Lolita Blog Carnival: 3 Things I Would Never Wear in Lolita

DISCLAIMER: I'm not going to apologize for every single thing I don't personally prefer in my own wardrobe. If you like these things, then that is awesome! I could very well change my mind in the future. It's all *personal* preference.

My style tends to be all over the place. I make most of my pieces, so when I see a fabric I really like, I just go with it. Though, I tend to lean towards dark colors. So, it was hard for me to think of things I wouldn't wear, considering I'm willing to try almost anything once.

Baby/Toy Prints

I consider the fashion I wear an expression of myself. I'm that person who doesn't care for children, can't tell them apart, and refuses to have any. Wearing a toy print would go against my personality.

Plus, Lolitas have a hard enough time trying to convince people we aren't age-players. Wearing a toy print doesn't make it any easier.

Huge Pony Fall Wigs

Here is an example of how I've changed my mind over time. I own a huge, pony falls wig. I bought it from Gothic Lolita Wigs for $40ish. I find it to be too heavy for my head, and after a while it really starts to bother me. It's hard to maintain as well. It gets tangled into a rats nest if I look at it the wrong way.

My issue with the trend over all, is that it's over done. Huge, pony falls wigs are like a new song on the radio. You love it at first, you buy the album, put the song on repeat. Eventually, you are tired of that song, but you can't escape it. It just keeps playing.

I like having a base to layer a bunch of hair accessories, but I think at this point I'll just get a hime wig to achieve the same look.

On a similar vein, I won't wear a bright wig either. I would wear one that has natural color blended in, but a bright pink or mint wig is not for me. Especially one that's one half bright pink and one half mint.

OTT BtSSB

I like the look on other people, but the OTT dresses that Baby releases just don't do it for me. Just stuff on stuff on stuff. 3 layers of ruffles, 4 kinds of ribbon that make up the 20 bows sewn on the bodice and all over skirt, and miles of pintucks. It's just too much. And the price reflects to work involved in the detail, I can appreciate it, but I can't drop $600-$1200 on a dress that I can't wear to the mall for a meet.

I think a dress like this is more of a party dress. Wear it to an evening party or a high tea event, but other than that it would just sit in my closet like a wedding dress.

 

 Thanks for reading! Please check out what other people wouldn't wear:

What The Fluff!
Under the Parasol
Northern Star
The Literary Lolita
New Vogue Children
The Twinkle Boss

-Lunette<3

Etiquette of the Lolita Meet-up

Meet-ups are a central part of a Lolita community, and a Western phenomenon that developed outside of Japan. One thing I've encountered with a new Lolita is their desire to jump right into their local community and attend meet-ups or host their own. However, their enthusiasm is usually crushed by insecurity, shyness, self doubt, or the worry that they will be stepping on the toes of more established members.

It's normal to feel that way and it isn't easy to find your niche in a community that has already been created and has been existing for several years before you joined. I hope I can give you some helpful advice in hosting and attending your local meet ups.




Basic Etiquette for Hosting

• Always follow the rules of the community you have joined regarding the creation or attendance of meets. For example, in my local community, we prefer if you check with the hostess before bringing a guest that isn't a member of the community.
• Be reliable
• Don't be late to your own meet
• It helps if you open a line of communication, such as a phone number
• If you're eating somewhere, be sure to provide, in the description of the meet, whether it's vegetarian friendly, gluten free, etc
• Be aware of when others are hosting events and pick a day that is free. If you feel that yours has to be a set date, send the other hostess a message and discuss it with her. She might be able to reschedule, and if she can't, respect it. Either compromise a reschedule, or have two meets on one day and let people choose.

Basic Etiquette for Attending

• If you have a problem with the restaurant/venue, especially for a large event, go through the proper channels. It is super rude to bypass the hostess to complain or request special things from a restaurant or venue. Let her know, calmly and politely, what your needs are. Do not assume she already knows your needs, don't feign an emergency situation(like if you eat gluten you have to go to the hospital), and if she can't meet your needs you can politely ask for a refund and not attend the event. That's it. No one is under any obligation to cater to you specifically.
• If you plan on making a big announcement, let the hostess know. Even if it's super secret, tell her that you plan on making one, just don't say what. It can be frustrating if you're trying to make the whole day go smoothly(especially if there is a schedule) if someone suddenly demands speaking time and the attention of the whole room. 
• Fashionably late is only a thing at large parties. If people are waiting on you to move to the next venue, it's rude to be late. From my experience, I've waited on people for a few hours. Not fun. Don't be surprised if they move on without you.
• If you have something to say that isn't so nice, wait until you leave to say it. The car is usually a safe place, not the bathroom. You never know who will be listening.
• Be self aware and aware of the others around you. No one likes an attention hog.
• If you don't plan on attending a meet, or you aren't paying close attention to it anyway, don't RSVP "yes". In most situations it is totally okay to put "maybe". Don't be a flake or a phony.
• In public places, act with decorum. People already assume some crazy things about you because of what you're wearing. This probably isn't the time to loudly state the names of genitals.
• The hostess is allowed to set a dress code, if you wish to attend do your best to respect it. If there is something hindering you from completely following it, let the hostess know and ask for her thoughts. 
• Note: For clarity, if the meet is strictly Lolita, but all you have is Dolly Kei, etc.
• If you slip up and feel you have been rude, privately apologize to the person, or people, you think you've wronged. Own your actions and take responsibility. 

Basically, if you're honest, genuine, and keep others in mind, you shouldn't have a problem. Thanks for reading! <3 Lunette

My Favorite, Non-Tradional Kimono Snaps

All images taken from Tokyo Fashion

-Lunette <3

Lolita Links

As much as I hate it when blogs just link to a bunch of links, I'm afraid I'll have to do it. F Yeah Lolita already made a huge list of tutorials that are specifically made for Lolita: Click here

But, what I can do is link to a few patterns you can buy in craft stores that might be helpful:

Simplicity

Dresses

• 1353 Leanne Marshall
• 1606 Amazing Fit
• 1652 Amazing Fit
• 1688 Cynthia Rowley
• 2176 Project Runway

Other

• 2777 Bloomers
• 4092 Rococo
• 4136 Dorothy

McCalls

• M6770 Ruffle Apron and Aristocrat Jacket
• M4698 Cape

Burda

• Vintage Lace Blouse
• Blouse with Neck Bow

Of course, these aren't all the possible patterns you can buy and of course you will most likely have to alter them to fit the Lolita aesthetic. Take a look through the Fyeahlolita blog to get a good idea on what you would have to change to the patterns you choose to buy.

If you have any more questions, please leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer it!

<3 Lunette

                                          

MomoCon 2014

Thank you all for attending my panel on Intro to Lolita Fashion! I promised I would have links up, and I will very soon! Please keep checking back and feel free to add me on Facebook <3

Shironuri

You've probably seen this street fashion trend called "Shironuri". Participants of this substyle paint their faces white and wear clothes and accessories that inspire Japanese folk tales, pop culture horror, and nature.

Shironuri literally means "painted white" and it draws inspiration from Geiko and Maiko makeup styles.

Minori

Thanks largely to Tokyo Fashion, Minori is probably the most well known Shironuri artist to Western enthusiasts. So much so, that a lot of people who attempt it on their own think that what Minori wears *is* Shironuri. Yet, the long, flowing, tattered layers that she designs are not Shironuri on their own. You're only wearing Shironuri when you paint your face white. I've made sure to include pictures of her wearing pants and bloomers to show that even she breaks her own perceived mold on regular occasions.

However, Minori's love of nature has inspired some awesome American coords:

Savannah on the left and Lauren on the right, took advantage of a very rare snowfall by dressing up for some stunning pictures.

Savannah and Lauren are also designers of alternative fashion accessories. Check out Kawaiicore for some awesome and unique additions to your wardrobe!

Brandy attended a Shironuri meet up last summer.

Brandy is also an artist! Check out Metro Jack, a yaoi webcomic. 

If you want to start wearing Shironuri, check out this video for a makeup tutorial:

If you want to see more of the White Face Monster Party from the first picture, check out this video:

Thanks for looking! Brandy, Lauren, and Savannah were all posted with permission. 

-Lovely Lunette 

Planning a Tea Party: Part One

History of the Tea Party

When you think of tea and scones you probably think of the British enjoying a cup with a biscuit in the afternoon. Or maybe you think of noble ladies sitting together, gossiping, discussing marriage and social hierarchies. You might be surprised to learn that Britain, considering the culture they have built around tea, wasn't the first country in Europe to popularize the beverage. 

Catherine of Braganza was the first tea drinking queen in Britain's history. It is said that she brought a box of tea with her from Portugal when she married Charles II, who grew up in exile in The Hague and was accustomed to drinking tea already. When the monarchy was re-established, the popularity of tea sky rocketed. Whatever royals did was emulated by nobles and on down the social ladder until ale was no longer the national drink.

Catherine of Braganza

Catherine often invited friends into her bedchamber to share her tea. Thus began the practice of women coming together in their own bedchambers or closets for socializing. Coffee houses began selling tea, but women were denied access to these places. Eventually tea gardens were established as a way for ladies and gentlemen to enjoy the outdoors surrounded by entertainers. This practice was especially popular as a way for women to enter mixed company without social criticism.

Tea Garden

By the time of Queen Victoria's reign, one of her ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope, known as The Duchess of Bedford, started having her servants sneak her a tea pot around 4 pm to tide her over until dinner. She started inviting her friends to join her and it turned into an event. Other ladies decided they wanted to host the same kind of gathering and the "low tea" was born.

Outdoor tea party

American establishments adopted the term "high tea" because it sounds lofty and high class, but what we think of a high tea is actually a low tea. The two terms refer to the height of the table used for your tea party. A low tea is usually served in the afternoon with light refreshments such as finger sandwiches and little pastries on a low table. A high tea is served with a heavy meal, like meats, bread, and pickles, in the evening on a high table after a long day of work. 

In modern America, we continue the tradition of socializing during low tea, we just have it between noon and three and we call it a high tea because we want to be classy... and probably because the venue can charge more money for your meal. 

All three of the above images were taken from antiquetea, based in Perth, Australia. Too bad they aren't local to me, I'd give them so much business.

Thank you for reading the first part of my blog post series, "Planning a Tea Party". Next week, part two will cover types of tea and showcase beautiful images of tea sets.

-Lovely Lunette