Accessories

Hello everyone, Konnichiwa.
So far we have looked at topics that influence the overall look of your outfit, such as "your first item", "colors" and "blouses". But in this lesson, I would like to talk about items with a little less impact, but which add an all important touch to your style - accessories.
Shopping for accessories can be a much more lighted hearted affair compared to shopping for clothes. And for Lolitas who like to stay strictly faithful to the rules of certain styles, accessories give you a chance to let your individuality shine through. Your favorite accessory, no matter how small, can be a treasure. As well as adding some spice to your Lolita look, you can use them to add a bit of Lolita style to your ordinary everyday outfit. I will now introduce some of the most common accessories found in Lolita fashion.

Socks and Tights

The palatable price of socks and tights means you can collect a range of different designs, from simple classic to eye-catching decorative styles. Just browsing through the cute variations offered by many different brands fills one's heart with joy.
To achieve a sense of uniformity, matching the socks with the color of your blouse or the focal point of your outfit is always a safe bet. However, if you don't want to be so rigid and want to opt for a casual look, choosing a different color or a striking design will add an accent to your outfit. It is a great way to relieve the feeling of repetitiveness when you have run out of coordination ideas.
The most simple and standard Lolita socks are plain white or plain black high socks with lace adorning the top. In addition to this, a horizontal stripe design reminiscent of "Alice in Wonderland", or soft and feminine semi-transparent knit socks are also popular choices. The pattern motif varies, however designs that are representative of the Lolita style, such as lace-up prints, flowers, strawberries and dots are considered to be favorites. There is no need to think about it too hard. Just choose a design that you like and make sure you have fun with it.
With regards to the length, high socks (just below the knee) are most commonly seen, however over-the-knee socks are also timeless classics. You can coordinate them with a mini skirt or with a dress that covers your knees to achieve the appearance of wearing tights. Crew socks that come up to your ankles can be worn on their own or over a pair of tights.
Tights can be coordinated in much the same way as socks; however choosing thick ones with a higher denier rather than thin sheer tights is more typical of the Lolita style. With knitted tights, tightly knit designs are easier to coordinate with Lolita outfits, however if you are going for a Punk or Pop style, fishnet tights are also recommended. If you feel a plain design would look dull, but are not confident about being able to coordinate elaborately patterned hosiery, lace tights with a design woven in to the piece are a great option.
In summer, most people would wear sandals on bare feet, however bare legs peaking out from beneath an elaborate Lolita outfit look a little odd. So I recommend wearing white fishnets or short crew socks. Also, if you are going for a style with a low "Lolita factor", such as casual Lolita or mature Lolita, then the bare feet-plus-sandal look would not be a problem.

Accessories for Every Occasion

There aren't any accessories in particular that are indispensable to Lolita fashion, so have fun coordinating your favorite accessories with your outfit. However, if it is too simple, your overall look will lack imagination, so I recommend something that will be eye-catching.

Corsage

Corsages are great arranged with simple items or for accentuating your outfit with an additional color. Perhaps the camellia from Chanel is the most well known corsage design, however in Lolita fashion, the rose is most commonly depicted, and there is a range of designs to choose from. Add one to the front of your blouse, on your skirt at the waist, your hair, hat or bag. The possibilities are endless. It is best to chose ones that are made of quality material and try to avoid ones that look cheap.

Brooches, Necklaces, Rings and more

The classic motifs include ribbons, crowns, roses, sweets, strawberries and cherries. These familiar designs are often seen on clothes too. Just like with the corsage, you can pin a brooch on to anywhere you like; your coat, jacket or on a plain blouse that is not decorated with ribbons. A necklace with a large pendant is lovely together with a simple top, and a chocker is recommended with open neck tops. If you want to wear more than one ring, just make sure you don't overdo it with too much bling.

Bags are Accessories Too

Like shoes, bags often match the color of your outfit (an exact match or the same color group) or a different color is chosen to act as the focal point of your outfit. Try accentuating a monotone outfit with a bag of a different color. There are no rules with regards to the shape of the bag, however vintage styles, bags adorned with ribbons, and heart shaped designs are classics that never cease to be popular. During the summer season, a basket bag can look adorable too. Other options include a pouch with a long strap that you can hang across your body which is very Lolita, and is perfect for a sweet look, or a casual fabric tote that doubles as a school or work bag which is a convenient item to have. One thing to note is that a bag with a striking and unique design would be best coordinated with an equally eye-catching item to avoid making the bag stand out too much. Another thing, although girls tend to carry around a lot with them, a great big bag is not a suitable choice in Lolita fashion. Keep the size small and the contents minimal (over packing your bag will not look elegant and will misshape your bag). View the bag not as a container, but as an important fashion accessory in of itself.

Accessories for the Summer?

Here are some suggestions for summer accessories along with a few things that may cheer you up during the hot season.

Parasol

This has to be the ultimate accessory when it comes to summer Lolita fashion. Finish off your outfit in gorgeous style with this item. Not only does it offer practical protection from the sun, the genteel act of holding a parasol is an exceptional "Lolita act" in itself. Normally I would suggest a versatile design, however why not choose something that is eye-catching and fun. A unique item will make the whole affair of using a parasol all the more special.

Gloves

I mentioned wearing gloves with a short sleeved blouse in the previous lesson; however gloves are also lovely with any short sleeved top or a sleeveless sundress. In summer, gloves made of lace or tulle are ideal. Long gloves that reach your elbow give a fancy and sophisticated look, however short gloves that just cover your hands are cuter and are more suitable for Lolita fashion. You can also wear "sleeve cuffs" if you want to go for a fresher look.

Straw Hats

A straw boater hat is an excellent item for a Lolita in summer. Together with a sundress or a sailor collar dress, you will look just like an aristocratic lady at her summer retreat. There are a range of designs available, such as those with ribbons that tie under your chin which are irresistibly cute. Or how about a bonnet for a classical and elegant look. A mini hat made of straw can add a touch of summery sweetness too. I could go on, but I will talk about head dresses and hats in more detail another time.

There was so much that I wanted to talk about in this lesson that I am afraid it has gotten a little long! I hope some of my ideas and suggestions can help you choose cute Lolita accessories that fill you with joy. Accessories are not only practical but are "fun to choose and a joy to behold", and I believe it is very important to keep this in mind. In fact, this can be said for all Lolita items. "Because it was cute" is always a legitimate reason for any decision for us maidens, don't you think? Farewell until next time.