Lolita Fashion: More Than Shopping and Dressing Up

Hello everyone! I am falling hard back into lolita fashion after more than a year of hiatus! However, I have spent a lot of time and money shopping lately as I haven't been able to dress up. This made me think: what can I do with lolita fashion that doesn't involve shopping or dressing up? I created this list in hopes it can help you and me!

I tried to make this list as lone-lita friendly as possible (as I am a lone-lita). There are a few suggestions that involve more than one person, but the majority of the list should be things you can do by yourself or as a group. I hope you enjoy it!

1. Plan coordinates. Look here to get inspiration for categories. Thank you Fluffy Tori!
2. Create flatlays and/or dress up your mannequin
3. Organize your wardrobe
4. Photograph your wardrobe and make a digital version
5. Clean items and remove stains
6. Reflect on your previous coordinates. How would you make them better? Would you wear them again?
7.  Plan your next lolita outing. What will you wear? What will you do? Where will you go?
8. Prioritize your wardrobe. Then, list any unwanted or infrequently used items on a second hand sales platform
9. Style your wigs (if you have any)
10. Create your own accessories
11. Find inspiration for your coords on social media, in magazines, or wherever you enjoy most
12. Chat with EGL friends
13. Join an EGL Facebook group or Discord server
14. Make/organize your wishlist
15. Make a scrapbook of your previous coords. Decorate it with cute stickers, tape, and souvenirs! If you don't have any cute stickers or souvenirs, doodle in colorful pens, crayons, or markers
16. Dewrinkle/steam items
17. Create a lolita fashion blog or update it if you have one
18. Organize/update your lolita social media account if you have one. Should your bio or links be updated? Are there any photos you want to delete or archive?
19. Edit photos of coords for scrapbooking or posting
20. Make a list of places you want to visit/events you want to attend in lolita
21. Plan a tea party (virtual or in person)
22. Plan a twinning with friends
23. Practice doing makeup/your hair in cute styles
24. Do your nails in a cute color/style (maybe match your favorite dress!)
25. Layout a coordinate in a style/color you don't normally work with (or with a piece you don't commonly wear)
26. Find a wardrobe challenge and answer the questions/prompts
27. Practice walking in your most difficult shoes
28. Mend pieces, i.e. any rips, tears, loose buttons, etc.
29. Practice styling accessories
30. Clean out your bag(s) and load them with lolita friendly essentials (makeup, tissues, water bottle, bolero, etc.)

Feel free to add your own ideas to this list as well! Be creative and have fun!

With love,

Poppy

How To Make The Most of Lace Market

Lace Market is a selling platform specifically designed for lolita fashion. You can find both new and second hand items here. It's a great sustainable place to shop in my experience! Whether you are new or experienced with this platform, I hope this information can be helpful to you.

Lace Market logo (Credit: Lace Market Circlly)

1. Use the filters (especially with a key word)

In my experience, I've learned that filters are your best friend when browsing Lace Market. There are so many filters to choose from and you can use them in combination. Some of my favorites are color, seller location, and price.

You can turn on filters via "Advanced Search" (no search term required) or "Filter Results" (search term required).

I recommend selecting no more than three filters per search. If you select more than three, your search may be too narrow and you may not find the items you seek. In contrast, too few or no filters may cast the net too far so to speak. If you find your searches producing too little or too many results, try adjusting your filters.

I also love using filters plus key words. My personal favorite is "strawberry" (no surprise there) with color, location, and price filters on. Try this yourself! Search a motif you are looking for (bunny, toy, perfume, etc.), select your filters, and search. You may be surprised at what comes up!

2. Look for the "Make Me An Offer!" button

This button is often very subtle or not present in most listings. However, this button is your friend when you can find it. (It can be found in lavender lettering to the upper left of the "Place Bid/Buy It Now" buttons.)

This means that the seller is open to negotiation! Before messaging the seller, be sure to draft a polite offer. Below is a sample I tend to use when offering:

Title: (Item Name) Offer (or Inquiry)

Hello! I am interested in your (item name). May I offer (desired price)? Thank you for your consideration!

Additionally, be respectful. Low balling is disrespectful to both the seller and yourself. Always review the terms of sale of the seller before sending your offer as sellers may have unique terms regarding negotiations. If they refuse, thank them and move on. It may be upsetting, but it is the best course of action.

I've only worked up the courage to offer recently. My first attempt worked and I hope it works for you! You may be able to negotiate a great price for a dream item!

3. Visit the Lolibrary links if they are provided

The Lolibrary links have saved me a few items from purchasing prints/cuts I didn't necessarily like (they can have better quality photos of the print/design than the seller), but most importantly, items that would not fit me.

Sometimes sellers display the print but not the size to hook you. I've found two early 2010s AP skirts that I would love to own, only to look at the Lolibrary links and find that they would not fit me. Neither seller listed the measurements in their listings, so I'm glad I took a look and didn't end up disappointed.

You can also look at the original listed price of the item to make sure you aren't being scalped or excessively overcharged for an item.

If you like the print but don't like the cut, you can also search Lolibrary for a different cut of the print to add to your wishlist.

4. Use the "Watch This" button

The "Watch This" button is basically the "you're too expensive to buy now but I'd love to buy you if you're less expensive later" button. Or, it is the "I'm not entirely sure I can commit to you but I'll keep you in mind for later". Perfect for both scenarios!

Lace Market with send you emails about price drops for watched items. Furthermore, all watched items become part of a private list just for you that shows you the time left in the auction, the price and price drop (if applicable), and if the item is ever sold/unsold.

It's really a great feature for everyone of any budget and style!

5. Browse "price drops" and "ending soon" categories

My logic: price drops and ending soon auctions will likely have sellers who are more willing to negotiate. These categories can both be found if you scroll down on the home page. You might also find some great deals! Be careful, though, and don't make offers to anyone who lists in their listings and/or terms of sale that they are not open to offers.

Even if you can't afford the item, put it on your watch list for later. Then, when the seller relists it, you will be notified on the chance the price drops. In my experience, not every auction but a good amount of them drop prices on relists. Then you can snatch it up!

Bonus: Use saved searches

Saved searches saves time and button pressing. If you find that you search something frequently, set it as a "saved search". Saved searches are stored on your account so you can easily click two buttons versus five or more setting filters. You can choose whether to be notified or not, and Lace Market will send you emails on your set schedule (from daily every three months, I believe) containing the results from your saved search.

I sincerely hope these tips and tricks help you! I wish you all your dream pieces at the right price just for you <3

With love,

Poppy

Mail Day! 💌

Last Thursday after work, I didn't expect my new dress to arrive. My sister texted me that she had to sign for a box with my name on it, so I assumed it must be this beauty. It was! Behold my first Angelic Pretty dress: Little Bunny Strawberry OP in yellow!

Of course I couldn't resist this beauty when I found it on Lace Market in my desired colorway and design motifs at a great price. The condition was listed as very good but honestly, the fabric is so crisp and like new feeling that I would have guessed it was brand new. I'm so pleased with it!

The owner also included the original ribbon waist tie and choker which I'm super happy to have. I never expected Angelic Pretty prints to be so crisp! Probably the cleanest detail work I have ever seen on a lolita dress so far. There are so many beautiful small details (including strawberry lace!!!) that add to the whole aesthetic of the dress.

I absolutely can't wait to wear it!!

My second piece of mail came last night. I was so tired that I didn't go out to get it until it was almost dark. But it was worth it!

This is a Physical Drop overblouse I also purchased from Lace Market. It's super cute, but I have to admit that I am a little disappointed in the color of the fabric. The seller claimed it was ivory. To me, it looks like a yellow-ish cream. It was not the color I was expecting.

When I went back and looked at the listing, I noticed that this blouse was originally released in 2011. If this blouse is from 2011, it is in remarkable condition for its age and I would expect a little yellowing. However, I wish the seller captured the color of the blouse more accurately in the listing pictures. Here is the picture of the cold white bows on the blouse versus the true color.

I hope I can coordinate it well despite the odd color. I think I'm being a little picky; it is in excellent condition and the seller was very nice. However, as an artist, color is very important to me. I hope I can love it as I begin to coordinate it the way it deserves to be.

That's all for today! Have a great day everyone! <3

With love,

Poppy

Pardon The Mess!

Hello SC&SB readers! Please excuse the clutter as I renovate my blog. I have not worked on this project since 2022. Now that it is 2025, both myself and my fashion knowledge have grown. I would like to update this blog to reflect this.

Please pardon the mess as things are moved around, changed, and updated! A new, better blog is coming!

With love,

Poppy