General Discussion

1774

November 20, 2014 18:17:43

Just looking on ways to save money as I start my trek to the most expensive hobby I have ever had xD

I know the basics like what brands are named what and where to get great deals but is there anything else I should look out for as the hole I dig gets deeper? I'm planning to make some dresses and skirts on my own and editing old dresses and what not. Any and all tips for any part of this would be so so helpful:D

stores I know of:
Angelic pretty (of course)
Baby the stars shine bright
Innocent world
Bodyline
Anna house
Fan+Friend
Closet child
Mbok
Taobao

Stores to avoid:
Milanoo(it is up to you if you decide to purchase from Milanoo, it is highly recommended you try other stores but if you are dead set on it I have it linked to their page)

Helpful links:
Lolita-tips
orange knickers
EGL
Hellolace
Yahoo! Auctions
Lace market

Tips and stories:

Thaesda wrote on 2014-11-20 18:39:53:

If you can, look for a local college that has a fashion design degree. They will often offer all the sewing classes you'd ever really need to get the essentials down pat.

Another thing I would recommend researching is fashion history, particularly the 1700s through the 1900s in Europe and the US. This is where most lolita style draws its inspiration from and will give you unique ideas to incorporate into your own modernized looks.

PeculiarNebulae wrote on 2014-11-20 19:34:47:

3. Places to avoid (MILANOO)
There are stores with a long history of scamming lolitas so its always best to check stores reviews before buying anything from an off brand online shop.
This link has stores to never buy from -> http://egl.livejournal.com/18033026.html

Milanoo is the a huge scammer site so beware!

Saika wrote on 2014-11-20 21:17:03:

From my understanding it goes: 1. Petticoat 2. Blouse 3. JSK or skirt 4. Bloomers 5. Socks or tights 7. Jacket/bolero/capelet/cardigan 8. Shoes 9. Purse/bag 10. Wig/accessories

Saika wrote on 2014-11-20 21:25:29:

I don't think you should risk buying from Milanoo at all. They're a hit or miss, but the miss being most of their stuff. They've consistently had negative reviews from people who've accidentally bought from them without knowing their reputation, and their images are stolen from other sites.

OreoMilkshake wrote on 2014-11-20 21:30:29:

And you should wear a complete coord before you go out.

Also, dancing in lolita in a room full of crowded people is sooooo hot! You better be mentally prepared before you do something like that. Definitely don't wear your JSKs to a concert with a lot of moshing.

Any stores I should add? Any I should avoid?

Last edited on Nov 20, 2014 22:12:53 by DreamyDragon

Also if anyones had any experience ordering from AliExpress?
A lot of places offer custom sizing and there's a ton of cute stuff but I have no clue what to quality to expect!

Kittan

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November 20, 2014 18:26:30

Also if anyones had any experience ordering from AliExpress?
A lot of places offer custom sizing and there's a ton of cute stuff but I have no clue what to quality to expect!

@fauxgami My main recommendation is to just start learning how to sew. The big brands have doubled in price since I left the hobby a few years ago and their prices will only continue to go up. This isn't meant to sound negative, just really, learn to sew now, and you'l be so much better off.

Thaesda

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November 20, 2014 18:29:07

@fauxgami My main recommendation is to just start learning how to sew. The big brands have doubled in price since I left the hobby a few years ago and their prices will only continue to go up. This isn't meant to sound negative, just really, learn to sew now, and you'l be so much better off.

@Thaesda
Thats what I was thinking! I love the brands so much but they are just not in my price range, which is fine. Also you didn't sound negative at all, don't worry!! It just gives me more confirmation that sewing is what I should stick to. I'm learning to machine sew so thats great!. Thank you for the insight :D

>-> me and a friend were comparing the coordinates from AP to a two way plane ticket!!! So insane????

DreamyDragon

1774

November 20, 2014 18:34:22

@Thaesda
Thats what I was thinking! I love the brands so much but they are just not in my price range, which is fine. Also you didn't sound negative at all, don't worry!! It just gives me more confirmation that sewing is what I should stick to. I'm learning to machine sew so thats great!. Thank you for the insight :D

>-> me and a friend were comparing the coordinates from AP to a two way plane ticket!!! So insane????

@fauxgami That's the reality of Western lolita now, unfortunately. Luxury brands are seen in a really different light in Japan so price isn't as much of an issue there.

If you can, look for a local college that has a fashion design degree. They will often offer all the sewing classes you'd ever really need to get the essentials down pat.

Another thing I would recommend researching is fashion history, particularly the 1700s through the 1900s in Europe and the US. This is where most lolita style draws its inspiration from and will give you unique ideas to incorporate into your own modernized looks.

Thaesda

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283

576

November 20, 2014 18:39:53

@fauxgami That's the reality of Western lolita now, unfortunately. Luxury brands are seen in a really different light in Japan so price isn't as much of an issue there.

If you can, look for a local college that has a fashion design degree. They will often offer all the sewing classes you'd ever really need to get the essentials down pat.

Another thing I would recommend researching is fashion history, particularly the 1700s through the 1900s in Europe and the US. This is where most lolita style draws its inspiration from and will give you unique ideas to incorporate into your own modernized looks.

@Thaesda
Yeah I just can't deal with that wowie....

I will def do that though I didn't even think about actual college classes. I was planning to learn more from friends and family with experience but that sounds just as good if not better and more in depth.

As for research thats great because I'm already quite interested and actually in the middle of research for the fashion around those time periods anyway for other reasons so thats two birds with one stone.

DreamyDragon

1774

November 20, 2014 18:48:04

@Thaesda
Yeah I just can't deal with that wowie....

I will def do that though I didn't even think about actual college classes. I was planning to learn more from friends and family with experience but that sounds just as good if not better and more in depth.

As for research thats great because I'm already quite interested and actually in the middle of research for the fashion around those time periods anyway for other reasons so thats two birds with one stone.

@fauxgami You should try to find some museums at least sort of near where you live and go when they have historic costume exhibits so you can see the sewing methods up-close. The classes will also be good for just educating you on how to detect quality craftsmanship and things to avoid doing with your own work. They'll also know all the best shops in the surrounding area for finding fabrics and whatnot.

I miss fashion school :P I wish I had finished.

Thaesda

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November 20, 2014 19:00:02

@fauxgami You should try to find some museums at least sort of near where you live and go when they have historic costume exhibits so you can see the sewing methods up-close. The classes will also be good for just educating you on how to detect quality craftsmanship and things to avoid doing with your own work. They'll also know all the best shops in the surrounding area for finding fabrics and whatnot.

I miss fashion school :P I wish I had finished.

Hello! I am pretty new to lolita as well. In fact, my first dress came today and i think i looked so cute. It's a bodyline L518 in black. I am generally new but Ive looked up a lot of stuff and I have some tips that really helped me.

1. this blog is a god send -> http://lolita-tips.tumblr.com/
it has pretty much everything and anything you'll need to know including a bunch of beginners guides

2. Petticoats are suuuper important.
If you get a dress you'll need a petti thats the right size/shape. Dresses come in A-line and belle (i like to call this one cupcake) shape. this link helped you with determining which goes with which -> http://orange-knickers.tumblr.com/post/46382143248/illustrated-visual-guide-to-lolita-and-petticoats

adding on to #2, pettis do wear out and loose floof and cheaper ones tend to wear faster. chiffon never looses floof ive heard but theyre pretty expensive. I just got a couple off ebay and layered them but never get any sort of rockabilly style petti. theyre too long.

3. Places to avoid (MILANOO)
There are stores with a long history of scamming lolitas so its always best to check stores reviews before buying anything from an off brand online shop.
This link has stores to never buy from -> http://egl.livejournal.com/18033026.html

Milanoo is the a huge scammer site so beware!

If you have any questions feel free to ask! I hope these helped ^o^

PeculiarNebulae

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November 20, 2014 19:34:47

Hello! I am pretty new to lolita as well. In fact, my first dress came today and i think i looked so cute. It's a bodyline L518 in black. I am generally new but Ive looked up a lot of stuff and I have some tips that really helped me.

1. this blog is a god send -> http://lolita-tips.tumblr.com/
it has pretty much everything and anything you'll need to know including a bunch of beginners guides

2. Petticoats are suuuper important.
If you get a dress you'll need a petti thats the right size/shape. Dresses come in A-line and belle (i like to call this one cupcake) shape. this link helped you with determining which goes with which -> http://orange-knickers.tumblr.com/post/46382143248/illustrated-visual-guide-to-lolita-and-petticoats

adding on to #2, pettis do wear out and loose floof and cheaper ones tend to wear faster. chiffon never looses floof ive heard but theyre pretty expensive. I just got a couple off ebay and layered them but never get any sort of rockabilly style petti. theyre too long.

3. Places to avoid (MILANOO)
There are stores with a long history of scamming lolitas so its always best to check stores reviews before buying anything from an off brand online shop.
This link has stores to never buy from -> http://egl.livejournal.com/18033026.html

Milanoo is the a huge scammer site so beware!

If you have any questions feel free to ask! I hope these helped ^o^

@Thaesda
Oh yes that sounds like so much fun!!! Thank you so much for all your help it means a lot to me :)

@PeculiarNebulae

Yeah I heard that milanoo is a def no no. Thank you for the links!!!! Ive been planning out my first dress that I'm planning to make from scratch @-@@@@ patterns gAH

Pettis yessssss I didn't know there were more than one kind so that is DEFINITELY helpful to me.
I JUST LOOKED UP THAT DRESS AND AHHHH so cute ;w;
Thank you thank you so much :DD

DreamyDragon

1774

November 20, 2014 20:46:43

@Thaesda
Oh yes that sounds like so much fun!!! Thank you so much for all your help it means a lot to me :)

@PeculiarNebulae

Yeah I heard that milanoo is a def no no. Thank you for the links!!!! Ive been planning out my first dress that I'm planning to make from scratch @-@@@@ patterns gAH

Pettis yessssss I didn't know there were more than one kind so that is DEFINITELY helpful to me.
I JUST LOOKED UP THAT DRESS AND AHHHH so cute ;w;
Thank you thank you so much :DD

My friend buys a lot from milanoo

Aconita