Review: Meta bolero and OTKS

Wow, it has been a very, very, VERY long time since I wrote a clothing review on this blog.

There are two main reasons for that. Firstly, I haven't really been getting much by way of new lolita over the past four-ish years - haven't been wearing it much either - and secondly, I've been way more into the YouTubes over that same period of time.

I did get that epic cloak from Lolita Inside almost two years ago, which was pretty dang cool. Before that, I bought the Princess Bonbon Cutsew from Sleepyland Shop but I only filmed an unboxing and didn't make a dedicated post here. I also know I bought a few things from Maxicimam, probably in 2022, but I didn't record anything about that at the time. And that's it. I basically stopped buying much and sharing purchases here in 2021. Camellia Cat was the last thing I documented "properly"

But I'm back! As I've mentioned, I want to revive this blog a little and get back into lolita overall so I figured that as well as doing a little unboxing video (which will be up on YouTube soonish) these wardrobe additions deserved a written review.

 

It's a small haul, but it means a lot to me. It feels like a sign of getting back to who I want to be.

It's also some really nice clothes, so let's just focus on that element rather than getting too personal ^__^

 

The first item, and the main reasons I made this order, is the [Plus Size] Diamond Openwork Long Sleeve Bolero in red. I was eyeing this off for months, well before it went on sale, but I kept telling myself "no".

Then eventually I had something of a personal revelation. I can just buy things. I was having a shit week (work's been rough this year) and was looking at it again thinking "I'd love to get something like this someday"and something clicked.

I think the thing for me is that lolita is expensive, and it's a hobby, not anywhere close to being everyday wear for me, and I've spent the last few years really trying to be frugal and sensible. But it brings me joy and I could afford it. So I did and it really felt like it unlocked something in me.

I also decided to throw in a pair of their Raschel Lace Over the Knee Socks (Size 2) in pink. This was more frivolous, but I gave myself permission to be a little frivolous  ^__^

(and yes, I realise I did just get personal after saying I was going to try and avoid it. Oh well, my blog, my rules, my ramblings...it's literally in the blog name)

The bolero fits perfectly but the socks area little too tight. I'm okay with that though, I thought that might be the case and they still work at UTKS.

The package also came with a Gardening Teddy flyer and a little sticker, both of which made me really happy.

So yeah, I'm a happy Roli with this purchase. And I may buy more of Meta's plus size boleros in future because I love this so, so much - super comfy and super cute.

PS I know no-one cares, but I'm not longer numbering reviews.

A punk lolita capsule wardrobe

It's been a little while but I am back on form with another hypothetical capsule wardrobe, this time punk lolita inspired by the colours of the bisexual pride flag ^__^

This wardrobe was one of the most challenging yet, for several reasons. 

Firstly - choosing a non-typical colour scheme made it very difficult. Black x red x white would have been easy as, but when do I take the easy route? You'll also notice the purple of the flag hardly features, just in that one tartan JSK and matching beret. Oh well. Regardless of difficulty, I think having more colours and having them not just be the stereotypical red tartan really makes this wardrobe pop.

Secondly - I'm not (aesthetically) punk. I struggle with punk looks much like I struggle with goth ones...oaky, punk is a little easier but not much! So realistically this wardrobe and the coords have more emphasis on the lolita rather than the punk.

Thirdly - a lot of punk vibes come from the person and styling of the person wearing it. If the wearer has a mohawk and tattoos and piercings, they'll immediately look more punk in any of these coords than say, me. 

However I still had a lot of fun putting it together and I like the end result. Speaking of the end result, here's four coordinates with each main piece ^__^

So I never liked leopard print before this. And now? I'm kind of vibing! I feel this JSK was surprisingly versatile. My fave is the leopard on leopard of the second coord, but I also enjoy how one and three are so similar yet so different.

I actually don't have too much to day about this set of coordinates. In retrospect, much as this OP has interesting details it feels a little too "safe" compared to the other options. Which was deliberate! I do try and have something that can be worn in an unremarkable way but I don't know. I feel like maybe I should have ignored that rule in this wardrobe.

Pink tartan, my favourite! Coord one is very safe, but in a way I prefer to the OP. I included the matching blouse and OTKS so that I could make this almost typically sweet coord, but felt they were still useful elsewhere too.

An unexpected love was coordinate four here. It's a mess, but a hot mess, and I would 10/10 wear that coord. I'm thinking that when I get into sewing more I may need to try and make a dupe of this Angelic Pretty cutsew because I am so into it.

Punkuma! There was no way I would do a punk capsule and not include something from this iconic Meta series.  Again, loving the sailor cutsew but my favourite here is coordinate three.

And lastly, the sole purple representative! This JSK was an interesting inclusion for me. The cut is unusual, and combined with the tartan felt like a good fit for the wardrobe, but it also feels very lolita. It was a fun one to work with. 

As is usual lately, I did also make a YouTube video about this wardrobe, link below if you're interested. 

What did you think of my attempt at a punk lolita capsule? Punk enough? Lolita enough? Bisexual enough (lol)?

I have one more capsule video/blog post int he works, and have an ongoing list of prompts to work from when inspiration strikes, so if you have a concept you want to see me try my hand at making please let me know ^__^