#budget lolita
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If anyone is wondering, this tutorial to make this skirt is still a method that works. Both those links are from wayback machine captures from a time before Photobucket betraying us all and deleting pictures.
Yes, I'm still mad about that.
Anyway, in the spirit of seeing if budget lolita was still doable in 2023, here we go with a cost breakdown:
>Main skirt fabric was a $10 walmart 4-yard precut; enough fabric to make waist ties not pictured here
>Skirt is fully lined with a polyester bedsheet I got for $1 at a surplus store
>The bow lace was part of a bulk purchase, ended up costing 21cents a yard. Skirt probably has 6-8 yards of lace on it. The little vertical strips were scraps from another project. Back shirring on skirt is 1/4" elastic, which covid conveniently made super cheap.
>I didn't have the zipper on hand, so I had to buy one for $1 at walmart. As anyone who has been on Wawak knows, that's massively overpaying for zippers.
This skirt is 3" longer and a few sizes larger than the one in the post. I had to make a new cutting layout for the skirt, and it took a fair bit of additional fabric. In addition, to save on fabric width, the "side seams" on this are actually a little bit farther back than the side of the skirt. I cut the back of the skirt to full fabric width, and then added the adjustment for the fullness into the side front pieces. Clarice, who wrote the original tutorial, mentions that the person she made it for was very small, so I sized it up a little bit.
I make sketches like this as I go for personal reference, but maybe it'll be helpful.
In the spirit of livejournal, I "clarified" my sketch by making it more confusing in GIMP.
(Your pieces you need to cut will be back: 44"x19.5", cut 1. Side Front, 22"x19.5", cut 2. Center Front, 15"x25.5", cut 1. Frills, 5.5"x44", cut 9 or 10).
So, when we get into it, yeah, if you have a good design (or can copy a good design) and you're willing to put some time into it, you can still do a budget lolita skirt for under $20 of materials, if you're careful. I'm mostly making this post to save which archive.org captures are the ones with working pictures.
(It also helps if you don't mess up on the waistband so many times that it slowly shrinks into a 1" waistband.)
Fun fact: the trim on the ends of the waist ties may or may not be because I hemmed them sloppily and the hem came up bubbly, and zigzagging some lace onto the bottom handily covered up the bubbling. One of the advantages about knowing a decent amount about lolita fashion is that you can look at things and go, "Yeah, if I added x here, it'd be fine," and knowing enough about sewing to go, "yeah, if I do x cheat here, it'll look better" and being able to put the two together and go, "hey, if I cheat here, it'll still look lolita!" It's a good feeling.
Anyway, if anyone else has ever used Clarice's tutorial to make a skirt, I'd love to see it! This is my second time using it, but the last time was almost a decade ago at this point, and I think I've improved a lot since then.
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Of course I started my period while recovering from pneumonia while another hurricane passes through
ANYWAY
While continuing to be on bed rest today I made a GLB piece with images from the first issue. I honestly love how it came out and I'm happy I let myself be a lil' weird with it.
I kind of want it on a shirt to make a cutsew from, so I uploaded it to my redbubble and I'm honestly in love with how it looks on everything (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)
If you want to grab any of 'em, remember that it's helping me financially recover from being out of work sick 🥲
https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/The-Holy-Bible-by-mamawolf9013/131371998.IJ6L0
#lolita fashion#classic lolita#gothic lolita#gothic lolita bible#glb#gothic & lolita bible#budget lolita#lolitafashion#egl art#eglfashion#eglcommunity#egl fashion#egl community#egl#mana sama#Mitsukazu Mihara#lolita fashion art#old school lolita
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casual coord for walking around ╰(￣ω￣ｏ)
#me#my photos#egl#lolita fashion#egl fashion#gothic lolita#acdc rag#harajuku#shibuya 109#blouse are skirt are acdc rag#bow#socks and shoes are off brand#budget lolita
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Picked up a few more things on sale from Bodyline✌️ mostly I just wanted that bonnet and found some other things to add to the order to justify $30 shipping lol
but it never hurts to have more pieces I can wear to shows without fretting about getting splashed by a drink
#everything is a 70/30 cotton poly blend#it all feels pretty nice actually#the lace on the blouses isnt perfect but it's acceptable#particularly since the most expensive thing was the OP set at $33#egl#egl fashion#egl community#lolita#lolita fashion#bodyline lolita#budget lolita#jfashion
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My second coordinate test for #wintergeddon - I can't wait for con season to start up again! Can you tell I love these boleros?
KC: From Bodyline set
Blouse: Bodyline Jabot Blouse
Bolero: Little Dipper via 42lolita
Skirt: Bodyline Cinderella Bunny
Bag: Loris on Taobao
#sweet lolita#kawaii#cute#jfashion#pastel#fashion#bodyline#little dipper#Bolero#skirt#Harajuku#Cinderella Bunny#egl#Lolita fashion#budget lolita
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Lolita fashion tip 1
The best place to get jewelry is the thrift stores! They're cheaper, usually look more antique (perfect for classic), and not hard to find. Just don't hog all the cute stuff and leave some for others!
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Where to Start as a Plus Size Lolita (Part 6)
Budgeting and Saving for Lolita Fashion
If you’ve scrolled for a little bit, you’ve probably noticed how expensive some pieces can get, especially brand! That’s because many of these pieces are high quality and will last an extremely long time if taken care of right. From the print to the construction, there’s a lot of love and care put into the pieces. That’s why lolita is considered a slow fashion rather than a fast fashion (pieces pumped out by factory of lower quality). This means pieces, even second hand, will be more on the expensive side. This guide will help you understand the average prices of (new + brand) pieces and give you tips on how to save so you can build your wardrobe smartly!
Note: prices will be in Yen (¥) and USD ($) and tend to fluctuate due to the invisible force called the economy! Prices are subject to change but the general idea will be the same!
(This will be a long one.)
୨୧ Buying Smartly ୨୧
Buy pieces you really really love
- Keep a list of your favorite pieces! Don’t just buy something you only kinda like. This will keep you from buying pieces impulsively. If you don’t know if you absolutely love a piece, sleep on it! When you see it again, will you feel the same?
Buy coherent pieces for a coherent wardrobe
- Like the last point, keeping a coherent list somewhere like Pinterest or a notes app or a wardrobe app to keep track of the pieces you want/need. Neutral colors like white and black are your best friends and go with anything!!! You do not need brand tights/socks and can easily get plain colored ones from Walmart, target, Amazon, or any grocery store/clothing store near you at a very cheap price for good quality.
Capsule Wardrobes save money
- Especially if you are just starting out, make a capsule wardrobe! This will include versatile items in matching colors in pieces like JSKs or skirts, neutral colored blouses and socks/tights, a petticoat (you only really need the one), a head piece or two, and shoes. You will be able to mix and match and get the absolute most out of your wardrobe!
Second hand is ok!
- Second hand can sometimes be a cheaper option! Stains, missing buttons, wrinkles, and other small defects can be an opportunity to find an item for cheap and put in a little elbow grease in exchange for saving some money.
Stick with one style
- If you are just starting out, sticking with one sub genre and even color palette will help save money. Whether it’s pastels, muted colors, or plain black, this will help you have an easier time coordinating and deciding which pieces to spend money on.
A note:
Please pay off any debts or outstanding charges before you start buying lolita. Your necessities will always come first. Lolita is a luxury fashion, you do not need it to survive.
୨୧ Saving money ୨୧
If you are a Minor (and/or do not have a job):…
You probably do not have a steady source of income, and that’s ok. Understand that it will take a bit longer to acquire pieces until you get a job or a steady source of income. Please do not resort to buying knock offs, it is disrespectful and it’s art theft, and we do not like art thieves. There are cheaper options other than Brand™️ like indie, Taobao, and second hand! (Yes, even if you’re plus sized!) Buying lolita fashion takes time. People have spent YEARS building their wardrobes and waiting patiently for the right pieces, you are doing just fine.
Save up and set aside any money that comes your way. Whether that be birthday money, coins you save in a jar to take to the bank for cash, or maybe the lucky days you find some on the ground or in your pocket. Your savings will start off small but that’s ok!
Keep what money you have in a safe place to avoid spending on something impulsively.
To keep you from spending what little lolita savings you have, try organizing a cash envelope (this applies to anyone obviously) or binder. They’re very helpful for organizing your savings into different categories and keeps you from spending what you’re trying to save. If you are the type to not use cash when spending money, this will be a perfect way to keep you from dipping into your lolita fund.
Putting in 10-30$ of cash in every couple of weeks or whenever you get gift money adds up and adds up A LOT.
If you are an adult (and/or have a job + steady source of income):…
Then you’ll be able to save quicker and will be able to probably acquire pieces quicker. My previous advice about a cash binder/envelope still 100% applies, but instead take a portion of each paycheck where you know you won’t be in any financial trouble and set that aside. Honestly, even with minimum wage you’ll have enough for a decent coord second hand/indie in a few months!
Also, the bank you use may have a savings account program in place. For example… my bank will take a selected portion of my paycheck and put it in a separate savings account. Then I use that to pay for my pieces.
Now, obviously everyone’s job is different and pay is different too. Please make sure you are setting enough money aside for necessities and emergencies + paying off debts before you indulge in this luxury hobby.
One last thing…
Please please PLEASE set aside money for shipping. If you are buying overseas, shipping is EXTREMELY expensive regardless of the country you’re buying from. Setting aside an extra 40-80$ will save you pain in the long run. Also if you are buying overseas, try to buy in bulk on ONE website to save on shipping all around. (Ex. Taobao/JP auction proxies).
Don’t be like me and spend 45$ shipping on a 30$ worth of Taobao accessories…
୨୧ Average Prices ୨୧
If you want to buy brand, lucky for you, pieces tend to stay around the same price! With some slight increase in recent years due to inflation and yen prices dropping, pieces tend to stay around the same price (when buying new!).
Angelic Pretty and Baby the Stars Shine Bright have similar prices. I’ll be separating and averaging out how much each piece in your coordinate will cost if you buy it brand new. (AS OF 2023)
Note/Advice:
1. Don’t buy petticoats from brand, it’s just not worth it. I will not be including them in the price run down. But please do save ~20-60$ for a petticoat.
2. You do not have to buy only brand. In fact, I encourage you to buy from other places as well. However, the prices vary so much it’ll be hard to give an accurate average, so please go through my previous guides and do research on brands featured.
Angelic Pretty ୨୧ Baby the Stars Shine Bright average Prices
Blouses -> ¥20,000 - $140
Main Pieces
- JSK -> ¥38,800 - $270
- SK -> ¥28,600 - $200
- OP -> ¥47,000 - $330
Legwear
- Socks -> ¥3,300 - $25
- Tights -> ¥3,800 - $27
- Shoes -> ¥17,500 - $125
Outer Wear
- Cardigans -> ¥18,400 - $130
- Coats -> ¥50,000 - $350
Accessories
- Headwear -> ¥5,500 - $40
- Rings -> ¥3,800 - $26
- Necklaces -> ¥6,000 - $40
- Parasol -> ¥ 6,500 - $45
Hopefully this helps you understand how much you will be needing save up and how much time it will take for you to build up your wardrobe. Second hand of course, is always an option but this gives you an idea of the value these dresses hold when brand new.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
#lolita#plus size lolita#sweet lolita#plus size sweet lolita#sweet ollie tag#classic lolita#angelic pretty#btssb#guide#where to start as a plus size lolita#gothic Lolita#budgeting#long post#money#financial
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the talent show qualifications i was in were so funny though. i was the only afab contestant and the only one dressed vaguely gender-conformingly
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If there’s one thing I know about the egl girlies in style savvy is that they never let me down budget wise and I never let them down outfit wise
#style savvy#egl community#egl#lolita fashion#gothic lolita#I love when they come into my boutique because now I have all the creative freedom I could ever want with their outfits#without worrying about the budget#I freaking love style savvy#Nintendo
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The formal military attire was nice actually.
#gundam wing#reminded me the next time i have budget for a comm i'd like to get iori in that asymmetric magical knight lolita outfit#apparently i didn't save that outfit's post only the red version image
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anyway i love lolita fashion <3 i wish everyone was normal about it
#eli.txt#can and will ramble abt lolita at all times if prompted#love lolita wish i had the budget to do it myself
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We're going to have to have the talk again. It's been a couple of years, so let's bring back one of the big reminders:
There's a lot of different ways that people choose to spend money on lolita, and someone isn't inferior just because of how much they choose to spend. Some people don't have the means to afford an expensive wardrobe, and that doesn't impact if they deserve to wear lolita.
And to everyone reading this and going, "Yeah! Those AP clones wearing nothing but Brand aren't any better than me!!" you are correct. However, that's not the complete viewpoint here.
You, the budget lolita, are also not any better than the AP clones. They are not your enemy, and their existence is not inherently oppressing you.
I've spent many years trying to create a part of the budget lolita community that is based on accepting others limitations and helping them find resources to allow them to experience lolita despite those limitations. It's about sharing information that is making lolita more accessible to everyone by learning how to work necessary but unconventional elements into coordinates. We gather together because we've learned that we want a community where our outfits are loved despite being different, and where we know that questions aren't going to be answered with, "Well, you'll just never get this right, because you don't have enough money for x."
There is no part of that that is reliant on disliking people from being different from us. I did start this partly out of frustration that there weren't resources that I needed to do lolita in an inexpensive way, and out of frustration that when I looked for these resources, I was told that there was no demand for them. I got frustrated with individual people and specific groups of people who were not willing to understand my problem.
But something very important that I learned is that most people in the non-budget lolita community are not accepting of budget lolita out of ignorance, and not out of malice. They're not objecting to your viewpoint, just that they've never considered or had success with attempting to do the thing you're trying to do.
Sometimes, it feels like the lolita world is stacked against you. When done conventionally, it can be a very expensive hobby. When done unconventionally, you have to ignore a lot of advice that can't apply to you, and then you still have to meet the same standards as the people who have a completely different way of making an acceptable coordinate. Being frustrated with this is completely normal! I got so frustrated that I started this entire blog. And now we have a community of people, which is so great. It's a community where we encourage and educate other people who need help trying to reach that same standard without any of the normal tools. We look after each other and we encourage each other and I love that so much.
But you've to learn that other people coming at the same problem from a different angle are not your enemy, any more than you are to them. When you communicate with the mainstream lolita community, you're going to make friends who wear all AP every day and wash their faces with Enchantlic Enchantily wash cloths before they go to bed. You're going to make friends with people who have spent $600 on a dress. And this is good, because you're not any better than they are. You're actually going to find that a lot of AP clones and Brand Whōres are going to be impressed with your $19 JSK, not repulsed by it. To someone who only buys clothes, the fact that you can just make something similar using just your own skills is very impressive, and is not a competition.
So don't treat the world like it's Budget vs Burando. The lolita community is too small for you to reject someone just based on what they wear. You're going to find petty and bitter people across every lolita price point, so don't go judging by coordinate when you can judge by what kind of person they are. Don't accidentally exclude someone who might be great just because they've had the chance to decide to spend $40 on a pair of socks.
#lolita fashion#budget lolita#diy lolita fashion#20dollarlolita#20dollarlolita pep talks#budget vs burando would be a good youtube series
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I keep researching gyaru substyles and i rlly love the agejo and himekaji styles.. i love kogal too but i feel like im a bit old for it.. id wear it occasionally tho but i dont think i want it to be my main style
#im tryna break into lolita fashion too but im still like lost on where to start#ik its possible on a budget but it still feels overwhelming and gyaru feels more doable atm 😵💫#ive also wanted to be gyaru since i was like. 14
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I rarely wear classic style lolita, but this Bodyline skirt is absolutely stunning! It ended up being more Otome than intended, but I still love the vibe. Also, this whole coord is under 60 NZD (excluding shipping, but I buy in bulk anyway.)
Blouse: Vintage thrifted
Skirt: Bouquet High Waist Corset Skirt (L353)
Shoes: HoneyCherry / Sosic Shop
Beret: Glassons
Tights, Bag: Offbrand from the mall
PS: if you check my Instagram @whoisashleigh, there’s a bonus photo of my cat photobombing this shoot ;)
#budget lolita#egl#jfashion#classic lolita#floral#bodyline#vintage#thrifted#sosic shop#glassons#angelic pretty#corset skirt#l353#kawaii#cute#selfie#lolita#elegant gothic lolita#pink#otome#otome kei#dolly kei#tea party
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Roji Roji has to be the most underrated brand in all of egl. I mean, like, have you seen those jelly bean socks??? I got them in two colors. I never get ANYTHING in two colors.
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International Lolita Day 2023
instagram
#lolita#eyeglasses#italy#fashion#mantova#Lipstick#Lolita on a budget#Cheap buy cute#Buy on eBay#Lolita fashion#Egl community#Lolita community#Instagram
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