Reflecting on my coordinate goals for 2021

I am nothing if not good at forgetting things, and I only remembered at the start of December that I had begun the year with a list of "goal coords" that I wanted to wear. So how did I go, given that I spent most of the year oblivious to these goals?

Yes, I know there are a few more days left in the year but the likelihood of me wearing lolita is incredibly low...

Wear my underskirt

This did not happen. Mostly due to the forgetting, and I think a part of that is because none of my black main pieces that currently fit really suit having an underskirt. Also, I just don't like underskirts much, so I'm not really bummed that I didn't achieve this goal. 

More wa lolita

I did wear a wa lolita outfit in March. which I thought was very cute, and I did acquire my first wa lolita print from Meta, so I consider this goal achieved!

Make it blue

When I set this goal I was thinking of a sax blue, but that didn't eventuate. What did happen was a coord with some navy blue accessories (more about it and why I wore it in my upcoming December coord roundup post). I thought there was another one too...but that was last year and I'm just confused. I'm still counting this as a win though, even though it's not very dramatically blue. 

I'm also in the process of making a navy blue sailor-style skirt so blue is definitely going to be more of a thing for me in future, which I'm quite pleased with. I do like blue...it just took me almost a decade in this fashion to realise that while sax blue specifically is not my thing that doesn't mean I can't have any blue!

Wear my non-fawn fur

Ooops, no. This didn't happen. I mean, I did wear my BTSSB capelet which has a fur collar attached...but that's not what I meant here, so I'm not counting it.

Coord a corset

Ahem...another fail. Nothing more to say, except that this is also kind of circumstantial. The one corset I have that may look good with lolita doesn't work with anything that currently fits so I didn't really have any opportunity for this. 

I am, however, planning on making either a waist cincher or 18th century style bodice from some geometric gobelin style fabric I've had for years, so that may get some wear with lolita once it's actually made. If it gets made ^__^ 

Go OTT

I consider this goal kind of achieved. I wore one sweet lolita coord that was OTT by my standards... which is probably just everyday lolita for a lot of people! However, these are my goals and my standards, so I say it counts!

However, I didn't end up trying an OTT classic lolita look at all, but oh well. Something to try for in 2022!

Wear my bonnet

Guess what? It's another coord goal that didn't get achieved! And there's nothing more to say about it.

All in all, this post is a bit of a dull reflection. But oh well. I enjoyed setting coord goals that I wanted to try, and I will be doing the same thing for 2022. Provided I don't forget this year that I set goals in the first place, I'm keen to see where trying new things gets me.

A guide to steampunk lolita

I love steampunk, I really do. Just check out our recently published web serial if you doubt my passion for the genre (also because it's a good read, if I say so myself). I have so many pretty steampunk clothes in my wardrobe that are waiting for their moment to shine in front of the camera. And, obviously, I love lolita fashion!

However, oftentimes the phrase “steampunk lolita” causes a knee-jerk reaction of “ita”. Much as I love steampunk lolita I can also see why. Steampunk can very easily go tacky in style, especially if you go the route of just adding cogs, a top hat, and some goggles. And while lolita isn’t hard to get right it does have its own set of aesthetic guidelines which, when bent or broken, can look rather...not good. So I thought that I’d share a bit of a ramble about how to do steampunk lolita well. I don’t tend to wear the style much myself, but writing this gave me a new surge of inspiration, so who knows what the future holds? Probably a steampunk lolita photoshoot or three!

An oldie but still a fave.

Photo of me by The Enthusiast.

So, how can you combine these two distinct fashions into something that ticks the boxes on both styles without disrupting the sensibilities of the other?

Keep the lolita silhouette

The number one rule of lolita is silhouette, so keeping that in place is a must. In realistic term, this means the vast majority of corsets (a big thing with female steampunks!) are a big no-no as they come down too low on the torso and throw off the shape of the skirt. If you must wear a corset, keep it to an underbust cincher style.

Steampunk prints

The easiest way to channel some steampunk into your lolita is to wear a steampunk printed main piece. However there aren't very many explicitly steampunk prints, though I have featured a few below. But similar themes, like books, trains, or boats can be suitable too. And if you want to go print-less, patterns like regimental stripes or tweeds are also good. Military style details, or specifically Victorian ones, can make even solid colours read a little more steampunk.

Avoid "stick-a-cog-on-it" steampunk

I try to be fairly neutral about things, but I am really not a fan of sticking a whole bunch of cogs on things to make it steampunk. Two or three, especially if they're on an item in a way that looks quasi-functional, or as deliberately decorative items, sure. But a whole lot of haphazard cogs? That rarely looks good, and definitely won't help you make a good steampunk lolita coord.

Draw on Victorian influences
Both steampunk and lolita draw on, amongst other things, Victorian influence so, when choosing the lolita items to coord with, keep this in mind. Choose a high-collared blouse rather than one with a big peter pan collar, for example.

Consider the colour palette

Generally, if you think steampunk, you think brown. Maybe with a bit of cream and some gold/copper/brass accents, but mostly brown. If there are colours, it's generally khaki green or dark jewel tones. Personally, I adore steampunk outfits that buck this trend and explore unusual combos, especially because the Victorians loved their colours, but for a melding of steampunk and lolita, it's probably best to keep to the more "traditional" steampunk colours.

Accessorise with care
In a sense, what makes a steampunk lolita coordinate different from just a classic coord is the choice of accessories. Throw on a (decent quality) top hat, wear a pair of goggles as a necklace, add leather gloves, or wear a harness over the top of it all. There are lots of options, from subtle things like a brass octopus necklace to a very distinctive top hat with goggles in lieu of a hatband. Just remember that normal lolita rules apply so keep things balanced, proportionate, and high quality. 

Sadly, steampunk lolita is not well-loved, so no matter how well you do it some people might call your resulting coordinate tacky or costume-y or, yes, ita. But I say screw that. Life's too short to only enjoy lolita fashion in subculture-sanctioned ways. So if you want to wear steampunk lolita, then wear steampunk lolita!

Of course, it also goes without saying but I want to say it here in particular – wear what you want! If you want to glue a bunch of cogs to a corset and wear it then go for it. Always do what makes you happy in fashion. I only advise against calling things something they are not; when lolita has such as specific aesthetic to it, if your steampunk look has a knee length frilly skirt but is otherwise not very lolita, just call it steampunk and enjoy yourself. I certainly do!

Coordinates from November 2021

Another quiet month but as usual, no apologies. I've been busy and the weather has been heating up, ugh.

My first coord came a third of the way through the month, and was just a casual work from home look. Truth be told, I only dressed up because James was bringing an old friend over to hang out and so I needed to get out of my PJs! But still, a cute and comfy coord, so I'm happy. I did end up doing a quick run to the grocery store after work, and I always like doing that in lolita!

Skirt & Wristcuffs: Handmade

Cutsew, Beret & Cherry Clip: Offbrand

Socks & Shoes: Bodyline

The following week I wore lolita to WFH for very similar reasons. I thought I was going to run errands in my lunchbreak (but James ended up doing it for me, isn't he lovely?) and we had a tradie coming over in the morning, and I was visiting a friend after work,. Meaning I had to wear respectable clothing anyway, so why not lolita?

Excuse the blown-out doorway impacting my photo, we're getting into the eye-searing half of the year over here.

Skirt: Victorian Maiden

Bow Clips: Me Likes Tea

Everything else: Offbrand/Taobao

I actually chose this outfit because I wanted to wear the new sailor top I picked up from Dangerfield. I deliberately bought it to go with lolita, and I consider it's first outing a success!

So that's it for November. Like I say, quiet, but there's nothing wrong with quiet. How was your month, in lolita and in life in general?

3 Looks: My wedding dress

It's been a very long time since I did the whole "one main piece, three looks" thing - almost exactly 4 years, to be precise. Back in the day I went through my entire collection of main pieces twice (though of course, pieces came and went as I moved through it) and I found it a really fun and helpful exercise. But then I did the AYWI30C challenge, and didn't want to have two flatlay series going on at once.

However, I'm not done with that, and back on board with this! Since I like doing these things "in order" I have a little document going. The first time I did this I recorded the order, then the second time I repeated it, but added in new pieces as the arrived. Since I always intended to do this again, I've been adding all my new main pieces to the top of list from oldest to newest.

So the oldest main piece of mine that I have done a "three looks" for just so happens to be my wedding dress.

It's an amazingly beautiful dress, as well as obviously having a lot of sentimental value as my wedding dress. My actual wedding coord included a matching bolero, but I wanted to explore options that didn't sue that, and also that made minimal use of the other pieces I wore for my wedding.

Without further ado, onto the flatlays!

Bolero: Innocent World

Tights, Headbow & Shoes: Taobao

Flower: Kmart

Necklace: Kitten D'Amour

Brooch: Axes Femme

For the first coord, I immediately thought of this Innocent World bolero, because it also has beautiful lace. And things built up pretty organically from there! To me, this is a fairly "standard" classic coordinate - very nice, but not particularly noteworthy. BUt as I always say...that's okay, things don't need to be noteworthy to be good!

Blouse: Lady Sloth

Socks: Innocent World

Shoes: Taobao

Flower crown: Lyris Design

Flower: Offbrand 

Brooch: Peppermint Fox

However, I did want to try something a little more unexpected, and decided to use my salmon pink blouse/shoes combo. I was a little unsure about how it would work but I shouldn't have been - this is my favourite cord of the three! 

Capelet: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright

Socks: Innocent World

Shoes: Taobao

Fawn headdress & flower corsage: Taobao (Sweet Dreamer)

Red flowers & bracelets: Offbrand

Admittedly, for the last coord I struggled a bit as I didn't want to use blouses I'd previously worn or flatlay-ed with this dress. But since the struggle led me to a fawn fur look I am very much not complaining! I feel like this coordinate perhaps needs a little tweaking to be perfect, but I'm not quite sure what...and regardless, it's cute and something I wouldn't have done if not for this flatlay post so I'm happy ^__^

I also did a bit of artsy filming of these outfits, so if you'd like to see more check out my YouTube - video will be up later today!

Hope you enjoyed the resumption of this series - I did, and I'm already keen to do the next one. 

Coordinates from October 2021

As is the norm for 2021, October was another quiet month on the lolita front. But, as usual, I'm not phased by that ^__^

It was my birthday on October 4th, and unexpectedly I celebrated with a little lolita high tea. A friend is lodging with us to do nursing placement at a nearby hospital, and since she's interested in lolita she said "you were going to host a high tea last year, why not now?" so the two of us dressed up and James brought us noms and drinks and it was a very nice time.

JSK: Metamorphose temps de fille Teddy Chocolatier

Blouse: Glitter Tale

Wristcuffs & Necklace: Angelic Pretty

Shoes: Bodyline

Bear Ears: Mai Dreamin

Everything else: Offbrand/Taobao

I also vlogged the affair on YouTube, because why wouldn't I?

And then nothing for the rest of the month, until Halloween! We had an unexpectedly busy and fun at-home Halloween, and I dressed as a fairy. I vlogged this day too, but the video will be coming later this week, so no link yet ^__^

JSK: Metamorphose temps de fille Rose Stripe Shirring

Blouse: Glitter Tale

Wristcuffs: Angelic Pretty

Shoes: Bodyline

Socks & Flowers: Offbrand/Taobao

Wings: Fancy Fairy Wings & Things

Forgive the picture quality, it's a screencap from a video. But overall I loved this look. This dress is always a fave, I love looped braids and flowers, and any reason to wear my fairy wings is a good reason!

I also took some selfies that I'm very, very happy with, so you get one of those too!

Anyway, that was October in my lolita world. How was yours?

A lolita capsule wardrobe from only Western indie brands

Yep, you're seeing things right - it's yet another capsule wardrobe. I actually put this suggestion up on CGL myself - a capsule only from Western indie brands - and then ended up making it when no-one else did!

It was quite challenging, but also not as hard as I thought it would be. Part of the challenge did come from needing to use clear stock images - there were some lovely printed tights that I would have loved to included, but they were all pictured on models who were sitting down, wearing shoes, and all that fun stuff. In the end, for legwear and headwear I did stretch a bit with some offbrand pieces...but it's my capsule so I make the rules and I say it's okay ^__^

But enough of what I didn't get to use, here's what I did use!

Since this is indie brands and not so quickly recognisable, here's a quick rundown of where the pieces come from.

Main pieces: Sweet Mildred, The Black Ribbon, Lady Sloth

Tops: Lady Sloth, The Black Ribbon x2, Lady Sloth

Headwear: eBay, Sweet Mildred, Me Likes Tea, Imperial Fiddlesticks x2

Legwear: Offbrand x2, Enchanted Dream Wear, eBay x2

Bag: Cotton Candy Feet

Shoes: Cotton Candy Feet, Fluffy Tori

And now, naturally, please enjoy four outfits with each main piece.

This JSK is really gorgeous, I utterly fell in love. And I just realised I didn't coord it with the bolero at all...ooops! My favourite outfit from this lot if the bottom right, it's just the right mix of simple and elegant for my tastes.

The Black Ribbon has released a whole lot of pretty and comfortable looking skirts over the years, so I just had to include one! I also included their Jillian cutsew in ivory because I own it in both colours and think it's an excellent piece.

And lastly, an opulent Lady Sloth OP to finish things off. As usual with OPs, it's not the most versatile, but I think you can do enough with it that it still works for the capsule.

Like I said at the start, I really enjoyed this as a challenge. Working with a much more limited pool of items to choose from really made me think hard about it all. However, those same limitations means that it's not the best capsule overall. But it's still definitely good, and I kind of like it's imperfections because to me they illustrate perfectly how important buying from a range of sources can be for lolita!

It also illustrated that we need more indie brands making socks. Just saying ^__^

Review #57: Metamorphose Camellia ~ Cat Hide and Seek ~

 Did I completely forget to post about this dress here?! Apparently yes...ooops.

So back in March I posted about pre-ordering the OP from Meta's new series Camellia ~cat hide and seek~. Sometime in late June I got an email saying they'd be shipping early July, and I got my shipping notification in 5 July with an ETA of 12 July. But the postal gods smiled on me and I got it on the 7th! So all in all I was very, very happy with the pre-order process. Meta never disappoints.

As for the dress itself...well, I wanted to film an unboxing (my first unboxing) so it actually sat around in its box, tempting me, for a while. But when I opened it up...well, you'll see ^__^

Yeah, I'm pretty damn happy with it. I've only don'e one proper coord with it, though I have thrown it on for another YouTube video as well. But it really is a lovely, gorgeous, comfortable dress and I'm very happy I bought it.