Lolita, From the Very Beginning
My journey into Lolita... all six years worth.
I first became interested in Lolita sometime around high school, and started on my wardrobe in either 2007 or 2008. The first is when I started getting Loli-ish things and the second is when I made my first dress. At first, this is what I thought Lolita was:
Blouse/Headband: Hot Topic
I guess I could be, but I never wear it now that I have better clothes. You can see just how much that top has the satin shine. You might be able to get accessories from HT, but I've never seen proper Lolita outfits there.
That first dress... my mom and I took an old wedding dress (not hers, we got one from a garage sale) and repurposed it into a Loli dress. I don't wear it much, but I still enjoy it. And there's no better way to get that aged lace look than with real aged lace.
OP: Handmade/Refurbished
Before that though, I took an old kimono my mom had made for me once, and made myself a Wa-Loli outfit. At this time, I didn't own a real petti, so I just used a white skirt I had; at the time I thought it looked fine, but looking back now...
Kimono/Obi: Handmade
"Petti": Offbrand
Some time after that, I bought my first skirt. It was from Bodyline but at the time I barely understood the different standings between brands; I just saw a shop at an anime convention. It was fairly cheap, Lolita, and right in front of me. And frankly, I really can't afford much that isn't Bodyline. So I bought the Heart Poodle Skirt in Sax (blue). Please excuse the following picture, it's both cluttered and fuzzy. There is a better one later when I introduce another top.
Skirt: Bodyline
Shirt:Offbrand
The following year, I received even more Lolita clothes. First was Bodyline's Heart Pocket Bunny Cardigan. I really enjoy this cardigan; it has detachable sleeves and pockets. I have a not-so-secret love affair with pockets. These photo's are actually new; I can't find my original photo so they also includes a fairly recent purchase of a white headdress from Dementions. They're an etsy shop what I saw at a convention one year. Sorry you can't see the top of the headdress in this, it really has quite beautiful subtle embroidery on it.
Cardigan/Shorts:Bodyline
Blouse: Milanoo
Headdress:Demetions
Following that was an entire outfit - blouse, skirt, socks, even bloomers and a new petti! As they were a Christmas gift, I'm not sure what brand they are, but I think they were ordered from Milanoo.
Shirt/Skirt/Socks: Milanoo (as far as I know)
Giant Book: Actually a box
The following summer, I started to but Lolita online. That first order included the red Frilled Placket Floral Gigham JSK, Polka Dots and Stripes Skirt in pink, and the Angel Wing Sailor OP in pink, all from Bodyline.
Skirt: Bodyline
Shirt: Offbrand
Lace Bracelets: Handmade
Jewelery: Offbrand
All though the previous pictures, I was making a number of Lolita accessories, and one year I was even given a box of bracelets and bows by my friend for Christmas. You can see some in the previous picture. This is also the year I began wearing Lolita around my less-immediate family, thus these following pictures with my Grandma and cousins.
I don't really like this photo, but it's the only one I have of this dress. You can't see them, but there are a pair of wings on the back of this dress. And a sailor collar with little wings in the corners.
OP: Bodyline
This is another photo set I had to retake, since I couldn't find the originals. However, based on the previous photo I bet these ones are better.
JSK: Bodyline
Blouse: Milanoo
Headband: Claire's
Socks/Shoes:Offbrand
Just this last year, other brands started appearing at cons I went to. After a lovely afternoon browsing, I then bough this pink Secret Treasure Chest Cutsew from Angelic Pretty.
Cutsew: Angelic Pretty
Skirt: Bodyline
Tights: Offbrand
Accessories: Handmade
I was also introduced into Steampunk, and bought this reversible corset. The inside is gold and red panels, and the hood is reversible too. You should see the necklace, it is this beautiful thing of gears and a little metal dragonfly, all covered in resin. This picture was taken a few years after I bought most everything, so I can't remember where it all comes from.
Corset: Seams Like Magik? Maybe? They were at the con I go to one year and they sell corsets.
Tuxedo Shirt:Offbrand
Skirt: Milanoo
Necklace: Sorry, I can't remember, but I do know I bought it at the 2010 Animeland Wasabi convention in Denver...
Accessories: Offbrand
Earlier this year, the new brand Belladona was created, and as part of that they had a giftcard giveaway. I was exceedingly lucky and was chosen as the winner. WIth that, I bought these lovely apple bloomers and a Kawaii Strawberry Shake Arpakasso Hat with Dreamy Mint Bows.
Bloomers/Hat: Belladona
Top: Offbrand/Not Lolita
And finally, in the spirit of the summer, I just bought two new outfits from Bodyline: a pink Floral Ribbon High Waist Skirt and a Kodona Vest and Pants set.
Skirt: Bodyline
Shirt: Offbrand
Tights/Shoes: Offbrand
My mom originally wondered if I was wearing the skirt on backwards (I wasn't) and since she was taking the pictures, I agreed to pose with it the other way around, in the following two pictures.
I'm actually wearing this outfit today, and I can tell you the best part is that there are actually pockets on these pants. I was a bit worried when I ordered it that the pockets were fake, but no they are real.
Vest/Pants: Bodyline
Blouse: Milanoo
Socks/Shoes:Offbrand
And that is everything I have a picture for. Wow, that was a lot.
I first became interested in Lolita sometime around high school, and started on my wardrobe in either 2007 or 2008. The first is when I started getting Loli-ish things and the second is when I made my first dress. At first, this is what I thought Lolita was:
Blouse/Headband: Hot Topic
I guess I could be, but I never wear it now that I have better clothes. You can see just how much that top has the satin shine. You might be able to get accessories from HT, but I've never seen proper Lolita outfits there.
That first dress... my mom and I took an old wedding dress (not hers, we got one from a garage sale) and repurposed it into a Loli dress. I don't wear it much, but I still enjoy it. And there's no better way to get that aged lace look than with real aged lace.
OP: Handmade/Refurbished
Before that though, I took an old kimono my mom had made for me once, and made myself a Wa-Loli outfit. At this time, I didn't own a real petti, so I just used a white skirt I had; at the time I thought it looked fine, but looking back now...
Kimono/Obi: Handmade
"Petti": Offbrand
Some time after that, I bought my first skirt. It was from Bodyline but at the time I barely understood the different standings between brands; I just saw a shop at an anime convention. It was fairly cheap, Lolita, and right in front of me. And frankly, I really can't afford much that isn't Bodyline. So I bought the Heart Poodle Skirt in Sax (blue). Please excuse the following picture, it's both cluttered and fuzzy. There is a better one later when I introduce another top.
Skirt: Bodyline
Shirt:Offbrand
The following year, I received even more Lolita clothes. First was Bodyline's Heart Pocket Bunny Cardigan. I really enjoy this cardigan; it has detachable sleeves and pockets. I have a not-so-secret love affair with pockets. These photo's are actually new; I can't find my original photo so they also includes a fairly recent purchase of a white headdress from Dementions. They're an etsy shop what I saw at a convention one year. Sorry you can't see the top of the headdress in this, it really has quite beautiful subtle embroidery on it.
Cardigan/Shorts:Bodyline
Blouse: Milanoo
Headdress:Demetions
Following that was an entire outfit - blouse, skirt, socks, even bloomers and a new petti! As they were a Christmas gift, I'm not sure what brand they are, but I think they were ordered from Milanoo.
Shirt/Skirt/Socks: Milanoo (as far as I know)
Giant Book: Actually a box
The following summer, I started to but Lolita online. That first order included the red Frilled Placket Floral Gigham JSK, Polka Dots and Stripes Skirt in pink, and the Angel Wing Sailor OP in pink, all from Bodyline.
Skirt: Bodyline
Shirt: Offbrand
Lace Bracelets: Handmade
Jewelery: Offbrand
All though the previous pictures, I was making a number of Lolita accessories, and one year I was even given a box of bracelets and bows by my friend for Christmas. You can see some in the previous picture. This is also the year I began wearing Lolita around my less-immediate family, thus these following pictures with my Grandma and cousins.
I don't really like this photo, but it's the only one I have of this dress. You can't see them, but there are a pair of wings on the back of this dress. And a sailor collar with little wings in the corners.
OP: Bodyline
This is another photo set I had to retake, since I couldn't find the originals. However, based on the previous photo I bet these ones are better.
JSK: Bodyline
Blouse: Milanoo
Headband: Claire's
Socks/Shoes:Offbrand
Just this last year, other brands started appearing at cons I went to. After a lovely afternoon browsing, I then bough this pink Secret Treasure Chest Cutsew from Angelic Pretty.
Cutsew: Angelic Pretty
Skirt: Bodyline
Tights: Offbrand
Accessories: Handmade
I was also introduced into Steampunk, and bought this reversible corset. The inside is gold and red panels, and the hood is reversible too. You should see the necklace, it is this beautiful thing of gears and a little metal dragonfly, all covered in resin. This picture was taken a few years after I bought most everything, so I can't remember where it all comes from.
Corset: Seams Like Magik? Maybe? They were at the con I go to one year and they sell corsets.
Tuxedo Shirt:Offbrand
Skirt: Milanoo
Necklace: Sorry, I can't remember, but I do know I bought it at the 2010 Animeland Wasabi convention in Denver...
Accessories: Offbrand
Earlier this year, the new brand Belladona was created, and as part of that they had a giftcard giveaway. I was exceedingly lucky and was chosen as the winner. WIth that, I bought these lovely apple bloomers and a Kawaii Strawberry Shake Arpakasso Hat with Dreamy Mint Bows.
Bloomers/Hat: Belladona
Top: Offbrand/Not Lolita
And finally, in the spirit of the summer, I just bought two new outfits from Bodyline: a pink Floral Ribbon High Waist Skirt and a Kodona Vest and Pants set.
Skirt: Bodyline
Shirt: Offbrand
Tights/Shoes: Offbrand
My mom originally wondered if I was wearing the skirt on backwards (I wasn't) and since she was taking the pictures, I agreed to pose with it the other way around, in the following two pictures.
I'm actually wearing this outfit today, and I can tell you the best part is that there are actually pockets on these pants. I was a bit worried when I ordered it that the pockets were fake, but no they are real.
Vest/Pants: Bodyline
Blouse: Milanoo
Socks/Shoes:Offbrand
And that is everything I have a picture for. Wow, that was a lot.