Review: Souffle Song Crystal Palace OP in Light Blue

Originally posted on my previous blog website. Mildly edited to fix the formatting and a typo.

Stock photo by Souffle Song/Neverland Lolita.

The light blue OP from Souffle Song's Crystal Palace series had been a dream of mine even before I considered joining the lolita community. Therefore, after more than a year-and-a-half of scouring the internet for this piece, I was thrilled to find it on Lace Market for a very reasonable price!

Now that I have received the piece in the mail, I have decided to review it in this post. Enjoy!

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Ordering Process

I purchased this piece on Lace Market (egl.circlly.com). Since Lace Market is a selling platform for second-hand lolita items, it is similar to eBay. You have to create a verified account to list items as well as place bids. To verify your account, first create it. Due to the pandemic, the way verification works has been changed: you now have to contact the moderators of Lace Market via their email or Facebook page to do so.If you find an item you like, most either have the option to "place a bid" or "buy it now". It is pretty self-explanatory. If you bid, please be aware you may be outbidded or someone may be willing to pay the "buy it now" price, nulling your bid and you end up losing the item. In this case, even though I was the only bidder, I wanted the piece so much that I decided to "buy it now".After I won the auction, I waited for the seller to contact me via the website's messaging system. Once we agreed on the final price, she sent me an invoice via PayPal which I paid the same day. The dress was shipped a day later.

Cost

This OP was listed for $70 USD bidding, $80 USD buy it now. Since I purchased it via "buy it now", the total cost for the dress and shipment was $90 USD (app. €78, £70, or ¥9,653 as of 7/21/20): $80 for the dress and $10 for priority shipping. The shipping cost was low because both the seller and I live in the United States. In comparison to another website where the dress was brand new, I saved approximately $30 USD plus shipping. That's pretty good if you ask me!

Design

The Crystal Palace OP is a sweet style piece features an empire waist, long sleeves, doll collar, lace hemline, and detachable waist ribbon. There is no tag that states the material, but the seller stated that the sleeves and collar are chiffon and the rest of the dress feels like the same material, so I would conclude it is chiffon. It is also lined.

Faux pearls are attached on the front bodice to give the illusion of buttons framed by lace. Heart lace detailing additionally runs vertical up the bodice, curving just under the top pearl and running towards the sleeves. On the right side of the dress lies an invisible zipper and pearlescent shank button that holds a detachable ribbon. There is a matching button on the left side. On the back of the bodice, there are loop holes for a ribbon to thread through, but the dress did not come with the original ribbons.

The design and color are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I would describe it as a warm-toned seafoam blue. It doesn't match the common colorways of mint or sax despite the similar color range; it is a tone all its own. The print includes drawings of stringed pearls, jellyfish, conch shells, waves, and coral. If you look closely, delicately designed bubbles are abundant as well.

The collar and sleeves of the piece are translucent, the former being framed by lace. The sleeves have elastic bands in the wrist and flow out in a cascade of ruffles. When the top layer of the dress is viewed without the lining, it also gives a translucent view.

Overall, I would describe the dress as flowing, crisp, and delicate design combined into a single piece that perfectly mimics a calm ocean breeze in the early morning.

Quality

From my observations, I would say the quality of this dress is above average.The fabric is delicate, but it doesn't seem like it would tear or rip easily, the lace is none too thin nor thick, and the print is clearly visible. There also doesn't seem to be any misprints, loose threads, pulls, or other mistakes. Hence, no complaints here!

The only concern I have is about the attachment style of the button and pearls, but I will go more into detail about that below.

Fit

Size chart via Devil Inspired.
I purchased this piece in size XL. However, the lister on Lace Market warned that despite the product measurements, she believed that the dress would not be comfortable to wear if you have a bust ≥98 cm (38.58 in). I am unsure if this is due to a manufacturing error or a washing error (perhaps is was washed in hot water and shrunk). I have a bust of 96 cm, so I figured it would be okay. Luckily, it proved to fit like a glove.However, I feel it would be a tad more comfortable is it wasn't an empire waist dress. I have a Western body type, so my waist aligns with all lolita dresses deemed "low waist". The Crystal Palace's waist, however, doesn't even reach the bottom of my chest due to its waist style. However, I love it so much that I can overlook this.

Criticism

I don't have a lot of criticism about this piece, but a few things did bother me other than the empire waist. When I tried the dress on for the third time (just to model in it because it was so pretty), I head a horrendous POP...then a small tinkling noise as something hit the floor.It turned out to be a button on the side that holds the ribbon on the back of the dress. I wasn't overly concerned because it wasn't a button that held the dress together, but disappointed that on the third try-on, it broke. There was only a single thread attaching it to the dress. So, I resew the button and I think I did a pretty good job for someone who has never sewn in their life. (Thank you YouTube!)

This might also have to do with me being the third owner of the dress (i.e. wear and tear), but the individual I purchased it from claimed that out of herself and the previous owner, the dress was only worn twice. I'm not exactly sure what caused it, but I'm happy it's fixed.

Another small little quirk is the right side of the collar: it doesn't seem to stay flat. However, in the original stock photo, it looks like that side of the collar isn't flat either, so I consider it a unique quality of the dress. Other than that, I don't have much to say.

Conclusion

This OP is beautiful and I am very pleased with it. I am especially impressed with the design. If you would like it for yourself, keep your eyes open, because this piece is worth every penny and a perfect addition to any sweet wardrobe!

With love,

Poppy
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Ten Things a Beginner Lolita Should Know

Originally posted on my previous blog website. Mildly edited for formatting and grammatical errors.Update 4/25/22: Added further readings (see bottom of post!)Update 5/6/22: Edited sections 4 (know where to shop) and 9 (buying offbrand, second hand, and replicas).

Image Credit: Arno Smit on Unsplash

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If you are just starting to enter the lolita community, I know how intimidating it may seem at first. You may feel lost, confused, and unsure of where to start. But fear not! I have compiled a list of ten things beginner lolitas should be aware of before starting their lolita fashion journey. Even if you are an experienced EGL member, I would recommend you read this just as a reminder or refresher. Enjoy, and I really hope this helps!

1. You will receive stares.

This is a fact that I have had to get used to over the past year. It is very uncomfortable for me and I know it is not easy to ignore, but honestly, who cares what other people think? You are not hurting anyone. You should dress for yourself to make yourself happy. Just go on with your day and ignore them.

2. People won't know what to say.

Sometimes you will get the "gape and stare". For example, you walk into a store and are greeted by an employee. You kindly respond, and instead of listening they begin to look you up and down. After a minute, they say, "I like your outfit."

Personally, I believe the best response would be to thank them and move on. It doesn't seem necessary to stay and explain what you are wearing. Simply be polite and move on. Like mentioned before, you dress for yourself and not others, so don't always feel the need to explain yourself.

3. You will be asked for photos (or not).

Lolita fashion is quite unique in the view of outsiders. Therefore, people asking for photos is not an uncommon occurrence. These situations can turn sour quickly (depending on who is asking you), so I believe the best way is to politely refuse unless the person seems harmless enough. Most people should understand and leave you alone.

However, there is a small percentage of individuals who will be very insistent and rude. They may try to provoke you with statements such as, "You dress like that because you want attention, obviously" or "If you weren't so self-centered, you'd let me have a photo". Don't listen to them. It is best to refuse and quickly walk into a public area or store to lose them. And if they take a photo of you without your permission, don't confront them as you do not know their intentions. It is best to let karma take care of that situation. A sticker or sign that you can easily pull out that says "No Photos/Video" may be useful for those type of situations. I have seen girls put similar signs on fans and use them to cover their faces whenever people are attempting to take photos without permission.

I have also heard the occasional occurrence of upskirt photos. An easy way to prevent this is a fluffy petticoat and bloomers. As it is a staple for lolitas to wear petticoats, peeping eyes should not be able to see more than a bunch of fabric. But for extra security, I always wear some form of shorts or bloomers just in case.

4. Know where to shop.

Lolita fashion is expensive, so knowing where to shop can save you a lot of time and money. Also, when researching shops, make sure it is a site you can trust. Here are some general things I always look for:
PayPal: I never shop at lolita fashion websites that do not accept PayPal, especially when the shipments are from overseas. If you do not receive your package or believe that they stole your money, you can file a dispute with the company. Additionally, if they do not respond, I believe PayPal may refund you up to a certain amount.
Email Address/Shipping Address: Be wary of any website whose contact or customer service email ends in "gmail.com". ANYONE can make a Gmail account. Additionally, companies will usually provide a street address where their company is located or where they ship from. If no address is provided, I would recommend taking your business elsewhere.
I recommend reading my post Where to Buy Lolita Fashion as well as "Shopping Websites to Avoid" under further readings at the bottom of this post if you have the time. We can go into more detail there!

Furthermore, I found that a big problem within my first year of lolita was the impulse to buy, buy, buy. I saw other lolitas with absolutely huge wardrobes and felt I needed to build my own quickly. My advice: don't stress to build your wardrobe quickly or impulse buy, you will likely regret it later. Take your time, be patient, and buy pieces that you feel drawn or connected to. Build a wardrobe that you are proud of. It may take three, five, seven, or more than ten years to do so, but I promise it is completely worth it.

5. Be confident.

It is, without a doubt, easier said than done. When society had a view of what is typical and not typically considered "fashion", lolita falls under the atypical. Yet, despite the clothes you are wearing, the most beautiful thing is a confident person under those clothes. Be confident in what you are wearing. You don't have to parade around and proclaim your undying loyalty to Angelic Pretty, but just be happy in what you are wearing and don't let other tell you not to. Your confidence can also help others discover their own passions: if they see you being confident in your own skin, they could very well be encouraged to be themselves too. It's a win-win for everyone.

6. Don't be afraid to tell people the explanation behind lolita fashion.

There is a right time and place to explain about lolita fashion. I am always a bit hesitant to explain that I am wearing "lolita", as I believe most people would connect it to the 1950s novel. However, if people genuinely ask, it is important to explain it a little bit. You could briefly state the origin of the fashion and the goals of wearing it. For example, "I am wearing lolita fashion! It has no relation to the 1950s novel, though. It is a style that is inspired by Rococo France and Victorian England." Even a simple explanation such as that teaches others tolerance and keeps others more informed. I believe tolerance is an essential skill to learn, especially in regards to appearances, so informing others is doing your part in establishing such safety.

7. How do you "respect the fashion"?

I was quite conflicted when one of the lolita accounts I follow on Instagram made the claim to "respect the fashion". She claimed that lolita should not be worn to do daily activities such as errands, for work, etc. because it is immature and disrespectful. However, I believe this is largely untrue. Why can't you wear your favorite piece to make boring errands a little more enjoyable? What's more fun than dressing in lolita and going shopping to look at cute things? And, if your work dress code allows it, why not wear it for casual days? Yet, I do agree that the fashion deserves respect in the sense of execution and planning. I would avoid throwing on lolita because you have nothing else to wear and wearing lolita without properly caring for your skin/hair. You don't have to wear cakey makeup, but just making yourself look neat and tidy makes all the the difference in my opinion.

8. Big Brands vs. Indie Brands

I have this debate with myself constantly. However, which is truly better: big brands or indie brands? The truth is that each has their own advantages and disadvantages.

Big brands are popular, more recognizable, and have more attention. However, some major turn-offs for me include price as well as store policies. One popular lolita brand has the following policy currently in place:
"Cancellation will incur a suspension of your account, plus a 50% non-refundable administrative fee. Filing a dispute to reverse the result of a cancellation will incur permanent suspension on all future transactions, including special events and convention events with [Company Name Omitted], [Brand Name Omitted], and our affiliates."

That is extremely off-putting to me. What if I needed to cancel the order for a valid reason? I would not want to risk my future endeavors over one order. However, I would not fear these policies too much. As long as you follow their instructions and make sure that it is the right time and place to order, there should not be any issue.

As far as indie brands, I am a big fan of them. They are independent artists that make a living selling their pieces and, in my opinion, their designs are often much more beautiful than big brand pieces. Since they are smaller companies, production is also likely more sustainable and humane than other companies. For example, a lot of indie brands I am aware of produce their pieces on a made-to-order or preorder basis. Some brands I would check out include Lady Sloth (@ladyslothshop), Violet Fane (@violetfaneshop), Cotton Candy Feet (@cottoncandyfeet), and Lolita Collective (@lolitacollective). Moreover, Lolita Collective promotes numerous indie brands, so just searching their website under the "Brands" tab can help you find the indie brand that is perfect for you!

9. Buying Offbrand, Secondhand, and Replicas

I have a plentiful collection of offbrand pieces in my wardrobe. They are a great way to add a personal touch to your wardrobe, and I would highly recommend them. They're usually not expensive either.

Secondhand is a very sustainable and usually less expensive way to shop. It is amazing what you can find and give a second life to. I would recommend LaceMarket/EGL Circlly (www.egl.circlly.com) a main reference, since it is built for the lolita community by the lolita community, but Closet Child, Mercari, or similar may prove useful as well. Just be sure to read reviews and do your proper research on the seller and item first.

As far as replicas, I would avoid them all together. Replicas often have no connection with the original brand and all profits go to the person who replicated it. It is similar to someone copying a painting of another artist and then selling it for their own profit. It is not morally right. It is honestly better to support the original artist who created the work, even if it is quite expensive. Give them their right to creative ownership and privacy by only purchasing authentic pieces. I will admit, I own a replica myself and was originally attracted to it because the original piece was out of stock and it was a much lower price. However, I now feel guilty for not supporting that brand.

10. Have fun!

Most importantly, don't forget to have fun! Going to tea parties, planning coords, shopping, and hanging out with lolita friends can become some of your most memorable experiences. It is such a euphoric feeling to be around people who are similar to you and accept you. Life is too short to wear boring clothes. Go out and be yourself, because there is no one else like you!

With love,

Poppy
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Further Readings:
Shopping Websites to AvoidBeginner's Guide to Lolita FashionAnatomy of a Lolita CoordinateHow To Wear Lolita on a BudgetHow to Create a Coordinate