped at Kinokuniya for some intense magazine and mook shopping. (Pictures aren't allowed in the store, and I tried to respect their rules, so this portion of the post has no pictures.) After browsing through everything, I decided to purchase Otome no Sewing Book 6, the latest in the series. Book 3 was calling me too. I  feel like I should have bought it as well. I'm going back into the city this week, so maybe I can pick it up then!

 And of course, my sweet tooth does not end, so we stopped in another sweets shop, Crumbs. I've never been there before, but I just might have to become a regular! Everything I learned about nutrition in health class should tell me not to, but within the first bite, logic was thrown out the window. I'll take a giant $4 caramel filled cupcake any day.    

I got the Toffee Coffee! 

Meeting new people can be hard to some people, even for me. When I first received the invite I thought, this seems like fun, but I don't know these people. People join the Lolita fashion for different reasons, some solely for the clothes and the happiness that it brings. But the one common thing that it brings is a sense of community and togetherness. While Lolita appears to separate us from society and its norms, both physically and mentally, I've made so many friends thanks to this fashion. And because of this meetup, I'm glad to say that I have more.

°˖✧ 'Till next time


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

°˖✧✝ Lolita Level UP Quiz 2.0 ✝✧˖°


I've been in the Lolita fashion for a few years, but I've never heard of the Lolita Level Up quiz that was first created by Parfait Doll. I guess you can say that when I started I wasn't really into the Lolita internet circle. But when I saw this quiz revised on Spiffykid's blog, Teacake Time Machine, I knew I had to participate on the fun too. She did the quiz way back in November, but I saw it during late December. I thought it would be the perfect thing to open the new year with, so I waited. But wouldn't you know, Caro Dee, of F Yeah Lolita, updated this little quiz for the present day Lolita just in time for the new year!  

  • You have a favorite brand I have thing about calling favorites, but, for this, sure. My favorite would have to be Metamorphose (2001). I joke that it's a brand for the random Lolita!
  • You own a petticoat Of course! 
  • You own multiple petticoats in different cuts and/or lengths Yup, I just starting my collection at the start of this year. 
  • You own a parasol Yup. And I need more. 
  • You own an item from a brand Multiple 
  • You own a novelty item from a brand (plates, mugs, stuffed animals, home decor, and other "non-wearables")
  • You own an item from Bodyline When I first started, I used to LIVE in Bodyline. I still have some of my pieces from them. And where else I'm I going to get cheap platforms? 
  • You own an item from a Taobao brand Only a blouse. 
  • You own an item from a Western indie brand
  • You own an item you bought of eBay, Amazon, or a shady website and it came out okay Okay, so I ordered from Miliano once. It was when it wasn't really known if they were a scam or not. The skirts I ordered were trash, but the shoes I ordered came straight from Antaina!
  • You've bought brand directly from their official store Yup
  • You've bought a lucky pack
  • You bought an item in reserve
  • You own a complete Lolita outfit Naturally  
  • You've worn a complete Lolita outfit in public You bet
  • You've worn a complete Lolita outfit in public and it wasn't even on Halloween or at a convention Every time

  • You've bought and sold on an online Lolita community 
  • You've paid retail price for a rare secondhand brand
  • You've paid double the retail price for a rare secondhand brand
  • You've paid less than 20% the retail price for secondhand brand (ex: you paid $40 for a piece that originally cost $200) They don't call me the THE secondhand Lolita for nothin'
  • You've bought from a Japanese auction Definitely, the deals are too good not to.  
  • You've ordered from a shopping service I just did this for the first time. It's not here yet, though. *fingers crossed*
  • You wear clothes you've made for yourself Yup, and I need to finish my backed up projects. 
  • You wear a print you've designed yourself
  • You wear clothes you've had custom made for you
  • Have had brand pieces altered to fit your size or style
  • You've been wearing Lolita for over a year Why, yes. 
  • You've been wearing Lolita for over 5 years 
  • You've been wearing Lolita for over a decade
  • You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a week Sure thing
  • You have enough Lolita outfits to wear a new one every day for a month I have over 20 main pieces, so I guess I can stretch it. 
  • You've converted an interested friend to Lolita

  • You wear brand with your "normal" I did with my wardrobe in the past.
  • You don't have a "normal" wardrobe because you only wear Lolita
  • You know how to handwash your Lolita clothes Some of them. I'm afraid of my older black pieces running.
  • You know how to wash a wig Asides from Lolita, if you wear wigs, you should know how to do this as a life hack.
  • You've worn a wig, circle lenses, or false eyelashes Everything besides circle lenses
  • You've worn a wig, circle lenses, and false eyelashes all at once
  • You own a pair of rocking horse shoes (Doesn't COUNT) I'm saving up for the $600 real pair.
  • You own a pair of tea party shoes (Doesn't COUNT) Flat shoes makes me ill. Platforms all the way! 
  • You own a purse shaped like something ridiculous Almost all of my purses are.
  • You own an old school rectangle headdress What kind of Old School Lolita if I didn't? 
  • You own a bonnet
  • You own Lolita roomwear or pajamas Yes, I made my own.
  • You own a Lolita item that was released this past year Yup
  • You own a Lolita item that was released over 6 years ago Yup
  • You own a Lolita item that was released over 10 years ago YUP!
  • You own every item released in a favorite print/series

  • You've worn something on your head that was never intended to be worn on a head All the time
  • You've worn a trendy accessory (deer horns, halos, peignoirs, eyeballs, etc) Eh, sure.
  • You've worn Sweet Lolita Yup
  • You've worn Classic Lolita Yup
  • You've worn Gothic Lolita YUP
  • You've worn Old School Lolita YUP!
  • You've worn Boystyle
  • You've worn one of the lesser worn Lolita substyles such as Punk, Ero, Wa, or Guro Affirmative! (It was Punk) 
  • You know the difference between a JSK and an OP Who doesn't? 
  • You can name at least 5 prints I don't only many prints, but of course. 
  • You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them Positively 
  • You can tell which items are from which brand just by looking at them, even if they're not a print Positively!! 
  • You can tell which year a brand piece came from just by looking at it It's one of my talents now *brims with overconfidence* 
  • You've taken Lolita outfit snaps Tried 
  • You've traveled to visit a fancy looking place just to take outfit snaps *hides face* Yes
  • You've started a trend that others have followed

  • You own a Gothic & Lolita Bible
  • You own every single Gothic & Lolita Bible
  • Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible
  • Your picture is in a Gothic & Lolita Bible because you're a model for a brand
  • You own a Lolita sewing pattern book
  • You've made something from a Lolita sewing pattern book
  • You've seen Kamikaze Girls My go-to movie when I'm feeling bummed out 
  • You've read Kamikaze Girls
  • You've met Novala Takemoto
  • You've met Misako Aoki
  • Misako Aoki has made you an official Lolita ambassador
  • You've met one of your favorite Lolita designers
  • You've learned how to sew/craft just so you can make your own Lolita clothes/accessories More or less. 
  • You've decorated your house/bedroom to match your Lolita wardrobe
  • Your Lolita wardrobe is part of your decor (ex: you display your hats on a shelf, keep a mannequin dressed up on display, etc) I had to; they wouldn't fit anywhere else!
  • You've been interviewed for a newspaper/magazine article for wearing Lolita

  • You've made friends through Lolita MANY!!
  • You've made friends in foreign countries through Lolita YOU BET!
  • You've celebrated International Lolita Day I make sure that I at least to SOMETHING.  
  • You have a separate facebook profile just for Lolita
  • You're known by a different name when you wear Lolita
  • You've twinned with someone
  • You've tripleted with people
  • You've been part of a group of clones
  • You've taken purikura in Lolita before
  • You have a purikura app on your phone
  • You've had to explain what you were wearing to a stranger Doesn't everyone?
  • You've been called a princess by small children I'm still getting used to it. 
  • Old ladies have complimented you and remarked how nice it is to see young people dressed so nicely BAAaaWWW HAHAHAaaa! If only they see me wearing some of my other clothes!
  • You've been called Bo-Peep *roll eyes*
  • You've been asked if you were in a play Why the heck is this so common? Like, it doesn't even make sense. "Yes, sir. I'm in a play. I just walked off stage and I'm ordering from McDonald's now. 
  • You've been asked what you were cosplaying as, or compared to an anime character Ever since the anime, I'm now ALWAYS getting Celestia Ludenberg from Danganronpa!

I guess it's be easy to compare, since her character design is obviously designed with Gothic Lolita elements. But come on people, I'm not wearing a red tie, red shoes or a jacket of any kind!   

  • You're a member of online Lolita communities Yeah
  • You're active in online Lolita communities Sure
  • You mod an online Lolita community
  • You mod an online community of over 1,000 members
  • You've attended a meetup It took some time, But I've been for three years now.  
  • You've attended a tea party meetup Of course 
  • You've attended a brand sponsored tea party
  • You've traveled multiple hours to attend a meetup The story of my life of a public transportation Lolita
  • You've hosted a meetup Just small ones.
  • You've hosted over 6 meetups
  • You've hosted a meetup with over 20 attendees
  • You've been to a Lolita swap meet
  • You've attended a large scale Lolita event or convention Yeah, I guess.
  • You've been on staff at a large scale Lolita event or convention
  • You've been to a Lolita panel at a convention Yes
  • You've hosted your own panel at a convention Yes, *whisper* at my university.

  • You've seen a Lolita fashion show
  • You've modeled in a Lolita fashion show
  • You've seen a brand fashion show
  • You've modeled in a brand fashion show
  • You own your own Lolita clothes/accessory line I'm working on it. 
  • You've hosted your own brand's fashion show
  • You have visited a Lolita shop Yes
  • You've traveled to another country just to buy from Lolita shops
  • You own and run your own Lolita shop
  • You're friends with a brand shop girl
  • You are a brand shop girl
  • You run a Lolita blog (traditional, tumblr, vlog, etc) I'm on it now!
  • You run a Lolita blog with over 1,000 followers
  • You have been called "e-famous"
  • You have been called "e-infamous"
  • You've been featured on TV for wearing Lolita

°˖✧✝ TOTAL: 67 pts ✝✧˖°

61-80 points is the realm of an experienced Lolita! You've probably been active in the fashion for a number of years, have a fairly large and diverse wardrobe, and have attended (and hosted!) your fair share of Lolita events. You're most likely well-known within your local, and online, communities. You're probably practically an expert on the fashion and have probably introduced, or at least guided, a few friends along the right path in the fashion. Your next step is most likely to do a closet cleaning or some wardrobe organization because you probably have a few years of accumulated clothes.

Not too bad, right? I would say that the description is pretty spot on also. There's no way I'm doing a closet cleaning. What I have, I'll always have. But the organization part is overwhelmingly truthful for me at this stage of my wardrobe. Well, this was fun! I hope I'll be able to move up a level to 81+ points: "Top of Your Game" this year. Do you think I can raise 14 points in one year? I think I can!

°˖✧ 'Till next time