Betty & bending the rules

Yesterday I read The Weekend Lolita, where Andrea talked about bending/or breaking the unwritten rules of Lolita. This got me thinking, and I realise, that whenever I wear lolita, I bend some of the rules as well. Funnily enough, they're almost the same ones that Andrea bends/breaks.

1. Wear bloomers!
I don't, or rather, I rarely do. I think they make my butt look weird, and they always end up creeping up and gathering uncomfortably between my thighs. I hate it. I think it's more to the length of the bloomers vs. my body shape, than anything else. But, I just can't be bothered with buying/making some that fit better, when I don't really like them anyway.
I do wear a pair of hotpants with a bit of frills though, in case the wind throws my skirt, or I stumble and fall.

2. No Lolita w/o petti!
Generally I tend to agree on this, when unlined skirts/dresses are worn. But I do own skirts with small built-in petticoats, and one of my homemade dresses has a full lining inside, which makes it just poofy enough. Petticoats are a bit of a hassle, I'm sure my fellow Lolitas agree, so with some outfits I choose to avoid them.

3. Wear a blouse at all times!
Under JSKs. I don't, I simply refuse. Especially in the summer! Some dresses are made to be worn without any blouse, and I think it gives the outfit a more mature air, which is sometimes needed to avoid the whole "child-play" risk. If you peruse Victorian Maiden, or Innocent World, you'll see dresses that cover enough of the shoulders, for you to leave the blouse that wrinkles and roles under the dress, in the closet.
I even think that some of the more summery JSKs would look perfectly acceptable without any blouse or cover. Just add the right amount of accessories to avoid the outfit looking bare and lacking.
I personally rarely show shoulders, because I'm not comfortable with my skin, so I turn to cardigans and boleros to cover up a little. There's so many layers going on in Lolita, that I get too hot, even in the winter (maybe not when outside, but as soon as I get inside where they've cranked up the heat, I melt DX )

4. No heels in my Lolita!
Well, this is not something I've seen anyone write directly, but it seems that very tall heels are frown upon. Unless it's platforms meant for gothic lolita. If you want high heeled lolita shoes, they tend to be chunky heeled.
Don't get me wrong, I love the flat tea party shoes, but they are very childish in their appearance, and the don't "shorten" the look of the foot, and since I have a big size feet (european 41) and that means I think flat shoes make me look like a clown or a duck (doesn't mean I wouldn't one day like to own a pair XD ). I'm a curvy girl (not heavy at all, just curvy) and that means my legs look SO much better in high heels.
I like narrow heels. They give the shoe a daintier look, and I only remember one or two brands that have released that type of design (which is not avaiable in my size sadly)
My favorite non-lolita shoes are my red patent leather sandals, and my black leather buckled shoes.
I think high heeled, non-lolita shoes gives my lolita outfit a much needed mature air (a theme with me?). Let's face it, I'm 28, so I'm no kid anymore XD Lolita is already a silly fashion ( although I love it). There's no need to make me look even sillier by trying to look like a kid.

I don't think I break other rules, or at least I don't remember any :3
Haha. I think I sound a bit whiney/rant-y, but I think you need to do what you can to make Lolita not only fun for you, but suit you as well.


Last Christmas, my parents gave me a dressform, and she (I named her Betty :3 ) now resides in the corner of my room.
I redress her every now and then, about once or twice a month, and I do actually take photos of her. Which is a nice way to feed my love for Lolita, now that I have a full time job, where I can't wear it.
The best thing is that I, some time ago, found a pair of discarded mannequin legs in the basement of Field's (where I work). So now Betty has legs and can show of socks and shoes too ^____,^ . I think I'll try and use her for modeling more often, seeing as she does it so well! (I'd love to get her a head too, so she could rock the wigs and head accessories! ).

Today I changed Betty's outfit and went with a geek theme, inspired by this cool sweater I bought on sale in H&M's kids department.

I need to get a hold of a pair of light grey stockings! These are houndstooth.

Beret - H&M
Corsage - Homemade
Sweater - H&M kids (boys department)
Skirt - Homemade
Stockings - H&M
Bling - H&M and Friis & Co,.
Bag - H&M
Shoes - Jette Riis

As a final note for tonight's entry; Inspired by Caro's wonderful post about lolita-blogging, I will try harder at posting an entry at least once a week.