♥ Pairing Unusual Items With Lolita ♥

Note: I'm going to apologize if this article is a bit poorly written or worse than my other articles, as I'm currently under a lot of medication while writing this. Next week I have dental surgery and right now I'm on a multitude of pills.

One thing I'm a fan of, and I know for a fact other lolitas enjoy, is pairing unusual or non-lolita items with the fashion! The items can be anything from 'normal' fashion staples like leather jackets to vintage 1950s pieces or even . Today I'm going to give a few tips on how to make unusual items work with lolita!

Don't forget the colours of your outfit: Treat matching the item like you would any other item in the coordinate. It has to take a colour from your coordinate, whether it matches the base colour of your pain piece or pulls out a more subtle colour from your outfit.

When matching colours, avoid using your accessories to 'add' a colour into the coordinate. By adding colour without pulling it from the main pieces, it can make the accessories pop out too much and have the coordinate a bit 'off'. For example, if the item you're adding is black and the dress is a pastel print, adding black tights, wristcuffs, and accessories, everything will look a little off even if its masterfully balanced.


Make sure it matches the 'theme' or aesthetic of the outfit: The item has to flow with the outfit and look like it belongs. For example, a leather jacket fits well with punk, but would look out of place in sweet. In situations where the item doesn't match the 'look' of your outfit, you can always change it so that it does match! Any item can be fixed with a little ribbon, lace, paint or any sort of modification if done right.

[Source - MissAngelaLovesTheCute @ Tumblr]

Make the item noticeable: Try not to let the outfit overwhelm the item but also don't let the item be overwhelming. If your item is large and/or extravagant, try to pair it with an extravagant outfit. If your item is simple, try to keep the outfit simple. As well, you can make a simple or plain item more extravagant by adding to it, but you can't really make an extravagant item simple without heavy modification.

The example below is good, because the hat is kept balanced with the outfit by the large parasol. As well, the floral print of the dress matches the flowers of the hat, drawing it in. In addition, she could improve her outfit by adding a small feather pin to address the feather on the hat, and possibly lacey socks to balance it all together.

[Source - MyLolitaFantasy]

Pairing unusual items with lolita is a great experiment in coordinating and can be very fun! As well, it's a nice way of making your coordinates stand out! I hope you all enjoyed my tips and maybe even start experimenting by adding new things to the fashion! Who knows, you might make the next big trend!

♥ Lolita Hairstyles I'd Like to See More Often ♥

With lolita being a style with such diversity between designs, outfits, and substyles, I'm very surprised with the lack of different hairstyles. While I love the array of different curly and wavy styles that are commonly worn, (and I do love me some wavy, curly lolita hairstyles) I would really love to see a world of more varying lolita hairstyles! Here are a few favourite styles of mine that I personally would like to see paired with lolita more often.

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Despite the 'traditional' beginnings of lolita I think the boost of bright colours would look nice with the fashion. I love the look of using unnatural colours as highlights or an notable 'accent' colour, and not just the usual way it is done in sweet with the two-toned wigs that match the colour of the dress. It has been done before, with the punk and gothic substyles, but I do wish it was done more outside of the box with sweet lolita and other substyles!

[Source? - GLB? AP?]

[Source - B2C Umeda @ Rasysa]

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A style I absolutely love is when hair is brushed to one-side, especially in high-low updos. This style is fairly common with Gyaru, but I think it would look especially cute with lolita. I have seen it a few times with casual lolita outfits, but I do wish it was worn more with lolita. It's okay to break the symmetry associated with lolita outfits!

[Source - Mahaloa @ Rasysa]

[Source - Arena @ Rasysa]

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Another style I am very fond of, to be worn with lolita style or otherwise, are boyish short styles! While they work perfectly with ouji/kodona, they're hardly worn outside of that substyle. I think a pirate-loli with a pixie-cut or a sweet lolita with a prince-like head of wavy curls just sounds too cute! Though lolita may be traditionally an ultra-feminine style, I think short styles like these can work nicely in a feminine way as well!

[Source - HAIR SNOB @ Rasysa]

[Source - Za/Za Aoyama @ Rasysa]

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Lastly, a style that I absolutely adore, and wish was worn more often, would have to be afro lolitas!!! They can look downright silly if they're done the wrong way, but I just adore the look of an afro with lolita. In both natural and unnatural colours, afros are a super hairstyle that I think works very well for the fashion. I can understand wearing them could be a little bit daunting, especially if one doesn't have the natural hair for it, but I think it's a style well worth wearing!

[Source - Damare Kozou @ Yaplog]

[Source - SmileySquid @ Blogspot]

Some people think afros can be too costumey or clown-like, which I can understand how the style could come across like that. If an afro is too much, why not wear large, puffed out crimped hair? I think it could look very doll-like and cute!

[Source - Raffine @ Rasysa]

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Let me know what you think: Are my opinions a bit too wacky, or do you agree with my thoughts? In your opinion, what hairstyles do you think should be worn more often with lolita fashion?

♥ Music for Lolitas of Every Style ♥

I'm one of those people that likes to have music to fit everything about their day. I like to listen to fast paced songs when I'm driving, cutesy songs when I'm going for walks, and videogame music when I'm working out. (It keeps me pumped up, haha.) This makes me think though, could I have different music for when I'm wearing different styles of lolita?

When I think lolita bands, I think of the obvious. Moon Kana has modeled for the GLB multiple times, and sports lolita fashion regularly. Though her music can be very eclectic, she is indeed a representation of lolita fashion. Akira Takarano of ALI Project has made lolita part of her artistic style from the beginnings from the sweet, cute music the band started with  to their more recent darker, operatic works. But aside from those two, who else could represent our fashion suitably? 

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Music for A Sweet Lolita

Kanon Wakeshima - Known for [Skip Turn Step] [Still Doll] [Marmalade Sky]
In her music videos and albums Kanon usually wears lolita fashion or historically inspired frocks, so in that alone she's already great for fans of lolita. Her music is centered around the beautiful sounds of her cello playing, with peppy and cheerful (for the most part) lyrics. Her music is often lively and cute, though sometimes her music can be slow and serene. I think her music would also be suitable for classic lolita, but ultimately fits best with the styles of sweet.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Known for [Pon Pon Pon] [Invader Invader] [Furisodation]
For fans of 'kawaii', OTT, or all things creepy cute, Kyary is the best possible music to compliment your style. Kyary started as a fashion blogger, who wore various harajuku kei styles, including lolita fashion! With her cheerful lyrics and incredibly catchy tunes, it's hard not to sing along and dance along. Her creative and bizarre fashion and music videos are also a neat plus! 

YaoYao - Known for [Honey] [Tell The Love] [Free Love]
I first noticed Yao Yao for her adorable cover of KARA's song Honey, and her adorable use of Bodyline's lolita items in the music video. While her sexy look can be a bit off putting for some, her music is cute and sweet!

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Music for A Gothic Lolita

Kalafina - Known for [Red Moon] [Magia] [Lacrimosa]
With their powerful voices and beautiful melodies, these women are one of my favourite bands to listen to. Their musical has a classical instrument flair similar to Kanon Wakeshima, but their music has a much darker, gothic tone. Their music varies from loud rock to melancholic balads, and it's all enjoyable. These talented women are a must-listen, in my opinion.

Buck-Tick - Known for [Dress] [Romance] [Gessekai]
Now the hunky looks and smooth voice of the lead singer should be good enough of a reason to listen to this amazing jrock band their dark, gothic music is perfect for the gothic lolita. Buck Tick have been active for three decades, and are often credited as some of  the 'fathers of visual kei'. Over the years they have experimented with many different musical styles, including gothic, punk, darkwave and other music styles. This band is a real treat for those who are fans of gothic music, visual kei and anything in between.

Rasputina - Known for [1816, The Year Without Summer] [Gingerbread Coffin] [In Old Yellowcake]
This band is incredibly popular is gothic fashion circles, and there is no suprise why. Their music is gloomy, creepy, and thoroughly enjoyable. Their music is a interesting mix of classic instruments, modern electronic, and dark lyrics, but it comes together to make such an interesting and rich sound.

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Music for A Classic Lolita

Kokusyoku Sumire - Known for [Le Poison] [The Secret Tea Party] [Gekko Renka]
While they do often wear gothic lolita, their style is not explicitly lolita. Their big skirts, lace and frills combined with their unique style makes an interesting 'old country style' sister to lolita. Their music is so incredibly unique, mixing operatic singing, classic instruments (including an accordian) and their own sense of style. Their calming, and at times funny, music is wonderful to listen to, and flatters the classic lolita lifestyle very well.

Sucrette - Known for [Love Prologue] [Whistle and Love] [My Brilliant Summer]

Though I personally don't know much about the history of the artist, Sucrette has a sweet, lovely voice that is a joy to listen to. Her soft singing isn't overly sweet, and her musical style has a really nice, calm sound. It's the perfect music for laying in a bed of grass, staring at clouds.

Fleet Foxes - Known for [Montezuma] [Blue Ridge Mountains] [Mykonos]
These 'mountain men' are famous for their soothing indie folk sounds. They came to be known worldwide in 2008, and ever since they've been releasing their relaxing melodies worldwide. Their music may not stray from their slow pace and soft voices, but despite this it ranges from catchy upbeat tunes to slow and sad stories. Their lyrics are a blessing to listen to, with a poetic nature that is very enjoyable.

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I hope you all enjoyed my musical choices! Do you have any musicians that you think fit perfectly with lolita?
If you do, please leave a comment below!