Lucky Packs: The Good, The Bad, and the Rioting

So, unless you've been under the proverbial lace-covered rock, you probably know about the recent Lucky Pack debacle. I suppose debacle is a little weak of a word - we could just as easily call it, 'The Reign of Terror', but I believe that's been taken - but nonetheless, it's been all over the Lolita news. Baby, the Stars Shine Bright released Lucky Packs at noon Japan time - or so they said. Between a Katrina-worthy flood of overseas buyers breaking the webpage like match sticks and some buyers who managed to buy theirs either early or through alternate routes, there were suddenly tons of girls who found that there were NO LUCKY PACKS.

Blood was spilled, my dears. Oh yes.

So, what's the big deal about Lucky Packs? Why are girls willing to bash some skulls to get one, and what is the mystery behind this process anyway?

Lucky Packs are the Lolita world's idea of clearance. Whatever didn't sell that season - some with dubious designs, others just due to lack of popularity - is assembled into a little package. The brands do them all a little differently, but generally you can expect to find some sort of coordinate in there. For example: A jumperskirt, blouse, tote and socks. But the best part is, of course, the price. Lucky Packs range from 3,000 yen packs, which may only have accessories, to up to 20,000 yen packs, which could have onepieces or jumperskirts inside. The idea being that if you bought all the items separately, it would probably total three times the worth of the single pack.

There is a catch, however.

You generally don't know what's in them.

Claire's [yes, my beloved Claire's strikes again!] used to do this when I was about ten or so. For a price of, say, an extra five dollars, they'd give you a little goodie bag with some miscellaneous accessories inside. Some of it might be ridiculous - as you'd discover on the way home, as you feverishly ripped open the bag in the backseat - like, a headband with a single terrycloth bow stuck on it. Or, you might have scored a rack of stud earrings in every color! It was a complete hit-or-miss, but that was the fun, right?

Lucky Packs from the brands are just like this. Generally they're released as the season changes - end of summer (summer and spring) and New Year's (winter and autumn).

The Good:

-You could end up with a great pieces you otherwise couldn't afford, possibly even a complete new outfit;
-They're great wardrobe builders if you need to buy full outfits, or if you're the kind with so many clothes you're not too picky about coordinating;
-They're a great deal compared to buying them seperately;
-They generally resell okay if you get something you really can't stand
-There is excitement in everyone opening them at once, and comparing what they got - it's a bonding-with-the-community exercise

The Bad:

-You could put in all the effort to find you can't stand what you've bought;
-There is after all, a reason why you didn't buy __________ from the brand at full-price in the first place: it's a huge brand faux pas that nobody likes;
-It doesn't fit;
-It's not flattering

The Ugly:

-You might have to spend hours refreshing pages, staying up late or getting up early, hands poised over the F5 button;
-You might find yourself pitted against a tide of other Lolitas who all want the same cutsew for OMGSUPERCHEAP;
-There is fierce competition to buy them off the sales community;

Basically, they're not for the faint of heart. I really only recommend them for either seasoned Lolitas or baby Lolitas who have big sister Lolitas watching out for them. This is especially true if you need a shopping service or personal shopper [brand doesn't ship overseas]. You'll need someone who speaks fist. Er, mouse-click. And if you're the kind of Lolita who needs their parents to order for you - don't. Your parents will not be amused about spending an evening crouched over a screen while you wail and punch buttons. It's not pretty, and they'll get annoyed fast. So it helps if you are mistress of your own funds, so to speak.

Lucky Packs: great if you can handle the heat. Terrible if your makeup melts.

Labels: shopping

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 4:02 PM