Leopardprint Lolita: Take... 5?

Sorry, guys, I'm skipping the Halloween post this year-

(except let's be real, I haven't posted in months anyway because I've been writing a book, oops)

-and I'm just moving straight on to the thing that I apparently missed in between a mini Moitie revival, the sharp decline of shirred OPs, and my massive disappointment that the only toy print I've ever truly loved is being rereleased in the worst cut.

Angelic Pretty's trying to bring back leopard print?

Like, didn't we... didn't we do this already? Metamorphose pumped out three nearly identical leopard prints, Baby once in a while hands out some printed faux fur accessories, and we were good. Jewel Leopard is the butt of many good-natured jokes because Meta's our crazy and fun spinster auntie and I think a lot more people like it than we like to give away, but "tacky" is still the word tacked onto it. And let's remember how many jokes were on Lolita Updates about how Angelic Pretty clearly kidnapped a Meta designer (Girly Leopard isn't the first offender).

No joke, though, while I'm baffled that this happened at all, I think AP did a pretty good job of the print. Better than Meta.

I know, guys. It's me. #1 Meta fan. But look at Rose Leopard and compare.

Anyway, the print does the Garden Alice thing where the actual leopard print is used as a background to more central elements. In this case, little frames with shoes, hearts, roses and stuff and little swags of jewels in between, so while the fabric visually has a more complex texture, the fact that it's leopard print is easy to forget. I dig it.

I think the colorways all work pretty well, for the most part. Nothing is intensely eye-gouging. I think I like the tulle overlays because they dim down the print and give the garments an extra bit of fanciness, but I'm on-the-fence about the velour bows and trim. They would've looked better in velveteen.

The fur tippet on the OP has some beading that I actually quite like, and I enjoy the neckline underneath it, too - but oh, look, another OP without shirring :'D Ah, well.

I'm so torn on this series. Some of it works well, and then other parts don't. The beret's pretty classic Angelic Pretty, but the animal ears make me cringe in the same way as lace with a netting base - it's just one of those things ingrained into me when I was first starting out. But then the little "ankle covers" (you could probably use them as wrists cuffs) in the same breath look like you could make them a really nice and cozy part of a late autumn or winter look.

Honestly, I'm not super concerned about the series and I won't judge anyone for getting it, I just really needed to stop and make everyone take a look at it because it's one in the morning and my sleepy brain doesn't know what to do with itself.

Lots of love, my little macarons~ Wear your spots with pride.

January 2018 Mood: Cozy, Red, and Classic

Instead of Style Inspiration, I figured it would be easier just to do monthly mood collages based on what sort of Lolita style I'm feeling. This month, I've been really into a sort of Classic color palette based around red, brown, and green. Mostly, I've been eyeballing a lot of Baby, the Stars Shine Bright products because I ended up placing a small order from BtSSB New York to celebrate the end of my two-year break from school.

Recently, I've been really enjoying a few different key things: Underbust JSKs, more casual-style pullovers, cozy cardigans, bonnets, and lace-up sort of OTKs. I actually have the red-and-white Baby OTKs on order along with a pair of pink ribbon hair ties and an Usakumya pen (which is going to be my special note-taking pen for my only in-person class this semester).

Of course, any school set for me won't be complete without my Innocent World Angel Wing bag - it's just the right size for some notebooks, a textbook, and a few other odds-and-ends like wallets and things. Just skip it if you bring a laptop to class.

Here are a few coords I've mocked up; most of them are simple, easy outfits to wear to class. I've never been big on too many accessories, so most of them use minimal accouterments or the design details on the pieces themselves, such as the decorative collars of the blouse and turtleneck.

What are some color palettes or styles that you've been leaning towards this month? Let me know down below!

So Long, 2017

Hello, 2018.

My year ended up finishing itself on a really awful note. Like... probably the worst way I could have immediately envisioned. But the only thing to do for it is to keep pushing forward and create goals for myself, even in Lolita fashion.

That being said, here are my 2018 Lolita Goals:

1. Purchase something from a brand I've never owned before

A JSK from Chocochip Cookie. They are still super old-school.

This might be a little weird, but with the mass-death of several Lolita brands, I keep finding myself thinking, "Wow, I really should have gotten something of theirs when I had the chance." I already have a few brands in mind: Chocochip Cookie, Victorian Maiden (closing soon), Putumayo (also taking its death rattles), Moi-Meme-Moitie, or even h.Naoto.

2. Buy a lucky pack

I actually really love the idea of the traditional lucky packs (the ones where you legitimately don't know what you're getting, only what kinds of pieces may be in there). There's something enchanting about having surprise items and then figuring out ways to work them in with your wardrobe. I really wanted to pick up one of the BtSSB packs from the NYC store this year, but things came up and I found myself without the funds I thought I would have. There's always summer!

3. Continue pulling together a cohesive wardrobe

This was a big year when it came to living expenses (I moved, had medical bills, etc.), so I wasn't able to purchase as much as I would have liked, but I feel pretty good about how the things I did get work with my wardrobe as a whole and I'd like to continue moving in that direction this year. My main focuses are still shoes and tops, but I'm also starting to look at a few new headpieces, as well.

4. Wear Lolita at least once a month

I really just don't wear Lolita so much anymore, but I really would like to! Something I'm going to try is getting back into casual coordination to make it easier.

5. Go to a meetup

It's no secret that I'm terrified of my comms and going to meetups, but I'd really like to change this about myself. Even if it's just for the next convention, I'd really like to join a group of my fellow frillies and just do something fun.

6. Try a new sub-style

Isn't this a weird thought to have when I'm trying to work on having a cohesive wardrobe? Definitely. But I also want to try something new, and I've realized that I do have a few pieces that can be worked into substyles like Gothic or Punk if I just put a little effort into collecting the right accessories. I've wanted to branch out from Sweet for quite a while.

~~~

These are my Lolita goals for 2018. What are some of yours?