Recessionlita: Saving on Style

Hair. Let's talk about hair. A lot of lolitas color their hair, and have them cut, or worse yet, have bangs. Bangs need to be trimmed and color needs to be touched up.

Bangs. Trim your own or get someone do them for you. I've quit going to the hair dresser ever other week trying to maintain my hime cut or blunt cut bangs, simply by trimming my own. Use a fine-tooth comb and go slowly - it's easier to cut off more than stick it back. And err on the side of caution, because if they're too long a week later you can still trim them. Too-short bangs also reveal your eyebrows, which can be a different color than your real hair. Roots. I don't do my own roots, but if you can manage it, you'll save yourself a few months' worth of touchups. Or make peace with some regrowth. Sarah Jessica Parker had regrowth to death half the time on Sex and the City, and it didn't detract from her fashionableness. Wigs. If you don't have money to get your hair done the way you'd like, or the time, invest in at least one go-to wig. A good wig should run somewhere between $50 - $100, but as multi-use it quickly makes sense over the salon option. Shampoo. Well you already know my answer to this, stop using it and switch to baking soda. It's only 80 cents a box, compared to the up to $20 you can spend on a bottle, and it's better for your hair and color.
Wardrobe rules. If you want something new for your wardrobe, something else must go. And not 'my thirty dollar bloomers must go to buy a $300 dress' but something equivalent. Lots of girls seem to have huge closets due to 'turn over' - selling one season to buy another. If keeps you fresh, and it keeps you roughly on budget. Especially know which pieces you'll be able to get your money back on and which ones you'll probably never find a buyer for, as they're sort of... well, a face only a mother could love, which just translates into your love their quirkiness. Other pieces will be quickly bought up, and therefore make sense to resell.

There are other ways to know 'what to buy' as well, typically things you can't reproduce yourself or buy offbrand. Jewelry, bloomers, petticoats, socks, hair accessories, and even some skirts and blouses make more sense to make or buy offbrand. Anything specific to a brand, or that you can't replicate yourself, or that has a lot of lace, buy. Or if you really want it to weather. I've bought the Bodyline AP boston bag knock-off and I've seen the real one down at Tokyo Rebel. The difference is that mine is made out of poly-something plastic, and the real one is canvas. Oh, and that mine cost $30. It might not have as much standing power, but I saved my money and I feel that justifies it. It still seems to be a pretty hardy, and as a bonus, wipes down instead of spot-removes like the canvas would.

Craft talk. If you want to make some money, get a skill and fufill a niche, and make something for the lolita world. If you knit, deco, crochet, make jewelry, sew - odds are, somebody wants it. If you spot an idea or an area that needs filling, you can actually make some decent money in the lolita market. You just have to have the ability to turn out a product at a reasonable rate and cost of supply/man labor versus profit to you. I know that sounds like business mumbo-jumbo, but it's not so bad. Watch other girls do it first - like Lolitas and Cream or Minty Mix.

Cheap meets! Host a cheap meet for lolitas in your area. An average day to the city for me with the New York lolitas can run me up in food, activities, and incidentals (like... magazines, cough), but there are also the options of cheaper meets, like meeting for pot-lucks or craft afternoons at someone's home. Be on the lookout for free local events, as well. You'd be surprised what can crop up. Our CT Daffodil Festival was a free event last spring!

Hopefully you can use these tips to look fabulous and frugal. Got ideas? Suggestions? Leave comments!

Labels: budget-loli

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 11:02 AM