New Series: How To Make Lolita Work For You

I am going to start a new multi-part series on how to make lolita work for the individual.  As of right now it will feature 5 parts focusing on the 5 most common bodytypes; apple, pear, hourglass, carrot, and ruler. If you don't know what your bodytype is I highly suggest you take this quiz to find out (note that strawberry = carrot and rectangle = ruler)  I will give tips and tricks on how to flatter your figure and look your best.

Lolita For Your Bodytype by mandaplz on polyvore.com
I hope you look forward to this series and that if this becomes popular, I will discuss other ways to make lolita work for you (short hair, tall, etc.)

Long Time No Post ! One Item Three Ways Thursday #8

I apologize for the lack of posting lately.  I've just been buckling down since it was the end of the year and some of my grades weren't as awesome as they should be. Luckily school just ended yesterday so I thought I would celebrate by making a blog post! Onto the One Item Three Ways Thursday~ I personally own this jumper skirt after snatching it for a bargain on eBay (seriously guys, as long as you search for specific brands and use your brain, eBay isn't as terrible as some lolitas would like to believe) and I love it.  The print is very 50's friendly which is very on trend in the "normal people" fashion world :P  I actually wore to a loliday meet up.  I'll post a picture at the end of this post.

One Item Three Ways: gingham cherry jsk by MandaPlz featuring leather jackets
numbered 1 to 3 (left to right) 
1.  I went with a very crazy and fun OTT outfit.  I mixed different brands, prints, and patterns together.  More people need to forget being a slave to the label and just wear what they like and what looks good together.  The socks played up the berry theme of the dress and complimented the patterned red blouse.

2.  For the second outfit a went a light, almost hime type outfit.  The dotted texture of the bolero really goes well with the spotted tights (which are actually tiny hearts!).  The hair in styled in a simple bun with a pearl headband and a daisy hair clip.

3. The third is my favorite. It is just so fun and unexpected out a rather sweet looking dress!  The leather jacket and white doc martens add a quirky punky flair while staying within the color scheme of the dress.  The split wig also adds edge, but it doesn't compete with the rest of the outfit too much.

 

 picture taken by Kayla. listed left to right. Myself, Jen, Sarah, Hope, Cat, and Emily

And there is the picture from the meet up I promised.  The meet up was so fun despite so many people canceling last minute. We were supposed to do a photo shoot at the cathedral of learning, but we just ended up eating and chatting at a near by park -and rode the coolest carousel in the world! (I rode a triceratops, seriously what carousel has that!)

 

Flea Markets Are Your Friends!

 As someone that loves to save a buck while remaining stylish, flea markets are my heaven. So much of my lolita wardrobe is composed of vintage and second hand finds. Even my go to hyper poof petticoat was found at a local flea market. I find that most lolitas are eager to go vintage shopping, but they have idea what why to go about it.  I composed a few tips and tricks on how to score at your local flea markets.

-Keep your eyes open. So many of my "conversation starter" items could have been easily over looked by the common flea market consumer's eye.

-Don't set your ideals too high. Sorry to break it to you, but you will not find an Angelic Pretty skirt in your lolita-able flea market expedition.  You might not be able to find a head eatting bow that looks like it came directly from BTSSB, but you may be able to find some miner goggles from the early 20th century or a retro-tastic pillbox hat (I've found both!) to add some quirky flair to your outfits.

 
veiled pillbox hat found at a local flea market

-Be prepared to alter and tailor. Nine times out of ten, if you buy some sort of clothing item it at a flea market it will need to be altered in someway.  Also keep in mind (especially in plus sized or over sized items) that you can also make something completely different out of the fabric.  Even if it isn't a lot of fabric you would be surprised how little fabric you need to make bows or even a tote bag.

-Don't be afraid to make an offer! Most of the times the sellers of items are just as eager to get rid of their items as you are to buy them.  Sometimes even by buying one item you can get several items from the same person included (this was how I got three tiaras and Marie Antoinette wallet for less than $5).

Items that you can sometimes find at flea markets:

Classical/Steampunk-
steampunk style goggles
pocket watches
antique and cameo jewelry
handmade dollies (for brooches and other crafts)
Sweet/OTT
children's clothing (for making bows and other items)
children's toys (for deco)
children's' accessories (little clips and bows)
dainty vintage hats
Gothic/Punk
cross and rose jewelry
studded belts and accessories (use with discretion)
dark veiled hats
vintage leather apparel
Generic
petticoats (usually square dance petticoats, but you can roll up the waist band for a more cupcake shape)
vintage shoes
odd crafting supplies

I hope you enjoyed. I wish you luck on future flea market expeditions~!

One Item Three Ways Thursday #7

This week I chose a cute color blocked jumper skirt from Alice and the Pirates. I love how versatile the tarot card pattern card is. On to the coordinates~!

One Item Three Ways: Tarot Cards by MandaPlz featuring suede boots
numbered 1-3 left to right

 1. For the first coord I went with the first thing to come to my head and out came this elegant and subtle classical outfit.  I paired the dress with cream tights and a bolero to give it more of a classical kick.  The shoes are. just. to. die. for. so they don't really need more of an explanation.  Keep the hair styled simply with a rose clip to keep the focus on the dress and awesome shoes.

2. I took a darker themed dress into a much sweeter and softer light with this coord. I think that card prints in lolita will always remind me a bit of Alice in Wonderland (note the adorable bunny bag~).  Use bow encrusted socks, simple matching mary janes and wrist cuffs to add more sweetness. Top this off with a curly spilt wig and a giant bow and you are ready for anything your sugary heart desires!

3. I decide to let this gloomy print do it's thing in this outfit. I covered the red bodice with a punky jacket to bring out the darker colors in the jumper skirt.  Although some think that black striped socks and tights are ita-tastic, I think they can easily work as long as they coordinate with your outfit (like so). Wear it with some black lace up booties and a circular head dress to polish up the look.

For those that haven't seen, I recently submitted a polyvore set to a the blog The Elegant Wardrobe, 

, a local lolita (and awesome blogger). I would love if you would all check out her blog and support her!.

Also for those sick of my polyvore coordinates, I am presently writing up some tips and tricks on scoring loli goods at local flea markets for a future post~ Well that's all for now!

One Item Three Ways Thursday #6

I made all of my looks into one image this time around to make a less cluttered looking post. I chose a dress from Modcloth which specializes in vintage inspired clothing. This is also going to focus more on outfits outside of lolita.

One Item Three Ways:modcloth by MandaPlz featuring a sheer dress 
numbered 1-3 left to right
1) The design on the dress personally reminded me of much darker Sugar Pansy. You should use pastels to really lighten up the dark dress for this sugary sweet look. I used a very soft and airy cardigan,worthy of Sugar Pansy, over the dress for modesty and to bring out the yellow in the print.  Use a simply styled rose colored wig to add elegance and matche the floral theme of the dress.

2)This is the way I would most likely wear it in my everyday life. It has an edgier fairy kei feel to it (I use fairy-kei very loosely). The pastel leather jacket and floral doc martens add spunk to a rather prim and proper dress.  The OTK socks and knit scarf are for added warmth and coziness. I think this would look best with loose fluffy curls~

3)I played up the natural floral print of the dress in a mori girl coord. I paired the dress with subtle floral mid calf socks and navy lace up boots. The blouse and aged denim jacket have a cool vintage feel to them and are perfect for mori girl. The hair is styled simply with a single pink rose hair piece and tied into two braids. 


I must apologize for not posting last week due to the awesome that is Tekkoshocon. Despite how small the hotel was for the number of attendee, I still made TONS of new friends. A group even cosplayed my favorite kpop group SHINee and preformed their song 'Lucifer' at the masquerade. I. literally. died.

One Item Three Ways Thursday #5

I noticed that I haven't used any offbrand items in any of my One Item Three Ways Thursday posts. I thought I could use this gorgeous red skirt from bodyline (which I own and love to pieces if you couldn't tell by the header!).

Gothic Glamor by MandaPlz featuring heart handbags
For my first look, I went for an edgy gothic look.  I used a pair of dark lace up boots and a black ruffley high collared blouse to add a traditional gothic flair to a more classical skirt. I used the pirate style H.Naoto jacket, striped tights and Vivienne Westwood bag to add more edge. I left the hair simply curled with a slight side part and a little cameo bow to not detract from the rest of the outfit.

among the flowers by MandaPlz featuring crop tops
I played up the granny style print in this simple classic style outfit.  I added some maroon lace up shoes, quilted bow purse and a lacy bolero to add  vintage flair. The hair should be styled soft and airy to make sure the outfit doesn't end up too stuffy looking. The roses add a dainty touch and make the outfit more color balanced.

Elegant in Ero by MandaPlz featuring fishnet stockings
This is by far the sexiest of all of the outfits! I thought I should just play up the corset lacing in the front by putting it over another corset. ♫Double corset all the way across the- *gets pulled off with cane* ...anyway, the lace tights, sheer bolero, and bow covered gloved exemplify give-and-take sexiness. The cute heart theme mary janes and rose head band continue the flirty vibe.
I hope you enjoyed~!

Bulletin!

I won't be able to post a One Item Three Ways Thursday tomorrow because I am heading over to my friend's house for some pre-Tekkoshocon cosplay work.  I'm so excited because my personal friend and fellow blogger Emily are doing a panel on Kpop!
I felt like maybe I should show some of my Kpop related coords due to the slight relevance.

Shinee Lolita by MandaPlz featuring red hair accessories

Shinee Fan-Outfit by MandaPlz featuring a ballerina skirt

Another Shinee Outfit~ by MandaPlz featuring a boston bag

Her whisper is the Lucifer. by MandaPlz featuring ballet flat shoes

2NE1 by MandaPlz featuring opaque stockings

You don't know me. So Shut up boy. by MandaPlz featuring a bubble skirt
I hope you enjoyed!!

Japanese Street Style...For Prom?

Maybe it's because of Sadie Hawkins Dance approaching, maybe it's the sequin vomit prom dress catalogs arriving, or maybe just the reminder of warm weather (whenever Pennsylvania allows that to happen AMIRITE?), but lots of my fellow peers are in preparation for prom season. I honestly couldn't care less because I'm a junior, but my mother is convinced otherwise (it certainly doesn't help that she didn't go to prom when she was in high school). I decided for fun to make prom theme coordinates based on several popular Harajuku styles.

Formal Fairy Kei by MandaPlz featuring cocktail dresses
I think fairy-kei would be the easiest to create for prom. Tulle tutu style prom dresses are rather easy to find in fairy-able colors like pink, teal, lilac, and others. What makes these dresses is the styling! Go for the most plasticy barbie looking shoes possible (bonus points if the have hearts or stars on them!) with colorful pastel socks or tights. Accessorize with cartoony shaped bags, colorful wrist cuffs, and cute hair bows. The split wig isn't totally necessary, but if it is prom you might as well go all out!

Gothic Gala by MandaPlz featuring print dresses
I went for a cute Romantic Goth and Aristocrat couple coordinate. I used an elegant chiffon Moi meme Moitie dress for the focus and added lacy tights and peep toe shoes to make it more prom appropriate. The bow encrusted elbow length gloves, drapey necklace, feathery purse and head piece add a luxurious feel. The male outfit (or significant other-for all of my lesbian and bisexual readers!) has a slightly ruffled blazer, pinstripe pants, dress shoes and a bow jabot blouse.  The looked is topped off (pun intended) with a lovely black top hat.

Dolly Kei and Mori Girl for prom by MandaPlz featuring facets jewelry

I went for a more layered Dolly-kei inspired prom ensemble on the left. It is actually two different dresses layered to add more of an eclectic vintage flair.  I added a pair of soft rose lace up heels, vintage belt, and layered necklaces for more a quirky second hand aesthetic . The floral bag and bunches of roses as a dainty girly feel.  It is completed by the one of a kind button accented elbow gloves.  
The look on the right has more of a laid back feel, which suits the Mori Girl mentality more.  The dress is just formal enough for prom with the right touches. I added a cape and tights for more modesty and formality. The hair is styled in a simple curly side pony that is just formal enough for prom, with natural looking braid accents. I added more of a floral theme with ivory rose detailed shoes, bag and hair piece. 

Hope you enjoyed and happy prom!
I also have to apologize for not posting a "One Item Three Ways Thurdays" post this or last Saturday. I thought this special article would make up for me forgetting to post last week.

One Item Three Ways Thursday #4

I chose a tiered white skirt from Putumayo this week.

spots and stripes by MandaPlz on Polyvore.com

I did a quirky black and white graphic punk outfit.  I am rather in love with all of the white punk lolita items brands like H.Naoto and Putumayo have been releasing lately. You can't go wrong with mixing patterns if they have the same color scheme (black and white in my case~).

Classy Sweet by MandaPlz on Polyvore.com
I tried to play up the girly ruffles in this cute sweet lolita outfit. I feel that the sax gloves give it a classy 50's twist. This is reminiscent of old school sweet using only two or three colors in your outfit and limited accessories as apposed to the modern color crazy,decked out in clips OTT sweet lolita.

Guro Lolita by MandaPlz on Polyvore.com
Oh guro! How I have a love-hate relationship with it! I love looking at it and give props to those that pull it off, but I would personally feel kinda silly wearing it.  If I would dress up like a trauma victim I would want to go all out zombie personally.  I love adding medical accents to guro outfit, hence the gauze type booties, medical gauze, and nurse hat.
I hope you enjoyed~

One Item Three Ways Thursday #3

This week I chose a cute bunny print jsk! It was featured in a San Fransisco one year aniversary lucky pack and can found rather cheap (and included with the matching soft brim bonnet~).

I'm late for a very important date by MandaPlz featuring white bags
I decided to play up the bunny motif by refering to none other than the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. Although many people dislike the lolita style usamimi head piece, but I though it was adorable and worked well for the rabbit theme I had (although the price did make me drop my jaw a bit).  Using a tutorial such as this you can easily make your own and just add your own lace.

OTT Classic by MandaPlz featuring a link bracelet
I wanted to try and combine classical and sweet lolita without venturing into pastels too much. I would crown braid the wig (I also think it would be cool to have a braid of two different colors~). I tried make the red of the print pop out as much as possible to go with the OTT vibe. The bonnet would look awesome with lots of faux rose clips in front of it.

Untitled by MandaPlz featuring sheer nylon stockings
 I like to call this look "Almost Mainstream" because you could easily switch the jsk out for a brown pencil skirt and it could easily be worn around without a question of "What are you wearing?" This has a cute artsy vibe to it and it could easily work for Casual Fridays.


I hope you enjoyed~

One Item Three Ways Thursday #2

This week I chose a cute BTSSB pink tulle skirt, that could easily be substituted by a similar off-brand skirt. I went with a Convention theme for the week, and stated what days I think each outfit would be ideal. It is good to reuse items when you go to conventions to save packing space and have less items to iron/steam when you get to the hotel (just don't reuse EVERYTHING for each outfit, you don't want to be a "non-bathing con-goer").

casual lolita by MandaPlz featuring shoes
I think this skirt is well suited for a casual coord.  This outfit would be perfect for a Thursday or Sunday of a convention because you are either just traveling in or out and casual lolita is well suited for traveling. Tea parties (or any lolita style flat shoes) are also good for those driving so you can actually feel the pedal and of course, are suited for walking around big conventions.

Pirate lolita by MandaPlz featuring ribbon hats
I saw a coord similar to this in an English Gothic Lolita Bible, and I thought it would definitely work for pirate lolita. To toughen up the tulle skirt, I added a pair of AP boots (which could easily be replaced with a pair of cute wellies or Doc Martens)  and striped tights. I think this would be good for a Saturday of an anime convention because it is memorable and easily recognizable , which is vital when finding your friends at conventions. You can easily say "I'm the girl in the pink pirate outfit" instead of "I'm the one wearing the blue Super Magical Rainbow Unicorn Colony dress" which could easily confuse your non-lolita friends.

Fairy Kei Lolita by MandaPlz featuring hair clips accessories
 The tulle skirt resembles a fancier tutu skirt and would be totally awesome for fairy kei. This outfit would be good for a Friday because it is still casual because of the cozy socks and ruffled sweat shirt, but the wig makes it seem more dressed up (and lets you try to sleep in more instead of curling your hair). I couldn't resist the putting the cute mint shoes in the coord(despite how inconvenient they would be for a convention), but the shoes could easily be exchanged for high tops or if you also change the star bag to a cute tote bag, you could pack a pair of flats for when your feet start to hurt (this is what I do).

I hope this is helpful to experienced con-goers and newbies alike~

One Item Three Ways Thursday #1

I chose the Violin Dress in brown from Innocent World. It has a refreshing simple print and design, which makes it very versatile for styling.

Frilly and Nerdy by MandaPlz featuring rectangular sunglasses

Sorry that I had a hard time finding mints for this outfit, but Polyvore sorta sucks at differentiating between mint and sax blue. It would look better with mint than sax because it goes with the 50's retro look I was going for, but either looks awesome with brown. I used a cute sash to add more detail and to balance the coordinate. This would be great for a student studying music in college or someone in their high school orchestra.

Old Fashioned Elegance by MandaPlz featuring jumper dresses
 This is a rather simple coordinate that you could wear in otome style with a less poofy petticoat (or possibly *gasp* nothing). This would be suitable for casual Fridays or casual get-togethers. The cute chip and dale clutch keeps it from looking too stuffy.

Dolly Kei lolita by MandaPlz featuring beret hats
This a cozy little mori girl and dolly kei inspired outfit. The main focus are the leggings. They have such an interesting and colorful pattern. I used an vintage looking floral bag and cute knited hat that matched the aesthetic perfectly.


I hope you enjoyed the post. Please leave con crit!

A Feeler Post

Hey there followers! I just wanted to ask about an idea I had. I was thinking of doing a weekly or biweekly post called One Item Three Different Ways Thursday. It would be similar in structure to my post about how to save money in lolita except be more focused on outfit diversity.  Not all of the coordinates would necessarily be lolita either (i.e. otome, fairy kei, dolly kei)

Also I wanted to notify you of my tumblr and poupée girl accounts. I would really appreciate it if you would follow them~

Manda is signing off. I leave Minho in my place.