(no subject)

[innocentblush.livejournal.com]

I'm new(-ish) to lolita. I've been lurking at different communities occasionally, and looking at all the pretty clothing in the different stores I can find. I fell in love with the style, but I was having problems getting up the confidence to wear it to school.

Of course, now that I have the confidence I'm realizing that I don't know enough to make my own without guidance. Therefore, I request that of you. I think I've done pretty well with my work, but I'm not certain. If you don't mind, could you tell me what needs to be done to make it more lolita? (I'd be surprised to find that there's nothing at all.



This is the skirt I want to make. If you can't read any of my little notes, tell me and I can translate them. (The two little ones at the top are marking that the heavy black line is ribbon, and the ruffly white is lace.)



This is the shirt I want to make. My main worry about this is the hole in the back. Is that an acceptable Lolita look?



These are the other pieces of the outfit I want to make. It's a sash, for which I am uncertain whether it should be black or white, and a black ribbon around my neck.

I realize there is no head piece, but I can't wear them in school. On top of that, I don't love them. They're nice, but I can't see me in one. If someone has advice on a good headpiece that might go with it, I'll consider it, of course, but I don't know if I'd like it.

Also, I have no idea what shoes to wear. If anyone has any ideas for shoes to go with this outfit, that would be very nice.

My last question is: What materials work for this? That is one thing about lolita that I'm totally lost on. I don't know what the dos and don'ts are.

I had wanted to dye my hair with red streaks, and have bought the dye already. (This was before I decided I really wanted to be a lolita.) Am I right in my guess that red streaks in blonde hair will not work for lolita? (And will all red, if I can get permission from my mother to do that? I'm in highschool, so I'm still having to answer to her a bit.)

Thank you!
Sarah

Comments

[lainnocence.livejournal.com]

Depends if it's bright red etc.
Lolita hairstyles are usually all in a natural colour.

As for the clothes design it seems fine to me, theres no such thing as right or wrong in a fashion because it's meant to be unique~ (Its really all about looking good...)
Though I'ld say add some simple (Good-quality) lace around the black edges on the top? The hole on the back looks small and fine to me as long as you're not flashing half your back to everyone.

[innocentblush.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the advice! As for the red, it's a little darker than true red. I have Manic Panic's Pillarbox Red, but I'd be dying it on unbleached dirty blonde hair, so it wouldn't be too bright. Would that work? I'm guessing that streaks wouldn't, from what you said.

[lainnocence.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I'd have no idea on dying hair ^^;
My hair's jet black~

If it's too bright you could always wear a wig with ringlets or something when you wear lolita though, lolita wigs = love!

[innocentblush.livejournal.com]

Since my intent is everyday lolita, once I've got the knack for it, I might end up not wanting to do wigs. I will take it into consideration though, especially if I do end up dying my hair. Thank you for the help!

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

If you ever redye, don't use Manic Panic, Manic Panic sucks. xD Use Special Effects. *knows from experience* Special Effects lasts way longer than Manic Panic.

[preciousdeadly.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah! Manic Panic washes out way too fast. I've seen Kool Aid colour hair longer >.>

p.s Your lj name = Best name evar. XD

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

>D Whoa thanks, that's a new one. Where's the art in your icon from?

[preciousdeadly.livejournal.com]

Aimo's Fanart for Knights of the Old Republic. :3 I love KotOR.

[rikit.livejournal.com]

i think red streaks in blond hair is fine
there's styles like punkrori and visualrori, you know?
you don't need to be "all natural" unless you're going as classic lolita or sweet lolita or something.......
and even then, i've still seen sweet lolita with pink hair and white hair and they look adorable.
the most important thing is that your hair look nice, not what colour i think...
although, i always think blond hair is really beautiful so I don't know why people want to dye it ^^;; (or this might be a case of "the grass is greener on the other side")

ideas/suggestions:
material: cotton, for the shirt even cutsew-y material!(oh yeah..for the shirt..it's like a cross between a cutsew and a fancy blouse with the plain collar x the bell sleeves) for the skirt you can even use that stiff-ish material (i find that it holds a really nice shape even without a petti~~)
shoes: plain mary jane with kneesocks
coz from the rest of your design it seems you are going for a classic "b&w" look, so i wouldn't even suggest boots
that's right you don't need a hair piece
but i think a flower clip will look cute.
and also if you had a neck ruffle/tie
because you have a lot of white/lace in the center of your skirt but the center of the shirt is really plain, so if you had a tie or something it'll have a better balance.

sorry i talked so much m(_ _)m

good luck!
take pictures ^3^

[innocentblush.livejournal.com]

Thank you for "talking so much!" It's really helpful. I'm starting to be able to see what it should look like. Two questions, though. What is the stiff material you're suggesting for the skirt called, and what do you mean by the neck ruffle/tie. Do you mean something on the collar or the shirt? Because I had intended a black ribbon around my neck, with the bow hanging down, but I could do that in white.

[mizu-uruwashii.livejournal.com]

For your hair you can make little bows and stick it wathever you use to pull your hair up or get it out of your face, only if they are very plain though, use your common sense :), i don't know about dying your hair, but if you dye all of it, i don't think that an unnatural tone of red will work with loli...

The outfit seams alright to me, I think that your first loli outfit should be very simple, or your family and friends will think that you are wearing a costume or something.

[innocentblush.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Bows hadn't occured to me. They will work very well for my hair. About the dyeing, the color is going to be one of them that is almost natural, I think, in the end. Just a little redder than natural.

In regards to simplicity of the outfit, most of my friends already understand the concept. It's my family that will be the problem. Starting simple is still probably a good idea, though. Thank you for that idea as well!

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

*points at lain* MISS MARUBELLE GRR GRR >:D *ahem*

a) Like lainnnocence said, fashion is unique blah blah blah... That said, I think with lolita, it's less the color (unless it is neon green or blue or something totally punk like that) and more how you style it. If you have dark red streaks in blond hair, then I'd suggest maybe like... putting it up in pigtails and then ringletting the pigtails? I don't know how well it would work with classic loli, but with sweet loli it could maybe be pulled off with a cute strawberry theme... Hmm...

b) The skirt is a classic example of traditional loli, but the shirt... The shirt is nice, except for the collar, which seems a little bland in comparison. Usually with loli shirts, the most important aspect of the collar. While on any other shirt, the ribbon in the back is a nice touch, for a simple classic loli shirt, I'd suggest a Peter Pan collar or something cute like that... If you want to keep the keyhole in the back, maybe put some braid or lace or SOME kind of adornment around the top of the collar? And something on the front would help refine the design, I think, even if it's only something small... Umm...

*gibber* I too have committed the sin of babbling. And I've probably offended you a lot. D: *shot*

[lainnocence.livejournal.com]

*HISS* MAD MISS MINERVA!!! >8D *waggles fingers alarmingly*

And yes definetly go with the Peter Pan collar idea~! or something to adorn the collar with, if you're having difficulty with that then grab yourself a seamstress (There's plenty on the community.)
Come to think of it you could always make the black part, then just wear a white shirt with a collar underneath so you could flip the collar out~
(That doesn't even seem to make sense...I know what I mean...)

[jrockartychan00.livejournal.com]

Hey, all red is fine! My hair was red for months before I finally dyed it back to black. Of course, my hair was more burgandy (sp?) than red, but whatever.

[kyra-cat.livejournal.com]

be whatever colour you like. I don't think anyone can say 'red hair isn't lolita' loads of girls in the bibles have crazy coloured hair

just bare in mind you're now limiting your wardrobe. You won't be able to wear blue pink orange or most browns without clashing. When my hair was all pink i missed red clothes i guess i'm gonna miss them again now the front of my hair's half purple/blue/pink against bleach. i kinda regret it really this time. But dying is fun and you get a kick out of startling yourself in the mirror for ages and people looking at you. highschools definately the chance to make your hair go through the rainbow, you'll regret not doing it when you're in a full time job

and yeah manic panic kinda sucks.

Good luck with the sewing. post pics when you're done, and of your hair

[pie-no-miko.livejournal.com]

I'd just like to say I think you can have any color hair with lolita (to an extent) as long as you make it look nice and it suits you.