[MOD] Mini Guide #1 - Gothic & Lolita Shopping Suggestions.
Please bear in mind these are only my suggestions. Gothic & Lolita is about defying convention and being creative - although certain aspects are deemed 'necessary' for an outfit to be as beautiful and elegant as it can be we should never forget about the elements of 'freedom' which Gothic & Lolita should provide both as a lifestyle and fashion. Most of these tips are common sense, but in the pursuit of more elaborate schemes it is often the most simple idea that gets forgotten.
General Gothic & Lolita Shopping Tips:
1) Online shopping is fun and easy, but never forget your physical resources; if you live in a city or even a town remember to go exploring both for inspiration and items. Good places to find base clothing and accessories which you can alter to fit your ideas include: Thrift stores (charity shops.), budget clothing stores, jumble sales and specialist Gothic shops which often carry items in basic black or with easily removable decoration.
2) Make Gothic & Lolita shopping a proper outing; If you have friends who are also interested in G&L living in your area then pool your knowledge and shop together. Not only will you have a (hopefully) unbiased opinion on whatever items you find, but it may also help to keep from ending up with a collection of items you won't wear.
3) Research and find out what you *really* like; Gothic & Lolita Bibles, online websites, Gothic literature, manga, anime, video games - all of these are wonderful sources of inspiration. If you have an idea, even a vague one regarding certain aspects of your outfit then it helps to avoid impulse purchases. It's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:
* Where is this outfit going to be worn?
* Does it need to be practical/warm/etc?
* What is my budget?
* What colours compliment my skin tone/eye colour/hair colour?
* Will this style suit my body type?
4) It's very tempting to over-spend on Gothic & Lolita items due to the sheer range of things avaliable both on and off-line. Sticking to a budget can sometimes be hard so it is also helpful to open a separate account for potential outfits - one with a time-delay upon fund releases if you are certain of the items you want is especially handy. To gather funds it's fun to clear out your old purchases, both clothing or otherwise and truly save for what you like.
5) Always be aware of who you're buying from online. Before making a purchase - if it is a direct sale ask for proof of positive feedback and if you're buying from ebay remember to check feedback status for negative comments. Also keep hold of any emails between yourself and the seller until you recieve the item(s) in question. Remember to bear in mind shipping prices when bidding on auctions as well.
This might slow the process down alittle, but it is better to be safe than sorry and it will more than likely lead to a good transaction both for you and the seller.