Lolita Charm: May 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Charm Channel Goes Live!

I've been considering adding vlogs to Lolita Charm for a while and after many technical difficulties, the first (small) episode of Charm Channel has aired! You can view it by clicking here, but you can continue to access the Charm Channel from the button in the sidebar. If you want to know whenever I've uploaded a new video, I recommend you follow me on Twitter or subscribe to the Charm Channel. I will not be making full blog posts for every update, so if you don't want to miss anything, those are the places to go!

This video was taken while Miss Lumpy and I were on a date (my beloved!) at East, a New York Japanese restaurant. This particular restaurant is a sushi-go-round, which means that a conveyor belt sends covered dishes around to all of the diners. There is an element of hunting to this kind of eating - you need to know what you're looking for and be wary of its escape! My favorite attractions at this restaurant are the very sweet maitre d' who loves our outfits and small pink, green, and white daifuku!

I'm sorry to say that as the camerawoman I don't appear in this film, but you can enjoy the adorability that is Miss Lumpy. Don't worry, you'll definitely be seeing me appear in the next Charm Channel episode!

Labels: charm channel

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Hi My Name Is

Most classes are getting out for summer break here in the United States. College exams are finished; dorms are empty. Even the high schools and junior highs are nearing the end, and the warm grass smells drift in through the open windows. As for me? Nose to the grindstone: I'm taking a summer class to power through some requirements.

Today was the first day of my month-long course. Last night, as I packed up my bag (somehow, it always feels like the first day of kindergarten all over again!) I was hit with a sudden, terrifying thought: what in the world was I going to wear?!

Going to class in lolita is a whole other kettle of fish compared to the usual treks into the real world. Typically, a lolita might run to the supermarket, swing by the mall, maybe visit her local library. The nice thing about these kinds of simple errands is that the people you meet - you won't be meeting again. If they don't like you, your shoes, your hair, or what kind of cookies you buy, it doesn't matter. You won't be seeing them again, most likely, and they won't be seeing you. But what if you're going to class or to the workplace? You aren't just breezing in and out. You'll be expected to work with these people on a regular basis, so it really is best that you can get along with them. Granted, there will be people in all walks of life who just rub you the wrong way and vice versa, but one should try their best.

So what does this have to do with what you're going to wear? Well, as you know, everything! Are you going to go in there and bust a frill or are you surreptitiously clinging to a Sanrio pen? Does your school or workplace allow unusual dressing, or is it very inappropriate to deviate from the dress code? There are a few different approaches to this situation. There really is no right answer, it's just how you feel most comfortable.

The Sly: On your first day, you might look like anyone else. But little by little, you start sneaking in your lolita love. A bow one day, a pair of unicorn knee socks the next... And little by little, people will get to know you based on your personality, not just what you wear. If you have a strict dress code, this might be the way to go. You can still express yourself and your style (and love the tiny charms of your outfit!) while focusing on your reason for being there: work, professional relationships, etc. See what kind of small lolita touches you can add to an ordinary wardrobe, like cameo earrings or sweet Innocent World style Mary Janes.

The Loud and Proud: It's the first day and you're the girl exploding petticoats out of her seat. You're drawing attention like a gentleman peacock in a room full of hens. Nobody quite knows what to make of you, and you might bask in this a little. Maybe lolita gives you the needed mental boost to brave through the first day, or maybe you'd be even more uncomfortable dressed in something else. Perhaps the frills give you a sense of security, or you're just not interested in any pretense. More power to you if this is your method! Try to be upbeat and outgoing, even if you're very nervous inside. Send a message that you like to dress differently, not isolate yourself from others.

The Casual: This is my style so far, if only from necessity. Ditch the super-poof in favor of built-in, subtle crinolines; a small bow of clip beats out the giant head-eating bow any day. My first day of class outfit was very simple (no photos, sorry!): a pink hoodie; a BABY the Stars Shine Bright skirt, sans petticoat; bow-decorated heels without socks; a Paris-themed t-shirt; my beloved shimmery pink bow headband; and a Charmmy Kitty messenger bag. This is especially useful a style if you don't have the energy or time to really wear full-blown lolita. The look is definitely still cute and lolita; it just saves both you and the people around you some hassle.

The Chameleon: You've decided: you don't want to wear lolita anywhere near school or work (or maybe you simply can't, due to rules). It's just regular style for you on the first day and every day, and that's perfectly fine. Plenty of girls prefer to dress only on the weekends or with their friends or at events. Save your dresses and rhinestoned eyelashes for people who appreciate them, right? Or maybe you're just not interested in having to play the 'What are you wearing?' game while you're trying to do your job, and that's fine too. You don't need to wear lolita 24/7 to be one, or even to identify as a lifestyle lolita. The only person who can define lolita for you is you.

No matter what you decide to wear, try to present your best self to your new classmates or coworkers. Even if you are a very shy person with a tendency to clam up in new situations (I do!) actively focus on your best traits or the traits you would like the have. Do you want to be friendlier? Do you want to be more positive? I always try to remind myself that being cynical and pessimistic (two things I can turn into if I don't watch it) is much easier and blander than being positive and genuine. Anyone can be cynical and world-weary, especially in modern culture. It takes a different kind of bravery to be who you really are.

Are you ready for your first day? No matter what you decide to wear or what kind of person you decide to be, I hope you enjoy the new people and experiences you meet in your future!

image by exactflare

Labels: discussion, fashion, guide

Monday, May 18, 2009

Lolita Fuse: Fairy-Kei

There has been some discussion lately about fusion lolita styles and expanding beyond the usual palette of sweet, classic, and gothic (and smaller subcategories). Seeing as I am a big fan of fusion styles myself, mostly fairy-kei, I thought I would do a small series of other street fashions typically mixed with lolita. These will include style examples, ideas for mixing, and how to find or make some style pieces.

Fairy-kei seems to be a relatively new Japanese street style based on the colors and motifs of the 80s and early 90s. Childrens' cartoon characters such as My Little Pony, Jem and the Holograms, Popples, Lady Lovelylocks, CareBears, and Polly Pocket play a large role. The colors are mostly pastels, with two distinct palettes: a variety of neons against a dusty, low-saturation pastel. An example would be a very bright, neon pink, against a soft, marshmallow-dusty lilac. Other colors are blue, teal, lime, lilac, dusty blue, neon orange, neon lemon, soft lemon, soft pink, mint, etc. Colors are often put together for a rainbow effect. Unlike lolita, which has the mutable guideline that more than three colors is too much, fairy-kei often slaps in as many as five or six colors. The colors should balance by using one color at least one other time in the outfit. A yellow, pink, and blue skirt should have at least one other yellow, pink, and blue accessory, but it's perfectly fine to wear a lilac sweatshirt and hot pink giant hair bow.

Clothing items can range from short skirts to leggings, including legwarmers, 'geek glasses' (in bright colors), and bulky sweaters. The silhouette tends to be fairly up-and-down for ordinary fairy-kei, but colored petticoats worn as skirts are also popular. Shoes can be any kind, from boots to flats, in neutrals like cream and caramel, or a bright color. Giant bows as bracelets, hair pieces, and rings are popular. In deco style, you can carry small stuffed animals, and in lolita style stuffed animal purses are popular. Both can be used with fairy-kei, especially 80s characters like small CareBears or the plastic My Little Ponies that can be bought in toy shops or were given away by McDonald's.

Hair and makeup are usually done in a similar palette with glitter. Unnaturally colored hair seems to be the norm, from lime to teal to blue to pink. Wigs can be used if you prefer, or try clip-in extensions if you don't want to dye your hair. Makeup is generally fresh-faced with highlights of the color palette, sometimes with false eyelashes (colored, rhinestoned, or regular), and can also include circle lenses (especially ones decorated with stars or butterflies).

The best way to get a handle on the style is to look at street snaps and cherry-pick the motifs and looks you like best. There aren't any hard and fast rules to fairy-kei, so you need to get a feel for it and then try to give it a whirl. Since there aren't any guidelines, it is easier to veer off course, so it is really recommended you look at a lot of examples. Click here for a good selection.

After you have a basic grasp of the fashion, the next step is to apply it to your lolita outfits and styles so as to combine the two. A few suggestions to try:

use vintage 80s toys like Polly Pocket jewelry or small plastic pieces to make necklaces, hair accessories, etc. Barbie food looks especially cute as giant rings or pendants. Gingerbread Jewelry makes a lot of cute ones, or use them for inspiration.
Hunt up bright candy colored socks, try Socks Dreams.
A lot of fairy-kei is making your own pieces. Vintage fabrics (like the dress above, which is made from a set of sheets!) can be turned into dresses, skirts, etc.
Tiny plushies or keychains in your favorite style look sweet pinned on big, slouchy candy-colored hobo bags.
Look around ordinary mall stores like Charlotte Russe or Forever 21 for accessories or even t-shirts. Just keep a focus on the color palette and general motifs to know what's useful. I found my My Little Pony shirt from delia's for only $12!
For fusion fairy-kei lolita, it's important to keep the bell-shaped silhouette. You can buy skirts with the right color schemes, like Angelic Pretty's Colorful Hearts, or you can make your own. Usually over-the-top sweet items are a good base for fairy-kei fusion, simple appliques, or polka dots.
Go vintage shopping for things like 80s childrens' sweatshirts or crazy hairbows and headbands. You can also look on eBay or 80s_cuties on Livejournal. Some Japanese shops for cute things like Doki Doki 6% and Chocomint can have fairy-kei type things too. Or comb your attic for the things you used to like in the 80s!

Links

A blog of a Japanese lolita/fairy-kei lover
A brief article by Tokyo New Tribe
Tokyo Gyaru TV video for fairy-kei hair
Tokyo Gyaru video for Spank! girls
crappy_lovley, a Livejournal community based on the fairy-kei store Spank!
The Spank! website
One of my fairy-kei lolita fusion coordinates

Labels: fashion, guide

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it.

Start at the beginning...

Down the rabbit hole. Through the looking glass. Into lolita wonderland. The classic Victorian books by Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson), Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, have been bold and inspiring literature works in the lolita culture for years. From the beginning of the culture, Alice has emerged - and has remained just as popular to this day, which is more than can be said for other motifs or styles. Teapots, white rabbits, pocket watches, and card suits chase through print after print after print. New versions keep popping up, too - Alice in Ribbonland, Alice and the Pirates, Alice's Garden. Even the Alice bow and the frilled aprons are homage to her influence. What is it that is so alluring about Alice and her adventures? Nonsense as sensible as a dictionary, perhaps?

For one, she is a little Victorian girl (seven and a half exactly) who is oddly more precocious and glib than her age would suggest. And in a very surreal world, she continues to look for something comforting and sensible - though she very rarely finds it. This seems to mimic a lot of the lolita experience - girls who look young but are wiser beyond their years, and are trying to build something comforting to them by, ironically, diving in Wonderland.

But it isn't really where Alice comes from so much as where she goes, is it? It's not just Alice we like, but the garden of talking flowers, the bread and butterflies, the mad tea party, and the croquet game. The world she goes through is one we much prefer than the usual side of the looking glass, and isn't that also like the world of lolita? The supposedly crazy notions are actually full of hidden jokes and trinkets, just like we are ourselves. We may look very unusual to the typical outsider, but if you talk to a lolita, you will discover she and her fashion choice are much deeper than the frills on the outside. She might mention her love of beauty, feeling like a princess, or being a feminist. What the outsider might have thought of as ridiculous has a very emotional and philosophical purpose.

The text could also be seen as various metaphors. I won't cover all of this here, but this particular idea I found intruiging. As quoted by the Alice in Wonderland Sparknotes edition:

The Loneliness of Growing Up

Throughout her adventures, Alice feels an inescapable sense of loneliness from which she can find no relief. Before she enters Looking-Glass World, her only companions are her cats, to whom she attributes human qualities to keep her company. Once she enters Looking-Glass World, she seeks compassion and understanding from the individuals that she meets, but she is frequently disappointed. The flowers and Humpty Dumpty treat her rudely, the Red Queen is brusque, and the Fawn flees from her once it realizes that she is a human. She receives little compassion from others and often becomes sad. The one character who shows her compassion is the White Knight, who must leave her when she reaches the eighth square and must take on her role of Queen. Alice's dreams deal with the anxieties of growing up and becoming a young woman. Since Alice believes that loneliness is an inherent part of growing up, even in her dreams she must face the transition into womanhood alone.

The idea of being alone is often brought up in lolita. Many lolitas have never met another, and lolita does seperate oneself from the typical world around them. Novala Takemoto mentions this in his essay, 'I don't need things like friends' (Soleil Nuit) with this line: "Alice went through the perils of Wonderland by herself[...]" But I have never seen Alice's lack of true companions as loneliness. I see it as her independence. She doesn't need a boyfriend, a small dog with the trappings of Toto (not even Dinah the cat goes with her), or anyone else to get her out of trouble. She uses her own bravery and wits. A lolita can use her own bravery to dress by herself, or have fun being out with friends.

So these perhaps are why the lolita identifies with Alice in Wonderland. But from an aesthetic point of view, why is she so beloved? She does come from a time period which lolita draws inspiration from - the Victorian period. But I also think that the easily recognized symbols of her adventure - the Drink Me bottle, the painted roses, the pocket watch, or the Eat Me Cookies - carry with them all of the unspoken weight of their meaning. Isn't there something about Alice in Wonderland images that lends a creepy and exciting air? If you run into a cat on the street that looks like it might grin, don't you feel as if you have a small secret? Or the mystery and allure of a smoke ring, perhaps blown from a Turkish hookah. The beauty of these images is in their meaning. Like a pioneer quilt, they each have tiny stories to tell. Is that also something the lolita relates to? She hides little meanings in her dresses with every ribbon and detail or her socks.

Maybe that is the real secret connection between the lolita and Alice. The lolita can be caught talking to flowers, making stories about the chess and card characters. She might proclaim today her unbirthday, or gladly let her clock run two days slow. She can easily shriek OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! or listen to the Mock Turtle. She has grown up and down a thousand times in a day and stills manages to find her own secret garden.

Perhaps the lolita is at home in wonderland because that is where she has come from, too.

And when you come to the end, stop!

Labels: discussion, inspirational, literature

Friday, May 15, 2009

Pink Is Contagious

I got my hair colored this morning! (By morning I mean: I got up at 6:45 to get down to the hairdresser!) I have always been a fan of pink hair, and have messed with it for about a year now (first time I dyed my hair pink: March '08!) The first time I had my friend do it in her dorm, and then I did it myself. When I decided to retry the pink recently, the lovely Miss Julia gave me a hand. But after realizing I can't see the top of my own head, I gave up and convinced my local stylist to try giving the pink hair a go.

The results: fantabulous!

I had been putting in full chunks of pink, which starts off tropical-fish/raspberry and then evens out to a nice baby pink and then an antique pink. But what she did was 'frost' the hair (like a cupcake?!) with pink, so the results are both bright and subtle. We even got a little crazy and added violet streaks in my lower layers. My color inspirations? Lady Lovelylocks, Lickety-Split, and Barbie!

Quite a few lolitas are giving pink hair (and other colors of the rainbow!) a try lately. Not just sweet lolitas either, but gothics and classics too! I think any (lolita) style looks good with pink hair, so long as they coordinate it well. Having some experience as pinkhead lolita, I thought I'd offer some advice on living and loving la vie en rose.

How To Rock Pinkhead Lolita

By coloring your hair pink, you've essentially decided to add pink to your coordinate every single day. Therefore, treat it like any kind of accessory - make sure it matches something! It's a predominant color in your appearance, so be aware of that. Some tips: use pink-hued makeup or keep your fingernails a shade of pink. That way, you won't ever look like you forgot you had pink hair!
If you have areas of your face that get red or ruddy, try to neutralize these as much as possible! Red blemishes, or a red scrubbed cast to your skin, when mixed with your hair, will make you look... like a giant Tootsie Roll pop (not in a good way!) Conceal blemishes with something green-tinted to combat the red, and make sure to brush a soft foundation powder over your skin (I like Bare Escentuals).
Don't worry too much about 'matching your pinks'. Pinks can be crazy to match across brands or even seasons, let alone with your hair, so try to balance the amount of one pink versus another and don't get nutty. Reason: It's pretty impossible to match all of your pinks!
Try not to clash your pink. I'm a generally a believer in the religion of 'Everything Goes With Pink, and Pink Goes with Everything' but that's not always quite true. Try to avoid basketball orange, for example, or pear yellow.
Love it with confidence! The older ladies at the hair salon gave me some terrified looks (like the way you'd watch a small child attempt a skateboard trick, finger on the ambulance button), but even they had to admit it suited well. Love being cotton candy pink and it'll love you back!

Want to see more of my new hair and the My Little Pony lolita outfit it inspired? Click here!

Links To Pinks

Pinkhair community on Livejournal - very helpful if you want take the pink plunge!

Labels: guide, outfit post

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

She's a Country Girl

Being as I am from the farmland and fields of Connecticut (also known as: the boondocks) there is a special area in my heart for country lolita. Whenever the weather warms up and the brands start releasing strawberries and roses, I break out the country.

It's a fairly overlooked and old-school style - it was a lot more prevalent in the magazines about four or five years ago. Today it is very rarely seen, which is a pity, as it is such a beautiful style. From time to time the Bible will show a few mini straw hats, but mostly it is absorbed into the realm of Sweet Lolita style. I think it also works well with classic lolita. With summer on the brink, you might be interested in giving it a try! The best part is that country generally doesn't require you to buy new clothes - mostly accessories.

How to Pull It Off

Basket Purse or Picnic Basket: This is one of the most important pieces. A pretty picnic basket bought from a craft store or a basket you have modified with bows, ribbons, and lace is perfect. The brands generally come out with at least a few basket purses in the early summer. Last summer there was a rash of home-made ones that looked very fabulous. As for me, I've bought both of mine from Mother Garden, a Japanese store specializing in childrens' toys, homewares, and covering everything with strawberries. The one I just bought at the Palisades Mall (New York state) for only $13.50!

Full-size or Mini Straw Hat: I really am a big fan of lolita hats! I've altered my own department store hat and have another mini-hat in the works! You can usually find mini-hats in various sizes at your local craft store in the doll or bear department. You can decorate them with plastic fruit, felt strawberries or flowers, and of course ribbon and lace. Any of your favorite flowers can be country, but I find that daisies and roses and my favorite!

Other accessories: Floral corsages pinned to handbags or blouse throats; flower or fruit printed socks; antique-looking lockets for classic and large novelty strawberry jewelry for sweet. Ruffly or Victorian-style parasols add that out-in-the-sun look.

Hair: Hair can range through a variety of sweet styles, but a few specifically come to mind. Loose, almost frizzy curls; straight and braided; looped braids; curled pigtails; or simply worn long and natural.

Makeup: Makeup should concentrate on looking even more fresh and underdone than usual. This does not mean skipping makeup entirely; it means improving on nature in a very natural way. A soft powder and concealer, possibly with a few very light highlights of bronzer; softly stained lips or nude lips, both with or without a gloss. Generally eyeshadows should be kept light - I like a nice French vanilla color, but a sunshiney butter or pale pink are also great options. Add your usual color of mascara. I prefer to go one shade darker than my natural color as it makes the eyes look wider. Don't forget to curl your lashes for a wide-awake, open look. Some more daring colors to work with in your palette can be coral, a soft spring green, or even a very light touch of cherry.

The Dress: Popular styles for country generally include fruit and floral prints, and sometimes sweets (like Angelic Pretty's Sweet Jam line or Baby's previous line printed with tiny pies and jam jars). The dress can be either classical or sweet style. Gingham, polka dots, or cute animals like forest creatures or kittens can also work. As you've seen already, it is not really the dress that makes an outfit country style. You really can't just sling on any dress and call it country, even if it is gingham, say, or slathered with cherries. The look is comprised of many factors put together.

I think the trick to getting country right is to put together an 'image' that you feel fits the outfit. I like a sort of provincial France or cottage English look, but a Strawberry Shortcake atmosphere is also adorable. I really hope to see more country style around!

Links

My go at country style!
The Lolita Handbook's Guide to Country

Brands for Country Style

Innocent World
BABY the Stars Shine Bright
Angelic Pretty
Victorian Maiden
Mary Magdalene
VM Beth

Labels: guide, spring, summer

Monday, May 11, 2009

wow!

Thanks for the views everyone! I am continuously amazed and thrilled that Lolita Charm is loved by so many readers! Thank you for supporting me!

Want to see more photos from a day to the narcissus reserve with Miss Lumpy and I? Click here!

Labels: photopost, thank you

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Lolita Q. Public

In my previous article 'Why Must My Public Be So Tiresome' (whew, mouthful!) I discussed the general reaction of the people around you as you venture outside of your little bubble and into the big wide world. But now I want to delve a little deeper. Let's not talk about them - let's talk about you. The Lolita is the lead character in her namesake novel, isn't she? How are you going to react to the world around you? Do you want to live your own story or not?

Going out in Lolita is like a microcosm exercise of life. You are presented with hundreds of opportunities to decide how you want to interact with your world. Consider it like a fairytale: every person you meet affects the outcome. With that in mind, think carefully about how you act in lolita in public and how you want to feel and be received.

I cannot even begin to tell you some of the magical things that happen to me when I am out in lolita. It is like putting on a pair of glass slippers - suddenly the world seems to put fate working in my direction. Maybe it's my mood seeping into other people, or maybe there is some kind of natural high hidden in petticoats, but that's how it seems. For example, when I was in Hartford recently, I happened to run into a very pretty boy named Skye. He crossed the road specifically to talk to Miss Julia and I, asked for a photo (which he set as his wallpaper) and then proclaimed us both beautiful fairytales. Can you imagine how differently that would have gone if we hadn't been open-minded and friendly about being approached by bystanders? We would have missed the entire interaction!

A lot of girls, especially new lolitas, feel defensive when approached. I have seen girls swear, yell 'What are you lookin' at?!' or even give the bird. By acting defensive or rude, you are sending the message that what you are doing is not okay - you feel vulnerable. Not only that, but you are walling yourself off from people who just might be your fairy godmother in disguise! It makes me wonder how many karmic trains we might have missed because we were not paying attention or were too stubborn to go. But if you act sweetly to the people around you, you are expressing that your outfit is perfectly ordinary. The more you do this exercise, the more you will begin to see it as perfectly ordinary. As a new lolita, you're very aware of being stared at. You might even be staring a little yourself - are you really wearing this giant hairbow?! But as lolita becomes more and more a part of your life, it seems less and less out of the ordinary.

But there is also a gift in lolita that can be accessed beyond civility. You are, after all, masquerading as a fantasy on the sidewalk. You have a rare opportunity to play fairy godmother to someone else! Waving at curious children, thanking complimenters, or even just being beautiful for beauty's sake. We lolitas always say we dress for ourselves - because we like it and for no other reason. But there is also the secret wish that perhaps we might brighten someone's day the same way lolita has brightened ours.

A friend and I once discussed this very thought - as we stood on a city streetcorner, in bright pink wigs and dresses. It isn't just that lolita makes you feel happy. It's deeper than that. Lolita makes you feel so happy that you want other people to feel happy too. I think this is a powerful emotion, to want to spread your happiness. When I dance, something similar happens to me. I can't help but smile as I perform for other people, who I hope are enjoying watching the show as much as I enjoy performing it. If misery wants company, and smiles are infectious, then what does that say about us as lolitas, or more importantly, us as human beings?

So when you leave the house in the morning, think about who you want to be. Are you going to be the kind of person looking for fairy godmothers? Are you looking to be one? Or both? When you face the world, what do you want to be remembered for? In the words of Alice's Caterpillar,

Who are you?

Labels: discussion, etiquette, inspirational

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

My Childhood Love

When I first started out as a Lolita, some three years ago (and about age 16, whew! I feel old ;-;) I looked more on the classic side of life. I thought sweet was cute, but left an aftertaste in my mouth. Too much sugar. Stomach ache. I think at one time I even denounced Angelic Pretty! Gasp!

I wanted something sweet without a huge dose of insanity. This is how my very first brand items - two pairs of socks, and two hairbows - came to be.

Innocent World was my haven. I loved their delicate blouses, their soft skirts and muted pinks only they can produce. But alas, they required a shopping service and as a young Lolita - and even now, as a lazy one - I wasn't going out of my way to purchase something from them. So I felt my heart rekindle our long lost flame when I heard that finally, Innocent World was opening its door to foreign customers at last.

Innocent World will be officially providing to its overseas clientele on May 7th, although you can already view and perhaps use the order form on their website. It works with a similiar method to Baby the Stars Shine Bright - fill out this list of categories, but not in an email - in an order form on their website. This reminds me of using Fairy-Angel, actually. They accept only Paypal in Japanese yen.

Now that Innocent World has become more accessible, I predict there will be a rise in classic lolita. Girls tend to buy what is accessible, which is why Baby clothes tend to be a dime a dozen. And I also think that sweet lolita, run by the machinations of the ever-wilder Angelic Pretty, may have begun to run its course. The sweets jewelry craze isn't as... well, crazy - as it one was; I haven't seen cake hats worn in a while. Especially in this economy, where one can't afford to have two wardrobes, the mutable style of Innocent World might be the new It Dress (or bolero, or socks, or hairbow...) Innocent World is adorable and soft, probably taking its cues from the designer's imaginary view of Victorian England or Victorian America. Innocent World gladly goes to summer weddings, or to work in smart brown kitten heels. Innocent World loves lolita picnics and nights at the Nutcracker ballet in winter. Its accessories range from the giant head-eating bows lolita love to the bow elastics that can be added to any outfit for an instant dose of femininity. Innocent World brings us both the practicality of tiny bow-shaped jewelry and the impractical cuteness of huge, conical bonnets. Innocent World combines our love of elegance, like embroidered net lace, with the youthful styles of dresses patterned with kittens.

Angelic Pretty and Baby's sweeter style have their place in lolita, just like Moi-Meme-Moitie and H.Naoto do too. It wouldn't be the same to cut out any of the substyles. Each contributes to the lolita culture and image in its own way. If Gothic is the oldest, and Sweet the youngest, then Classic has always been the oft-overlooked, quiet and beautiful middle child. Classic lolita, the middle sister, might finally get her own fairytale.

Links

Innocent World
Innocent World Umeda Blog
Innocent World Tokyo Blog

Labels: shopping

Monday, May 4, 2009

Summer Shoes: Secret Shop & Qcute Review

I had never had a pair of lolita open-toe shoes before, and when I saw another girl wearing the same pair, I knew I had to give them a whirl! I'll be reviewing both the actual shoes (from Secret Shop) and the shopping service I used to buy them, Qcute.

The Shoes!

Let's start with the pros. I'm a believer in good news first, right?

They are open-toed, which lends them to a whole new range of options not usually possible with your average lolita shoe. For one, it means showing off your cute toenail polish! I made sure to treat myself to a new bottle of bright 80s pink, called Fuschia Power, by Sally Hansen, but any color you like would look nice. Because they are open-toe, you can definitely get away without wearing knee-high socks, which can be a godsend in summer heat. I have seen the Japanese girls in the Bibles wear socks with open-toed shoes but I can't stomach it, myself. Maybe it's training that socks + sandals = tacky, or maybe it's the more practical reason that I am sure the toes of my socks would be goners, but I won't be wearing socks with these.
They are very adjustable. I have a long foot with long toes and a narrow heel and narrow ankle, so I always need a reliable strap. The front cross-straps are both adjustable, and so are the ballerina ties on top (all of these fasten with a hidden snap; the heart buckle is decorative). If you need them to be even smaller, like me, you can easily poke a new hole where you need it with the tip of a knife or Exacto-knife. But if you have wider ankles and calves, these will also fit you - they have plenty of strap to manipulate.
These are tall! If you don't want to be taller you might not like this, but I'm only 5'2" at best, and these finally put me on level with everyone else! They are on a wedge, and the heel itself is 2 and 1/2 inches high. Because they are on a wedge and not a heel, they are more comfortable to stand in. If you are not used to high heels they might take a little getting used to when walking in them, but if you're a rocking horse or stiletto veteran, you should have no trouble :)
Tiny heart cutouts and faux-lace. Need I say more?!

The cons. Yes, nothing is perfect, and these shoes have some of those.

I believe they are a knockoff of an older Angelic Pretty shoe line. I don't have any problem with this, but if you're against knockoffs in any form, they probably aren't for you. That's the end of that discussion! Moving on!
I got the shoes in the mail, tried them on, clomped around the house, etc. The next day I put them on with the intention of wearing them out. Uh-oh! The ballerina ties are kept in place by a small loop at the back of the heel (similar to tea party shoes, if you own these). The loop had come out of its pocket, where it had been probably glued into place. Using crazy glue, I was able to fix this. The pocket is small, so you my need to widen it a little with an Exacto-knife. So far the glue seems to have held well. If you want more security or the crazy glue does not work, try Gorilla Glue and maybe a few stitches of matching thread. Short of this, try a shoemaker. I'm betting Secret Shop is not going to be interested in a fault in their product. To continue the story: I wore them on Sunday, with the right shoe fixed, only to have the left shoe break in the same way. My tea parties (Secret Shop) have also had the same problem. It seems to be a common defect. But I am under the impression this would also happen with brand shoes, so you might as well get the knockoffs (I don't have direct experience with this, but I have heard that brand shoes are not much better quality and are sometimes made in the same factory! If you would like to comment on your brand vs. offbrand shoes, please do :)
These come with detachable bows. I am not big on detachable bows because I am always sure they will come off and get lost, so whenever I buy a shoe, I mentally remove the detachable bows - I won't be wearing them. They do have bows on the heel however, sewed in place, and I like them without the giant front bows anyway.
If you adjust your straps smaller, you may need to trim them or add extra holes.

QCute!

I can honestly not say enough about how easy and pleasant it was to use QCute as a shopping service. I ordered the shoes with the intent of wearing them on my island vacation this May, and was worried about them getting here before my plane leaves. I mentioned this and I was assured they took 10 days from order to arrival, and they really did. I ordered them, paid the quickly-sent invoice, and 8 days later told my shoes had been shipped. I also received a tracking number, so I could watch them leave Shanghai and arrive at JFK Airport. They were well packaged and came with their Secret Shop eco-tote. They were also marked as 'GIFT' so as to avoid customs. I would definitely recommend them in you have an interest in their products. They sell many kinds of and different makers of shoes and are a courier few Hong Kong lolita brands like Momo Jia, Infanta, Rose Melody, Dear Celine, etc. It also appears they offer some custom sizing for their shoes, which is excellent if you're not an easy shoe size to find.

Love them!

Prognosis? I love them. They have the summery feeling I wanted, can be worn without other clothes outside of Lolita style, and have about the level of quality I expect for lolita shoes. The price was pretty decent as well: about $45 not including shipping. Interested in finding out more?

QCute

See them in action with my new Sugary Carnival jumperskirt!

I'll also be reviewing Starry Candy Box, the service I used to buy my Sugary Carnival jumperskirt, later this week - so stay tuned!

Labels: review, shopping, summer

Friday, May 1, 2009

May Style Tips

image by jpmathh

Hunt up some lolita sandals (I recommend Qcute, Secret Shop, or even your local Payless) and wear them with pretty polished toes. Use peachy pink, powder blue, sunshine yellow, or a translucent pink called Love Letters.
Go to your local flower festivals or flower shows, or wildflower reserves. If you can't do these things, explore your nearby garden center, florist's shop, or even the potted pansies at the grocery store. Look closely at the flowers - feel the petals with your fingertips.
Replace your usual dull wallet with something you really love - pink glitter, kittens in boas, or music notes! Extra points for vintage coin purses.
Select a few floaty classical music pieces to enjoy - I'm a fan of the Aquarium by Camille Saint-Saëns, or the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. Anything by Tchaikovsky is also a go! (He's my favorite!)
Start a few plants on your patio, balcony, or windowsill. Miniature roses love this time of year!
Hang a humming bird feeder. They return to my area around May, and I love to see them buzz around and hover.
Spend a free day antiquing or a tag sales. Look for lockets, skeleton keys, vintage photographs, teasets, or brush and mirror sets.
Lace stockings (nice lace!) look nice with closed-toe shoes, and are pretty in any color -white, cream, black, or even colored if you can find them.
If you usually wear dark colors, switch to something lighter - dark reds and blues for muted creams and powder blue. Or if you have a lot of pink, try something breezier, like mint, soft blue, or just white. Black-loving lolitas might like to try some steel or light gray.
Switch your usual sugary sodas for flavored seltzer. Light, carbonated, no calories or fake sugars or colors, and has spritely tastes like mandarin orange, lemon lime, or wildberry.
Pick a favorite flower for your personal symbol. Buy stickers of it, embroider it on a handkerchief, or wear them in your hair.
Start your day with a sprinkling of opalescent glitter.
Blow bubbles, big careful ones and tiny schools of them! If you mix them with glitter they'll leave shimmery kisses on the pavement.

Style Tips is going to be a monthly feature now :) Enjoy!

Labels: style tips

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