/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>9700841
I'm gonna start.

How do I wear berets correctly?
I want them to look like on the right, but somehow I always end up with a 'plate'-like shape like on the left.

>>9700844
Different types of berets anon. Some are more 'structured' like the left. The one on the right just doesn't have the rim + shape of the left.

>>9700844
With ebay tier berets I have noticed folding the hem inside few times helps a ton with the look. But as other anon already said you just might have to invest into something better/different.

I ordered an item via a well know SS company and paid extra for their 'premium forwarding'. I paid extra tax and customs fees and the item arrived in perfect condition. .. but is the wrong size. Is it likely I'll get a refund or will I most likely have to open a PP claim?

How long do I have to wait to get a response from Bodyline? Or which e-mail adress is the correct one for questions regarding transactions?

I bought a dress from Bodyline on 11.11, when they had an unannounced(?) sale. I tried to get a new password for my account, but didn't receive a mail after 3 times. So I made a new account, bought the dress and paid for it.
Everything was fine until I noticed that I didn't get a confirmation mail after one day and the order status was already set on "complete" after I made it.

Since I wasn't quite sure whether the order made it through or not, I sent a mail to currently three different adresses (bodyline_4@shop.rakuten.co.jp, r@bodyline.co.jp, c@bodyline.co.jp), but didn't get a response yet, after 7-10 days. Am I fucked?

>>9700880
Make sure you specified the correct size first. If so, send a picture of the tag and inquire. Best to play nice at first.

>>9700881
>Response from bodyline ever

Anon they have no customer service. Wait a bit and see if you get a confirmation then just file a claim.

>>9700881
lol i bought something yesterday and didn't get a confirmation, and my order says 'complete'. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if our orders are delivered. it does say on the homepage that all packages will be delayed by 7 days.
this was my last order before i finally watched the sinking ship go down from afar.

>>9700904
>it does say on the homepage that all packages will be delayed by 7 days

Anon you answered to here.

That notification was already there over a year ago.

I'll wait till next week and see if there's an update on the shipping number that got added by the system. If not, then I'll just file a paypal claim. Either I'll tickle out all the answers I want out of Yankers or I'll get my money back.

>>9700982
huh? i'm not sure what you mean.

and oh haha, i didn't know it'd been there that long. if you haven't been given tracking information for 10 days now it makes me wonder if they're even lifting a finger to send packages abroad.

Can anyone help me identify this dress? Found it in one of kawaii pateen's vids, this is the best screenshot I could make of it

Does anyone know the difference of the “yarns” in Pinkage wigs? There’s lex yarns, supreme yarns, and most yarns. I thought the wigs with supreme yarns would be more expensive but there are wigs that say most yarn that are longer in length.

>>9701006
Here you go: https://lolibrary.org/items/aatp-magical-popping-fantasy-jsk-i

Is there a replica of Angelic Pretty's British Crown? I can't stand it anymore, I love the print but some prices are ridiculous.
Is Oojia still active? Any other stores that sell replicas?

>>9701249
kys

>>9701249
No, and fuck you.

>>9701249
Don't be lazy, save up and work for it like the rest of us.

>>9701249
what the fuck there's a jsk for like 220 on lm right now and it's going to be discounted even more for black friday
what kind of entitled poorfag are you

Is Epicosplay’s wig caps similar in size to Arda’s? I have a pretty big head + a lot of hair, and the only brand that I found to fit me is Arda’s. Curious about EC though.

>>9701157
Thanks Anon!

>>9701249
its not even a cute print

When just starting out in lolita, is it okay to wear Taobao stuff? I have no idea how shitty I'll look in lolita so I don't want to spend a lot of money on a brand dress only to realize I look retarded in the fashion. I've seen some stuff on Taobao that looks really nice - probably not the same level of quality as one of the big brands but still pretty and not costume-y - so I'm kind of leaning towards it, especially since some of the brands I like most are hard to find as well as being very expensive. Also, what sort of stuff should I keep in mind for my first dress? I'm thinking of going for something fairly simple so I have more options open in terms of accessorizing.

>>9701445
"Taobao" is very general, some sellers and brands are great and others are shit so it really depends on what you're buying and from whom. If you want versatility then starting with something simple is the way to go. What did you have your eyes on?

>>9701306
Epic cosplay is a little smaller than arda, but still significantly larger than average

>>9701445
I would highly recommend looking for second hand brand for your main pieces. The difference between even good Taobao and brand is noticeable. My first brand I purchased off Lacemarket for $40, shipping included. Obviously, your tastes will dictate what sort of thing you're looking for, but between the second hand Japanese market and Lacemarket, you can dip your toe into the water without dropping hundreds of dollars.

For your first piece, I would think realistically about what you like wearing. If you normally wear skirts and cardigans, don't reinvent the wheel. Find a cute skirt and pair it with a cardigan. Skirts and JSKs are usually more versatile than OPs, but OPs require less styling to look like a lolita coord. I'd start out with a JSK or skirt and find a blouse or cutsew and legwear that match each other . You can use the blouse/legwear combo for multiple coords, so try to pick a color that will go with more than one piece (you can't really go wrong with white, cream, or black in this regard).

>>9701445
Do you maybe know someone who will dress you up? If you're that hestitant I wonder if buying your first dress from Taobao is really your best option. Maybe check if someone in you local comm or state has an old simple piece to spare for a few bucks.
If you wanted to see if it suits you, you'd need proper accesory and a petti anyway, so your investment into trying to look good is already pretty big.

Or to say it simpler: if you only buy a dress and not an outfit you'll look like shit anyway,

>>9700844
you have to really play around with them. Try fluffing different parts and putting them in different positions on your head. Also don't be afraid of bobby pins once you get it right. It does depend on the beret, too. It can also matter if you have a larger head esp. if you're also wearing a wig.. lotsa japanese berets feel too small on me from this.

Stupid question but how do I search on this taobao page? Everytime I click on anything it leads me to this. And it's nothing but a blank page.

This is their shop: https://zhaidianshe.tmall.com

>>9701451
>>9701466
Thanks so much for the help anons! I'm definitely gonna try going for something by a seller with lots of positive reviews for best results. I have been considering Lacemarket for brand though I'm always a little bit intimidated by auctions rip. I haven't got my eye on anything in particular yet but I love classic and I really want my first dress to be classic.

>>9701470
No unfortunately, though I'm fully expecting to look ita at first and definitely won't be wearing anything out until I have more of a grasp on things. I'm thinking of getting a dress and a petti, seeing if I like it, and if I do I'll go on to getting more components for babby's first lolita coord. If not, I already wear otome so I could probably work my dress into a casual outfit instead of a lolita one.

>>9701488
Good luck anon! Don't be intimidate by Lacemarket. If you're willing to buy pieces that need a little TLC, check out Wunderwelt on LM. They sell pieces for dirt cheap and often only need a good soak to get them looking good. They've currently got a Innocent World skirt on there for $20 (plus shipping obviously).

So I have been lurking lolita for years now and I think I finally want to start buying. My only problem is that I am studying to be a primary school teacher and I am afraid of the reactions it may cause when students, families and co-workers see me in public. I really want to keep lolita and my job separate. I already work in childcare and frequently see children their families in public, so I know it's bound to happen when I actually become a teacher. How do you gulls manage if you're in this line of work?

>>9701864
I make sure that I mention offhandedly to the parents when I chat with them that I’m into “quirky street fashion” (or other various versions of that phrase) as a hobby. I’ll wear fairly whimsical stuff to work anyway, and I’ve just made sure it’s not a part of my life that I hide. They definitely look at it more like “oh, what a delightful costume thing” but at least they think it’s socially acceptable and cute as a hobby, as opposed to “being a freak who secretly dresses like a toddler”. In my opinion, the more secret you are about it, the shadier it seems.

any make up tutorials to cover up nasolabial folds? Or how to find the right angle in photos to minimize them?

>>9701957
why don't you google just that. You'll find a lot of info much faster researching yourself rather than waiting for some anon to answer.

I took the plunge and bought brand for the first time from Meta. I received my shipment and there were fabric samples for their other prints included in the box. My original assumption was Meta trying to promote their prints. Is this is normal thing for brand to do?

>>9701992
Yes anon. Many brands will also include things like postcards, notes, flyers, stickers and all sorts of small gifts.

>>9701451
Does anyone know if souffle song is a good brand? There's is a really cute dress by them on lace market but It would be my first lolita purchase ever

>>9700987
I was the anon you replied to. But nevermind now.

The number was automatically generated and sent to me right after I ordered the dress. It just said that the package with said number hasn't been found, supposedly because it wasn't brought to the office yet.

However, I just checked the number again and it's actually on its way! So hopefully, it's all good now.


>mfw I don't have the patience to deal with bodyline

>>9702206
Ah, that gives me hope! and sadly we won't be dealing with them much longer at all after this.

Is glitzywonderland legit? Also, what are other reputable taobao agents or resellers with the most reasonable shipping/service fees? I like to be able to browse lots of dresses and brands at once.

>>9702226
Where did you here bodyline is closing? Their english website and facebook are doing just fine.

1. How do you find plus size sellers on taobao and alibaba? I saw it somewhere but cant remember.

2. I want to have a wardrobe made where I pick the fabric, where can I find a seamstress online. Where do western lolita brands get their sewing done? A lot use small scale mass production.

>>9702443
1.Loose weight instead

Does anyone have any reviews of cotton candy feet or has personally ordered from them. I know LovelyLor did a video but I want to know the experience a lesser known lolita has too

is Lyre Ivy a decent brand?

>>9702433
i don't know for sure, just what other people have said. they haven't restocked the online shop properly in years, prices double/triple what they were before, their customer service is pretty much nonexistent, their irl shops are shutting down. idk who knows they might just be moving to rakuten. i'd hardly say they're 'doing fine'

>>9702443
western brands probably hire small ateliers who do their work or let stuff be done in China

if you want an independent seamstress who specializes in lolita, you could post a wtb in a sales group.

also, don't be a cheapass when commissioning please

i see "MILK" brand dresses on lacemarket all the time, how good is the quality? do they have enough space for a petti?

what's a good "starter" lolita dress? also does anyone have tips on building a lolita wardrobe?

>>9702702
MILK is great, but a lot of their pieces aren't what we would consider modern lolita. Some of them don't have room for pettis, are too short, etc. They're still adorable and well made, so if you like them, get them.

>>9702704
That is entirely up to you. Generally, you should pick a dress that you like. For example, I'm really into classic, so my first dress was a simple Innocent World JSK. If you're into sweet, you're probably better off looking at Baby or AP. Get a piece that fits you (you are under the measurements), in colors you like, that offers you several ways to wear it. Try to imagine what accessories, legwear and headwear might match it.

I'd personally recommend a skirt or JSK that will go with a white, cream, or black top. Those are common colors in every style and you'll be able to find lots of things to go with white, cream or black.

As for general tips:
>get lots of leg wear. You can never have enough leg wear.
>get lots of tops, including outwear.
>get accessories that can go with multiple pieces.
>get one good petticoat at the same time you get your first main piece.

>>9702704
It depends on your style, honestly. There's no "starter" dress, but most will say thet JSK is the best choice. Check fyeahlolita's blog, I think she has the best starting guide, even if it's a little old now.

>>9702713
The word I was searching for was dated, duh. You could also check out the capsule wardrobe threads, they give nice idea of what you need to build few cohensive outfits for a start.

>>9702176
personally i've found soufflesong to be quite hit and miss. odd sizing and cheap-outs on materials. don't expect the same level of quality as good brands, but if you like the dress and it'll fit you then buy it t b h.
although, like others have said you'd be better off spending your money on a better brand dress second hand.

Does anybody know if AP zippers are made of plastic or metal? From 2016/2017. I'm currently not at home so can't check my dresses myself.

>>9702531
It is taobao-level good. I own several dresses and I like them.

>>9701296
Eat shit anon

Are DreamHolic wigs better that Brightlele? If anyone owns wigs from either place, how would you rate the quality?

>>9701864
Buy dresses related to school and wear them like Miss Frizzle.

what does ganguro facepaint 'mean'? is it just orange skin&whatever the person thinks looks cool, or is there a cultural meaning to aspects like the nose-line? i know it's based on mythological trolls or something but not anything past that

>>9702226
>>9702433
to be fair, even on their rakuten they do seem to be slowly phasing out their lolita stuff and turning to a more cosplay/generic costume focus

>>9703155
Did I strike a nerve, lazy-chan? :^)

where can one purchase a pair of rocking horse shoes? bodyline doesn't restock all that often, and ebay sellers seem shady

>>9703402
Vivienne Westwood

>>9703404
man i dont have $500 to spend on shoes i barely have $500 to spend on dresses with cats on them

>>9703448
There's a cheaper Melissa collab version of them, assuming you like their shiny jelly material.

>>9700841
What time do the burando winter sales start?? And how can I find out the dates before it starts?? I usually only find out when its too late, and there's some dream dresses that I think will be on there

what kind of clothes should you wear hoop skirts with? are there benefits you get from a hoop skirt that you don't get from a peti?

How do I use the faceted search on Lolibrary? Like make it so I can narrow down searches by, say, Angelic Pretty AND skirts AND pink. Thank you guys so much! I haven't been able to do it since they changed the site and it is making me SO frustrated!

>>9703533
Just type in the search bar 'Angelic Pretty Pink Skirt', you don't have to use tags

>>9703504
>what kind of clothes should you wear hoop skirts with?
Skirts and dresses

>are there benefits you get from a hoop skirt that you don't get from a peti?
hoop skirts offer a more solid poof support and are good or even necessary for main pieces made of heavy fabric, where you would have to stack 2 or more pettis to get decent poof.

>>9703533
I just write everything, with spaces butwithout comas. Don't bother with tags, most of the time they don't work, work badly, or make lolibrary crash down. You can also don't have towrite full names of brands, just "baby" or "moitie" for example, but it will also search for things with it in name. Not sure how to type colorways like "white x pink".
They always give different results, and searching for things like "black x black" is a nightmare. For ops you write "op", for jsks "jsk". Both "skirt" and "sk" seem to work, but the results differ slightly. Hope I could help!

What's considered a big wardrobe for lolita?

When do AP's lucky packs usually come out? Is it early December or closer to January? I want to finally get one this year but need to make sure to manage my money right.

Hoping to get some nice jsks in my pack.

>>9700844
I take a section of my hair below my left ear, tie a braid, ponytail the rest of my hair, and pin the braid below the ponytail all the way till my right ear. Then another braid right to left, across the top of my head. I let the pins to secure these braids stick out a bit and these form a support for the beret

Where can I find high quality plaid or solid pleated skirts? Most of the pleated skirts out there look like they're only for cheap cosplay and the ones that look like they could be better quality have customer photos that prove they’re not. I'm looking for solid or plaid skirts in pink or purple. Does anyone have any recommendations where to buy pleated skirts that are decent quality?

>>9703553
25+ dresses of brand.

I took a hiatus from lolita for about 2 years and idk wtf is going on.
Can i request
>a timeline of major things that happened in the past 2 years
>where do people buy their petticoats from now?
Is it still classical puppets? And that one more ebay store?
>which taobao brands are still good quality?
I last remember r-series, surface spell, krad lanrete and dear celine but the Lolita updates on fb is indiscriminately spamming every taobao store and i dont know which ones are good
>what's the new KERA/GLB?
>other than cgl, lacemarkdt and fb groups are there any new lolita comms/forums/websites?

>>9703402
My lolita dress

How the fuck do I buy from taobao, and which SS ship to Australia?

>>9703504
>>9703540
And hoop skirts are nice and cool in the summer.
They can also get you a very precise cup-cakey silhouette without having to stack a million pettis, as anon mentioned.

Mind you, you still need at least a thin petti to wear with a hoop skirt, otherwise the outline of the hoops will show through your skirt.

>>9703700
>>where do people buy their petticoats from now?
>Is it still classical puppets? And that one more ebay store?
That ebay store (victoriangirldress) appears to be shut down, which breaks my heart. I really wanted another petticoat from them, my old one is getting deflated. I have found similar ones on amazon, but not quite the same shape.
Classical Puppets are still fiine. Their cupcake seems to be deflating worse than their a-line, but I think that's old news.

Right now, idk if there is a definitely source for petticoats that everyone can agree is the absolute best, but here's some places people have been getting them:
>Me Likes Tea
Custom sizing, materials and shapes. Indie brand from Brazil
>Bunny House
Indie brand from SE Asia, does custom sizing as well.
>Closet Child
They sell their own brand of petticoat
>Wundervelt
This second hand shop's been around for a while, but in the last little bit they've expanded into stocking brand new things as well and acting as a sort of broken for not only Chinese but Japanese brands too. They still have dirt cheap second hand brand. The petticoat is their own brand.

>>which taobao brands are still good quality?
The ones that used to be good are still consistent. I quite like Ecaille de Lune, I think they may have been split off from Krad originally.

Do prices normally come down by a fair bit for Black Friday sales on lace market? I have my eyes on a few pieces, but I’ve been waiting for the Black Friday prices before buying anything.
I don’t own any dresses yet, but I figured LM would be a good place to start for well priced, nice pieces

>>9703698
I go to thrift shops and buy second hand school uniform/cheer ones. They’re often really nice and hardly worn.

>>9703669
AP typically releases special sets for new years. So you get a specified JSK/blouse/socks set, usually made specially for the set. Not stuff that didn't sell.

>>9703700
Kera and GLB are gone. Kera is still posting online, but the print version is dead. GLB has been sorta continued in a couple new magazines (melt and miel) but they all seem to be one offs as of right now.

>>9702531
It is decent- not brand quality but nice for the price. Construction is good, materials alright, and their designs are cute imo.

>>9703553
100+ main pieces

>>9703763
Where is kera online?
My googlefu didnt reap results.

>>9703692
Do you have a pic of this? I'm really interested but don't wholly understand

>>9703823
http://kerastyle.jp/

>>9703699
>>9703818
>25
>100
That's a big difference any third anon want to weigh in (or give a more detailed answer?) Thank you both though

>>9701486
that's asking for your sign in, you need to log in
iirc, tmall is slightly different from taobao too

>>9703361
from what I can call,t he nice line is meant to be like a "western" nose since gal is about opposing japanese beauty standards. the traditional ideal japanese woman or a "nadeshko" is characterized by black hair and porcelain white skin, so gals do the opposite- blonde hair and dark skin

>>9703828
I'm still at work but can take pics after.

>>9703833
I'd say any amount of main pieces+complimentary pieces (blouses, boleros, cardigans, socks, accessories, etc.) that allows you to wear different coords for at least two weeks. How much that is as an exact number is difficult to pinpoint because everyone's different, I'd estimate it around 20 main pieces not including the extras, but I hope that helps.

>>9700886
They said it's outside their time to do anything about the request as it's 8 days and they only acknowledge problems received in 7 days or less. I've spent over $200 on this item now and their TOS says there's a limit if the item arrives damaged but nothing about if you paid their premium and they straight up ordered the wrong thing.

I'm pretty angry, more so that they are so dismissive but I'll know not to use them to order anything too expensive from now on.

>>9702486
All my friends who have them told me that they are quite uncomfortable

>>9703692
Wait that's genius

>>9703553
10 years ago I would have said 25+ brand dresses was huge; now I would agree with 100+ (and with desirable items, not the cheapest of taobao crap and bodyline). Back in the day it was harder to buy brand from Japan and a lot more expensive than now due to the exchange rate, etc. Back then, second hand dresses kept quite a bit of their value, closet child didn't ship internationally, and taobao brands simply didn't exist. Many people who were lolitas then are still lolitas now and so have accumulated dresses over the years. The Chinese lolita market has also come into its own in the last 5 years and a lot of the girls have a lot of dresses, so what is a "big wardrobe" is relatively larger - of course, 25 dresses is a lot of dresses but when heaps of people have 25, it's not really a big wardrobe looking at some of the girls online. I currently own 23 brand out of 30 total main pieces and wouldn't consider my wardrobe to be big for 10 years of being interested in lolita/7 years of actually wearing or trying to wear it on and off.

Where can I get some paper to use for making patterns?
I've seen people shamed for using gift wrapping paper. I've seen butcher paper suggested but I really haven't found where to find that. TL;DR I'm clueless on what to use and where to go for it.

>>9703956
Depends on how durable you want. Best: Swedish Tracing Paper. It's basically like sew-in interfacing. You can also sew it to test fit really quickly, which is nice. Super tear resistant. Not annoyingly crinkly. Also you can iron it to flatten your pieces. Sorta spendy though. I usually use rolls of medical tracing paper, like the stuff you sit on at the doctor's office. Cheap, but not super durable.

>>9701306
I'm big headed, and have a lot of hair and EC is too small really. Arda fit me though. YMMV.

>>9703956
I have no clue of it's actual name, but you can try asking at your local fabric store for the cheapest by the metre fabric they have and use that. I asked for that and the counter girl showed me a thin, non-stretch white fabric that's AMAZING for patterns. Folds and sits like regular cotton drill but is fairly see through as well. Can be sewn easily.

>>9703972
You're talking about muslin I'm guessing

>>9701249
Fucking scum, go die.

>>9702486
I have a pair of the glitter ones and they are okay comfort wise. I mean most TP's are not the most comfortable shoes. But they do not scuff, which is amazing! They must put a sealant over the top or something, but I really like them just for that fact. Also they don't have the Japanese clip things, you have to unbuckle them every time you want to take them off which is annoying. Also the shipping to get them is a bitch.

I have my Closet Child order coming in via ePacket for the first time... should I have picked EMS instead? I'm in no rush to get it but there's a perpetual fear at the back of my mind about my package getting lost.

>>9704076
I have been ordering from closetchild for years and I have never had a package lost, EMS or otherwise.

>>9700841
Im going to be selling merchandise in a con for the first time i want to order acrilyc keychains but i cannot find the option to order more than one desing , help please?

>>9704111
Try the artist alley thread

>>9703834
Thanks anon.

Anyone know the term for wallet. Trying to find a Kaito kid wallet on taobao. Something like this.

How the hell does one order from Maidenclothing? When I try to make an account and put in my country (USA) it doesn't change over to where I can put in my state and the form just defaults to Japan

>>9701488
I've never lost an auction on Lacemarket. Usually don't even have to bid more than once, js.

>>9703448
VW rocking horse shoes are pretty common secondhand

>>9703763
Melt isn't by people from GLB

>>9704319
https://maidenclothing.net/contents/oversea_mailorder_ch.html
Did you do everything like they say here?

>>9704214
錢包

>>9703164
Can't speak on DreamHolic but I own Brightlele and they're honestly my favorite wig brand ever. I have a few others from various Taobao shops but I ended up throwing most of them away because the shedding and shine was ridiculous.

BrightLele's are comfortable to wear, easy to take care of, inexpensive, and cute. I recommend them a lot.

>>9703361
Adding on about the noses;

A lot of people I've met from various Asian countries consider the noses of Westerner's to be 'long' - the sharp nose line is an attempt to imitate that.

>>9703700
thanks guys fort the answers so far, can i also ask if iron gate and puppet circus are still the absolute trophy lolita items? how much do they go for nowadays? has there been anything else that goes for a lot of money in the past 2 years?

>>9703361
Pretty much >>9704556
I was watching a makeup tutorial with a lady, it wasn't gyaru, but just a cute style that had that feature. Anyhow, she was going over the nose part with the line you are talking about, and why they do that. She then specifically stated that people who are not Asian do not need to do this, and to skip this step.

It is to make the nose more visible, and, er, white people don't need to do that step. Unless you just had a very small nose or something.

How do you wear short sleeved OPs and blouses under cardigans? I always get that ugly bump in the fabric.
Is there any way to prevent this or do you just deal with it?

>>9704585
They are, although iron gate isn’t as expensive if you aren’t going for the op. Op is still 1k, I think puppet circus is around 1.2k for the good colours.

Puppet circus will never be rereleased but we still hope mana will be nice.

>>9704585
I think the only other thing I've seen go for $1000 more than once other than Puppet Circus and Iron Gate is a full D. Walkure set. Everyone agrees you can get it for less if you slowly pick up each individual piece, but somehow the full set (or close to full) manages to sell for that much.

At least, I think it sold for that twice. Recently it seemed to on LM, assuming someone didn't work out a cheaper offer, and apparently it sold for a similar amount in the past.

>>9704076
I've found e-packet to be pretty reliable and it often comes in before the tracking even updates

Is putumayo an indie brand and is it any good?

>>9704765
it dead

>>9704765
I was hoping for a little more information anon.

>>9704768
>>9704773
meant to reply to this but you knew that

>>9704765
It wasn't an indie brand, it was featured in the GLB and KERA along with the other well known brands. I've never owned anything by them and heard mixed opinions on their quality so can't help you there, unfortunately.

>>9704090
>>9704734
Thanks, anons! I appreciate the reassurance.

>>9704554
Thanks anon, I've ordered a couple to try them out. I have long natural hair but it's difficult to style in bad weather so hopefully they'll fit by big head

>>9703828
So my hair is black and my pins are black and photos won't work, i did this instead

>>9704949
Thank you! Your written explanation was actually really good now that I see the drawing but your hair must be really thick!

>>9704765
Putamayo is not an indie brand, but they're more of a punk brand than a lolita brand....kind of like how axes femme sometimes releases lolita appropriate pieces, even though they are not strictly a lolita brand. I modeled for them at Rufflecon 2016 and was really impressed with their quality. The garment I modeled was one of their lolita pieces, and it was beautiful and nicely constructed. I have heard negative things about their pieces before, though, so I guess maybe it is hit or miss. All I can say is that the pieces I have personally seen were very nice quality.

If I bid on a BF item on Lacemarket, but the auction ends sometime next week, do I still get the BF sale price? Or will the seller charge me their normal price? There's about a 30$ difference between the bid and BIN prices but I doubt there's gonna be a fight for it.

>>9700841
>yes I'm talking to you, "how do I order from mercari/fril?" anons
So how do you actually do it? Is there a guide somewhere?

>>9705129
Use Japonica Market.

>>9703835
thanks anon. it's kinda hard to find written stuff on the fashion.

>>9703710
You either use a forwarding service or a service to buy for you. Look in the taobao thread at the first post to see what SS ships to which countries.

What else you want to know?

What are these jackets called and is it possible to get my hands on one?

Would anyone be able to identify this type of jacket/top? Been trying to find a pattern or a look-a-like to modify.

>>9705068
I also have a huge head so berets always scrunch up and look too tiny on me. Maybe just one of the 2 braids will be enough for someone with a more regular sized head.

>>9705335
I can't see the collar very well, but it looks like a mandarin jacket. Might be a better style that would fit it, but it's the first that comes to mind. A pattern you could use is the McCall's civil war pattern!

Has anyone ordered a fruits magazine from the street-eo shop? Intentional only says it's $13 and no shipping information, anyone know how they long shipping would take?

>>9705464
Wasn’t Fruits shut down even before glb/kera?

>>9705322
try googling 'Bosozoku'

Gulls, is there a way to make hair dye last longer? I usually get my hair dyed at the salon, but I don't have the money for it now. I would like to get some new colour in before christmas, but in my experience, store bought dye doesn't last very long.

Is the hair dye at salons stronger? is there a more gentle way to strip your hair color before dying it, other than bleach?

>>9705661
Nope, you pretty much have to bleach it, or use color remover which is still really harsh. Box dyes are shit and awful for your hair, don't use them. You can get IroIro color at Hot Topic, my salon trialed them for a while, and I thought it was nice. Also smells really good. Buy a little bit more color than you need for your hair and mix it into your sulfate free conditioner. You *are* using sulfate free shampoo and conditioner, right? Only wash your hair with cold water.

>>9704672

You don't. Wear long sleeved blouses under cardis, or wear a dickey.

Or be really skinny and choose cardis that are really loose, then the sleeve bump will be less obvious.

>>9705751
I bought some detachable collars. Thanks anon, I figured those were the only solutions.

And I've actually seen really skinny girls get that weird bump too so I guess we're all doomed

What is an itabag?

>>9705805
Bags that people tack all their fandom merchandise on, usually for a specific character they like. There aren't really any rules for it but people prefer to coordinate them, like only having official merchandise or having a ton of the same item attached to the bag. There are a lot of bags and pencil cases with transparent windows for ita baggers.

Will people be mean to me if I make a loli cosplay, even though I'm 185 cm tall? Pic related.

Is Dreamholic normally incredibly slow? It was shipped via China EMS to my country (US) a few weeks ago and tracking hasnt updated since Nov 11

Could I make money off of Cosplayers being a graphic designer?

>>9703763
Are you sure? I'm fairly certain AP do actual lucky packs.

I found at least this pic on a lolita amino of last year's lucky pack. They also just recently had a cutsew lucky pack or something.

Googling it to find out when it happens is pretty tough because everyone gets lucky packs (randoms) and happy packs(full print sets) confused.

I guess I should ask, when do Baby and Meta lucky packs usually get released? Would it be early December or late December?

>>9705862
Definitely not. Many cosplayers don't even want to pay photographers. Do it for fun or networking.

>>9703763
>>9705895
Also I found someone in Rufflechat posted the contents of this AP lucky pack from last year.
It has so many incredible items!

I know it happens close to New Year, just not sure if its like the actual week of, or way earlier.

Also, does anyone have comparisons for japanese AP & Baby lucky pack contents vs AP USA and Baby USA ones?

>>9705896
Thanks!

Yeah, photography is one of those professions where people go out of their way to try to get free labour from. This also happens in design a lot, but in photography it happens the most.

>>9705900
For Baby, the USA ones' contents are more same and uniform, just in different colors. The JP ones are more varied, although sometimes the USA store will say that these LPs specifically came from Japan.

>>9705900
Does anybody remember the tiers that you can get, and for how much??

how do you measure boleros?

i bought one on impulse, it's really just too big for me, i'm wondering if it will qualify as plus size but there's no button or zip and it kind of just opens up and flaps about you know like a bolero does. how do i measure it?

can I buy directly from krad lanrete? I want a blouse

>>9706404

Unfortunately no. They go through third party retailers in all of China. Clobba claims that Krad will purposely inflate their prices when making deals with Clobbaonline.

That being said, I'd buy a blouse from Dear Celine. They're cheaper because you aren't being scalped, and they're about the same quality.

>>9705900

If you’re after the random lucky packs, follow the shop’s twitter or blog (it’s @AP_onlineshop for the twitter). You actually just missed a lucky pack for tops and socks that they posted last week.

The blind LPs don’t have a set schedule, you need to check twitter often, take note of the release times, and hop on them when they happen. Use newocr to get readable text out of the pictures, and use google translate to figure out how many items are in each LP. It differs every time, when AP is doing well you’d get stuff like “set jsk+headwear for half the price of one jsk” and when they have too much shit they just want gone, you get more dresses for a lower price.

2016 in particular was the year AP overproduced everything and also pulled some shitty stuff with their special sets, can’t really promise their next LP is anywhere this level of stuff in 2017/2018. iirc they actually did several waves of LPs, starting with the “set for half price of one jsk” in 2016, and then working all the way up to this premium pack here for 2017 New Year’s. Before 2016, previous years AP regularly sold out of nearly everything, so they didn’t do blind lucky packs for the online shop at all, which is why some anons say AP will only do special print sets for New Year’s, the blind LPs are not a predictable New Year’s thing.

Do male cosplayers ever have their moustache waxed? I don't like the minor change in color from it.

My moustache is very light, I think my eyebrows have thicker/coarser hair and I don't have a problem with waxing those. Was thinking of just getting it done with the same treatment as womens (ie youtubing mens wax usually leads to middle easterners and their insane beards needing fucking cement-wax).

>>9700841
How does one find/ get involved in a comm? I tried to google to see if there were any near me but I couldn't tell if they were legitimate or just weird facebook itas who get coffee sometimes

>>9706367
>it kind of just opens up and flaps about you know like a bolero does
I've never owned a single bolero without some kind of closure at the front. What bolero did you buy? And take note that boleros are outerwear so they should be a big bigger than the regular measurements that fit you.

>>9706367

Measure the shoulder width. Measure the back, under the armholes. You can also include the front measurements (from the side seam to the opening edge), presumably the monster tit girls find that useful, idk. You can add bicep measurements (sleeve width) as well since you're trying to sell to plus-size.

>>9703361
They’re mocking our shitty fascist president drumf

>>9705848
I don't think anyone would say anything, because it's just an obscure netgame in the west. Go for it, anon.

>>9706412
thank you!

>>9700841
What does "ita" mean?

>>9702253

I have bought from them before with no issues

>>9706740
It comes from the exclamation "itai", meaning "ouch"; in the lolita context it refers to a coord so bad that looking at it is painful.

>>9702674
Thanks anon.

I am looking for pro's. These "lolita" seamstress' all turn out to be bums. If you want quality "lolita sew" you need someone who likes sewing. Those people arent listed. And they arent going to make me 10 jeans, 30 blouses and so on cause they like projects. You may get 1 dress that will take 5 months, cost $600, but be worth it.
>>9703180
Nayrt-- but good idea.
>>9704949
Cute.
>>9705805
Jfash take on the folk/punk/skater bag. Bunch of junk!!
>>9703361
A jpop star was cosplaying as a black video girl plus california surfer culture. So was they making fun of westerns or paying homage, who knows.

>>9700841
>>yes I'm talking to you, "how do I order from mercari/fril?" anons
>it was me and I immediately felt ashamed after being told to not be such a newfag
>even more that not much further after the post I replied to there was a discussion on how to buy from mercari
>mfw I just got excited because I have found there a rare collectible that I really really wanted

>>9705130
Nayrt, but thank you.
I have also heard that JSS and Chibitenshi can deal with Mercari.

>>9704591
ooh, til. thanks. i'm guessing it's the same for the lips?

This is the best picture I could find of the final design of this character. It's super light and hard to see (sorry), but what is the name of the belt they are wearing? It appears to be southeast Asia inspired. I'm hoping to find something I can Google for more info.

>>9705862
Not selling coscards, if that's what you're thinking. There's a small market for websites and social media graphics, but most will assume they can do it themselves for free.

The real dollar dollar is in designing fabrics, if you can pick up that skillset. The Love Live fandom will pay out the nose for canon-accurate fabrics.

Then of course, you could sell stationery etc. at cons.

>>9707289
Seconding fabric designs. I’m a lolita now but I used to cosplay love live and it was a bitch to even find the right plaid sometimes, let alone the complicated prints from SIF card outfits.

1) Has anyone bought from Evil Live before? I want a bag from them but I'm not so sure about the quality.

2) Is there anywhere I can get Lolita shoes that are not from Taobao or Bodyline?

>>9707362
Axes femme has some cute shoes for classic and gothic. Just a warning though all the clothes I’ve had from them have been of terrible quality and are falling apart so I’m not sure how long the shoes will hold up. They make some really pretty shoes that suit lolita though. Other options are the obvious - burando shoes (some have questionable quality) or if money isn’t a concern you could buy legit Vivienne rhs that’ll last forever. It really depends on what substyles you wear and what your budget is.

>>9707387
Which brands are the ones with questionable quality?

>>9707387
All of the axes femme stuff I have is nice, you just can't wash them like you do jeans or something

Are AP lucky packs sets usually lower in quality then their normal items?
I saw that the Omekashi doll set was only $130, and that feels impossibly cheap for a full set of AP, the quality can't be on the same level, right?

>>9707698
They're cheaper cause they're not that popular, they're usually super simple too

>>9707642

nayrt, but given the other comment was originally asking about lolita brands, I think it's pretty decent of that anon to warn of a difference in quality.

None of my Axes stuff are falling apart -- in fact most are pretty hardy. But I've yet to see an Axes cutsew that isn't that thin stretchy material (burando will have thicker, more substantial material), and most of my dresses are really obviously plastic polyester (burando polyester generally either pretends to be classy silk or tries to be painted air). There's copious use of raschel lace, too, and the cheap version of raschel sometimes has a tendency to harden and become brittle over a few years, so if that anon has some much older stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if the lace on it is breaking apart by itself. Most of my bags are much flimsier and less stiff than my burando ones as well, not a single bag is better than burando.

It's pretty good if you treat it for what it is -- disposal fast fashion soft lolita. But overall I think it was right to warn gulls that there's a really obvious dip in quality while you're recommending it. I haven't bought their shoes either, I'm pretty sure there's a cut in quality somewhere though.

>>9707698

Yes, but it’s AP, it still looks good, and it’s a lot of stuff they know a lot of girls don’t particularly care about.

They cut costs in things like the materials they use. The buttons on the special set are usually much cheaper, more common buttons that you might be able to find on taobao/ebay/ali/anywhere, whereas the regular releases will often have some novelty buttons that are slightly unusual and harder to find dupes for. The fabric is another one, the special set is cotton, while their regular releases might be something cool like fake shantung and chiffon, or some kind of newfangled net fabric, or three layers of lace fabric sewn in an intricate pattern. On this year’s set I think they also opted to use a cheaper lace maker, the netting is much wider, so the embroidered designs are also simpler. It’s true that the design is also often simpler, and a little bit oudated, their regular releases are usually trendier and cooler.

But, the designs are still good, and the material they do use is still several tiers above Bodyline and most taobao brands. The dresses are still lined and so far all releases still have the usual pockets. None of them skimp on the skirt width either, and most blouses still have like 3 different lace designs and two different types of button and maybe a couple of ribbon embellishments. It still photographs really well and looks really cute, so it’s still a good set to get even if you’re already an established lolita.

They aren’t always unpopular, the black colourway of the solid set tends to sell out pretty fast the day of release. The pastel sets tended to stick around for a few days now that pastel sweet has fallen out of favour.

>>9707714
>all releases still have the usual pockets
Tell me more about pockets.
Do lolita dresses usually have pockets? How big and useful are they? Where are they usually located?

>>9707742
Full back shirred dresses by AP will have pockets at the side seams. I think I've only had one or two that only had one pocket that were fully shirred in the back. This also includes chiffon dresses as well. The pockets are nice sized. I usually stash my phone or wallet in them for easy access rather than digging through my purse when I need them.

Partial shirred and skirts will have one pocket on the opposite side of the zipper.

I don't know how many other brands typically use pockets, but AP has them.

>>9707714
>The fabric is another one, the special set is cotton, while their regular releases might be something cool like fake shantung and chiffon

Sometimes there's little to no difference in the fabric. I own some special sets that are made with very nice fabric. There might be a slight difference, but sometimes the costs are cut more in lace or lacking the usual extras. I think half my wardrobe is special sets because of lower costs and I like having the matching headwear. Cuts are different, sometimes in a greater size allowance than the original release. There's also unique colors. Sometimes the special set is more appealing in design than the regular release. Baked Sweets Parade is an example, the regular JSK is kind of ugly, but the special set jsk has some cute details on the bodice.

>>9707764

There's a difference between the special print sets that come out randomly throughout the year (like the Fairy Rose Princess jsk set that's up right now and costs $300), and the New Year's Lucky pack set that anon was asking about -- she specifically mentioned Omekashi Doll, that's one of the ~$150-ish solid sets that AP generally only releases for New Year's.

The solid set that AP only releases for New Year's at ~$150 is cotton, and when I mention specialty fabric like shantung and net lace, I'm comparing it to AP's solid fabric regular releases, not their prints.

The print special sets that come out throughout the year and isn't part of the New Year's lucky packs are made from the exact same fabric as their regular release, yes, and they make cost cuts by using simpler designs. They are also generally $200-300, with very few of the printed special sets dipping as low as $100.


>>9707742

Only two brands I know of reliably do pockets -- Angelic Pretty, and Lief. Even then, some of the oldest AP with odd designs -- tiered skirts in particular -- may or may not have pockets.

On other brands, if the dress obviously has pockets on the design, then they have pockets -- for eg, Btssb's pocket embroidery jsk has pockets as part of the design, the pockets are real and pretty much what you see from the stock photos. Every other release that they do will not have pockets. This non-pocketness is consistent for Baby/aatp, IW and Meta.

Moitie is a wildcard. Some things I buy from them have hidden side seam pockets. The chiffon dresses do not. Older dress that is neither chiffon nor fully shirred also does not. I don't really buy enough Moitie to figure out what the pattern is, unfortunately, except I know some of their stuff has pockets and some don't.

>>9707742

>How useful are they.

Missed this, sorry. They kind of vary. Baked Sweets special set had meh-tier smaller pockets. Wonder Story had huge pockets that fit a chunky power bank. Those were the extremes, other dresses had pockets that were sized in between. I'm not sure if it's related to the cost, since Baked Sweets is a special set with the same fabric as their regular release, while Wonder Story is a printed New Year's lucky pack set.

Location usually in the side seams, the side that has a zipper will not have a pocket, so if the back is shirred and there's no zipper, both sides will have pockets.

>>9707714
Thanks a lot, really great info anon!
I was looking at brand dresses because I want to get a really nice quality dress, I currently only own taobao and bodyline, to get a feel for the difference, so it'll probably be better for me to get a "regular" release

>>9707805

I'm glad the info was useful. Their non-print releases are really lovely, I do recommend them.

>>9707764
>>9707803
>>9707804
Thank you very much for the elaborate answers!
I'm slowly getting into lolita and, having a thing for pockets, knowing all that makes me love the fashion even more.

I've never modeled for a brand fashion show before. They didn't say anything about petticoats or shoes but I'm assuming we have to bring those? Should I just sit tight and wait for more info? Also are replica shoes acceptable?

>>9707833
>are replica shoes acceptable?
No. Save yourself and everyone else the embarrassment and don't do this.

>>9707698
Where did you see that?

>>9707835
What about things like bodyline design replicas? How do I know which ones to bring though?

>>9707833
Usually they send you an email beforehand with what dress you're wearing and what colors of accessories/shoes to being. Be patient, and if they don't email you, just bring a couple of versatile items with you. Better to have things and not need them than be unprepared.

i have a stupid question
is there such a thing as boho lolita

>>9707922
No, the two styles contrast too much to really work. I recall there was some sort of wank about this on LJ back in the day.
Anyway, if you're looking for the kawaii equivalent of boho fashion, check out mori girl, natural kei, or even dolly kei; they're not inspired by the same aesthetics or ideas but flowy layered looks are commonplace in these styles.

How do l into cosplay bf?

>>9706448
There are far easier, cheaper and less painful ways than waxing if you're just worried about a slightly off colour. seriously. Just walk into any sephora, or theatrical supplies store and say you want to hide it for a costume, they'll point you to the stuff you need and show you how to use it.

>>9704672
I find if you pull the short sleeve tight against your arm and kinda fold any extra flat against your inner arm as you're putting it on, it minimizes it, but might still be noticeable up close depending on the sleeve shape, your body shape and the outfit in general

>>9705661
My hair stylist recommended Overtone conditioner to me, it's got pigment in it. I have pastel hair and go two-three months between salon visits because she's so pricey and this stuff keeps it looking nice.

I know how to buy second hand and use fril, but how do you sort out the sold items in mercari? Once I'm in a brand, there doesn't even seem to be an option

>>9704672
>>9705783
Sounds like more of an issue with your arms/shoulders being bigger than an issue with the clothes. I'm skinny and never have this issue.

What is coslolita (or cosplay lolita)?
Is it a lolita who cosplays with their coord, or a cosplayer wearing lolita as a costume?

I want to incorporate elements of few characters I really love in my coords, would it be considered to be in bad taste?

>>9708255

Usually I'd ask myself this, is the accessory so awesome that I can pin it on and show it off to complete muggles who don't know anything, and then bask in compliments without explaining anything, or is it that sort of product where I have to explain "oh look, I made this, I actually spent time and care making this shitty pinterest-inspired craft thing for a cosplay because I cared so much about this chinese drawing of a nonexistent person, please praise me and don't crush my delicate fee fees."

If the former, well, you don't even have to explain. It's so awesome no one even cares or notices that it's a cosplay piece.

If the latter, no. Just no. When you're done with the costume, throw it out or sell it to a weeb. Not even worth the cupboard space keeping it.

You should never have to explain anything in your coord. You might want to point out that it's themed to an obscure fairytale, or how everything is cats, or wait until people say the shawl looks good and you go "oh I made it for a cosplay but it looks good, doesn't it?". But when you hit the point where someone has to ask "why is she wearing fugly green ribbons" and you have to explain "because this outfit is from Gosick, Victorica is totes a lifestyler rori and I want to be her" .......yeah, that's pretty cringe and you definitely want to avoid ever needing to explain that your coord is ugly because you styled it after an animu.

>>9708163
Tick this box to show only the items that are for sale.

>>9707764
>>9707803

I posted late last night and missed out some info. Since we're heading into lucky pack season I figure it'd be useful to point out where else they cut costs. Traditionally AP will do two special sets of existing prints for New Year's lucky packs, in addition to the special lucky pack print and one solid set (if they don't break tradition).

By "simpler cuts" it sometimes means the fabric is cut in a way that saves money but looks a bit funky, for eg Belle Rose Epoque's special jsk set has the lace designs pointing at your nipples. If you're buying secondhand, AP went through a phase where they made the lucky pack bodices smaller, and on at least one special set they actually skipped making pockets.

They also use completely different trim (presumably cheaper) than the regular release, and sometimes it’s left white instead of dyed to match. One of my sets simply has white net with dots on it, which has to be lowest burando lace I've yet encountered (but the set was only $100).

If the special set is a different, special-set-only colourway, it's also often printed with one less ink. eg, Crystal Dream Carnival premium set in Cerulean, all the ponies on it are printed only with blue colouring. The regular releases have ponies printed in blue and lavender. Castle Mirage in pink is also printed with a pink-white sky, and parts of the print are left white. The regular releases have actual two-tone sky (pink on the sax and lavender and warm sax on the navy), and parts of the print like the roof and stairs are accented in pink/sax where it’s left white on the pink set. So while it's the same fabric, they do cut cost in the printing itself. (So far this doesn't seem to apply to those special sets that have the same colourway as the regular releases).

Just noting that they do cut costs in obvious ways, but you gotta hand to them for not diluting the worth of their regular release, while still delivering dresses girls want to wear.

>>9708255
I think the term can apply to both. Either way, it's not a term you want to associate with if you're serious about the fashion. Most cosplayers don't care because they just want to wear their totemo kawaii frilly shit at the con and call it a day but this attitude is looked down on in the actual fashion scene.

>>9708280
That only works when I search for things. When I go directly to the brand section like mercari com/jp/ brand/188 I don't get that on the sidebar anymore

if i want to learn acting, what is a good book or website to start with?

(i have no idea what board to put this on)

>>9708163
I came here to answer stupid questions and now I have one of my own. What is that mauve fabric?

>>9708562
Maybe /tv/ would be more helpful?

>>9706448
I have a few guy friends that wax for cosplay, although they just don't like facial hair in the first place so it's win/win for them. It's not the most painful thing in the world, but it doesn't exactly feel good either. Still, for just a light mustache, it's only about a five minute process. Like the other anon said, you don't HAVE to resort to waxing. Look into stage makeup. Your cosplay will look better overall with makeup on, too.

>>9708273
>>9708306
Thank you to both of you!
I'm looking towards the former, I want to incorporate some iconic elements/themes into different coords, not specifically use cosplay accessories. GOSICK was loosely relevant, I was actually thinking about different characters, all of which wear clothes that could be considered lolita fashion.
I will not try to associate it with cosplay or coslolita at all, at least unless someone asks about the coord. I don't think it would be something to be ashamed of, especially if it will look good (and I hope it will).

About ordering from Fril: can someone recommend a shopping service?
I’ve never used one before.

>>9708612
If it looks good that's all that really matters. IW have done a collab or two with Gosick a while back, if that interests you. I imagine the pieces are quite expensive now though.

>>9708658
Japonica Market.

>>9701249
Print replicas are trash.

>>9707704
>Axes stuff are falling apart
Different anon
just giving my 2cents

Axes femme stuff that i own can 'fall apart' in a sense that some pearl or tiny trinket might fall off, but not like the shirt itself will fall into two pieces and become unwearable. All the axes i own is second hand so i don't know how old they are. But anytime i do the laundry i use those laundry nets/bags anyway.

Just adding my 2c and others may have different experiences of course.

>>9707704
>disposal fast fashion soft lolita
I feel like this accurately describes axes femme.

>>9702443
I've never heard of a Western lolita brand using small-scale mass production, none of them have anywhere near the production volumes for that. Even the relatively successful ones are 99% of the time one girl with a sewing machine.

Can someone tell me the name of this dress?

>>9702486
I saw them in person at Dream Masquerade Carnival, the quality looks similar to An*Tai*Na but the insoles are really hard and you could tell just by touching them that they'd be uncomfortable as fuck to wear. I really expected better, I was surprised.

>>9704585
Honestly I think more younger lolitas know Cats Tea Party than Puppet Circus. Moitie did a survey recently about what items people wanted to see re-released, so Iron Gate might go down if Mana blesses us.

>>9707362
>2) Is there anywhere I can get Lolita shoes that are not from Taobao or Bodyline?
Queen Bee on Rakuten/Wunderwelt are pretty nice. DreamV on Rakuten as well but I think they're not as good quality. Western brands like Clarks or Hotter sometimes have stuff that's good for classic or oldschool, like plain Mary Janes - I've even got stuff from high street brands like ASOS and Espirit (pic related I got in the Black Friday sales). Western goth brands like Demonia and Funtasma/Pleaser also have gothic stuff like platform Mary Janes and boots - quality is sturdy but the price is really high for what you get. There are also vintage repro brands like American Duchess that have expensive stuff you could use for classic. And of course you can buy from Japanese lolita brands themselves, new and second-hand if you fit their sizing - I have Baby, IW and Meta shoes I really like.

>>9709570
Maria's Catholic Nun OP, BTSSB.

>>9709570
Also, adding on another stupid question - I know this dress needs an aline petti but would a bell shaped look bad in it? It doesn’t look like the girl in the pic is wearing an aline since it looks rounded on the edges.

In the new year sales, what percentage do the dresses usually go off for??

Does binding beneath a dress help with boobloaf? I have a beautiful older piece that fits everywhere else, but is just a little too tight in the chest. I'm scared of getting boobloaf, so would binding help?

>>9709899
If your bust is very large it'll likely make the boobloaf worse, but if you really want to try binding please get an actual binder, don't use elastic bandages or you might hurt yourself.

>>9703698
I really like American Apparel tennis skirts. They can pricey, but they're not bad if you find them on ebay or depop.

>>9709797
Depends on the brand but it’s usually between 20 and 60 percent off depending on the point in the sale. There’s kind of a gamble you take if you want something enough to buy for say, only 30 percent off or if you’re willing to risk waiting another week for it to go another 10 percent off. Sometimes it’s worth the wait and sometimes you miss out.

>>9703698
I get mine from Chuu, a korean webshop that has been featured in Larme. They are inexpensive and have shorts built in. They carry all sorts of colors.

Does anyone know when Angelic Pretty will announce what is in this year’s lucky pack?

Anyone know where I can get a good Himouto! Umaru-chan pillow? I've seen them on ebay and they say they'll arrive by Christmas but idk it they're the best quality.

I've never seen the anime. I'm buying this as a Christmas gift.

>>9710511
I think you mean the Happy Pack. See lucky pack vs happy pack above. Pic is this years happy pack. Kinda boring if you ask me..

Where do people buy their wigs and cosplay from these days? I feel wary of every shop Google gives me because places tend to skimp out on what they make for you.

>>9710804
A lot of people commission their costumes from other cosplayers. If you have a cosplayers who's work you like you can ask them for a price quote.

>>9710804
taobao

I think my neighbours stole my package, knocking on their doors leads to nothing, because only 2 out of 7 actually opened the door. Should I ask the one who owns the building to send an email around or is there a better way? It got left on the stairway by one of my neighbours (the idiot 'sure I'll take the package') a week ago so I figured nobody is going to just be like, wigs, the hell? and leave it at my doostep.

>>9710880
Yes you should email, and keep knocking

>>9710842
Yeah if you're looking for pre-made stuff taobao is the way to go

I know people have mentioned how CP's petti's have gone down in quality (and after having owned one, I supposed I can see where they're coming from).

What's the best taobao shop now to get a good petti?

I want a pair of Spank! Tights that are suppose to be one size fits all. Is that bs or will they actually fit on people with larger thighs?

>>9711027
It's not a taobao shop, but if you go to Bunny House's Facebook, you can order pettis from there and they are really good. They're made to your measurements and they're really poofy.

I'm looking for advice on pic related. I live in the tropics, so there's no need for a winter coat, and I don't visit winter countries very often either (but I'd like to be fashionable when I do, currently, I have sports winter wear for winter). In this state, would it be worth it to get this coat or to wait for it secondhand?

Also, how warm are these coats usually? Do these coats require dry cleaning or is washing at home okay? TIA.

>>9707262
Hi, Southeast Asian here. Could this be a stylistic choice for a rope fashioned into a belt? I don't think there's a specific name for it, then again, cultures are very diverse here, so I may not be covering all the bases.

>>9708562
If you're looking for acting in drama, try your local youth theatre.
This board really isn't the board you're looking for. Maybe try /tv/ like anon suggested or even /adv/.

Without being a creep how do you compliment a lady’s cord? Is it OK to approach? Not looking for gf or stalking anybody out, there’s a girl that’s comes to the museum I work at every other week or so and seems to be chaperoning young children. I’ve wanted to say something but I never get the opportunity to engage her.

>>9711477
don't approach and stop, just do like a drive-by compliment. "i like your coord!" is more than enough to get the point across without subjecting her to conversation or anything

(i'm an autist but i personally hate it when i'm doing something, and somebody stops in their tracks to talk to me... like i have stuff to do but now i'm obligated to make conversation)

>>9711477
Just say I like your outfit

>>9711477
The term you're looking for is "coord", like "coordinate". Keep this in mind when you approach her, using lolita/jfash terminology can earn you major bonus points to level you up from "random curious normie" to "someone who actually knows what I'm wearing".
Anyway, I'd say it's okay to approach depending on the situation - If she isn't busy doing something else like talking on the phone, then go for it. That should be obvious but apparently isn't, people have bothered me while I was on the phone and then acted like I was rude for not dropping everything to pay attention to them; please don't be that person.
If you know what brand she's wearing, namedrop that ("Your Innocent World JSK is beautiful", for example), otherwise just pay her a compliment; "You look lovely", is short, simple, and not creepy at all. If she doesn't seem interested in further interaction then just wish her a nice day and that's it.

>>9711477
Short compliment, don't stare, always with kind smile.
It happened to me that I was, while at first welcomed and complimented with smile, being stared at, pointed at, and discussed about by the staff of the restaurant where I am regular. All after change in my appearance.
I smiled through the encounter, but it was the most unpleasant experience I have ever had. I stopped tipping the staff for the whole week.

My coworkers also noticed and commented on it, the mildly unpleasant being "oh my god, what happened", the one I have been most fine with being my boss just not bringing it up, and probably the one that I enjoyed happening few days later on the corridor (most likely due to getting comfortable to my new look), HR manager greeting me with a smile, and after a second recognizing me and saying "whoah, a new person" in positive voice.

You can say that her outfit is beautiful as always, or that you like her coord, but never make it long, and move on right away, especially if she doesn't say anything, or just says "thank you".
It's okay to continue topic, if she does it herself, by saying a little more about her coord, and generally seeming interested in discussion.

is P!NKHOLICS a lergit store? has anyone ever ordered from it? theyre on storeny (i know its a shitty site) and theyre selling shoes i really want.

When is Lady Sloth going to start doing winter boleros? I am on love with her Princess boleros, they look like IW's Millefeuille one but more OTT, and I desperately need winter ones.

Also, are there any good places on Taobao to get boleros? All the ones in the reseller sites look ugly, but I need more boleros in my everyday lolita wardrobe.

Is it an ita move to wear a waist bow as a head bow? I have a removeable pin-back bow on my AatP JSK that works beautifully as a KC, but I don't know if that's a passable thing to do. Advice?

>>9711723
Have a look at Bunny House on FB. They have a few adorable warmer boleros on made-to-order at the moment.

>>9711781
as long as it looks good, go for it

quite a few people seem to even make matching headbows out of their waist ties

Will foreign shops like AP Paris sell lucky bags for new year? Or are they only available from the japanese webstore?

can someone explain to me what a "switching" jsk is?

>>9711844
Switching means the bodice fabric and the skirt fabric "switch", as in they're different.

>>9711847
ah, thank you, anon. appreciate it

>>9711723
I would literally just email her and ask, she'd probably make one in a winter-weight fabric for you, she's very accomodating.

what's the best way to put on/wear a wig cap? I started cosplaying when I had pretty short, almost buzzed on the sides hair so it was easy to put on then. I have been growing it out. Now I have no real clue how to put on wigs without stray hairs everywhere. Excluding the cornrows solution because have no idea how to do cornrows much less on myself
I've tried using bobby pins, but it hurts and I still end up with stray hairs. Ive also tried slicking my hair back, but that only works in the front
what's your best methods/advice?

Is there any way to style sack-dresses so it actually look cute and flattering? I bought one because It was a good price but it's really unflattering...

Is $20 for a petti ($13) and a hoop skirt ($7) from Taobao a reasonable price? Can I expect it to work well with lolita for a beginner? Pic related.

any advice for when are the best times to post about cosplays on instagram, to get max exposure?

>>9712058
It looks like it would be too short for lolita. Why don't you get a regular ol' petticoat instead of limp petti + hoop?

>>9712062
The hoop is ~35 cm long, the petti is ~40 cm.
I'm considering it mostly because I'm getting some dresses from the same store, and the seller recommends it.
I might get a better petticoat in the future, when I get some better and proper lolita clothes, so I'm wondering if it's something worth getting for this price, to add to my noob wardrobe.
The reason for a hoop is that some of the dresses might use heavier materials.

>>9711935
Add something to cinch the waist like a ribbon, belt, or corset. This post illustrates this well: https://eglcommunity.tumblr.com/post/164909080413/when-you-dont-like-the-sack-cut

>>9712068
40cm is too short for lolita, as most skirts are 50cm long. Why not get a better petticoat and better clothes now? It's best to invest in quality pieces now than waste money on crap and "graduate" to better things in the future.

>>9712070
Exactly what I needed to know.
Thank you! I will look for something better, then.

The clothes are actually for cosplay, so that's why I mentioned not being proper lolita. I fell in love in them, so I couldn't pass on them, and some of them might require a petti.
Getting a better petticoat is a thing up for consideration, but for buying lolita I still need to learn a lot, and find dresses I would really love to get. Something I would rather not do hastily.

>>9712078
Ah, that's understandable then! Good luck with your search.

when looking for coord inspiration for a particular dress/print, where do you gulls usually search?

is it just a little bit here and there? like, google search, instagram tags, etc...

Where can I find a hat like this? Doesn't have to be brand or anything, as long as it's decent quality

>>9712308
Also, a Plain one Will be fine, i'll add the lace/ribbon/flowers myself!

>>9710572
Sorry for full link, but Amiami has the oficial ones. You can search for the exact model on their page. Only downside would be is if the pilllow is sold out or a preorder(this one isn't)
http://www.. amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=GOODS-00177068&page=top%2Fsearch%2Flist%3Fs_keywords%3Dumaru%24pagemax%3D40%24getcnt%3D0%24pagecnt%3D2

>>9711382
Thank you for the answer, it was helpful

>>9700881
Has the tracking updated? I'm the anon that replied to you. I'm realising now how dumb it was to order from them. it's been just shy of two weeks and it's still saying 'package not found'.

I didn't spend a lot but I'm still miffed they just take money and don't bother sending anything. at this point it doesn't matter that the website is still there, the shop is just a husk that you can throw money at.

inb4 I'm an idiot, ik ik

>>9712308
It's called a bowler hat, ebay has tons of them fairly cheap but I don't have any experience about them. Might order one for myself though.

>>9712240
Insta tags, Tumblr tags, Closet of Frills search, sometimes wear.jp, coordisnap or Lookbook. It can help to search in Japanese.

>>9712322
Oh bless. That's actually a really cute pillow! Does AmiAmi run similarly to Yahoo! Japan? I went through checkout and selected EMS just to see and it looks like there's no additional charge for shipping. Based on previous purchases from Japan, this won't arrive by Christmas but the recipient wouldn't mind anyway.

What's the most efficient way to build up your closet? I wore my first coord for the first time and I'm dying to get more dresses but I want to be smart about it. Can anyone give tips?

>>9711615
bumping this sry

>>9711615
download the image of the shoes, then image search on either taobao, aliexpress, or google

you can probably find most things in their store cheaper elsewhere

>>9712644
search second hand places for items you like and buy them. get blouses and boleros/cardigans/bloomers/socks too. Don't forget the staples. Only buy things you really love and that fit with what you already have so you can mix and match. eventually you can branch out into other colors and styles, but for now just stick to things that work together and don't forget basics.

Is there any way to buy from VM without a shopping service?

>>9712689
Thank you! And what sites would you recommend? The only second hand I know of right now is lacemarket

What color is Sax Blue?

>>9712775
It's light/baby blue

>>9712069
I've tried the ribbon but it looks really awkward because it's an empire cut sack dress but the corset looks really nice. Thanks!

>>9712773
Lacemarket is the only second-hand sales site in the West. People also use Facebook sales. egl-comm-sales on Livejournal is virtually dead and most on there is just crossposts from LM. I like Lacemarket personally, it's convenient to get stuff without an SS and the feedback system is good.

For Japanese second-hand shops I like Wunderwelt. You don't need to use a shopping service if you're not from Europe or another place with awful customs. There's also Closet Child (also ships international), Maidenclothing, Violet Blue and Tokyo Alice on Rakuten, Usagiyouhinten and a couple of others I've forgotten. Then there are also individual Japanese sellers selling on Yahoo! Japan Auctions, Fril and Mercari, which you'll need a shopping service for.

>>9712760
No. You can buy from them using tokyo rebel though, if that helps. I mean they're kind of an ss at that point but still.

This is quite a bit out there: is it possible to order custom made woven fabric from China?

what is a sissy? when i first saw it i thought it was a derogatory term for trans women in lolita but now im not sure.

>>9713367
It's a term usually applied to men but sometimes to women, who get off on wearing ridiculous frilly satin monster dresses, and possibly also on the idea of being forced to dress this way and being seen by people in this state.
It's a fetish thing, and falls under the BDSM umbrella.

>>9713367
It’s a term for men who get sexually off on the idea of wearing dresses. Seems to be about humiliation, the act of being forced to dress “female” is what gets them. They typically are straight cis men otherwise but cannot get that it’s disgusting to imply that being a woman is humiliating.

>>9711932
It will depend on how long your hair is. Learn how to french braid. I usually do two or three braids, them pin them in an "x" on my head to distribute the bulk of my hair evenly. Hairpray then wig cap (for what its worth, I always use the pantyhose kind, not the fishnet kind). If your hair is particularly long or thick, you can try pin curling your hair.

I bought my first few lolita items via Lace Market, but the tracking number that the seller gave just says “Electronic Notification Recieved”. Does anyone know what this means?

Is Bhiner an ok place to buy Taobao stuff from?
I'm looking at a cosplay, but I've never bought from Taobao (this'll probably the one and only time) I'm still trying to make sense of the measurements with another chart, they measure in centimeters right?

>>9713689
that it hasn't made it to the post office yet, but that the seller printed shipping labels

>>9713704
Use taobaoring, bhiner has a fairly bad reputation

Check the taobao thread for a spreadsheet comparing different shopping services

>>9702253
They'll sometimes have items listed that are actually not in stock, but they'll email you if this happens. Other than that annoyance they're good

If an taobao reseller from ebay sends you the wrong item, would it be easier just to open a dispute and try to get your money entirely back? It sounds kind of unfair to them but... I'm having an issue where I was sent a cosplay wig of the wrong length despite it being nice quality and the right color. I just can't use it at that length although the listing said 100cm; it measures out to be 80-83cm. Seller said they'd reimburse me for half and I keep it because shipping back to China is expensive. Or I pay out of pocket to send it back for full reimbursement (they didn't say if they'd pay for return shipping). Not sure what to do in this stupid situation and if anyone has had this issue before. I've ordered cosplay stuff off ebay and it's always been high quality thanks to me being picky about the listing, so this seems like a weird fluke situation...

Having problems spray painting at the moment. I'm sectioning off areas with masking tape but the second colour is bleeding underneath the tape. Any points for this problem?

Is Wunderwelt generally a good second hand place to buy from? I emailed them about a week ago about an item, but they've not gotten back to me, despite everywhere on their website saying "Contact us in English!"

Alright so I'm really hoping to get an answer but I'm not getting my hopes up

I've lost almost 50 pounds in the last year, and I'm able to wear Lolita more comfortably. However, I've noticed that my thighs and calves are still pretty big for my size. I have 15 inch calves and 21 inch thighs. I'm tired of the lower half of my coordinates feeling boring because for the most part I can only wear solid color tights. I only have 30 more pounds to go but I'm not convinced that my thighs/calves will go down much more. Can anyone recommend me a few different shops/socks that might fit me?

>>9713911
Try painter's tape, and make sure you really get good adhesion because if the tape isn't sticking it won't protect your other color.
>>9713930
Wunderwelt is usually good. Email them again, not getting a response is kind of weird.

1. I'm starting my journey for loosing weight but in the meantime what's the best way to dress for someone who's fat but not obese?
bust-37in waist-30 hips-38

2. What is a good accessory for goth stuff? I like roses and crosses as much as the next gul but I've been drowning in them for months. Is there a good place to get bat accessories without using a SS?

Am I just failing at google, or do cosmetic contacts with heart-shaped pupils not exist? Closest I can find are lenses with a red heart and round pupil (which just looks like garbage).
Failing that, are there any reputable custom contact places that don't charge the huge amounts prosthetic lens makers (make lenses to match existing eyes in cases of injury) do?

>>9713936
i know Komachi666 does 'plus sized' tights that should work for you if you're concerned (they make normal sized ones too). Other pattern wise, you can try scoping around Torrid (they make tights for 10-12 if you go 00 in their sizing).

>>9713930
I just bought a dress off their website, but it's strange they didn't email you back. I agree with >>9714108, try again.

>>9712308
this shop has some in different colors
>https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5-c.w4002-9023047551.74.6c113c9eYGplG3&id=41683950054

How do I pick correct sizes, when ordering clothes online, especially lolita dresses?
I'm 85 cm bust, 65 cm waist, and 84 cm hips, which would make me pick S or M, but… I'm 175 cm tall, which places me quite far from 150 cm cute petite girls most of these dresses are intended for. My shoulders also are not one of the narrowest, at 39 cm.
I do not own any dress to have a point of reference, so I'm completely lost here.

Anything else I should know considering my size? Should I avoid OPs, as the sleeves would be too short for me? Should I also worry about length of dresses, or the few cm do not make much difference?

Where can I find pretty shoes, that would match coords, if I have EU 41~42 shoes size? Will I have better luck looking for places that make custom shoes?

>>9713936
Your calves sound relatively normal, I have 14" calves and wear BtSSB socks comfortably (the smallest IMO). Depending on where you're measuring you might be right that your thighs are thicker than average, but I think you can still fit most brands' socks without stretching out the pattern. Metamorphose and AP legwear can also be quite stretchy. Teja Jamilla on Etsy also does plus-size tights, and Sock Dreams have a few simple patterns.

>>9714116
2. I've ordered from Antique Beast without a SS before by using Google Translate to give my order. There are also a lot of indie brands with bat accessories selling through Etsy, like Cloudberry Lady and Medusa Couture.

>>9714866
Look for brands selling specifically longer-length dresses, so you can pick your correct size and still get the length you need. There's a "tall lolita friendly" tag on Lacemarket. Long-sleeved OPs may have sleeves too short for you, as might blouses, but it depends on the item - you can ask for sleeve measurements. Dress length definitely makes a difference but depending on the style you might not need to worry as much (e.g. gothic can get away with shorter, or use less poof to compensate).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMpXGg8-HI

Most lolita dresses are made for more like 158-162cm girls, not as short as 150, FYI.

How do I politely tell a seller I think their math is way off for international shipping? On the one hand I'm stoked for a cheap estimate they might have to honor even if it's wrong, but on the other, there's no way you can ship a dress from Europe to America for six bucks. Right???

>>9717235
It would be closer to $20, depending on how big and heavy the package is going to be.
Weigh the dress and see how heavy it is, check how tightly you can pack it, and how big the package would be. Given that and knowing from/to countries, you can use some shipping calculators, like from your local post (probably the cheapest), UPS, DHL, or any other shipping company.
But sure, the cheapest option might be even $6, if it were sent in an envelope, and not as a package.

Also, new thread
>>9716450
>>9716450
>>9716450