Building a Lolita Capsule Wardrobe #4: Adding Smaller and Statement Pieces

As I mentioned at the end of the last post, with main pieces, blouses, outerwear, legwear, headwear, shoes and bags you're pretty much done with an IRL capsule, and are done (or at least, I am) if you're putting together a collage. But there's a few more things to consider if you're putting together a capsule for actual use.

First of all, we can't forget the basics. Most obvious is at least one petticoat in a shape and size that fits all your main pieces. If you have a larger capsule, or differently cut skirts, you may need two or more petticoats.

Bloomers are not entirely essential, but it's handy to have something other than your underwear covering your butt when wearing big poofy skirts, and bloomers are definitely the cutest way to do it. The peeking bloomer look is also gaining in popularity again so you may even want a longer pair!

Camisoles in the right colour to go underneath any sheer blouses is also a must, though this is something most of us already have from our everyday wardrobes. With that, we've covered the foundational garments.

You also need to consider smaller items, like accessories and jewellery, in a real life capsule. Honestly, these things come down more to your personal style and how you like to accessorise. I love clipping a few small bows into my hair with most outfits, or extra flower clips, so that's something any capsule of mine would have to include. You may love piling on rings and necklace and bracelets. Wristcuffs are a very typically lolita thing, but they're not the only arm decoration available - what about gloves or detachable sleeves or just (gasp) bare wrists?

However here's the minimum of smaller pieces I think you should include in a capsule wardrobe:

• A jewellery set to match each main piece (which could just be one set that matches everything!) - if in doubt, you can't really go wrong with pearls.
• A set of wristcuffs in each of the main colours of the wardrobe (or at least in the main neutrals)
• As many small hair accessories (bows, clips, flowers, pins) as you want! I have drawers full...

Other little things that can really change the vibe of a coordinate include brooches, gloves, collars, and even things like glasses! I'd also put things like parasols in this category of "is a nice touch, but not necessary".

As I mentioned, if I'm putting together a capsule collage I don't include these items because they're very fiddly to work with in Photoshop. They're also, in my mind at least, not necessary to having a complete coordinate, but they do give you a lot of variety for a cheap price and a small amount of storage space.

On a similar but completely different note, you should consider adding a few statement pieces to your capsule. What exactly these will be is up to you and you tastes, but they are things that are perhaps not very versatile, or necessary to building a coordinate, that nevertheless really add a "wow" factor. For me, it's my fawn fur pieces - they're not necessarily practical but if I bust out a matching collar and hairpiece in fawn fur it really spices up an outfit.

Of course, your statement piece may already be part of your wardrobe - a particular dress or amazing blouse - but just consider what other kinds of pieces you could work in for a bit of easy pizzazz. Here's a few examples of things that you may add as a statement piece to a capsule wardrobe:

• An over-skirt (or under-skirt)
• A peignoir or other over-dress
• An apron
• A corset, vest, or bustier
• An OTT headpiece

Another option, especially for a sweet capsule, is to get the matching set pieces to one of your main pieces - provided they'll match well enough with the rest of your wardrobe. There's something about wearing a full set that is in and of itself a statement, and it can be a fun way to go.

And with that all considered, we are actually, finally done! I hope you found these posts on building a lolita capsule wardrobe helpful ^__^