A Timeline of Alice and the Pirates' Vampire Series

Ah, yes--Vampires. That theme that Goths can't seem to escape from. Something that seems to be almost universally adored by anyone with darker-leaning tastes (although the debate on who would win in a fight, a vampire or a werewolf, may remain a debate for eternity). It was only a matter of time before Baby the Stars Shine Bright used vampires as a theme in their darker sub-brand, Alice and the Pirates. And this was a decision that sparked some of their most famous items--and a Vampire Series that would carry on over 6 years.

Vampire Requiem (2009)

Vampire Requiem Limited OP, Long JSK, Corset Skirt, Short JSK

Colors: Black, Lavender, Cream, Red, Navy (2011 re-release only)

Vampire Requiem, the print that started it all. I don't think that Baby really knew how popular this series would end up being! Vampire Requiem has become one of Baby's most recognizable prints from their Alice and the Pirates line, and was the first entry in their Vampire-themed series.

The print itself takes a few cues from previous popular prints; the most striking detail is, of course, the border print of an iron gate, decorated with various vampire-themed illustrations such as coffins, bats, and even what we may surmise to be Dracula himself.

The series proved to be so popular that it was re-released in 2011 with a new colorway (navy) and a Limited version OP cut. Baby has released a host of other items featuring the print, as well, including tights, phone cases, and tote bags.

Vampire Forest (2010)

Vampire Forest Elizabeth OP, Prima Donna JSK, Bustle Skirt, and Carmilla JSK

Colors: Black, Navy, Purple, Red

Perhaps one of the more easily forgotten entries in their Vampire Series is Vampire Forest. Baby departed from the border print featured in Vampire Requiem in favor of an all-over print type when they released Vampire Forest the next year. The print features more of the motifs found in Vampire Requiem--bats, lanterns, roses, graveyards, and Dracula's castle all make an appearance.

If you are trying to get ahold of one of Alice and the Pirates' Vampire items on a budget, Vampire Forest may be a good choice for you; it tends to be one of the more cheaply priced items when purchased second hand, especially from Japanese sources.

Vampire Embroidery (2011)

Vampire Rose Embroidered Jacket, Vampire Embroidered Pants, Vampire Embroidered JSK

Colors: Black x Black (JSK only), Black x Gold (Jacket, Pants)

In 2011, Baby took a break from their Vampire prints, instead releasing a few items in a small Vampire Embroidery collection--a jacket, a pair of pants, and a JSK. The series was more simplistic in its design, but nevertheless made use of beautiful, high-quality embroidery to get across a vampire theme in a more subtle manner.

Vampire Prelude (2012)

Vampire Prelude JSK, Nosferatu OP, Corset Skirt, and OP

Colors: Black, Ivory, Purple, Red

Baby returned to the border print formula that had made Vampire Requiem so coveted when they released Vampire Prelude in 2012. Indeed, the styling of the print is quite reminiscent of Vampire Requiem, including an iron gate strewn with black and red roses, interspersed with small, detailed depictions of our vampire friends doing what they do best: living as Byronic lords, seducing women and generally being mysterious, romantic figures.

Even the cuts from the Vampire Prelude series seem to call back to earlier entries in the Vampire series; there is the obvious return of the corset skirt from Vampire Requiem, of course, but the cut of the OP is similar to a simplified version of the Elizabeth OP from Vampire Forest, minus the bustle. Vampire Prelude was beginning to solidify what made the series popular, and how to best market this much-adored Gothic theme.

Bonus: Vampire Rose items (2010-2015)

Vampire Rose Necklace, Vampire Rose OTKs, Vampire Rose Lace Blouse, Vampire Rose Comb, and Vampire Rose Round Headdress.

Colors: Varies by Item

Throughout the years, Alice and the Pirates has released several items listed under the title of "Vampire Rose"--Vampire-inspired items featuring, of course, roses as their main focus. While they aren't necessarily a part of any one set, I thought that, given their Vampiric inspiration, they also deserved a mention on this list.

With the first couple items being released in 2010 with Vampire Forest, the Vampire Rose items have been restocked and remade several times over the years, and include a variety of items--from headdresses to OTKs, and even a blouse. All of these items are subtly romantic and seductive, not unlike the Vampires that they take their name from--and are often created specifically to compliment any of the items released in Baby's Vampire Series.

Vampire Nocturne (2015)

 

Vampire Nocturne JSK I, JSK II, OP, and Skirt

Colors: Brown, Green, Red, Black

Despite the popularity of their previous Vampire Series entries, it would be three years before Alice and the Pirates would release another Vampire-themed print dress. Enter the latest entry: Vampire Nocturne, set to be released in September of 2015. Vampire Nocturne may hail from the illustrious background of Alice and the Pirates' Vampire Series, but it borrows more heavily from the newer trends than its roots. Despite keeping with its vampiric roots, Vampire Nocturne depicts its scene not unlike many of the painting prints that have become popular in Classic Lolita as of late. It also uses a more muted color palette than its predecessors.

The cuts, as well, are borrowing from the more mature trend that has been growing in Lolita as of late, with lower hem lines (good news for taller Lolitas!) and more mature lines. If your goal is to have a more subtle Vampire/Gothic coordinate, this series is right up your alley! You can find more information about the series (and pre-ordering!) on Baby's blog here.

Do you have a favorite item from Alice and the Pirates' Vampire series? Is Vampire Requiem your dream dress? I'd love to hear all your gushing about these prints down in the comments below. Until next week!

5 Movies for Lolitas (Lolita 52 Challenge)

I wanted to share films that feature Lolitas specifically, rather than just films that fit the aesthetic! This was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be; not because there aren't films featuring Lolitas out there--but because they often don't get much recognition in the West, which can make them difficult to track down. So, here we have it: a post containing my top five films featuring Lolitas!

Kamikaze Girls

Ah, yes--Kamikaze Girls (or, if you rather, Shimotsuma Monogatari). No "Lolita Movie" list is truly complete without this Novala Takemoto classic. And here's the thing: I'm actually not the greatest fan of Takemoto. I personally felt that the Kamikaze Girls novel was somewhat lacking, and never cared much for the writing style (or at least the translation). Despite this, the Kamikaze Girls film is one of my favorite Lolita-related films.

Why, you might ask? Because, unlike the novel (which seemed to try to take itself seriously despite the complete ludicrous nature of its protagonist), the film throws any sense of trying to seem like a realistic portrayal of lifeto the wind, and instead revels in what it is: a completely off-the-wall comedy about a Lolita and a Yankee becoming best friends. Momoko is a thousand times more likable in the film than she is in the novel, in my opinion. So even if you didn't enjoy Takemoto's novel--it's definitely worth giving the film a shot, given the fact that it presented itself in a vastly different light.

Bara no Konrei ~Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku~

This movie is the only "serious" film on the list. Trust me. Lolita aesthetics, for some reason, doesn't seem to lend to anything other than comedies, for some reason. Enter Bara no Konrei--a film recorded pre-hiatus by Malice Mizer, and featuring their last recorded album for a soundtrack. Bara no Konrei is a tribute to both vampire and silent films, and is honestly a rather impressive project for a Visual Kei band, if  you ask me.

Instead of a short film, which I would find more plausible, Mana-sama and Company decided that simply wasn't good enough, and instead chose to do a feature-length silent film. The plot, while nothing new, exactly (given it's more or less your standard retelling of Dracula with a few other tidbits tossed in), Bara no Konrei makes up for what it lacks in originality with style. The costuming, as expected, is gorgeous to look at, and the eye candy of the Malice Mizer members is enough to keep any fan satisfied. (I'm particularly fond of Klaha in this film, but that's just me.) If your tastes tend towards the Gothic side and you haven't checked this out yet, this is a travesty that must be corrected--go and check this out! (To make your life easier, it's even available on YouTube.)

Mister Rococo

Mister Rococo is a short film about a high school girl and her first love. And that's where any semblance to your typical cutesy-cute shoujo manga end. Mister Rococo is what I would consider, by and large, a comedy, built off of over-the-top weirdness that seems to be dominating most of this list. Your boyfriend breaks up with you because he likes strong women? What is a Lolita to do?

Apparently, become a lacey, frill-covered pro wrestler. With a soundtrack in part performed by Anna Tsuchiya (who also played our Yankee friend Ichigo in Kamikaze Girls), Mister Rococo is a quick, fun romp into Lolita-related films.

Nuigulumar Z

Like the next entry on the list, this is one of those movies that either is or isn't for you. It's something of a strange niche film--the kind of film that reinforces the stereotype of Japanese films being off-the-wall. How does a Sweet Lolita powering up with her teddy bear to fight zombies in a cat suit sound to you?

For a while, Baby was even carrying the movie's soundtrack in their stores! Definitely a walk outside of the typical, Nuigulumar Z might not be for everyone, but it could definitely be a movie to watch with some friends when you just want to laugh at something crazy.

Gothic & Lolita Psycho

And now, we have Gothic & Lolita Psycho -- Or, as its US refers to it, Psycho Gothic Lolita. If you asked me to describe just what this film is, I would have quite a bit of trouble doing it concisely--because the plot gets rather convoluted relatively quickly. Our main protagonist, a Gothic Lolita named Yuki, is essentially chasing down five assassins in order to get revenge for the death of her mother. Simple enough, right? Well... Kind of. At first.

It's quite a bit of fun to watch Yuki kick major ass while wearing Putumayo-esque clothes, and using her modified parasol as a weapon. She gains several different parasols over the course of the film--a parasol with a blade in the tip, and one with a machine gun, to name a couple. And it definitely has a very odd plot twist that I won't spoil here. If you like cheesy horror/action films, this might be right up your alley! Particularly when you have an awesome fight between a deco-den obsessed "genki girl", Lady Elle, and our Gothic Lolita "heroine", Yuki.

As a fair warning, the film can get a little gorey in places--though its very much the "ketchup and pasta" type gore where you can tell it's fake. But if that sort of thing bothers you, this movie probably isn't for you. I wouldn't recommend this film if you're looking for anything that's genuinely a great film, because it really isn't even a "good" film. But if you're like me and have a love for watching bad movies, this one will probably be great for a night in.

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

5 Inspirational Fictional Characters (52 Lolita Challenge)

When it comes to my inspiration for Lolita coordinates, I take more than my fair share of inspiration from fictional characters. I adore using non-Lolita inspiration to jog an idea for a Lolita coordinate! I find it to be the perfect blend of challenge and homage, and it's helped me to create some of my best coordinates to date (at least in my opinion). And there are certain characters that I find are more inspirational than others. So, without further ado--my top five characters for coordinate inspiration!

Jennet Humfrye - The Woman in Black

There's something about horror movies that just gets my heart pumping--and not always from fear. Horror movies, especially those in the "psychological" horror sector rather than the "slasher" sector, always have this beautifully creepy factor to them. And this is an aesthetic I love to try and recreate with my own wardrobe. Nothing fits this more than Jennet Humfrye from Susan Hill's novel The Woman in Black.

In particular, I find the costuming from the 2012 film starring Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps, and the lovely Liz White as the titular "woman in black". While most of the costuming in this film is the right balance of real-world practicality and historical eye candy, I find Jennet's mourning dress to be particularly inspiring--and something I definitely want to try and bring a little of to my own outfits.

Carmilla - Carmilla

I have a fondness for Gothic novels, and it all began with Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's novella, Carmilla. A vampire story that predates Dracula by 26 years, Carmilla is one of those works that was particularly scandalous in its time, and even holds some of that scandal today. A novel about a lesbian vampire preying on your average Gothic heroine? This is the stuff my dreams are made of, if I'm completely honest.

With Carmilla, I don't draw so much of a concrete image as I do an idea that I want to portray. An alluring yet unassuming beauty; a mask of benign innocence that hides a bloodthirsty predator.. There's nothing to Carmilla that doesn't scream of femme fatale to me, and I love the idea of taking that attitude into my outfits. Especially if it means working a little "vampiness" into it.

Raven Madison - Vampire Kisses

Vampire Kisses is one of those series that's a guilty pleasure for me. I know that they aren't really targeted towards me, and the series on a whole can be rather juvenile and simplistic at times. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy every stereotype-ridden, cheesy-as-hell moment of it. When I was younger, I felt that I could really relate to Raven Madison, who feels out of place and strange with her darker interests in her stereotypical "All-American" town. Most people involved in or interested in the Gothic subculture feel like that, at least during a part of their life.

So even though Raven's look is decidedly more Western Goth than my Gothic Lolita style, I do love to incorporate her enthusiasm and love of all things bat-themed and kitschy-Goth.

Emily/Victoria - The Corpse Bride

I love this movie. Handsdown, it is one of my absolute favorites (right up there with Nightmare Before Christmas, which has major points because of both Gothy points and an enormous nostalgia factor). And I found that I just couldn't choose one of the leading ladies over the other for my inspiration source in this movie!

Let's start with Victoria. Victoria is--literally--the representation of the "ideal" Victorian lady (obviously, even down to her name). Her clothes are modest to the point of being restricting (her high collar comes to mind--it looks very tight and rather uncomfortable). Her manner of holding herself is very serious, almost overly polite, and she does her best to never trouble anyone, even at the cost of her own happiness (overcoming this is, of course, her character arc).

I loved watching how Victoria's manner of carrying herself changed throughout the film. In the beginning, she is stiff and moves a little more unnaturally--and feels as if she's bound by her clothing (and, indeed, her life). By the end, her stiff clothing has instead altered to fit her; rather than being confined by her clothing, it instead reinforces her newfound backbone--upright, shoulders back, eyes looking up. Clothing that requires a corset often sounds like it would be confining; but, like Victoria, I actually manage to find a bit of a confidence boost while wearing these "confining" clothes.

Then, of course, we have Emily. Emily is another character I could go on for ages talking about in terms of her character arc, but I'll spare you that. Suffice to say, while my source of inspiration from Victoria is mainly in how I carry myself, my inspiration from Emily is more aesthetically driven. I love the use of light, airy fabrics in her design--and I love the idea of a Bridal coordinate based on her melancholy-yet-sweet color scheme of white and blue.

I adore both of these characters for different reasons, and it's all too easy for me to imagine Emily and Victoria in a shiro/kuro coordinate shoot together. I feel like they're an excellent representation of the duality that I find in my preferred Lolita aesthetic--the restrictiveness of the clothes, combined with the airy and ethereal appearance of it.. It's a delicate balance, but one that I find perfectly represented by these two.

Ciel Phantomhive - Black Butler

I couldn't not put Ciel here. Despite the fact that I've yet to branch into Boystyle (though not from lack of a desire to do so), I almost always find something about Ciel's outfits in Toboso's art that I want to reflect myself. Perhaps its my old Cosplay Enthusiast self coming out, but I just want every single one of his outfits! And that's really all there is to it. Ciel is cute. His clothes are cute. I want his outfits. End of story!

What characters do you find inspirational? Do you find them aesthetically pleasing, like I find Ciel? Or do you find their characteristics to be what draws you do them, like me and Victoria? I'd love to hear about your opinions down in the comment section! Until next week, dearies--stay frilly!

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

Lolitas I Have Met in Real Life (Lolita 52 Challenge)

When it comes to meeting Lolitas in real life, I'm honestly not very successful at it. I'm not one to go to all the meetups (partially due to my introvert nature, but moreso based on the fact that I live a good 7 hours away. So most of the Lolitas I've met in real life have been the few girls that attended the two or three meetups I've made it to, or were involved in the various Lolita 101 panels I've done over the years. But I'm not very close with many of them, in spite of moderating a Lolita community together or working on panels together. That is, of course, with two main exceptions, and two secondary.

First and foremost: my main two "Lolita" friends. There is, of course, my lovely ouji-wearing "Lolita Goddaughter", sheep-prince. Sheepie and I talk about coordinate ideas and new acquisitions quite often, and we love to show off to one another every once in a while. Second, there's my girlfriend, V-dear, who shares me adoration of all things frilly and spooky. There's something indescribably nice about dating someone who likes Lolita fashion. And while V-dear doesn't wear Lolita as often as I do, she still admires the style and loves it when I wear it out on dates.

Then, there are my secondary Lolita friends--or friends who wear Lolita only occasionally, despite enjoying the style. This includes my friends Joye, an occasional Classic Lolita with a love for solid-color pieces with fun cuts, and Jamie, whose taste is so varied I can't even keep up most of the time! Jamie was actually the first person to turn me onto Gothic Lolita fashion a few years ago--and, thus, I feel completely justified in blaming her for all of my misery.

Because I don't know many Lolitas in real life, this was a rather difficult post to try and pull together without sounding too redundant. But I'd love to hear about other peoples' experiences! Do you have friends who wear Lolita with you? Have you met one of your Lolita idols in person before? I'd love to hear all about it in the comment section below! Until next week--may you find your dream dress, and may there be an abundance of cute bags in upcoming summer Lolita brand sales!

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

Something that's Not My Style, but I love Anyways (52 Lolita Challenge)

For this post, it was difficult for me to choose something that I felt I could actually write an entire post about. I love metallic star clips (and I'm certainly not the only Gothic Lolita who does); but could I write an entire post about how I've been debating making black fuzzy stars? I didn't really think so. And there was a handful of other things that I felt I could talk about--my adoration for the Whimsical Vanilla-chan print, despite its sweet nature; tea party shoes being used for Gothic; and so many more. But in the end, none of these things--truthfully--could fill up an entire blog post on their own.

And that's when I came to a bit of a realization: couldn't I talk about a style, rather than just a single article of clothing? Something that I do love the look of, and adore looking at--but could never, and will never, feel comfortable wearing myself? It hit me just what I needed to talk about. I needed to examine a trend I talked about all the way back in April: Nun Lolita.

Ista Mori's "Nameless Poem" OP with cross embroidery

While Nun Lolita has its roots in old school Lolita, with sporadic examples existing into as far back as the 90s, the style as we know it really came into popularity with the release of the Nameless Poem series by the Chinese indie brand, Ista Mori.

Nun Lolita takes its inspiration from a variety of sources. While the inspiration of classic nun habits from the Catholic Church is obvious, the style is rooted in old school and Gothic Lolita, as well as taking cues from Malice Mizer's very own Mana-sama, who is often considered to be the epitome of the Gothic substyle. Mana's character from Malice Mizer's feature-length film "Bara no Konrei ~Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku~" was a nun. (For those interested, the short film is actually available to watch on YouTube! It's a silent vampire film inspired by Dracula, and uses Malice Mizer's last album for a soundtrack.) Mana has also worn nun-inspired pieces from his line, Moi-Meme-Moitie, on several occasions in Gothic Lolita Bible spreads.

The modern trend of wearing nun Lolita has evolved beyond simply wearing a habit-inspired OP. however. Headgear has become somewhat more unique (or at least unorthodox). Veils and Madonna crowns are common, based off of the original image of a Catholic nun. Madonna crowns, in particular, have exploded in popularity outside of Nun Lolita, and have become a common in Gothic and Classic.

So why don't I wear Nun Lolita? Personally, it boils down to three main things for me:

1. As a member of the Pagan community, I feel uncomfortable wearing something based off the religious garb of another religion. This also loosely extends to crosses in general for my wardrobe. While I can tolerate small crosses as parts of a graveyard or architecture print, I don't wear crosses as accessories.
2. As a former student at a Catholic University, I don't feel comfortable wearing a garment based off of a habit, which is taken quite seriously in the Catholic Church. Many of my former professors were Sisters, and they all stressed the importance and significance of their position in the Church. They worked hard in order to earn the right to wear the habit. I feel like I would be disrespecting their hard work if I wore something based off of that purely for aesthetic reasons.
3. Catholicism has not exactly left its best impression on me, and I do not associate with the Church. This is a highly personal reason. I've felt ostracized by the Church on several occasions, largely due to political and social beliefs (as well as being a member of the LBGTQ+ community). As I live in an overwhelmingly Christian area of the country, I have to be very careful in how I present myself in terms of faith, and I would rather not mix signals.

But overall, these are just my personal reasons not to wear Nun Lolita. I actually truly enjoy the aesthetic, and love to see others wear it (perhaps, in a way, I might be living through them?). Even if my reservations keep me from wearing it, I certainly don't think that it keeps me from enjoying it--or delighting in the fact that Nun Lolita has this certain creepy, adorable look to it that reminds me of horror movies about demonic exorcisms, or a possessed doll.

What about you? Are there any styles that you love to look at, but for one reason or another just can't seem to wear yourself? I'd love to hear about your own experiences in the comments section below! Until next week!

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

Create a New Lolita Holiday (Lolita Blog Carnival)

When I saw this post prompt, I couldn't help it: I knew instantly what I wanted to make this about, and that is Rectangle Headdress Day.

Rectangle Headdress day is a day that Tumblr users mszombi, manda-the-stars-shine-bright and I came up with about two years ago to celebrate one of our favorite under-rated Lolita accessories: the rectangle headdress. Celebrated on the first Saturday of September, this is a Lolita holiday that celebrates three aspects of this accessory: its heritage as a unique accessory to Lolita fashion, its roots in old school Lolita, and its modernization.

Rectangle headdresses are one of my favorite accessories!

As a result, my collection of them is quite extensive.

Rectangle Headdress Day, like International Lolita Day, is simply an excuse to wear Lolita--with the only stipulation being  a challenge to wear a Rectangle Headdress in your coordinate. There are dozens of different kinds, and they're so versatile that it's almost impossible for you not to find something that would perfectly suit your coordinate.

Besides wearing a coordinate using a rectangle headdress, you could take this chance to connect with your inner Old School Lolita, or at least celebrate and recognize Lolita's roots in Old School. Take the day to do something that is especially "Lolita"-esque. Bake a cute shaped cake or macarons. Sew a skirt, or embroider a handkerchief. Watch Kamikaze Girls for the millionth time. Have afternoon tea with some of your comm members. Enjoy yourself and relish being involved with Lolita fashion!

While this holiday might not be the most detailed, and leaves a lot to the imagination of the one celebrating it, I feel like that's half the fun--because it lets us celebrate one of Lolita's most flexible accessories in the most flexible way possible!

What about you? What are some Lolita holidays you'd like to see? While you're at it, check out the links to some of the awesome posts that other members of the Lolita Blog Carnival made for this weeks' prompt below!

Other LBC Entries this week:
ϿѺϾ The Bloody Tea Party ϿѺϾ

The Era of the Accursed Day Star; Or, Wearing Lolita in Summer

Ah, yes, summer. Summer is one of those seasons that I both love and despise. In my area of the country, it's full of summer storms and rain showers, which I adore (anything for an excuse to sit at home listening to rain on the roof and the boom of thunder). But it's also a season I hate because of one undeniable, ever-present factor: heat.

I do not do well in the heat. At all. I get quite cranky and irritable, and turn into something of a bear. And wearing Lolita in summer? The first year I wore it, it was unthinkable! With the amount of layers needed for the average Lolita coordinate, I'd be roasting, especially when the temperature rose above 100 Fahrenheit in late July. But the next year, I swore to figure out how to wear Lolita in summer--because gosh darnit, I've spent hundreds of dollars on these clothes, and I'm going to wear them! Thus, my research into how to survive while wearing Lolita (especially Gothic) in the era of that accursed day star, the sun.

Parasols are a Loli's Best Friend

Rose Birdcage Parasol by Metamorphose

I've ranted about parasols in the past, so I'm sure anyone who has read those entries knows where I'm going with this one: portable shade! A parasol is literally shade you can bring with you! Why are they not common during summer anymore?! It can be a difference of as much as a few degrees cooler in the shade when it gets really hot out, and in any case, it helps to take the summer glare out of your eyes a bit and helps with UV protection. Even if you aren't using a parasol, it can always help to stay in the shade in general, so I would recommend trying to ensure that you'll spend picnics and other outdoor events in an area with substantial shaded areas to prevent heatstroke and other sun-based unpleasantness.

...And a Lolita Would be Nowhere Without her Fans.

Black lace fan found on Amazon

Besides a parasol, another historical item that is criminally underrated is the fan. Not only was this humble item used as a tool of communication during the Victorian era, but it served a very practical purpose, as well: to keep its user cool. Being able to bring a breeze with you helps offer another cool-down option for those blisteringly hot days. Not only that, but they make for a great accessory when out--and folding fans are very easily stored in a purse.

Fans come in a variety of finishings, fabrics, patterns, and colors--all of which can be made to perfectly match your coordinate! You can even customize your fans by embroidering, painting, or otherwise embellishing them.

Leg and Footwear -- Ankle Socks, Mesh/Lace Tights, and Lolita Sandals

Cover your legs! No one should see your knees! Everyone thinks that the Lolita Police will be out to get them if they dare to disobey this Lolita Commandment: Over the Knee Socks at minimum! I'm going to tell you upfront that this "requirement" is not only false, it's absolutely ridiculous. While traditionally, yes, Lolita does usually require covered legs, Lolitas also are a practical bunch of people--even if we wear impractical clothing. Keeping the skin from your knee to your ankle covered isn't worth hours of sweating and possible heatstroke.

Enter my three saviors of Summer Lolita: ankle socks, mesh/lace tights, and Lolita-oriented sandals. That's right! Not only can you wear short socks, but there's even the option to go completely sockless! The scandal!

Petit Ribbon Ankle Socks (2013) by Alice and the Pirates

Ankle socks are just what they sound like--socks that stop at the ankle. Lolita ankle socks are usually topped off with a decorative ruffle to add a little detail. You can pick them up from both Lolita brands, and for incredibly cheap on sites like Amazon or eBay (I purchased an adorable pair for only $2 including shipping). They're a great option for when you have a Lolita shoe that requires socks to be worn, but it's just too hot to have something covering your legs.

Mesh tights by Torrid

Mesh and lace tights (particularly the ones made from natural fibers) are also a great option to stay cool. Because they aren't as heavy as regular tights, they don't trap heat against your skin. Some mesh tights are fine enough to wear I almost feel like I'm not even wearing them, which is nice when the thermometer is getting a little angry. They're a great option for that dress that's a little too short, so you feel like you should be wearing something on your legs. Mesh tights go great with Gothic and darker Classic looks, while lace tights look amazing with just about any style (so long as the colors go together), but mixing and matching can make for some truly stunning combinations, so feel free to experiment with your legwear!

Sandals by An*Tai*Na

Next we have the Lolita sandal. Given that this is a fashion that usually stresses the importance of legwear, this might sound surprising--but they do actually exist! And they're absolutely darling. I've never been much of a fan of how socks and sandals look together. Some Lolitas will pair them off, and occasionally it can look really cute--particularly with short ankle socks. But the easier--and cooler--path is to forgo socks entirely, and make use of that summer pedicure!

Headgear -- Sunhats and Going Natural

Black touring hat from the Ladies' Emporium

Sunhats are something that I never really thought about being a fashion accessory. But maybe that's because of my mother's habit of buying the biggest, floppiest, ugliest sunhats for the two of us while growing up. She absolutely loves them. To this day, she picks out the most ridiculous sunhats she can find when she needs to buy one. And so I was shocked beyond belief when I found that there were not only tolerable sunhats, but really cute ones. Or the revolutionary idea that you could take these cute hats, use them as a base, and add decorations to them.

Sunhats are a great (and underrepresented) accessory for summertime Lolita. Not only do they check off the need for headgear from your coordinate, they're versatile and pull double-duty as portable shade, much like parasols. You can clip your matching head bows or star clips onto the band of your hat, or sew on extra decorations to match your outfits--flowers, skulls, fuzzy stars, you name it! You can take inspiration from Victorian and Edwardian hats in order to decorate with a more historical feel, or just go all-out with a decoden fervor. When altering your own hat, it's all up to you! If  you use large stitches, it's even possible to alter and remove decorations with ease, allowing you to change up your hat in order to best serve your current coordinate needs.

An example of a Lolita updo
(Original from a GLB, translated by LittleGally on Tumblr)

The second thing I wanted to bring up on how to keep your head cool in summer is the topic of wigs. Wigs are a big part of the fashion--to the point where some new to the fashion erroneously claim that it isn't a real Lolita coordinate unless you're wearing one. But they most certainly aren't required. Most of the heat lost from a person's body is going to be lost through their head. When you cover that up with a wig, it only traps heat. While this might be a great thing in winter, it probably isn't the greatest thing in the middle of summer. So my advice is to ditch the wig and go natural with your own hair, whenever possible.

Going wigless was actually the norm in old school! GLBs have a plethora of hair tutorials, including plenty of up-dos that will help you remain cool in summer. Pigtails, ponytails, buns, and dozens of other styles will help you keep the hair up off of your neck, and keep you nice and cool!

Skimping on Layers

It's no surprise to anyone who wears Lolita that there are just tons of layers involved. Some elaborate coordinates can have upwards of five layers--with underthings, a corset, blouse, dress, and even an overdress or jacket to tie together a look. It's no wonder that it can be intimidating to wear it in the summer heat.

A short-sleeved lace shrug from Wal-Mart helps cut down both heat and cost.

So what's the best way to combat the heat? Skimp on the layers. Take out what layers you can with comfort. Skip on wearing your corset if you know you'll be in the sun for a while. Opt for an OP instead of a JSK, or switch it for a skirt and cutsew made from natural fibers, like cotton. Anywhere you can skip a layer, do it. If you have a JSK that you really, truly want to wear, perhaps you could consider investing in a small shrug to cover your shoulders and stick to "guidelines". Or just forget it and rock the sleeveless look.

Underthings

When it comes to underthings, try to stick to the basics. Skip extras (like corsets or binders) when possible in order to cut down on the number of layers. Opt for cooler alternatives for things you can't switch out. For example--instead of the traditional lace-trimmed bloomers, try wearing a pair of biking or pajama shorts.

For items like bras and underwear, try to find cotton or other natural fibers when possible. The natural fibers will wick sweat away from your skin, and will breathe more easily than a synthetic material. For an extra burst of coolness in extreme heat, they make thermal gel pads that you can place inside the cups of your bra. It sounds weird (and they're technically for nursing mothers)--but it's a real life-saver when you're stuck in extreme heat.

Things to Keep in Your Bag

While I mentioned fans earlier as an item you could keep in your bag to help stave off the heat, there are a few other items that you could toss in your bag to help ward off the heat:

• A misting bottle. Evaporating water takes heat with it, so misting yourself can help you cool down before you get too sweaty! (This works particularly well with a hand fan, which is why you often see combination fans and mist bottles sold in amusement parks and the like during the summer.)
• A bottle of drinking water. Dehydration is incredibly common during the warm summer months. It's a good idea to keep a bottle of water with you just in case! (If you store it in the freezer, it'll stay cool longer, and can even be used as a makeshift ice pack for a while. This is especially potent at your pulse points on your wrists, neck, elbows, and the backs of your knees.)
• A handkerchief. Sometimes feeling cool is as far away as getting rid of that sticky, sweaty feeling. Keep a handkerchief to help soak up some of that sweat; or, you could even soak it in a drinking fountain or other cold water source to use as a compress. (A note: To avoid smearing your makeup, don't wipe sweat off with your handkerchief; instead, gently pat-dry your face and neck.)

Proper Sun Care is Paramount

Even if you tan, you should still worry about sun safety! Being tan does not prevent you from getting skin cancer due to excessive UV radiation! Now I'm not saying you need to cover up constantly and live in fear of the sun, but prolonged exposure should be cause for you to take precautions.

Sheer spray-on sunscreen like this one from Neutrogena helps

cut down on gunk that might ruin your makeup.

First and foremost, sunscreen. Make sure that you always wear sunscreen in summer! Some with fairer complexions (like myself) find that they actually have to wear sunscreen nearly year-round, even when it's cloudy. (I wish I was kidding.) It's recommended that you use at least an SPF of 15 (some makeup products will even have this built in!). Whether you use a spray or lotion is completely up to you! Whichever option you choose, make sure that you reapply regularly according to the instructions on the bottle. Personally, I like sprays because they tend to feel lighter and not gunk up/smear my makeup. They also re-apply more quickly than a lotion.

These decoden-inspired sunglasses were prepared by MyLittleKitsch on Etsy.

Second--and perhaps more fashion-oriented--sunglasses. There are literally thousands of different designs for sunglasses, and it's only limited by your Google-fu. Gothic-oriented sunglasses? Try a wrought iron-look frame with purple, blue, or red lenses. Sweet? They sell tons of heart-, star-, and flower-shaped sunglasses! Classic? Maybe try repurposing that vintage pair of glasses into a new pair of sunglasses by having the lenses replaced at a glasses shop. You could even use a basic pair of sunglasses in the color of your favorite coordinates, and add decoden embellishments to snazz up the plain pair into something one-of-a-kind and special.

If you wear corrective lenses, you can opt to skip this entirely by using transition lenses, which turn your everyday glasses into sunglasses when exposed to UV light. I personally opt for this, since I wear my glasses daily; and my insurance even covers them! For the "Megane" Lolita, it's worth at least looking into.

Be Realistic

Sometimes you just can't wear Lolita that day. And that's okay! Wearing Lolita is fun, but having heatstroke certainly isn't. Check your local weather forecast to make sure that the day isn't going to be too hot for you to feasibly and comfortably wear Lolita. If wearing Lolita is going to be a hazard to your health, skip it. Clothes are not worth getting sick over. People can actually die from heat stroke, so I cannot stress the importance of taking care of yourself enough. Even if it means skipping out on wearing your favorite dress for a day, your health is more important.

Beyond that--remain indoors when possible, and sit as close to the air conditioner as possible, my frilly friends... Autumn is coming, and with that, our time to shine shall rise again! Stay frilly, my friends.