Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Parasols: Vital or Frivolous? (52 Lolita Challenge)

Petit Ribbon short umbrella by Baby the Stars Shine Bright 

Or, "Why Frillyroses loves parasols a tad too much", if you would rather.

Given my previous response to the prompt of "5 Pieces Every Lolita Wardrobe Should Have", the answer to this one is probably going to go without saying: Parasols, in my opinion, are one of the best parts of Lolita fashion. I've always admired parasols, and dreamed of taking a stroll under my very own Portable Shade Device. And with my collection of parasols in tow, I definitely have this little niche of Lolita fashion tucked close to my heart.

The first parasol I ever purchased was, incidentally, my first brand item--Metamorphose Temps de Fille's "Crown Rose" parasol in black and gray. I still adore this parasol, and try to get as much use out of it as I possibly can, though the print can occasionally limit it. It was this lovely thing, however, that solidified my desire for more of these under-appreciated and under-utilized tools in the Lolita repertoire.


Crown Rose parasol by Metamorphose Temps de Fille

Since I purchased my first parasol, I've added two more to my closet--an offbrand chandelier-print parasol, and a plain black, collapsible parasol from Alice and the Pirates; the latter is able to collapse into a contained bag that can fit in most of my larger purses, or be easily carried on my wrist using the bag's straps. The convenience of the collapsible parasol has made it my go-to for most meetups, as it can often be difficult to justify carrying around a folded umbrella whenever you're inside. For shopping meets, they're simply too bulky; and that's when the collapsible parasol shines most. If you don't have one already, and are a parasol afficionado the way I am, I'd highly recommend that you look into getting one!

Why is using a parasol a good idea? Well, there are a bunch of reasons to use them, but for me, it boils down to these main four reasons:

  1. UV protection. This is, first and foremost, the reason why I personally use a parasol. I have very light skin, and sunburn extremely easily (coming from Irish-German roots, this is hardly surprising). Using a parasol to shielf myself from the sun helps me avoid the ever-oppressive sunburn that plagues my summers. If you choose to use a parasol for this purpose, that does not mean you should skimp on the sunscreen! You should still apply it as normal; the parasol just acts as a second barrier. (In addition to sunscreen and my parasol, I always make sure that my glasses contain Transition lenses to protect my eyes; if you don't wear glasses, you can always opt for a cute pair of sunglasses instead!)
  2. Heat protection. Let's face it. Lolita fashion can be very stiffling to wear--and there is nothing worse than wearing a collared blouse while dealing with sweat and heat rash. The best way to avoid both of these issues and keep yourself comfortable and your coordinate sweat stain free is to stay cool. One of the best ways to do this is to stay in the shade--and with a parasol, your shade goes with you!
  3. Pale skin. If you want to keep your skin pale and avoid suntanning (or, in my case, excessive freckling), a parasol is a great tool. By keeping direct sunlight off of you, it helps to discourage tanning, and helps you to keep a pale complexion. (Do you have to be pale to be Lolita? Most certainly not! Tanning [or the lack thereof] is a personal choice, and does not, in any way, coincide with how much of a "Lolita" you are. Just because Frillyroses wants to keep herself pale as a bone doesn't mean you have to!)
  4. Accessorizing/As a fashion statement. A parasol is an enormous accessory, and it really makes a statement. It adds that extra bit of historical fashion to your coordinate, and can really help tie together a summer look--as well as make posing for pictures infinitely easier when you're just starting up. It's a bold look, but it really pays off!

Whether or not you use a parasol is going to be a vital part of your Lolita wawrdrobe is really a person-to-person sort of decision. Personally, I find my parasol to be indespensible (because of the reasons listed above). But if parasols aren't your cup of tea, that hardly makes you any less "Lolita" for not owning one. But for those of us that do adore them--may we go out under the Accursed Day Star knowing that we are safe from its rays!

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

Monday, February 16, 2015

How I get out of a Wardrobe Slump (52 Lolita Challenge)

When it comes to wardrobe slumps, I've never had an enormous issue with them. And I feel very, very lucky for such a thing.

I don't get to wear Lolita as often as I like, so I never feel a "slump" where I feel like I have no coordinates to wear, or that I'm wearing the same thing all the time; when I wear Lolita, it's usually for a special occasion or if I'm going out. So the dreaded "coordinate slumps" where I run into issues coming up with new coordinates doesn't really happen to me!

But if I had to give out some advice about how to avoid a "slump" in your wardrobe--whether that be wearing it or building it up--these would be my biggest pieces of advice.

1. Build up your accessory collection.

I feel like this is especially important part of your wardrobe, and becomes the staple in making every coordinate different from the next. And this is the section of my wardrobe that I really worked on "beefing up" the last year or so. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying main pieces--but every coordinate is going to look very bland, samey, and unoriginal if you don't have things like brooches, necklaces, rings, head pieces, and so on to help liven things up a bit!

Sometimes I'm able to take a single accessory and build an entire coordinate around it, using its theme as a jumping-off point. This can help me figure out items that I want in my closet, and give me inspiration for a new coordinate! Sometimes doing something as simple as buying a new accessory (a deer antler headband, a veil, a bat skull brooch, etc.) can inspire new ways of thinking about items already in your closet, as well.

2. Keep an organized file or list of wishlist items.

I'm a list-making kind of person. I keep things very organized. I keep a daily planner, make list of items I want to purchase, keep a formal budget of expenses every month, and so on. That's just who I am. But I find that keeping a physical list of items you want to purchase helps you in a slump where you don't know what things to go after, or what things your wardrobe is lacking in.

When you have a physical list of items you want to get, it's actually rather satisfying to check them off. And the best part is, you never forget what items you really want, or need for your wardrobe! My list is a Word document with the name of the item in question (as well as identifying material like brand, cut, and so on, if applicable), which I then sort out into a few bolded items that I want to look for in particular. This helps me focus in on what items I really want to add to my wardrobe, and keeps me on track on what my money should go towards.

Still having difficulty choosing what to buy? Or do you have a short list with rare, hard to find prints? Read through your list. Do you notice that you put a lot of certain colors in it? Certain cuts? Are there any motifs that you see in common? These are things you might be able to work into your closet before getting these items in question, which might help you get out of your slump. For example, let's say your dream print is Angelic Pretty's Whimsical Vanilla-Chan. You can work items that remind you of the print into your wardrobe before tracking down the dress itself (a kitten cameo necklace, for example).

3. Take a break.

If you wear Lolita every day, you might just need to take a short break! Coming up with coordinates is a lot of work. Take a few days off to wear "normal" clothes, if you still have them. Or, if you don't want to give up your frills entirely--try coordinating your Lolita items in a non-Lolita way! Wear your AP skirt in a Fairy Kei outfit, your Moitie JSK in a Dark Mori Kei or Aristocrat coordinate, or your Innocent World OP in an Otome Kei outfit. Think outside the box and come up with new ways to wear your Lolita clothes! Take what you enjoyed about these other outfits, and mix them in with your next Lolita coordinate using that item.

For example, let's look at that Moitie/Mori Girl combo I mentioned above.


Mori Girl tends to use lots and lots of layers for a kind of warm and cozy feeling. There's also the use of a lot of less elegant/more utilitarian-esque boots and chunky knits--things you don't always see in Lolita. So here, I used an underskirt and plenty of knit items to evoke that warm feeling. This would be one time when you would skip the petticoat with a Lolita dress!


Now let's look at the Lolita coordinate I pulled together. I'm using some of the same pieces here--that same cardigan and boots from the Mori Girl coordinate. I switched the chunky socks out for a cable-knit pair of tights that still hint towards it, while being less bulky and more of a Lolita staple. I switched out the knit hat for a knit headbow mounted on a headband. Again, this gives the same warm and cozy suggestion of the knits from the Mori girl outfit, but in a Lolita silhouette.

In short--take a break, change things up, and find inspiration for new coordinates from other fashions and your own "normal" wardrobe!

These are the three main ways that I manage to keep myself coming up with new and fun ideas, and keep myself moving forward. I'd love to hear about how everyone else avoids "slumps" in the comments below, or feel free to link me to your own posts!!!

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

How Long it Took me to Build a Complete Wardrobe (52 Lolita Challenge)

So here we have it: what I consider to be the single most loaded question in this entire challenge. Because it entirely hinges on what you consider to be "complete". Is your Lolita wardrobe complete when you have your first full coordinate? Enough items to wear Lolita every day for a week? A month? Or when you have gotten every single item off of your wishlist, and find yourself completely satisfied with every single dress you own, and feel no need to buy any more?


A picture of my wardrobe circa 2013. It has more than doubled in size since then!

Personally, I find mine to be somewhere between those last two--enough items to wear a Lolita coordinate for about two weeks without repeating a dress/main item, and when you don't feel any need to buy any more dresses/have completed your wish list. And according to that self-definition, I still have quite a ways to go. My wish list still has quite a few dresses I want to track down or make on it.

But I can't imagine that I'll ever entirely "complete" my Lolita closet. I think that there will always be something on my wishlist to buy--some print that just came out that I can't live without, some basic that either got worn out or I never purchased in the first place (*cough*underskirts*cough*). So I don't know if I'll ever be able to consider my wardrobe truly "complete".

If the question is hinting more at when I had built up a wardrobe with enough clothes to do a few different outfits, had all my basics, and so on--then I'd say it took me around six to eight months. By the end of that time, I had a small collection of blouses and JSKs, as well as a few different accessories to mix together to form different outfits. But even then, I don't think that it was quite "complete" by my standards!

So I guess the tl;dr is that it took me about six months to get to the point where I had a workable wardrobe, but I don't think that I'll have a truly "complete" wardrobe for quite a while yet, even though I've been in the fashion for about three and a half years now!

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

My Favorite Lolita Print (52 Lolita Challenge)

Ahh yes, prints. Prints have become core to the Lolita fashion scene over the past half-decade or so. Everyone keeps an eye out on the prints that are coming out, and then pray that the cuts of the dresses themselves will do the print justice--rather than the other way around, as it was in the Old School days (I say as I shake my cane and tell the newer Lolitas to get off my lawn). Love them or hate them, there's no denying that the prints a brand releases in a given year are probably the main source of their income.

Given how much of my closet is actually made up of solid colored items, it might seem that I'm not as fond of prints. And honestly, sometimes I do feel like prints are over-hyped, and I miss the days when the detailing of a dress took forefront to a print on the hem. But I love, love, love prints in Gothic. I usually prefer screen prints. The simplicity of them is something I just find appealing; the stark contrast of the print on the black background, the clear crispness of silver printing ink on soft black cotton... However, my absolute favorite print, surprisingly, does not fall under the screen print category.

My favorite print, hands down, no questions asked, no competition would definitely have to be Alice and the Pirates' Funeral Procession of Rose ~Aria Blooming in the Twilight~. It has so many things that I love in it, that I honestly feel like the print was made for me--especially in the black colorway.


Blue roses adorn a subtle damask background; this main body section is neither too busy nor too plain, the perfect balance of color and darkness. The crumbling Gothic church surrounded by beautiful wrought-iron cemetery gates rises up from the blackness around the hem. The cemetery's dead tree limbs reach up, almost as if grasping towards life, but finding nothing by the flowers of mourning above, and those woven into the gates themselves. The carriage, holding our dearly departed and drawn by a single, Black-Beauty-esque horse. The print just speaks of death, mourning, and loneliness. In short: It is the perfect foray into my cheesy Gothic Romance novels, and I love it.

Speaking of which, the skirt version of this thing of beauty is on my wishlist. So, you know... (wink wink nudge nudge)... If you see it around, hook a girl up.

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

The Item in my Wardrobe that was Hardest to Get (52 Lolita Challenge)

This post is a little complicated, because I feel like I have different items that were hard to get for different reasons. So I picked my top three "hardest" items, pictured below, with little blurbs about why all of them were a pain in my rear to track down.

Item 1: Metamorphose Temps de Fille's Moonlight Night Skirt



This print was one of my original dream items. I saw it not too long after I got into wearing Lolita myself. I fell in love. Moonlight Night was the brand-released Iron-Gate-ripoff-mixed-with-Misty-Sky print that I could actually fit into! Then I discovered something a little disheartening: I would only fit into the lucky pack version of the skirt, and the print was already rare enough as it was. People were finding lucky pack skirts of it in their dark Meta lucky packs my first lucky pack season, so I thought that I could pick it up then...

Of course, everyone else liked the print, too, and it never really came up for sale. So in the end, I gave up my hopes on my first dream item, and let it pass into my "well, if it pops up..." list.

Two years later, it showed up out of the blue on LaceMarket, and became mine. And once I had it in my hands, that love for the print came right back. It was well worth the wait!

Item 2: Metamorphose Temps de Fille's Raschel Lace Shirring JSK in blue



When this item came out from Metamorphose, I was between paychecks. I needed to wait until I got my next check for me to get it; I was so excited, because I had been waiting for a brand to come out with a royal-blue shirred JSK, because I wanted to a. extend the amount of brand in my closet, and b. add some color to my monochromatic wardrobe. Of course, by the time I actually got my paycheck into my account, the dress had sold out. Apparently, others had liked the faux Moitie blue as much as I had.

I was determined to have this dress, though, and put out a WTB on Tumblr not long after. I hoped that someone had decided the color wasn't right for them, or wanted to sell it to get a different dress... Anything, so long as I could have that piece of blue perfection in my hands. Two angels in the form of Tumblr users laceratedreality and manda-the-stars-shine-bright pointed me in the direction of the dress when it popped up on Alice Fururun. All in all, it took me about six months to track down, and it was everything I could have dreamt it was.

Item 3: Bodyline's L379 JSK in black



This item was more of a frustration than anything else. Because, seriously, it's a Bodyline JSK. It should not be this hard to track down! But because I needed the 4L, it evaded me for over a year. It was one of those items that I wanted as a wardrobe filler--as a fallback black JSK. In the end, Bodyline never restocked it in my size, and a girl in my Comm sold it to me--thankfully at a fair price. The detailing on the piece is nice, and it's well made; but I don't think it would really be worth the effort I put into it, if I could go back and do it over again. I'd rather have just picked it up when it showed up, rather than posting WTBs and so on... That being said, it's mine, now, and it won't escape my clutches.

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

What's in my Makeup Bag? (Lolita 52 Challenge)

I've always thought that I should be the last person to go to for makeup tips. I honestly don't wear makeup everyday; but when I do, I've received quite a few compliments (mostly on my eye makeup). When it comes to Lolita, though, makeup is something I find to be very, very important. It helps tie everything together, and good makeup can take a nice coordinate and make it great--while balancing out the more extravagant aspects of the fashion, as well!

I'd like to insert a note here: Do you HAVE to wear makeup in order to wear Lolita? Most definitely not! You do you. If that means going au naturale, all the more power to you. Rock it!


My makeup bag's main contents! I have a few things that aren't pictured here that I use only occasionally, or that I've run out of and haven't replaced just yet.

The items I use have been accumulated over a period of time, were received as gifts, freebies, and occasional makeup purchases. I've listed out the contents below!

Note: I've been on the move to an animal-testing free makeup supply; I'm still in transition and using up some products! I've marked all the items with this key for the status of the company:

(*) Certified cruelty-free/seeking cruelty-free status
(+) Test-free.
(#) Test-free except where required by law
(-) Does test
(?) Unsure, doubtfully test-free.

  • Makeup brush kit from XinYiZhui. (?) This was given to me years ago by my mother (I think I was fourteen or fifteen at the time?). It sat unused for a while, until I learned that the best way to apply makeup is usually with brushes, rather than the little stick applicators that come with them, haha. It's served me well since then, with the addition of a few dollar-store add-ons: an eyeshadow brush, an eyebrow comb/brush combo, and an angled brush that I use to do my lower lash line. I also have an eyelash curler (this one from Revlon) that I use daily, and to help blend my lashes with any false lashes that I might put on.
  • Hello Flawless Pressed Powder Foundation by benefit. (#) I own this in "I Love Me" Ivory, their lightest shade. I've only just gotten it, but so far, I do really like it! A good pressed powder foundation, and I'd definitely recommend it.
  • BB Flawless Complexion Enhancer BB Cream by Younique. (*) This is a great bb cream, which I use in place of foundation during the summer months. I usually don't even need to use concealer with it, either, which is really nice! It has great coverage, and a smooth finish.
  • Moodstruck Minerals Concealer by Younique. (*) Despite the name, this is actually a loose powder foundation. I tend to use pressed powder because it's less messy--but this is a lovely, light powder, and my go-to during hotter months, when pressed powder can look cakey.
  • Moodstruck Minerals Pigment Powders by Younique. (*) I have these in Corrupted (matte black), Curious (a champagne-like color), Devious (black with a shimmer), and Feisty (a shimmery silver). These work on their own as highly pigmented eyeshadows, or in combination with a number of other things--with clear lip gloss to make colored lip gloss, or with Younique's Rose Water to make eyeliner... I've heard you can even add it to nail polish.
  • Refreshed Rose Water by Younique. (*) When I use this in combination with my pigment powders, I can make eyeliners with them! It makes them a bit more flexible. If you have sensitive eyes, use caution--it can sting a bit if you open your eyes before it's completely dry!
  • Almay Complexion concealer. (#) A good, basic concealer. I've never had any issues with it, and I like the coverage. Nothing much else to say about it!
  • Ideal Moisture Day Lotion by L'Oreal Paris. (#) A no-nonsense lotion with 25 spf. I find that it does make me a little oily if I use it on bare skin, so I usually prep my face with an astringent first.
  • Lip balm by eos. (#) I love this lip balm. It's the perfect balance for my lips--hydrating without being waxy or too "wet", and with a very nice finish. I find that I can actually layer my lip stick over it, too, which is a bonus!
  • OrganicWear FakeOut Mascara by Physician's Formula. (+) I own it in Ultra Black. It's a beautifully dark black. The applicator is no-nonsense--no curve, no specially shaped tip or bells and whistles. Just the way I like it! It's easy to apply, doesn't flake, and makes for a firm but flexible hold.
  • Eyeshadow primer from e.l.f. (+) This was the first e.l.f. product I ever purchased; so far, while not finding it outstanding, I can at least say it does its job okay, and it's better than me putting eyeshadow on unprimed lids. I own it in the pearly color, which helps make my colors a bit bolder. I'll probably see about upgrading to a nicer one the next time I need an eyeshadow primer.
  • Double Wear Zero-Smudge Liquid Eyeliner by Estee Lauder. (#) This was a gift from my mother. I don't wear liquid eyeliner very often (I find it putzy because of my shaking hands, so I save it for special occasions), but when I do, this is a joy to have.
  • Eyeliner Pencil from Starlight. (?) I own this in black, or "total absence of light", as it says on the packaging. This was a gift from my cousin, who got it from an Ulta clearance. It's a bit harder than I would like, but doesn't smudge, and looks nice on.
  • Eyebrow pencil by Beautique. (?) A nice basic eyebrow pencil. It does smudge a bit, but when set in place with eyebrow gel, it works fine!
  • Perfect Arch Clear Brow Gel. (?) This helps set my brow makeup and keep it from smudging, while keeping those pesky hairs in line. No bells and whistles, does its job!
  • HiP Studio Secrets Metallic Eyeshadow Duo by L'Oreal Paris. (#) I own the duo in Platinum. I do love the silver and black color combo in this! It's nothing special, in terms of eye shadow. It does its job, and I love having my two main colors in one convenient little duo.
  • White eyeshadow palette by Maybelline New York. (#) My mother tossed this to me a while back because she had no use for it. Nothing special. Does its job. I use this on the inner corners of my cat eye to make my eyes appear bigger and brighter.
  • Moodstruck 3D Fibre Lashes by Younique. (*) I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. This is a Lolita's best friend, I swear to God. Ever feel like wearing falsies without having to go through with actually gluing them on? These are your new bestie. It uses a combo of a gel adhesive and fibres to lengthen your actual lashes, giving them the falsie look without the fuss. And it's easy enough to use everyday! I've found that once you've started to use them, you sometimes don't even need to apply the fibres themselves, because they get worked into the adhesive brush. Probably my #1 favorite product in my bag!

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

10 Facts About my Wardrobe (Lolita 52 Challenge)


Time for another entry in the Lolita 52 Challenge! I have a few posts to catch up on, so I'm going to try and do a few more this week so I'm on track to finish by the end of the year. Without further ado--I want to head straight into this weeks theme: 10 facts about my Lolita wardrobe!
  1. I can count on one hand the number of main items I have sold from my closet. When I buy my Lolita items, I buy them to keep, and I think carefully before purchasing every item in my closet. The items I've sold are usually sold because I found them a little too "plain" once I solidified my Lolita style.
  2. I have more than quadrupled the amount of brand in my closet over the past year. I do really love brand items, but it wasn't until this past year (2014) that I actually began to buy brand main pieces. Before, I only had a few small items from brand--mostly accessories. Now I have a few dresses and some other bonus items, too!
  3. I favor jumperskirts. I love, love, LOVE jumperskirts! While most of my prints are one pieces, I find jsks to be a lot easier to coordinate in a multitude of ways, and they're more versatile. They're also more flattering on me than skirts.
  4. I buy most of my items in one of three colors: black, white, or blue (usually similar to Moitie's signature royal blue). I have a few exceptions (my green plaid JSK comes to mind), but I like having a unified closet, color-wise!
  5. I have a thing for roses, and they're present in most of my items somehow. Even if it's just something as simple as being on the lace, you can find at least one rose in just about every one of my coordinates! (Hence, of course, my username.)
  6. The indie brand I own the most items from is Lady Sloth; she also holds the distinction of being the indie brand with most items on my wishlist!
  7. I have an affinity for bonnets and rectangle headdresses, so they're my favorite headpieces. I collect rectangle headdresses voraciously! That being said, I rarely actually manage to wear my bonnets--though I want to change that this year!--because they're rather extravagant.
  8. Despite basing my wardrobe around "Moitie" colors, I don't own a single piece of Moitie (anymore)! I should try and change that this year.
  9. I spread into oldschool Lolita specifically because I wanted an excuse to wear a rectangle headdress more often. I wish I was kidding.
  10. Despite being a taller Lolita and owning brand, I don't own an underskirt yet! I know it's very common to own one to cover the thigh-to-knee gap, but I just haven't gotten around to purchasing one yet... Hopefully I'll be getting a couple this spring!


The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

5 Pieces that Every Lolita Wardrobe Should Have, Regardless of Style (Lolita 52 Challenge)

So I decided to do FYeahLolita's "Lolita 52 Challenge"--and aim to upload one blog post a week to this blog to try and force myself to be active! I won't give myself an excuse to let this blog die; so I shall thwart even Writer's Block! I may or may not follow the order presented; it'll depend on what I find to be most inspirational at the time that I begin writing. So with the intro to my little "project" out of the way--let's move on to the first entry!

I'm going to assume that this excludes the bare basics--things like petticoats, blouses, and so on. So I'm going to focus instead on the items I find to be interesting. Things that don't get enough attention, get the attention that they deserve but I still recommend, or are just versatile and good to use a multitude of ways.

An Overdress

Overdress by Dark Box (Taobao)

An overdress is a dress, usually without a proper skirt, meant to be worn--you guessed it!--over your dress. In the example from Dark Box above, the overdress (in black chiffon) is worn over a lighter-colored JSK. An overdress is a great way to unify an outfit, or to frame a print or old favorite dress in a new way. It works especially well with JSKs and skirts (OPs can be tricky--the sleeves may get in the way if they're too long, so be sure to try it on to make sure it looks right if you decide to wear it over your OP!). Using an overdress, you can turn that Alice and the Pirates skirt you've worn a hundred times into a romantic one piece look-alike! Overdresses can be made in sheer or non-sheer fabrics, so they can provide a multitude of effects, as well.

Closely related to the overdress are peignoirs (formerly robes worn over lingerie, they've been imported into Lolita from Cult Party Kei in the past year or so), and overskirts (far less unifying than an overdress, an overskirt is usually made of a sheer fabric; as its name implies, it's usually worn over a skirt to cover a portion of the skirt for aesthetic reasons).

An Underskirt

Underskirt by Phantom and the Maiden (Facebook)

As you'd guess, an underskirt is the polar opposite of an overdress. Instead of being worn over the top of an outfit, an underskirt is worn beneath it! Underskirts are a handy tool used to lengthen a skirt by allowing the bottom few inches to show beneath the skirt worn over the top. This makes them an amazing item for taller Lolitas, or with one of those ultra-short Angelic Pretty releases! They come in a multitude of colors and plenty of different cuts, and some are ornate enough to be worn as a skirt in their own right (such as the Phantom and the Maiden example above). Additionally, with the falling hemline that's been a trend the past year or so, underskirts are a great way to continue to get a use out of your older, shorter dresses while keeping up with current trends.

Flower Combs

Rose Combs by Rococo Soul (Taobao)

I'm sure it comes as a surprise to no one that I love roses in my Lolita. But really--flower hair combs are one of the best ways to add a splash of color or detail to make your hair ensemble just right. Need a splash more red in your coordinate to tie in your red shoes and bag? Add a red rose comb to your bonnet. Need to add a bit of texture and extravagance to a hime hairstyle? Flower combs will do the trick! Having difficulty finding a hairpiece to go with that country Lolita coordinate? Try a sunflower hair comb! Even worn on their own, they're a great simple accessory. They come in countless different flower types, and they're a super simple accessory to make on your own using tutorials like this one. You can even color them using floral spray paint, so you can always find the color you need for your perfect coordinate!

A Non-Shaped Purse

A/P Ribbon Bag by Alice and the Pirates

Given that Lolita is a fashion that is in part known for its unusual choice in purses (Angelic Pretty's pony bags, Innocent World's violin purses, and Moi-Meme-Moitie's bat bag come to mind), it may seem a bit odd that I'd recommend a plain bag. But honestly, a plain purse is one of the first purchases I'd recommend, and one that I'm somewhat regretting with my wardrobe currently. A plain bag will go with just about any Lolita coordinate, so long as the color matches. A shaped bag may look very out of place when the theme doesn't match up with the rest of the coordinate.

Imagine, if you will, a Gothic coordinate based entirely around musical instruments. You have Moitie's Harpsichord Trio OP, violin shoes, a few musical note accessories... and a bat shaped bag. Even though all of the elements are Gothic, the bat bag would probably look somewhat out of place, even if the colors match. This is because the themes of the outfit and the theme of the bag don't really match. Shaped bags are a great way of adding detail and unity to a coordinate's theme--but only if they match. It's best to buy something that can go with anything first, and keep it as a fall-back when you don't have the perfect purse for your theme!

A Parasol

Petit Ribbon short umbrella by Baby The Stars Shine Bright

I recommend owning a parasol for a few reasons. One: in summer, portable shade is amazing and super helpful, especially when in a fashion that traps heat like the multiple layers in a Lolita coordinate (this goes doubly so if you're wearing dark colors and/or synthetic fabrics that don't breathe well). Two: Parasols can make posing for Lolita outfit shots a lot easier, especially for newbies! And finally, three: A parasol can not only tie together an outfit, but it can really up your Loli factor. There's something romantic about taking a stroll in a park with a parasol on your shoulder--something undeniably Rococo. And isn't that what Lolita's all about?

I would recommend that you buy a parasol in the main color you use in your wardrobe (for example, black for a Gothic Lolita, ivory or jewel tones for a Classic, and white or one of the multiple pastel hues for a Sweet). This lets your parasol match more coordinates. A plain one with some ruffles or detailing is great to add some interest! If you'd like to up your parasol game, brands also release printed parasols from time to time, from full colored prints like this floral pattern parasol from Victorian Maiden to this sweet strawberry patterned one from Baby the Stars Shine Bright to monochromatic screen prints like this one from Metamorphose. But if you buy a printed parasol, remember that the colors and motifs in the print become a part of your coordinate, and should be coordinated appropriately!

The post above was a response to the Lolita 52 Week Challenge made by the ever so delightful Caro over at FYeahLolita.