Loved to death

I just took a peek at my wardrobe, and realized it’s bursting at the seams, although I seem to think I just don’t have enough dresses. Some people have their closets perfectly organized, or hang their clothes on a display rack as a part of their home’s décor – I personally don’t have room for one, unless I want to dodge it every time I have to go outside.

I used to be one of those lolitas that buy dresses and then quickly sell them after wearing the items once or twice, but nowadays I grow quite attached to what I have, especially some things that have been with me for some time. Here’s a few of my personal favourites, I managed to decide on only three to feature!

F+F coat

Everyone knows Fanplusfriend's quality has improved significantly only in the last few years. The first things to have better standards, however, were the coats. I bought this black, elegant winter coat in 2009, and although I've managed to lose the belt somewhere, the coat is still in great condition. I love the detachable soft faux-fur collar and sleeves.
Edit: I actually just found the belt at my boyfriend's mom's place!

Self-made bonnet

I made this bonnet for my first kuro lolita outfit in the summer of 2008, and I still wear the hat now and then, as it really sets off any darker ensemble perfectly. Bonnets weren't popular at all at that time, but even now, when they're a very common headpiece, my 5-year old hat manages to get compliments and queries. I'm a terrible seamstress, but I must've done something right here. I used a big straw-hat as the base, cut off a part of the trim, covered it with black fabric and added two black roses (also put together from loose petals by yours' truly) and some decorative trimming. Simple, yet pretty.

Black meta dress

My first black one-piece, which I bought from Charlotta in 2009, and have worn the heck out of since. It's a perfect fit, has a delightful old-school feel to it (the dress was released in 2007, I think) and features lovely, detachable bows and small cameo-buttons. The lining is satin and also has a layer of tulle inside it, so even when petticoats deflate, the dress maintains a proper silhouette! I can't imagine parting with it, it's my "go-to" piece whenever I'm in a hurry or can't decide what to wear. I don't seem to get tired of it, it's almost a part of me by now.

What about your favourite pieces, readers - care to share?

Purr purr purchases!

Recently I've bought two items from Laura - a black velvet bolero by BtSSB, and an Angelic Pretty Cutsew.

I also bought these awesome chandelier pantyhose that I originally found featured in FB:s Hautemacabre page. Shown here in lower right corner. The other hosiere is cool as well - especially the ones with the letters on them!

I'm already waiting for summer, so I decided to get a pair of cute red summer shoes from Zalando, (click to see what they look like!) since they were having a sale.

Oh, and here's the lovely apron I got from my boyfriend for Christmas, it's by Minna of Sweet-Sweet shop. I honestly don't know if she's still in business or not, but at least I finally got my apron! Sorry for the camera's weird ghost spheres.

I also got these accessories from the Enfant Terrible Christmas gift-swap; a fur-collar, a cameo brooch and a black bead choker-necklace-collar thingy.

A cornucopia of styles!

Lolita and J-street wear are divided into so many awesome sub-styles that anyone who's "bent that way" is bound to find something to suit their tastes.Pictures are here to demonstrate two of the less-seen styles; Gothic Aristocrat and Sailor Lolita.

Gothic Lolita

Gone are the times when GL only meant black and white. Rich shades of electric or dark blue and jewel-tones like ruby, amethyst or emerald are just some of the examples that may be paired with black to create a striking, yet elegant and somber look. Contrary to a general belief, Gothic Lolita is quite versatile. The style can either be very sophisticated and dressed-down, or it can be very ornate and detailed. It can even flirt with Sweeter styles, and still be undeniably Gothic! What I love about the style is that by wearing it correctly, one may take on a slightly creepy, morbid and still cute and doll-like appearance.

Kuro Lolita

What applies to Gothic Lolita, applies almost equally to Kuro, apart from the fact, of course, that it has no colour whatsoever (black is not a colour, remember? Nitpick nitpick) but is entirely and without exception, full-on black.The style, worn, was originally "meant" to always be paired up with Shiro Lolita (full white), to supposedly make a formidably noticeable monochromatic twins -effect. In the western countries, however, the style can stand just fine on its own.

Gothic Aristocrat (female version, of course)

The west and the east seem a bit ambivalent as to what this style includes, but here, at least, we seemed to have found a consensus of a very mature, Victorian mourning-style. Corsets, feathers, lace gloves, veils, elaborate hats, dark colours, jewelry, even furs and taxidermy accessories have established themselves as parts of Gothic Aristocrat. It was, just like its little sister-style, Gothic Lolita, originally created by Mana with the added term "elegant" in front of their names (no need to explain who this guy is, right?).

Shamelessly stolen from Iira's Tumblr (Rosanitida), but you know nobody really does it like her.

On the left, although a bit too simplified and MMM-standard for my liking

Ah, now that's better! ...me and my amazing MS paint skills show you how it's done.

Sailor Lolita

I love the ocean, I love the seaside and I love boats, ships and sailing. Only natural that I would find this nautical sub-style of Sweet Lolita super attractive! It seems to be a reoccuring theme for me every summer, a buring desire to wear Sailor-inspired Lolita clothing. It's somehow so fresh and crisp with its often two-toned white, black, navy blue and red colour combinations that it never fails to remind me of sunshine on my face and salty waves splashing against rock or sand.

 

Old School

Yes, well, it's not technically a style of its own, but it is the way Lolita looked for a long time. It's not just the nostalgic combination of black and white that's currently coming back into the fashion, but has a sort of a clumsy, home-made look to it in many occasions. This is very much the case when looking at old street snaps from associated magazines. The style was developing, and many of the so-called rules and regulations of Lolita were created by us westerners. Headdresses, clunky shoes and even black lipstick were all the rage way back in yesteryears, and let me tell you - not all Lolitas wore petticoats. (GASP) Styles develop and change, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate what they used to be, and even be inspired.

Jubilations!

1. Innocent World babydoll -JSK.

Black velvet! I got it for only 60$ because the hem-lace had been removed. I'm not too picky on whether my brand items are pristine, if they can be fixed. All I have to do is find some nice lace and sew it on, and that's that.

Picture by Elegantsolitude

2. Heart-apron!

I managed to persuade the keeper of Sweet-Sweet Shop (now closed) to make me this apron, despite her "retirement". I've wanted it since 2008, and soon I can finally quit boring my friends by frequently including it into my musings.



In full black, of course



3. White, ruffled bloomers

At last I got around to ordering them. I'm sorry, but when it comes to ruffled underwear, F+F really has what I want. I already have the same model in black, but wanted white ones as well. They really are super fluffy!

4. Parties, parties, parties

In addition to us hosting a halloween celebration at my boyfriend's already creepy-looking old wooden house, (we affectionately call it "Chernobyl" - it really is a place of eternal childhood, like Never-never land!) there's two of my friends' birthday bashes coming up, both will require dressing up in themed Lolita (or Kodona/Aristo) as well. The other party will be carnival-themed, and the other will be casino-themed. Awesome. :)