/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

Recap of last thread:

>Multiple facebook groups have been created:
(facebook dot com slash) groups/1648293041860085/
facebook dot com slash groups slash 1724940834218062

>Some anons were in favor of groups on other platforms, but none have yet been made/shared to the thread

>For those who missed it and were interested, penpal-anon shared her email: >>9686063 → #

>/ck/-anon was trying to make clotted cream and it didn't work out. Anyone have any tips to share? >>9699376

>Some anons enjoy needlefelting
(I'd personally love to see your finished projects!)

>Needlenthread.com was given as a good embroidery resource

>Anyone have any cute ideas for storing boring old tea bags in?
>>9701929
>>9701942
>>9702919

>Anons discussed buying vs sewing their own nightwear

Unanswered question at the end of last thread:
>>9708851
>What is everyone doing for Christmas decorations and do you gulls have any change in habits when winter comes around?

>>9710917
To all the anons who've replied to my penpal email, I'm so sorry! With the holiday everything got a little crazy and I lost track of everything. I promise you'll all be receiving a response within the next day.

>>9710917
the princess portal group is slow, but i'm also too shy/uncreative to come up with conversation topics on my own. is everyone else in the group on the same boat? i wonder if a group chat on FB would encourage us to talk more, since it's more casual and instantaneous?

also to answer the question in the OP:
i'm planning on crocheting lace garlands with snowflake motifs, but that's probably more for next year's winter than this year's. in regards to habit changes, i spend a lot more time in my pajamas and my hot cocoa intake increases.

>>9711121
just join the vetting discord if you want to talk with lolitas more. fb is dead and princess portal was as bound to die as egl lifestyle group. theyre both run by saltmonsters

>>9711191
i'm already a member of the vetting discord but lifestyle oriented discussion isn't really a thing there. there used to be a lifestyle channel in the other server before it was bawwwleeted which was cool, but now there isn't

>>9711121
princess portal group? on discord?

>>9710976
I wish I had penpal that I could spill my guts too. What are the limits of your conversations?

>>9711461
I think they're referring to the second facebook group in this post >>9710919 since they reference facebook.

I'm not really a lifestyler, but I'm having a problem that some of you might relate to... So I really really love lolita, it makes me feel so happy and chill. I'm usually a very anxious person towards myself, but with others I'm very laid-back and easygoing, I'm just happy to be around other lolitas when I can be.

But due to a comment someone made around me, I worry that I'm coming off as fake. I'm not trying be some sort of "lovely" person, I'm really not sure what I'm doing wrong to seem insincere. How can I show that I love being in my comm and around the other girls there without coming off as fake?

>>9711609
some personalities are naturally averse to very friendly, nice people. it's not really an issue with you. video related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3npvris_TA

i'm the same way kind of, in that i genuinely love people and want to be nice and help everyone i can in any way i can. but it scares people away and people think i'm being fake nice/ladylike for the sake of the lolita a e s t h e t i c. just keep being kind and sympathize for those who fear kindness because they obviously haven't been exposed enough to it to be used to it.

What is everyone wearing for ILD today?

Today is the one day of the month I have the apartment entirely to myself, so I decided to wear something comfy and spend the day inside being cozy.
I'm wearing Little Bears Cafe and crocheting, might watch Kamikaze Girls later.

>>9711609
Going with the basic assumption that you are in fact sincere when you interact with your comm, I don't think there's much you can do. Someone once accused me of being fake just for being nice to my close friends. People are weird with their perception sometimes and you can't and shouldn't try to change someone's mind about you, because the fact is you can't please everyone and not everyone is going to like you or want to be your friend.
TL;DR: You do you.

>>9711613
That sounds great, anon!
I've dedicated the day to admiring my wardrobe, every individual piece; I wear lolita daily and it's too easy to start seeing the quantities of frills as a matter of fact after so many years, so I felt it was a much needed exercise. It might sound tedious but it was fun, and did make me realize how many beautiful pieces I've accumulated and truly appreciate it all. Honestly, this might've been the best ILD I've had in years.

>>9711612
Hm. Interesting video, but I really don't think it describes me. I am quite an opinionated person, and if I disagree with a topic, I will try to understand and express why I disagree. I tend to do it politely, but I would never just agree with things the way the type of person the video describes does. Interesting watch, though. Makes sense in terms of the creepy enforced behaviour of shop employees.

Just had a thought: maybe I come off as fake because I do voice my opinions and disagreements in conversations, but it doesn't impact my opinion of *people* for the most part. That could seem a little weird, I guess? I feel like recently if you disagree with someone on anything you're expected to dislike them as a person... I guess I can see how the girl who thinks I'm fake might assume I was judging them or faking being nice to them after we disagreed on whether dresses with UK flags were cute or awkward. (I personally don't love them and feel awkward in them. Idgaf if anyone else wears them though.)

Oh well, if that's the case then there's nothing I can do so I'm just going to let it go.

>>9711614
This was actually super helpful to read, thanks! Puts things in perspective a bit.

>>9711609
This is difficult because being "fake" is subjective like the other anons said. If someone is on the dour or cynical side themselves it maybe be hard for them to believe that some people are genuinely happy and kind a lot of the time. I've been called fake (and "one of those lolita lifestylers", meant as an insult) because I like fussing over the details of people's coords and didn't feel comfortable talking about vibrators with people I just met. You know, all that crazy lifestyler stuff.

I think all you can do is just continue being you. The people who get to know you will find that what they see is what they get and you really are sincere, and the skeptical people will either come around or they won't. You can't force it, because if you try too hard they'll just take that as evidence that you are fake. Spend time with the people you do click with, instead.

>>9711613
Today was homework day unfortunately so I didn't really have the time or energy to get dressed up properly. I did wear a really comfy and warm old BtSSB dress and threw a bunch of floordinates together when I needed a break. Somehow I never manage to spend ILD doing anything especially lolita-related. Something else always gets in the way.

>>9711637
>Somehow I never manage to spend ILD doing anything especially lolita-related. Something else always gets in the way.
Always happens to me for Winter ILD, I usually make the summer one but I have so many other commitments around this time of year that it's hard to make it. I usually don't mind paying for expensive special occasion meets, but I wasn't interested in the activity my comm were doing this year and $60+ for something I didn't care for felt like a waste during exam season.

Any lifestylers collect dolls other than BJDs? Like toys or dolls? Anyone use them in co-ords?

I personally collect monster highs, ever after highs, and others but I don’t use them in coords.

Also, are BJDs the only considered “Lolita” dolls?

>>9711705
All cute, old-fashioned or elegant dolls work

Didn't know what thread this was best for, but thought a lot of people here might be daily lolitas with large wardrobes - do any of you have tips on stopping your wardrobe feeling overwhelming?

I like a lot of different substyles so my wardrobe's pretty varied, but I tend to go through phases of liking one substyle more. Like last year I mostly wore gothic, around the summer I briefly got into AP prints and was focused on knocking off wishlist pieces, then transitioned to wearing so much oldschool I was considering selling everything else, and right now I'm wearing a lot of classic mixed with vintage stuff (and simpler oldschool) and wondering whether I should sell most of my prints and sweet shoes because I haven't attended a meetup or gone anywhere nice alone in months so I'm permanently in toned-down mode. Having to deal with the decision fatigue means I end up wearing favourite items over and over and then other stuff never gets touched.

I'm getting the urge to clear out and really look forward to holidays and family visits when I have to go away for a couple of weeks and only bring a few items with me, but I find it hard to trust my judgement on what to sell/give away because my taste changes so much. Even though a certain item doesn't "spark joy" right now, I might get back into that style in a couple of months and miss it, and I think I'd quickly get bored with what I had if I reduced my wardrobe down to capsule size permanently. I put about 10% of my wardrobe up for sale and honestly feel like selling more, but I'm super hesitant because so much of what I want to sell is nice stuff I'm just not feeling right now, but might in the future...if I had the space I'd move most of my wardrobe to another room and just keep a manageable amount out, then "shop my closet" when I got bored, but I only have the one packed wardrobe for storage so I can't really separate stuff out.

>>9711636
>Idgaf if anyone else wears them though
Well when you say it like that I could totally see why someone thought you were phoney.

>>9711903
Gosh I really relate to this, I’m having the same problem. I love my big, varied wardrobe in fact I’m really proud of it and I can come up with a nice creative coord for almost any occasion as long as I have the time and energy. But the decision fatigue is real, if I don’t plan it in advance it becomes overwhelming.

So what I have tried to do is do a lot of planning in advance. You can use an app like stylebook or just use a spreadsheet, to come up with different outfits for different conditions. Then instead of choosing the same favorites over and over I have some other options ready to go and can keep some variety.

Culling does help a lot too, I’m just at a point where I’m not quite out of space and everything I have I know I would miss. I do a clean out roughly every 6 months. Make sure you don’t just do main pieces, also do blouses and accessories and all of that. That’s all the advice I have though, I hope others will have more ideas.

I just ordered supplies for ribbon embroidery. Has anyone done it before and any tips?

>>9711705
I have a few older porcelain dolls but I don't really consider myself a collector, since I don't want a lot of them. Ideally I'd like to find a more adult-proportioned fashion doll like pic related rather than the child-proportioned ones I've been picking up so far. But they were all so cheap so I couldn't help myself! Nobody wants to stay the night in my room, now. Good.

We should have a Penpal topic on any of those new groups created

>>9711705
I do! Mostly Barbie, Disney and Madame Alexander. Most of the Barbie + MA dolls are either history or ballet inspired.

>>9711924
>Gosh I really relate to this, I’m having the same problem. I love my big, varied wardrobe in fact I’m really proud of it and I can come up with a nice creative coord for almost any occasion as long as I have the time and energy. But the decision fatigue is real, if I don’t plan it in advance it becomes overwhelming.
Relatable, I have a lot of basics so I feel like my wardrobe has a ton of potential but I end up wearing similar items over and over. My wardrobe isn't even that large compared to some (approx. 55 main pieces, 55 blouse/outer, 30 shoes, 20 bags, not inc. stuff I'm selling), but that makes the feeling of boredom worse because if I really want to wear, say, florals that month, I'll only have two or three dresses to choose from. I feel like I simultaneously have too much and too little; it's too much to remember or wear everything (I don't even wear lolita daily), but since I wear so many different styles there's not a lot in each category.

I don't have many main pieces I can't coord at all, but there are still a few things that need repairing and a bunch of stuff that's unseasonal, on top of all the prints, delicate items, etc that are too OTT or too much work for everyday. In fact, I just counted and at a rough estimate less than 20/50 of my main pieces are useable right now (hence me wanting to sell special-occasion pieces now I don't have many special occasions, but they're mostly dream items I don't want to part with).

Stylebook looks great but I don't have any Apple devices and every Android alternative I've tried was crap compared. I like keeping track of what I have through EGL wardrobe posts but the last time I made one was years ago...I should probably put the effort in this year. I'd really like to plan for the week ahead by picking out a few outfits at the weekend and leaving them out, but the rail in my room is stuffed full of the things I'm selling right now so there's no space. I think I could cull more.

>>9712288
I have some ribbons but haven't gotten around to trying them out. Do tell us how it goes for you.

>>9712867
>Stylebook looks great but I don't have any Apple devices and every Android alternative I've tried was crap compared.
Androidlita here, I feel this pain, so I made a pinterest board for my main pieces but I also have a board of coods others have done that I like with the main pieces I own. Its been helpful re: inspiration for what I can do with what I have, or what pieces I should get that can do double duty.

>>9713304
Yup, I tried five or six different Android apps for it about a year ago and they were all awful, so I gave up. I've actually never seen coords with most of my pieces but I like the idea, I always save photos I see with pieces I have but don't have a dedicated place for them so they're mixed in my coord folder.

>>9712288
I'd get some Offray just to practice with before you start using the nice stuff. Get nice long pins and needles too. I use that clear beading thread to make mine.

And thanks to stem stitch anon for help a few threads ago!

>>9714932
>those nails

>>9711705
Not the most elegant or cute, but recently I've begun collecting Living Dead Dolls! Pic related is a dream doll but I haven't been able to find her.

>>9714932
That looks a lot better already, nicely done

>>9714954
*that

>>9714954
Oh fuck off

>>9715026
>"lifestyle lolita"
>nasty nails
ok

>>9715092
Nayrt but it's nail polish, and nail polish remover isn't very good for your nails

>>9715094
they make gentle and moisturizing nailpolish removers, no excuses

or just paint over them if it's that much of an issue

>>9715096
>gentle and moisturizing nailpolish removers
kek

>>9715097
>having shitty hygiene and thinking you're a lifestyler
kek

>>9715099
How does chipped nail polish paint equal bad hygiene?

>>9715099
I am neither a lifestyler nor the anon you are talking to. I just saw that comment and thought it was hilarious. Nail polish remover is awful for your nails, regardless of what trace chemicals they put in the bottle to be able to claim something in marketing

>>9715100
They seem to have zero concept of how cosmetics work... I wouldn't take their perspective on 'hygiene' too seriously.

>>9715106
They must think wearing makeup is good hygiene and good for your skin too.

>>9715094
Neither is nail polish? Why is this an argument. Just don't respond.

>>9714954
Will it help you untwist your knickers if I tell you I'm not a lifestyle lolita, just a lurker who got advice on a project?

>>9715011
Thank you! Your advice was really helpful.

>>9715194
>I'm not a lifestyle lolita, just a lurker who got advice on a project?
I'm just a lurker who ended up here cause there was talk of embroidery.

Maybe we could try and see if there's enough interest for an embroidery general and leave these lifestylers alone.

>>9715220
I'm not a lifestyler per-se, but I'm here for some of the hobby stuff like baking. An embroidery gen would be nice (I'm sure the cosplayers would enjoy it as well)

>>9715193
Actually because it is an extra layer, nail polish is good for your nail strength. Doing fake nail stuff fucks it up but a Kat if paint helps with stopping chips.

>>9715273
Most nail polish still has solvents in it. You can't pick a specific type of nail polish and blanket statement that it's all good.

>>9715220
>thinking anybody but yourself cares about your tacky Christmas embroidery covered in dog fur
post to the handmade general you flake

>>9715372
damn why are you so angry over embroidery, is everything ok anon?

>>9715100
ever eat chips off your polish?
Yes you have, you've just never thought about it until now.

Midori posted this cute embroidered pouch that she got at a tea party. I really like the design and I'm considering making something similar.

>>9711903
I am feeling this so hard. I sold off about 10 dresses this year. I would like to sell off half my wardrobe and get dresses that are more basic (solids, plaids) so that I don't feel so overdressed. I was wearing lolita daily for awhile but mostly my oldschool stuff. My modern stuff almost never gets worn, but at the same time I love it and have a hard time selling it off

>>9716081
I definitely miss living in a city with an active comm that gave me a reason and safe environment to dress up, it's hard to find an occasion to wear OTT prints "just because". If I go to a nice historic building or museum or something I sometimes wear fancy coords outside meets, but it's not practical for daily errands or ordinary life when I don't have the time to constantly get stopped for photos, and I know it makes my partner and friends (who dress pretty scruffily) uncomfortable because they're not used to all the attention.

>>9714988
I collect them also, although my interest has dropped off a lot recently. Did you know they were featured in one of the early Gothic & Lolita Bibles?

>>9711903

I feel like vacuum bags might have been made for this. Seal up the mini-wardrobes you aren't really "feeling" right now and stash them away for about 6 months or a year, or however long you take to cycle back. Vacuum bags pack down pretty flat, so you could probably stash them in odd places like under your bed or behind your cupboard or something, and they don't take up that much space. Set a reminder on your phone. After 6 months/a year/your typical interest cycle you come back and look at all the stuff again. If you haven't missed it at all, sell it all off, you obviously don't need it. In the meantime, if you miss that particular style, you can always pull out the vacuum bags and swap the dresses in them and pack away a different substyle.

Kind of wish I could tell you this works for me, but really I just do it for winter clothes. I have a wardrobe of 100+ pieces because my weight goes up and down every year, so I end up wearing whatever clothes still fit whatever size I am at the moment, I'm hoarding unshirred Moitie dresses along with the fully shirred EE dresses, and have JetJ dresses in two sizes.

>>9716260
> I'm hoarding unshirred Moitie dresses along with the fully shirred EE dresses, and have JetJ dresses in two sizes.
Wow, what a waste of money. Control your eating habits.

>>9716585

Already on it, thanks.

>>9716260
I feel like the clothes would just get super wrinkled in the bags and then I'd be too lazy to get them all out and steam them again, even if I actually wanted to wear the item (esp. since steaming would require having free space on my hanging rail, and if I had that I could use the rail to store my current "capsule" instead). It'd stop me being able to make spur-of-the-moment decisions to wear an item I haven't worn in a while. I might do it for winter clothes though, or for parts of my normie wardrobe I don't wear often.

I feel you on the different sizes. My variation's not as extreme but I have stuff from 82cm to 98cm bust that fits at different weights and times of the month. I can still wear most of it with shapewear at my normal bust size, but it means being able to wear some dresses is conditional on my binder/most padded bra/whatever being clean at the time.

Do you all have certain music that really fits with your style? I wear classical, and I love two these two albums by Robin Williams: A Piano in the House and Signs of Spring.

>>9716585
Shut the fuck up ana-chan

>>9716585
Everyone’s weight fluctuates you dumb bitch

>>9716805
>>9716806
>samefagging this hard

>>9716805
Common sense would say that shirring with corset lacing is the best option of you fluctuate that much. Ditch the unshirred pieces for stuff you can wear more often.

>>9716806
Yeah, by 4lbs, not 30.

>>9716710

It's more that you mention you phase in and out of certain styles. So if you're "in" to one style and out of the other, you can pack up the style you're not currently into, wait until you're out of the other one and into this one again, and swap the entire style. It's not really that the clothes are available for you to in the same way it would be if you had it hanging in a seperate closet, it's more that you can swap entire style closets when you fall in and out of love with them.


>>9716833

That's how I didn't notice my weight fluctuating. I started wearing those more often, then had a shock one day when I realised I didn't really fit properly into a shirred dress the same way I used to.

Seriously though, don't worry about me. the fluctuations are more like I overate this year, and diet down to skinny next year. Working on keeping better track of my eating habits so I stop putting on weight, it's just this one spot in the year where we get really slammed at work and then my eating goes to shit. I'm trying out mealprep next year to see if it stops my weight fluctuating so much.

btw >>9716591 was my comment, >>9716805 isn't.

>>9711705
I collect BJD's! Surprisingly don't own a lolita specific doll, but I have some in other jfash.

Have you considered Pullips? They're not my aesthetic but I know at least AP has released some.

My ribbons came and I'm already regretting I only ordered few (pastel) colours. Went a bit overboard with the green and you can't really tell the difference between white and blue. But overall I think it's good for a first timer.

>>9717572
Seconding Pullips, especially if anon is into MH and EAH. They are the same scale and have a similar aesthetic.

t. they were my gateway to BJD

>>9722278
Ugh this is cute af. Did you follow an example or tutorial?

>>9722278
Ooh, that's fancy. What kind of ribbons are they?

>>9722356
Thank you. When looking for inspiration the flower basket was a common theme, so I decided to do it. I draft the pattern myself but I used tutorials for the stitches.

>>9722620
Those are 3mm (1/8 inch?) satin ribbons. It should be silk but satin is good (and cheaper) for practise.