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1. One lolita style at a time
While you can wear a gothic blouse with a pastel colored dress, or bright fairy kei tights with an elegant flowery dress, it will probably not look too good. Also, mixing themes will often not look very great as well. An Alice theme with a classic painting print, pirate ships with bunnies or graveyards with sailor often look a bit odd.
2. The right petticoat
That means an a-line shaped petticoat with an a-line dress and a bell shaped petticoat with a bell shaped dress, but also a light petticoat with a light dress and a black petticoat with a black dress. Also, for ott sweet lolita it helps to wear several petticoats at once, since the more poof the better.
While you can wear a gothic blouse with a pastel colored dress, or bright fairy kei tights with an elegant flowery dress, it will probably not look too good. Also, mixing themes will often not look very great as well. An Alice theme with a classic painting print, pirate ships with bunnies or graveyards with sailor often look a bit odd.
2. The right petticoat
That means an a-line shaped petticoat with an a-line dress and a bell shaped petticoat with a bell shaped dress, but also a light petticoat with a light dress and a black petticoat with a black dress. Also, for ott sweet lolita it helps to wear several petticoats at once, since the more poof the better.
3. Matching colors
With a solid dress, you can choose every color that you want as a complementary color for your blouse, socks, shoes and eventually your cardigan/bolero, combined with the color of the dress. Keep in mind, though, that some colors just clash (neon pink and red, for example).
For a busy print, you must pick one color that is featured in the print and use it for your blouse, socks/tights and eventually your bolero. Most people say you must not use more than two or three complementary colors, but I'd say only one, because an outfit can quickly become too busy. And of course it's important to look at the shade of the color as well! For an interesting look, you can also make a different shade of the main color the complementary color, although that can get a little boring.
4. Matching lace
There are different types of lace, and since lolita clothes often have lace on them, I think it's important that the lace matches as well! Thin, netted lace with embroidery on it is something lolita brands started to add not very long ago, so it looks a bit odd combined with the heavy, stiffer and thicker cluny, torchon and cotton raschel lace that gives a more 'old school' vibe. Embroidered cotton lace was used in the past and is still used now, but the designs are often cuter. While it had more crosses and flowers on it in , say, 2001, it now has more bows, stars or cute animals on it.
With a solid dress, you can choose every color that you want as a complementary color for your blouse, socks, shoes and eventually your cardigan/bolero, combined with the color of the dress. Keep in mind, though, that some colors just clash (neon pink and red, for example).
For a busy print, you must pick one color that is featured in the print and use it for your blouse, socks/tights and eventually your bolero. Most people say you must not use more than two or three complementary colors, but I'd say only one, because an outfit can quickly become too busy. And of course it's important to look at the shade of the color as well! For an interesting look, you can also make a different shade of the main color the complementary color, although that can get a little boring.
4. Matching lace
There are different types of lace, and since lolita clothes often have lace on them, I think it's important that the lace matches as well! Thin, netted lace with embroidery on it is something lolita brands started to add not very long ago, so it looks a bit odd combined with the heavy, stiffer and thicker cluny, torchon and cotton raschel lace that gives a more 'old school' vibe. Embroidered cotton lace was used in the past and is still used now, but the designs are often cuter. While it had more crosses and flowers on it in , say, 2001, it now has more bows, stars or cute animals on it.
5. Wigs
Wigs are a great way to make an outfit more lolita like instantly. For gothic lolita, black and 'punky' colors will look best, or a natural color with sausage curls. For sweet lolita pastel colors usually look best or big curly or full hime hair. For classic lolita hime hair looks good as well, but also other kinds of natural looking wigs. Look for a natural looking wig that is not too shiny, especially when choosing a non-natural hair color. It will look too cosplay/costumey otherwise! Also, you should take care of your wig and comb and wash it regularly.
Wigs are of course not neccessary and it is more important that your real hair stays in good shape. It must not suffer from wearing wigs. However, it will add a great deal to the 'lolita-ness'. If a wig is a bridge too far for you, you can also use clip in hair extentions that match your natural hair color.
6. Hair accessoiry
Your wig or hair is not really complete without a hair accessory! It's easy when the dress/skirt you wear is from a complete series - then you can just wear the matching head accessory. If it's handmade, it's easy too: just sew a head accessoiry in the same fabric. If your dress/skirt is not from a certain series, look what girls from the Lolita bible street snaps are wearing with similar dresses/skirts or what kind of head accessoiries the brand where it's from usually puts out for inspiration. Hats and bonnets look great too, as long as they fit the style color and fabric-wise.
Wigs are a great way to make an outfit more lolita like instantly. For gothic lolita, black and 'punky' colors will look best, or a natural color with sausage curls. For sweet lolita pastel colors usually look best or big curly or full hime hair. For classic lolita hime hair looks good as well, but also other kinds of natural looking wigs. Look for a natural looking wig that is not too shiny, especially when choosing a non-natural hair color. It will look too cosplay/costumey otherwise! Also, you should take care of your wig and comb and wash it regularly.
Wigs are of course not neccessary and it is more important that your real hair stays in good shape. It must not suffer from wearing wigs. However, it will add a great deal to the 'lolita-ness'. If a wig is a bridge too far for you, you can also use clip in hair extentions that match your natural hair color.
6. Hair accessoiry
Your wig or hair is not really complete without a hair accessory! It's easy when the dress/skirt you wear is from a complete series - then you can just wear the matching head accessory. If it's handmade, it's easy too: just sew a head accessoiry in the same fabric. If your dress/skirt is not from a certain series, look what girls from the Lolita bible street snaps are wearing with similar dresses/skirts or what kind of head accessoiries the brand where it's from usually puts out for inspiration. Hats and bonnets look great too, as long as they fit the style color and fabric-wise.
7. Socks and shoes
Again, when you have a dress from a series it's easy. When your dress is homemade and has a pattern, try to find socks or tights with a similar design. For gothic and old school dresses, lace-topped socks look very good. Tights look good with gothic and classic too. In the summer, you can also wear netted tights with gothic or oldschool outfits for a different look. There are more sweet lolita tights nowadays as well, from sweet brands themselves, holley tea time, taobao shops or fairy kei brands.
For the shoes, platform heels, boots or wedges will look best with gothic and old school. Flat shoes or cute chunky heels/boots will look best with sweet lolita, especially in pastel colors for ott sweet. For classic lolita elegant heels or boots will look best. Most lolita's are against replicas, but since shoes scuff very easily, brand shoes are expensive and of a limited size, it will really benefit your outfit to have shoes that are a replica from the brand you are wearing.
8. Jewelry
Whether your outfit is over the top lolita or just 'regular' or more casual, it is not complete without jewelry! Jewelry adds a great finishing touch. Silver, gold and bronze (looking) jewelry looks best with gothic, classic and oldschool, while gold or silver in cute shapes combined with pastel or bright plastic jewelry looks best with (ott) sweet. Try to look for jewelry that fits the style of the brand or fabric of the dress you are wearing.
9. Make-up
For sweet lolita, most say you don't need much make-up. Others say you need circle lenses, fake lashes and a heavy layer of foundation. I'm not a big fan of circle lenses and fake lashes myself, but I'm sure they will improve the overall lolita-look. For myself, I prefer cute pink blush, lots of mascara (with a mascara primer underneath) and eye shadow in pastel colors, sometimes lipgloss and a little bit of concealer. Rhinestones can look cute too. For gothic lolita, you can go crazy with heavy make-up, as long as you don't end up looking like a drag queen (even Mana doesn't look like your regular drag queen). But dark eyeliner and lipstick look good with the darker colors of the dresses. For classic, 'nude' makeup fits the style really well. Wearing make-up is often a nice balance to the general childish look of lolita, and makes you avoid looking younger than you are.
Again, when you have a dress from a series it's easy. When your dress is homemade and has a pattern, try to find socks or tights with a similar design. For gothic and old school dresses, lace-topped socks look very good. Tights look good with gothic and classic too. In the summer, you can also wear netted tights with gothic or oldschool outfits for a different look. There are more sweet lolita tights nowadays as well, from sweet brands themselves, holley tea time, taobao shops or fairy kei brands.
For the shoes, platform heels, boots or wedges will look best with gothic and old school. Flat shoes or cute chunky heels/boots will look best with sweet lolita, especially in pastel colors for ott sweet. For classic lolita elegant heels or boots will look best. Most lolita's are against replicas, but since shoes scuff very easily, brand shoes are expensive and of a limited size, it will really benefit your outfit to have shoes that are a replica from the brand you are wearing.
8. Jewelry
Whether your outfit is over the top lolita or just 'regular' or more casual, it is not complete without jewelry! Jewelry adds a great finishing touch. Silver, gold and bronze (looking) jewelry looks best with gothic, classic and oldschool, while gold or silver in cute shapes combined with pastel or bright plastic jewelry looks best with (ott) sweet. Try to look for jewelry that fits the style of the brand or fabric of the dress you are wearing.
9. Make-up
For sweet lolita, most say you don't need much make-up. Others say you need circle lenses, fake lashes and a heavy layer of foundation. I'm not a big fan of circle lenses and fake lashes myself, but I'm sure they will improve the overall lolita-look. For myself, I prefer cute pink blush, lots of mascara (with a mascara primer underneath) and eye shadow in pastel colors, sometimes lipgloss and a little bit of concealer. Rhinestones can look cute too. For gothic lolita, you can go crazy with heavy make-up, as long as you don't end up looking like a drag queen (even Mana doesn't look like your regular drag queen). But dark eyeliner and lipstick look good with the darker colors of the dresses. For classic, 'nude' makeup fits the style really well. Wearing make-up is often a nice balance to the general childish look of lolita, and makes you avoid looking younger than you are.
10. A cute bag
Again, when your dress/skirt is from a series that also has a matching bag it's easy , and if you made the dress/skirt yourself you can sew a matching tote bag. However, in other cases a solid bag in the style of your dress or skirt works very well. Especially from the same brand or a replica of it.
Again, when your dress/skirt is from a series that also has a matching bag it's easy , and if you made the dress/skirt yourself you can sew a matching tote bag. However, in other cases a solid bag in the style of your dress or skirt works very well. Especially from the same brand or a replica of it.
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