If you haven't already, I suggest visiting and subscribing to
RaineDragon's blog. She currently has a
post involving an old questionnaire from EGL's primitive days and I thought I'd give it a try. Do note that many of these questions are outdated, but hopefully I've translated them as well as I could for recent times.
1. Please tell us your Hand Name (name that’s used ONLY in internet.) and hometown.
I originally started out with Deleciel on livejournal and it ended up being reused for other sites; recently, I use Lily the Frilly. I'm in Illinois, USA.
2. About how long is your history as a Lolita?
Time seems to get blurry as I get older, but I'm going to date it from the creation of my lj account and say 9 years.
3. What first motivated you to do Lolita fashion?
Like a lot of young teens, I wanted to find some kind of "unique" identity and dealing with accepting a changing body and image of being a woman. I didn't want to be those "preppy" girls I went to school with, but I wanted to embrace my femininity somehow. Lolita allowed me the option of doing so without needing to be sexy. Now that I have the confidence to wear something as silly as lolita, I have no problems wearing mini skirts and such (even though it still isn't my style).
4. After knowing Lolita fashion, have you had any time-gap or resistance till you actually started to be Lolita?
I believe I was sixteen when I first wore lolita and so it was probably a year since I discovered it because I was too young to afford lolita on my own and I couldn't ask my folks to help out. I was pretty lucky to meet another lolita in time to help me out, otherwise I would have waited until after high school.
5. Please define your Lolita style as much as possible. (eg. gothic Lolita, sweet Lolita, white Lolita…. Etc).
Late 2000s era sweet lolita in jeweled tones (mostly red)
Classic, classic-sweet, country lolita, sailor lolita
Some old-school touches. Lots of solids. If it's a print, it's usually a generic floral or berry one. Also a big fan of polkadots.
6. About how many Lolita friends do you have?
Thanks to facebook, half of my friends list are made up of lolitas, but only a handful, mostly from my local community are whom I'm closest to.
7. What is the best thing about doing Lolita?
Looking hella fine, lol.
8. Conversely, what's the worst thing?
Knocking things over with your petticoat; slipping wigs, wearing too many layers on a warm day; being paranoid about spilling things on your brand - the list goes on.
9. Which Lolita Brands do you like?
I love them all, but my wardrobe is mostly made up of Angelic Pretty, Meta, and Innocent World.
10. What was the first Lolita item that you’ve owned?
It was either a sax blue w/white lace Anna House skirt or a handmade grey jsk with pinstripes.
11. What is the “must have!” Lolita item?
A good petticoat.
12. Do you wear drawers?
I'm assuming bloomers. Yes.
13. Do you have any favourite Japanese music?
Yass. Unless you've read my previous post on music, I'm a big Japanese indie music fan - not too big on visual-kei bands or J-pop idols though. Currently digging:
Gesu No Kiwami Otome
Bolt from the Blue
Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys
14. Where do you particularly visit as Lolita?
I usually wear lolita to meet ups and cons since I don't have much time to devote to lolita on my own with the way my work schedule is, but on the rare occasion, when I don't have errands to run on my day off, I like visiting a particular cafe in town. It's known for its pretentious baristas, but their latte art and music is worth putting up with them.
15. About how many times per week do you dress as Lolita?
Probably once a week, but even that's too frequent for me. I'm lazy.
16. Please tell us about one embarrassing episode from the time when you were
just beginning Lolita.
Oh Lawd.
Making a skirt out of Vera Bradley quilted cotton.
17. What's hairstyle and color that you think Lolita would suit the most?
I'm a fan of whatever suits the coord - like chignons for a mature classic or gothic look or the Peg Bundy hair for sweet lolita. You can't really beat the "classic" hime cut either.
I would like to note that wig and hairstyles should also suit the person's face frame, and should be styled to look full and healthy.
18. Have you ever thought of stopping Lolita? The reason?
Sort of and mostly over the cost of it.
19. Please tell us your heart's bible as a Lolita. (anything like a book, magazine, CD, idol...)
Probably Kamikaze Girls. It's not the best written thing out there, but it was how I got into lolita fashion and so it holds a dear place in my heart. I'm also a fan of American Girl stories and tales by Beatrix Potter and Francis Hodgson Burnett (especially The Secret Garden - I used to obsessively watch it as a kid and was a huge fan of Mary Lennox's looks)
20. Do you own a doll? Tell us your feelings about her intensely!
I'm more of a plush fan, but I did recently acquire a Homura Akemi Pullip from a friend for super cheap. I adore her and see why BJD fans go nuts about them sometimes. I almost want to get her lolita clothes, but I barely know a thing about Pullips and can't justify spending $30 upwards on doll sized clothes (yet).
21. What kind of make-up do you wear when you wear Lolita clothes?
I'm pretty basic. Concealer, moisturizer, primer, foundation (currently replacing my Blooming Fit with Benefit's powder), mascara, eyeliner (currently using Stilla's liquid), ELF eyeshadow, blush, and lip balm or NYX nude lip stick. Sometimes I'll use my highlighter. I wish I had the patience to wear falsies.
22. Have you ever secretly changed clothes in a train station bathroom on Lolita day-out?
There aren't train stations where I live, but I have change into muggle clothes in my car! It snowed with some freezing rain during a con so only my driver's side door could open and my clothes were trapped in my trunk; it was too cold to go back to the hotel to change and I took advantage of the snow covered windows.
23. Are you composed when doing Lolita all by yourself?
Strangely, no. I've gone out in lolita on my own, but it's not as fun without a frilly friend and I like having them as a distraction from stares.
24. How much do you spend in your Lolita clothes& accessory monthly?
Probably $50-100. I mostly shop second hand and most of my money is going toward paying off school.
25. What is the most expensive Lolita thing you've bought so far? How much was it?
I wish I could remember the price, but if I recall correctly, it was the Glitter Trump set (jsk, headbow, and purse) in sax from Angelic Pretty and it was around $300+shipping via (the defunct) Rose Chocolat. I wish that I still had it, but it didn't have shirring, so I eventually sold it.
I've dropped retail prices on Baby pieces in the past because it was the only opportunity to buy them in person (cons, boutiques).
26. So far about how much has the expense been for Lolita goods?
God knows...
27. Lolita outfit really costs money. How do you raise money to cover the cost of
Lolita?
I work full time now.
28. Have you ever bought from an online store? If so, please tell us its good
and bad points and some advice for the future. If not, please tell us why not.
Outdated question. Yes. Google reviews.
29. Even if you sort of want to keep it a secret, please clandestinely tell us
about a private manufacturer that is the best.
Uhh...
30. Is there a brand and/or an item that you think, "I could never get it! But I unreasonably want it!"?
Usakumya bags from Baby. I've got too many plushies in spite of my effort to downsize them. I really don't need any more and they don't even have much room to hold stuff inside, but they're so creepily endearing.
I also want a collection of wide brim bonnets. They're so cumbersome and suited for formal meets, but they're so pretty.
31. What do you think about people who only do Lolita at music-lives or cosplay?
Ok, this is definitely an outdated question. I believe the OP wanted to know what I felt about people who wear lolita to conventions. I wear lolita to conventions. I get it. The fashion is expensive and unless you're part of an active comm, it's really the only few places to wear it comfortably without the fear of being stared and/or approached by strange muggles. As for cosplay-type lolita pieces, I often have mixed feelings about it because on one hand, "Where whatever you want; just don't be an asshole", but on the other hand, as someone who've been in the fashion for so long, it sort of baffles me that certain pieces and looks still exist in spite of the number of resources on how to wear lolita properly.
32. From what age to what age is it acceptable to do Lolita? Do you think that there's a state in which someone must graduate from
Lolita? (you can answer as ‘never graduate’)
Ah, the age old question. Nah. I don't think there's an age. Sure some styles may not work as well when people get older, but it's up to the wearer on how comfortable they feel.
33. Is there a Lolita fashion or behavior that you think "I don't want Lolitas to do this!" about?
As in anything, newbies giving newbies advice, and getting visibly upset over strangers curious looks and questions.
34. Is there something you think "Lolita has to be this way!" about?
I can't say silhouette anymore because of how acceptable longer skirts have become, but I guess no matter what, quality and over all consideration of coordinating makes or break a lolita outfit.
35. While doing Lolita, has something changed from earlier than you did Lolita?
Oh yes, lots. I've gotten better at dressing up and doing makeup, and it has carried into my looks outside of lolita. I've definitely found myself much happier because of the new-found friends over the years and in my ability to organize events. Lolita was one the big reasons why I wanted to get into event planning.
36. Do you go to school/work as Lolita?
I have gone to classes in lolita, but only to lectures and on the days I didn't need to rush to class (because I mostly biked). As for work, for the most part, no. There's a dress code/uniform where I'm currently at. I have worn lolita pieces to my old retail job though.
37. Do you wear Lolita clothes as casual wear?
As of late, no. I'm usually too tired to dress up unless I have to go out and then I'd make the effort to wear something other than PJs.
38. Do you have a boyfriend (or husband)? Do you understand each other? (I think she meant “Does he understand you (as lolita)?”)
No, but I was with someone who understood; he even went to my lolita 101 panel once.
39. What do the people around you think of your doing Lolita? Do they accept it?
General townies think it's cute in one way or another. My family are indifferent. My mom hates the cost of it though.
40. What kind of Lolita is who has impressed you the most up until now?
I've had a lot of lolitas I've looked up to over the years - folks like ShelbyCloud, Chokelat (I know she doesn't have the best reputation, but I still like her looks), Fannyrose, and SapphiraDoll among others.
If I were to translate the question differently, I'd say my friends Lauren and Hailee from my local community. I met them about 2-3 years ago and they've made significant strides into improving their looks and have done some things that I haven't been able to do in my 9 years.
41. Have you ever made your own Lolita clothing or/and accessories? If so, what was the best item that you’ve made?
I have, but nothing was particularly good, except for a white head bow that I did when I was bored one summer day.
Oddly enough, I barely wear it.
42. If you have an ideal Lolita outfit or coordination, please tell us.
Hmmm....that's a tough one. I suppose what I want to do this year is finally obtain one of Meta's pintuck jsks in navy, pair it with a white, long sleeved, high collared blouse with a cameo broach at the throat; wear the skirt with the buttons undone and with an exposed ruffled underskirt; pair the coord with a matching navy bonnet with white flowers tucked in the rim, or with a wide brim navy hat with white flowers. Add white kid gloves and white lace topped otks or white rose patterned tights, and black heels - probably those bordello styled boots.
It's pretty late here so I'll post a collage later.
43. Is there a motif that you think “this is a sample of Lolita”?
Probably a head bow, but not just any head-bow - an adult sized one with lots of lace and with wires to bend them into a particular shape. It's not the kind of thing you'd see at Claire's.
44. Would you want to dress your children as Lolita?
Only if they want to, if they're old enough to handle it, and only for certain occasions. Lolita's expensive and so are kids; kids have a lot of energy and are sometimes unaware of their surroundings and they're growing, so it's not really worth it when they're young. Even in pint sized form, I'd hate to put together a pricey coordinate only to get it ruined from roughing around. If my kid was too young, but wanted to play princess with mommy, they wouldn't know the difference between my AP jsk and some Sunday dress from JC Penney's.
45. What's your image of the ideal Lolita?
Idk. This?
