Lolita Moments of the Day

Some of you might recognize the title of this blog post from (the oh-so-spooky) cgl, 4chan's board for cosplay and Japanese street fashion, most notably, lolita fashion. It's quite often that one would see lolita fashion-nostalgia related threads such as the old-school lolita thread, and someone had posted a really cute idea from EGL's yesteryears:

And I thought it'd be a great idea to start adding filler posts about my efforts to live my days a little more pleasant than usual.

Today, I had decided to take a break from going to the gym (I've decided to pick back up on weight lifting again - so rori ~ ) and instead, spend my afternoon visiting my favorite cafe to work on replying to a lolita penpal while wearing lolita.  Here's what she sent me with her letters:

A pad of Pullip themed post-it notes and 3D scrapbook pieces! Btw, the people in the back ground are J.Dilla (R.I.P), Nas, and Madlib who had previously collaborated in a bonus track called "The Sickness". Check it.

I tried to take a photo of my coordinate, but it was too dark and blurry, however, it felt really nice to go out even in a casual/borderline otome outfit because lately, in spite of all of the time I have to get dolled up, I've been feeling quite apprehensive about wearing lolita. I don't know why exactly, but sometimes it feels like too much to be wearing my frills out in public, let alone trying it on and figuring how to coordinate; I often feel overwhelmed just looking at my closet or thinking about it, and so I normally end up going out in a tee-shirt and jeans.

I don't quite want to give it up yet. Maybe it has to do something with being a semi-lone lolita? I have a local community, but everyone's kind of spread out, too busy, and/or sometimes too new to wear lolita with. Maybe it also has to do with living in a very muggle area and something about the Midwestern mentality of not wanting to cause a scene.

Is it strange that in spite of wearing lolita for many years, I often feel uncomfortable wearing anything remotely dressed up on my own while not having anything terribly traumatic happen to me while wearing lolita?

A car accident occurred while I was in the middle of the writing. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured and the police station was nearby, but it was spooky witnessing it so closely. I don't even recall hearing the sounds of the cars colliding (there was, but it happened so quickly); I was too fixated on how easily and smoothly the force of the assaulting car careened the driver's door of the assaulted car. It reminded me of those "oddly satisfying" gifs.

In spite of not being involved in the accident (aside of notifying emergency services), I was pretty shaken up from the incident and it made me think that in spite of my good driving record, that could it happen to me. I often travel far for meetups and it spooks me to think that it could happen and what would happen to me if I didn't make it out alive (of course, my parents worry about it, especially every time I do go out of town). Naturally, paranoia settled in on the drive back home. 

I hope to all of the deities that I get to live a long, healthy, and productive life, but if not, I suppose I'll have to let a trusted friend and member in the community, preferably someone who has worn lolita for a long time and knows how to sell their wardrobe to take care of selling my wardrobe, starting off with discounting pieces for other friends in the community, and then using putting the money toward funeral expenses - hopefully a "green" burial and/or donating my body or body parts to science. I'm such a hippie; I feel guilty for contributing to global warming that I don't want to further contribute to that and further ruining the health of a mortician, and I'm not gothic (lolita) enough to want a post-mortem-like viewing service (plus I think it's gross/weird for people to do ceremonial things to a dead body, even though the reality is that the living body is far dangerous than a dead one).

Of course, knowing me and how much I love to write/type, this was going to be longer than it could have been, but I applaud you for staying with me on this journey, and I want to know what sort of "Lolita Moments of the Day" you have and what sort of things you'd want sorted out before and after your gone. 

If you're really onto the subject of death (you dern gothic lolitas and EGA folks), what sort of funeral would you want? Would you want to be buried in your dream dress? Any choice of music and atmosphere? I personally want to have the original Lavender Town theme song played in it, and a wine and cheese bar for the reception would be nice too because I like that stuff and want people to enjoy it while they can!

Hopefully, these kinds of posts will be more frequent and brief, but if you want to see me get more philosophical, then I'm more than happy to share my views and read yours!

Aldi's Specially Selected Macarons Review

Long time no post! I'm sorry I've been away for so long. Life likes to happen sometimes, and sometimes there's very little to feel inspired enough to post. I do hope that you follow my instagram account though (lily_the_frilly). It's (unfortunately) more active than my blog page and has twice the "lolita lifestyle" fodder for your viewing pleasure. In the mean time, I'll leave you with a quick review of macarons that are currently being sold at Aldi's, according to a lolita humor member.


They're smaller than most I've had (roughly 1.5" in diameter and 3/4" thickness), however tasty, and reasonably priced (about $4/box). I was expecting a hard, crunchy shell, followed by a soft (and cold) meringue filling, but it's actually quite soft all around (the shell is still quite delicate; I guess there's no elegant way of eating these). Each box includes two sets of flavors: raspberry, vanilla, pistachio, salted caramel, lemon, and chocolate.

I've only  had salted caramel, raspberry, and pistachio so far, and while small, they have bursts of flavor (I guess the size led to a concentration of flavor?)!

I wish this was an April Fool's joke, but unfortunately, they are are around for a limited time (no set time, but I assume they were an Easter season item and each store will only sell what they have). On the upside, if you have the money and room in your freezer (because who needs meat?), you can stock up on boxes of these since the expiration date goes through 12/2017.

So far 9/10 (for not being big enough and not being a regular item T-T)

Let me know what you think of them!

25 Lolita Lifestyle Ideas

Long time no post! I thought I'd share with you something short and sweet (and no short of amusing) in place of long, once-a-month posts: ideas on how to add some romance in your life on a day-to-day basis. I've mixed them up with things that I hope would appeal to classic, gothic, and sweet lolitas. Some of them might already be mentioned in other lolita fashion blogs, and you might already be doing these things, but as always, you can take them as seriously (or not) as you please.

1) Use old-fashioned slangs and swears! 
Because even the noblest of ladies have had their frustrations. Ok, to be fair, they were normally used by the lower class, but aren't these a delight?

2) Buy flowers yourself
Because sometimes you have to. I suggest skipping the supermarket grocery and going to a small specialty shop because you can usually find single stems on sale and there's something lovely about receiving personal service from someone who knows their inventory very well.

3) Make tea time "me time" 
Tea is synonymous with the lolita fashion subculture. And while you may already prefer tea over coffee, I'd skip visiting Starbucks in place of brewing your own and serving it in a pretty tea cup and saucer - you'll find it to be a completely different experience to getting it in a to-go cup. And you don't have to dedicate an hour for it either; you just need enough time to boil and steep your tea and then some to sip it slowly. Feel free to pair it with a small and sweet or savory snack.


4) Become a tea connoisseur 
Take your current obsession a little further: read up on the history of tea, learn and try the different methods of enjoying tea (particularly how the Turkish and Chinese brew and serve it), learn and practice proper tea etiquette, forgo tea bags and try different types of loose leaf blends (I suggest getting samples through Adagio or get samples from a local tea shop or natural grocery), subscribe to TeaTime Magazine, start a tea set collection, learn tea meal recipes and try pairing teas with foods.

For more fun reading material, I suggest checking NPR's Tea Tuesday posts every week!

5) Take up old-fashioned hobbies 
Crochet, knitting, embroidery, and sewing are a given. How about calligraphy, flower arranging, paper doll making, croquet, and gardening and canning?

6) Learn vintage recipes and crafts 
You can find a myriad of ideas on the internet, the library, and even from an older relative (you might discover some wonderful heirloom recipes!).  A friend suggested starting out with the American Girl Past-times Collection, in particular, Samantha's cooking and craft book.

7) Go antiquing 
You'll never know what you'll find!

8) Learn card-games 
Have a vintage inspired night in with the lolita friends around couple of rounds of bridge. If you're more into the darker side of things, learn how to use tarot cards and read your lolita friends' fortunes.

9) Take up an instrument 
Because a lady wasn't considered well-rounded until she mastered a musical instrument. If music isn't your forte, try a hand at learning a new language.

10) Have a romantic/cute non-lolita wardrobe 
Sometimes you'd want to lounge around in PJs all day, but it doesn't mean they can't be kawaii. Forever21 often carries PJs with desserts or flowers, and Bodyline has a number of cute cutsews to lounge in, or better yet, support indie designers. If you're more of the old-world romantic type, have a collection of pretty chiffon blouses to wear when you're out and a lacy, frilly nightgown when you want to feel elegant to bed.

11) Attend live performances and art galleries 
I love being a few clicks away from hundreds of dance and music recitals and beautiful images, but it's not quite the same experience of going to a live show and visiting an art gallery. And you don't have to have season passes to The Met! You can support local and budding artists by attending college and university events, and see if your area has an artist collective or gallery that hosts monthly receptions.

12) Learn about and practice good etiquette and posture 
Good manners and behavior of some degree should be expected of everyone, especially when out in public in lolita, but if you're looking to learn about the old-fashioned how-to's, check out this old livejournal post  (I highly encourage playing the Victorian game!).

Although it happens more than we want it to, learn to be more mindful about your posture; not only is it (as Misako suggests) most embarrassing behavior, but good for you and for photo poses. And you don't need a corset to train your spine; a choir teacher I had suggests pretending that there's a string attached to your head and that someone is pulling you up like a marionette.

13) Have a favorite perfume 
And you can have one for different occasions or lolita styles. I'm more of a classic lolita and so I lean toward floral scents; my current favorite is Miss Dior's Miss Bloom, and for sweeter looks, something citrus scented like DKNY's Be Delicious Fresh Blossom. Gothic lolitas might like something warm and smoky. Sample these beautiful bottles.  for Gothic inspired favorites. Harajuku Girls are quite popular among sweet lolitas, but if you're looking for more options, check out these sweet suggestions. If you're not much into perfumes, you can opt for dusting powders, or even collect antique bottles as a room decoration.

14) Have a favorite dessert 
and treat yourself to it every once in a while.

15) Read (or better yet, have a collection of) classic literature 
Bonus points for leather bound editions!

16) Watch period dramas 
Here's a list to start your binge.

17) Have a handkerchief 
Not only that they're a lovely accessory, but they're dead useful and probably better for the environment and your wallet in the long run. I'll be honest though: I'm a modern person who'd stick with tissues on the worst of cold, flu, and allergy symptoms, and so I save them for daintily dabbing sweat off my brow or running mascara. I've easily found many pretty lacy and embroidered ones at local vintage shops, flea markets, and estate sales.

18) Listen to music on vinyl 
I love being able to find a trove of musical treasures and easily stream them on the internet, but sometimes it's taken for granted and it's easy to forget that there are people who make a living off of making and selling music. I think that there's something special about being able to hold a piece of art and that there's something terribly and stylishly old-fashioned about listening to music on a record player.

If you're new to turntables and looking for an easy set up, I'd avoid Crosley's (because they're notorious for damaging records) and invest in an Audio Technica LP-120. I'm cheap and fortunate that my folks still have their old phono receiver and speakers, so I bought an old (but newly repaired) Realistic Lab 290 for about $60; if you go through this route, talk to a specialist for recommendations, set up and care inquiries, and for test listens. For further information, I suggest referring to  the turntablelab.

Either way, like starting a lolita wardrobe, your initial cost will be high, but once you're set up, you'll find that collecting records can be pretty cheap and easy, especially if you're looking for classical music (all of my classical and jazz records were free). Not all record stores are the same: if you're wanting to listen to new musicians or to find your favorite artists, be sure to visit record stores that are on the Record Store Day list and visit Discogs for sales and price comparisons.


19) Use kawaii phone apps 
Try these purikura apps to make your selfies super kawaii.

20) Have a favorite lolita haunt 
I think it's important for a lolita, especially a lone lolita to have a place that one can feel safe to go out in frills. My suggestions include a favorite cafe, bookstore, antique shop, and art gallery.

21) Have a cute grocery tote 
While servants and errand people are a thing of the past, it doesn't mean you  have to run yours with a boring plastic grocery bag, See if your local craft stores have any canvas bags and print-screen kit or iron-on kit - if not, you can make your own design.

22) Religiously apply sunscreen and use other sun protection 
Skin cancer ain't kawaii.

23) Have a penpal 
Social media is great, but sometimes it takes away the thrill of hearing from a friend and it's nice to get something in the mail that aren't bills. See if you can find someone to pair up with on the Lolita Pen Pals facebook page.

24) Keep a diary
Set aside time in your day, preferably before bed, to reflect on your day. I usually find it a good way to get some beauty sleep after placing all of my thoughts down.

25) Shop at open-air markets and locally owned specialty shops 
Or you can just poke-around for fun. This is pretty easy to do if you're in Europe or large cities where delis and bakeries are commonplace. Supermarkets are great for finding everything at convenience and cheaper prices, but sometimes it takes away the fun in shopping (seriously, who wants to wait in lines all day?) and neither is it often a pretty place to get your groceries. The people who run these specialty shop might be terribly nerdy about their products, but I find it wonderful to foster relationships with the people who've made your food. If these shops are out of your reach and/or budget, treat yourself to some fancy cheese from the supermarket every once in a while.

Thank you for reading this post, and I hope that you're able to integrate any of these ideas in your daily life or even as meetup ideas! Check out FYeahLolita's lifestyle tag for more ideas and feel free to share any of your ideas and experience in the comments.

And as always, have a lovely rest of your day!


Listening to Beach Fossils - Window View

Eating like the French

Lolita lifestyles can be tailored to the individual's preference in style, tastes, and in accordance to their level of dedication as some prefer and can only fit in bits of frills in their daily lives, while others might have more fun with and have time (and money) for living like an aristocratic lady from another era. I'd like to see myself as someone from the former group: I can't say having a 40-hour workweek terribly aristocratic-appropriate, but I like the idea of adding a little sweetness to an otherwise mundane existence. As I've mentioned in my introductory post, to me, a lolita lifestyle is grounded by the philosophy of stopping to smell the roses and enjoying its scent. No matter where you fall in the spectrum, even if you see lolita fashion as simply a fashion, I hope that you'll find this post especially useful in your own life.

As an American, I'm painfully aware of our obsession with calorie-counting and diet fads, and treating food as a form of medication, and although I do agree with the concept of food being part of a healing process , I don't think it's necessary to have tons of labels exclaiming that it's packed with so-and-so vitamins (I  mean, it already has that stuff in it, you dope) - it looks too eerily like companies are marketing vitamin supplements, not actual food. Back in 2009, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit my relatives in France for the first time ever; I was only there for three weeks, but visiting the country and experiencing the culture opened my eyes to how we ought to live our lives, and that includes how, when, and why we eat. 

Drink water 

I don't think I ever drank soda (or pop or coke, if you will) while I was in France. I don't even recall seeing any soda vending machines lined along the Parisian streets (or maybe I was distracted by the number of panhandlers?). I only had fruit juice in the mornings, sampled wine with my dinner, and occasionally drank coffee, and even then, the portions I had were tiny. I've grown up not drinking a whole lot of soda and I have a slight aversion to anything too fizzy and/or sweet (I have a tendency to finish my sodas half-way through), so it wasn't a big deal for me to drink water while I was abroad, but the American obsession with soda didn't truly dawn on me until I returned home. I know many people who'd tell me that they're attempting to lose weight by cutting soda while griping about water's bland taste. 

When thinking of it in both terms of nature vs nurture, it's not easy to blame people for preferring a diet Coke over water, but I think that the French are onto something: most of our body is made up of water and so it's appropriate to replenish it with water, and aside of the numerous benefits for our body, soda is basically liquid candy and candy shouldn't really be eaten with meals (didn't your mother tell you to save room for dessert?). The sugary sweetness of soda gets in the way of enjoying the taste of food, and the more you routinely replace sweet drinks with water, the better you get to one of enjoy life's sweetest pleasures!

If you're trying to lose weight by cutting soda, but hate the taste of plain ole water, invest in a filtering system if you haven't already - a Brita pitcher works just fine and you'll find a big difference between that and tap water. If you like soda's fizzy side, opt for sparkling water (commonplace across Europe) instead , and adding fresh (or frozen) fruit, such as berries and lemon is a good way of adding a bit of sweetness without decaying your teeth too quickly. 

Quality over quantity 

Many lolitas can attest that quality of our clothes should take precedence over quantity, and I think that we ought to think the same way about our food. In France, very little preservatives are added into foods (iirc, bread with added preservatives are banned in France), and I imagine that with this in mind, people are less wasteful because they're aware of the short-shelf life food has (I would like to point out, however, that it's often difficult to run away from poor quality foods in this country, especially if one is living in a food desert , and unfortunately, this is more of a systematic problem in the U.S. rather than a cultural one). I think that many lifestyle gothic lolitas would appreciate the concept that even food must face inevitable that is death - lol. 

Opt for fresh foods and smaller cuts of meat, and try to support your local butcher and farmer's market if you can. I think there's something romantic about shopping from a local vendor en plain air, but on a practical level, you're supporting the local economy and knowing where your food comes from makes you more mindful that it is food and that there are people who've dedicated their lives to growing/raising it, and you wouldn't want to waste their efforts, would you?  

Even if I haven't worked in a restaurant, I know how big of a deal we tend to make with our value meals, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the concept of "more is less". Unfortunately, some stereotypes ring true (especially if you're in the Midwest like me): American portions are huge, we tend to overeat, and we don't necessarily eat well. Make time to make your own food as much as you can. Knowing what's going in your dish will help you stay mindful of portions and you'll be less likely to waste food and/or have left overs to finish later.  

Treat meal time as a ritual 

We've become accustomed to eating on the go and it makes our brains and stomachs unaware that we're trying to fill up. Try to do what the French do and only eat when you're properly seated at a table (not at a desk!), take your time, and better yet, try to eat with the company of others and without the distraction of a screen  (seriously, it's gross) - your phone, computer, and/or tv will still be there when you're done eating :)  I honestly wouldn't bother taking a photo of your meal too. Aside of it looking silly from a third-person perspective and that you're likely to pass on pathogens, just focus on the moments of eating your food and take your time! Take smaller bites.  Explore the taste, the texture, and mull over the ingredients. Leave the table satisfied. 

For anyone who wants to know:
 Breakfast is still important in France, but not as important as lunch. My breakfast abroad typically included a baguette and/or croissant to be paired with nutella, cheese and jam (I visited different parts of the country and so the regional cheese is a must!), and often with yogurt and juice (yogurts there are tiny and not nearly as sweet as Americanized versions). I suppose that the French tend to view breakfast as literally breaking fast, or maybe as an appetizer to a three course meal and lunch was the main course. Dinner was typically light. I didn't eat a lot of pastries when I was there, partly because I was busy eating delicious savories throughout the day, but when I did, it was worth the wait. 

Eating is a pleasure, not a sin 

Americans are in limbo when it comes to how we view food: not only that we over-indulge, but we also guilt ourselves over it. The French, however, seem to have an innate understanding that food is meant to nourish our bodies and that requires a balance of what we take in. It's ok to eat bread; cheese is good; meats and sweets are awesome - just don't over do any of it. 

I can't  be the only one exhausted from the magazines and commercials insisting that we should indulge in fiber enriched, zero-calorie sweets. It sounds so unrealistic and to be honest, they usually taste terrible, and the French aren't into anything that tastes terrible (and that includes guilt).

 It's ok to have your cake and enjoy it. 

Inspirational Music (for the Lolita)

I would like to thank everyone who've taken the time to read my burgeoning blog. I'm afraid that work(ing third shift) is making it difficult to keep up with this, but I'll do my best to keep you guys posted!

The question of lolita appropriate music or music appropriate for someone following a "lolita lifestyle" pops up every once in a while, and from what I gathered, there's no right or wrong way to go about this, and that the lolita lifestyle is more or less a personal experience tailored to that individual's interests and tastes. Some people are going to prefer classical music (and within that, some prefer specific movements); others are closer to lolita fashion's musical roots by listening to visual-kei; others will shamelessly love the cutesy sounds of electro J-pop and idol-groups, however, there are plenty of others who listen to music that are neither cutesy nor elegant.

I never got into visual-kei (or got into lolita through it) and I save classical music when I studied or did homework (I've graduated), and I never really liked idol groups, but I do enjoy other Japanese indie rock (I really hate the word "indie" - it's overused and arbitrary) and pop music though, especially J-shoegaze, dream pop, mathrock, and Shibuya-kei/city pop/future funk (these genres tend to overlap). Outside of Japanese music, I usually listen to lo-fi, post-rock, post-punk, shoegaze, and trip-hop; for a better idea and suggestions, feel free to peruse my last fm account:
http://www.last.fm/user/Deleciel

I'm a tad obsessed with discovering new and/or underground artists and bands, and I actually enjoy visiting record shops. If I weren't so invested in lolita fashion, I'd be broke from wasting money investing in LPs and going to shows. I'm not a purist though. I actually like that Napster changed the game in the music industry (but of course, there's always pros and cons to everything) and made music more available (not too different from the change of LPs to cassette tapes to CDs), however, because of how easily accessible music is these days, I find it quite special to hold onto a tangible piece of an art that we take for granted.

If I have music on when I'm getting dolled up, I usually listen to whatever I feel like, rather than finding music to get ready to, however, if you're in the latter party, here are some suggestions worth checking out: 

Gothic
I'm afraid that I never really had a goth phase and I'd be terrible for giving out suggestions since I don't really listen to Goth music all that much (even though I'm aware of the prominent bands in this movement), however, I think that some gothic lolitas might enjoy the beautifully haunting sounds and imagery from these bands and musicians.

Saltillo  - trip-hop 
Who knew that somber strings and hip-hop beats went well together?

I Broke My Robot - glitch 

i broke my robot is a face-eating, virus-filled computer music explosion. With one foot in punk and one foot in the grave, i broke my robot sends flashes of glitch-infested computertrons into the ears of unknowing victims. Residing in Virginia, this electronic musician drops the southern hospitality and advances with a full-frontal atomic breakcore assault on speakers and headphones everywhere. Don't look under your bed, don't tell your little ones, and don't try to hide, the break-core will find you. Once found, you become contaminated with nose, throat, and eye ingesting bacteria that makes you feel numb and lifeless all over your body. - Martin Yankov

Ferri - ambient, neoclassical
She reminds me of Kanon Wakeshima, except with synthesizers and more experimental, and with a mournful voice.


Graveyard Train - country 
Graveyard Train is an Australian based band that blends horror themes with country music.

(Yes. He's playing the chains.)

If you're more of a heavy metal and/or visual-kei music fan, you might appreciate heavy metal's less aggressive relatives, post-black metal. I suggest starting with Deafheaven; I've always found their music fitting perfectly with a mourning aristocrat or a Gothic lolita with a broken heart. If you're more into artists like Kerli, give Grimes a listen if you haven't already. If you like the ero-lolilta side of things, you might like Jenny Hval's recent album "Apocolypse, girl".

Other fun suggestions: Flying Lotus - You're Dead!; Bjork; iamamiwhoami; Lord Infamous (gangster rap meets horror/satanic themes); Of Montreal (psychedelic rock with spooky lyrics); Neu! (Krautrock)

Classic
I tend to associate classic lolita with the Victorian and Edwardian era, and unfortunately, this list is going to consist of classical music, but I'll try to mix it up with contemporary artists, which I feel is appropriate because to me, lolita is a mix of the old with the new.  However, if you want a list of essentials, click here .

Joanna Newsom - Freak-folk, avant-garde

I honestly had a tough time deciding if her music is more suitable for the sweet or the classic lolita (or even the country lolita) because Joanna Newsom is a classically trained harpist and pianist, but her lyrics and singing style is keen to Appalachia ballads (fair warning - if you're unfamiliar with her music, her voice might take some getting used to).

In the end, I figured that it would be up to the individual's discretion and it might depend on what album you're listening to.

(Waiting for Juliette et Justine to make a print of this)

Sufjan Stevens & Osso - Run Rabbit Run

I love Sufjan Stevens. His music is typically experimental and often includes Christian spiritual imagery and references, however, the reason why I mentioned him in this post is to share this lesser-known, chamber music album that he collaborated with the string quartet, Osso.

Ólafur Arnalds - neoclassical
Have a box of tissues on hand before you listen to his music.

Rachel's  - chamber music, post-rock, instrumental

Their works always reminds me of Joe Hisaishi's music.

Other suggestions: Kenmochi Hidefumi, Teebs, Tycho, Toe, Yann Tiersen, Hayley Westenra (also good for gothic lolitas), The Polar Dream , Dj Okawari

Sweet

I tend to associate sweet lolita with youthfulness, energy, and a kind of girlish coyness. I also associate this style with the dreamy, Alice-in-Wonderland-like sounds of lo-fi music and shoegaze.

Aivi and Surasshu - chiptunes, jazz
A&S is a husband-wife duo who compose jazz piano music with chiptune sounds. It's a lovely blend of the old and the new, the organic and inorganic, and gosh-darn-it, it's kawaii as fuck. If you love Katamari Demacy and Anamanaguchi, you'll love Aivi and Surasshu.

It's not terribly kawaii suggestion, but if you found that combination interesting, you should try The Depreciation Guild's In Her Gentle Jaws  (shoegaze + chiptunes).


Elephant Gym

I actually stumbled upon this recently and did not expect to put this on the list! Elephant Gym is a math-rock band from Taiwan, and the reason why I wanted to mention it is because their way of approaching math-rock is quite elegant and at times cutesy (maybe it's because they sound more jazzy than experimental like Tricot, whom I love, but feel like it's better for the punk-lolita). I haven't listened to their other album, but I imagine it being just as cute as this one - something to go perfectly with a sweet lolita's daily adventures.

Doesn't the intro remind you of Kuricorder Quartet/Pops Orchestra?


Talulah Gosh - twee
I definitely get the sugary sweet and naive image of sweet lolita from twee pop music. If you like Wes Anderson films, you should give iconic and up-in-coming twee bands a listen - here's one of them:

                                               Talulah Gosh was a princess for a day ♥

If you liked that, listen to: Seapony, Cocteau Twins, Sugar Plant, Plastic Girl in Closet , Alvvays 

Other kawaii suggestions: (early) Capsule, Pizzicato 5, Fantastic Plastic Machine, Coltemönikha, tofubeats, Towa Tei, YMCK, Spazzkid, humming urban stereo, Plus Tech Squeeze Box, Serani Poji

Bonus! Inspirational music for fans of other J-fashions.

Fairy-kei

I wish that pastels and my skin tone got along because I adore the style and 80s music - both from the decade and inspired by the decade (as well as the early 90s). Here are some music inspired from the time that'll surely transport you to the era of bulky computers, shoulder pads, perms, and Kenny G.

Groovy Godzilla  (soundcloud)
Tanuki
architecture in tokyo
Macross 82-99
Yung Bae
Saint Pepsi (Skylar Spence)
Miami Nights 1984
Timecop 1983

Com Truise

Mori-Kei

When I was creating the list for the gothic lolita, I had a tough time placing iamamiwhoami and Bjork because of their themes and sounds, however, I think it's appropriate to mention them here again because much of their imagery (and music videos) deal a lot with nature (I mean, Bjork made a song about leaving civilization for good - you can't get more mori-kei than that).  The list below are mostly instrumental, but I chose these because of their ethereal quality, and I thought they'd be good songs to "take a hike" in. ;)

The White Birch  (also good for Gothic Lolitas)
Gregory and the Hawk
Pinkshinyultrablast
Emancipator
Tycho
Stars of the Lid
Kenmochi Hidefumi
Imogen Heap - Sparks



I'm sure I'll have more suggestions in the future, either from you readers or from future stumbling-upons, but for now, I hope that you've enjoyed listening to these musicians! Let me know what you think about them or if you have any suggestions you'd like to share, and just for poops and giggles, if you were a famous musician who happens to wear lolita (or other J-fashion for that matter), what kind of music would you make?

Sayaka Kanda and Billy - performing in their band "Trusttrick". 

Until next time....

Listening to: Goldlink - Spectrum