2016 in Review: My First Year in Lolita Fashion

Hello! Welcome to the blog! This is the first post, so I thought it would be fitting to reflect back upon my first year in lolita fashion.

How I Started Wearing Lolita:

I have admired lolita fashion for over a decade. I remember flipping through Fruits magazines at the bookstore and being in awe of all the amazing Japanese street fashion photography. I never thought it was something I could wear, that is until this past year. I had a health scare in March of 2016, and had to get an emergency surgery that left me recovering at home for a few weeks. I had a lot of time to browse the internet. I was already planning to attend Otakon 2016 in Baltimore with my sister, but I had no idea what to wear. Scrolling through my tumblr feed, I came across a lolita coordinate post. Maybe it was the pain medication, but I was like "What the hell? I want to look like that." So, I started researching, and that led to sewing two skirts and making some accessories, and later I started investing in some burando.

My First EGL Coord:

My first coord ever... The petti is showing! :X

Here it is, folks. My first coord in lolita fashion. I put this coord together for the first meet I ever attended, which was a Harry Potter themed dinner hosted by the Philly lolita comm, Frilladelphia. I was terrified. I drove several hours to get there, and I had never met anyone in the comm. I had never been out in public wearing lolita (or attempting to wear lolita, I should say). I was surprised at how friendly and easygoing everyone at the meet was. It was a lovely way to dip my toe into the waters of Elegant Gothic Lolita fashion. There were pictures taken of the group, but they were never posted publicly, so I have no shots of my coord on my actual human body. 

The outfit breakdown (pretty laughable nine months later):

Blouse: Vintage 

Vest: Thrifted

Skirt: Handmade

Petticoat: Awful. Came from ebay. *cringe*

How has my wardrobe grown this year?

I started this year out with nothing. So, in that regard, it has grown quite substantially. I made two skirts for myself. One, pictured below, for a Harry Potter themed meet-up, and another using a marble print fabric. I altered a tiered thrifted skirt that serves as a nice staple in my wardrobe. I bought several brand pieces this year. My first burando item was a pair of Enchantlic Encantilly harlequin socks. I added a BTSSB cream bolero to my wardrobe that I will feature in a future post for a DIY project. I obtained three burando dresses: Innocent World's "Portraits from a Ruined Mansion" jumperskirt, Alice and the Pirates "Chocolate Addiction" one piece, and my most recent addition, Angelic Pretty's "Heavenly Cross" jumperskirt in black. 

What were my favorite coords from this year?

I put together some halfway decent coods since my first attempt. Accessories have really helped me make my coords more polished and fun. When I went to Otakon, I had absolutely zero hair accessories. I came out having bought a crap ton in the Artist's Alley. 

My coord for my second ever meetup! 

Blouse: Forever 21 (eyelash lace - not raschel lace!)

JSK: Innocent World, Portraits from a Ruined Mansion

Shoes: Funtasma 

Bag: Vintage

Rosette: Handmade

Casual Coord for a non-lolita event. That purse always pops open.

This outfit (pictured above) is completely vintage and/or thrifted, minus the shoes, which came from Forever 21 a few years ago.

Day Two of Otakon 2016. Much improved from the first iteration of this coord.

Blouse: Forever 21

Vest: Thrifted

Skirt: Handmade

Rosette: Handmade

Bow Hair Clip (has skeleton keys printed on it!): A. Gato Designs

My Halloween witch coord!

Blouse, Skirt, Vest, Velvet Jacket: Thrifted/Vintage

Tights: Ombre grey to black, offbrand

Shoes: Funtasma

Bag (not pictured): says "Black Magic" with a pentagram design, Dolls Kill

What have I learned this year?

-If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

-Ebay is not a reliable place to find quality lolita clothing.

-Bodyline's photos are... bad.

-Lacemarket is a great way to get affordable brand pieces.

-Petticoats are vital.

-Don't get caught up in CGL or Behind The Bows. People are posting anonymously for a reason.

My goals for the new year:

For 2017, I hope to continue building my lolita wardrobe. I hope to sew some more pieces as well as acquire more brand. I want to only buy pieces that I absolutely love, instead of buying it because it's affordable. Most of all, I want to attend more meets and wear lolita fashion more often.

Hope your New Year's holiday was a good one! Coming soon: lolitable thrifting tips, DIYs, OOTDs, and much more. Stay tuned for more content!