Fashion Ideas for Fall, Part 2

Hello everyone! In the last lesson, I talked a little about what colors to watch out for and recommended some items to add to your wardrobe for the upcoming fall season. While the bitter-cold winter is still around the corner, in this lesson I would like to continue with further ideas for fall fashion, and discuss them in a little more detail. The tips I'm offering for coordinating outfits may be quite basic, but I hope some of my points will give you some new ideas for your Lolita look this season.

Warm and Heavy Fabrics

First, let's look at the kinds of fabrics often seen in Lolita fashion during the fall season. I will concentrate on fabrics that are particularly distinct to the Lolita style. Knowing the characteristics of these materials will hopefully help you in choosing your perfect items.

Velveteen

This is a cotton weave fabric with a surface that is covered in dense piles, and is commonly used as fabric in Lolita fashion. Its luxuriously heavy and dense look suggests a slightly formal engagement, and it is often used on jumper skirts and jackets. To avoid flattening the pile, store your velveteen item on a hanger and do not iron it. If it becomes creased, hang your item in a steamy bathroom or apply gentle steam with an iron while avoiding direct contact. Taking extra measures to care for your velveteen apparel, such as not wearing it on days when you might be sitting for long periods of time, or making sure your bag doesn't rub against the fabric will keep the velveteen in good condition and allow you to enjoy it longer. Examples of other fabrics with soft dense piles include velvet and velour.

Corduroy

Corduroy is a fabric characterized by a surface covered in pile that is woven into ribs, and is used on a wide variety of apparel, including jackets and skirts. There are many designs available, such as plain colors and printed patterns, but regardless of the design, corduroy always exudes warmth. It's more casual looking than velveteen and has an innocent and girly feel about it. The thickness of the ribs can vary, and this changes the overall look of the fabric. In Lolita fashion, thin ribs are favored. As with the velveteen, you can keep it in good shape for a longer period of time by avoiding rubbing the fabric which can damage the pile.

Tweed

Tweed is a fairly coarse woven fabric made of wool, synthetic fibers or blended yarn. Although traditionally used on men's clothing, ever since Chanel featured the fabric in their 1928 collection, tweed has been widely used in women's apparel. As well as jackets, coats and jumper skirts, it is used on accessories such as bags. Tweed woven with thin yarn creates a chic and elegant look, and when it is made with thick uneven yarn, the unique texture is eye-catching and bold. With the latter type, the fabric can get caught on things easily, so be careful.

Gobelin

I introduced this fabric in the previous lesson as a design often used in Lolita clothing. As well as the classic floral design, brand-specific patterns may also be woven into this heavy fabric. Its characteristic luxurious presence can be found most often on coats, skirts and bags. It is a fabric that is recommended for Lolitas who like a classical and dressy style. Since it is a heavy fabric, if you want to give it volume, choose a strong stiff pannier or increase the volume by wearing a few layers underneath the skirt.

Bring Focus to Your Neckline and Feet

In the last lesson, I discussed some recommended items to wear during fall, and I would like to continue with this theme in this lesson.
In mainstream fashion, adding stoles or scarves to an outfit, or wearing boots instead of shoes, are some of the ways in which fashion can change from the summer season. I believe these styles and ideas can be incorporated into Lolita fashion as well.
For example, shawls or wraps can be used when you feel your top looks too simple, or when it is not so cold that you need a jacket, but want to stay warm. If you want to go for a casual look, a long knit scarf with a striped design or an eye-catching color to add an accent to your outfit would look great. A knitted shawl can look delightful together with a dress patterned with an antique floral pattern. Gorgeous furry shawls go great with the 'lady' look or with sophisticated styles. For fancy outfits that are true to the orthodox Lolita style, a simple wrap may look a little dull ? so add a brooch or corsage to your neckline to complete the look.
And what about boots? By wearing boots instead of shoes, you can drastically change the look of an outfit. The most common boots seen in Lolita fashion are knee-highs that end just below the knee; but if you prefer the more classical styles, a pair of lace-up ankle boots would look adorable. For sweet Lolitas and extravagant styles, boots with rounded toes and thick solid heels or platforms are the norm. However, for classical Lolitas, a more dainty looking design may suit your outfit better. As boots have more surface area, make sure your feet don't look too clumpy compared to the rest of your outfit. Choosing boots with narrower shafts that fit snugly around your calves will look smarter. Why not accessorize with a 'boot anklet' when wearing boots with a simple design? With regards to color, black and brown are the basic colors which go with a variety of outfits, but white can look gorgeous during winter, too. Although they may be a bit of a chore to keep clean, matching a pair of sparkling white boots with a white coat will look as lovely as a snow-fairy. You may want to choose white if you like to wear lighter colored coats too. For those of you who are not quite ready for boots this season, try wearing tights instead, such as those I mentioned in the previous lesson.

With this upcoming season, you'll have many opportunities to enjoy a range of different coordination ideas as you'll be adorning more items with one outfit than you did during the warmer months. You can breathe new life into your jumper skirt by wearing a different top underneath or layering it with a cardigan. Accessories on your bag or a pair of gloves can add a subtle, yet decisive accent to your look. There are probably many of you who become filled with a passion for fashion during this season, especially when you can try out looks that are completely different from those you wore during summer. Try experimenting by wearing your different outfits in front of a mirror. Achieving the right touch of style and mix-matching your items requires practice! Whatever you chose to wear, do make the most of this fall season and show off your beautifully coordinated Lolita outfit.
Farewell until next time!