How to buy brand on a budget and brand new
Hi all, in this blog post I want to talk about the purchasing of BRAND and INDIE BRAND and reasonably priced lolita pieces in general.
When I tell people I'm into Lolita fashion, one of the questions I get asked the most is "Isn't Lolita expensive"?, well yes, it is. However, there are ways to save and afford the fashion weather you are a seasoned lolita who has been wearing the fashion for years, or a newbie to the fashion who is still learning. So, where to start.........most people start with the internet.
INTERNET
One website I recommend for buying brand and other indie brand pieces is Lace market. Lace market is the ebay of lolita fashion and accessories. I've purchased from Lace market in the past and have not had a problem. However, be cautious, as with ebay, be cautious with internet sellers in general, and always check the feedback section to check the sellers reliability for selling goods. Other ways to purchase lolita fashion is through Taobao (a Chinese ebay of sorts), Clobbaonline, Glitzy Wonderland and Facebook sales groups in your local area and country.
Then there are the brand sites. I personally have not purchased from the brand sites such as Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Angelic Pretty, Metamorphose, and etc. In some cases, you might need to use a shopping service, google translate ( if the website is not in English), or you can purchase directly from there online store.
SWAP MEETS
Swap meets are a great way to acquire preloved lolita pieces that need a new home. One of the advantages of a swap meet is that you can inspect the pieces for sale, barter the price if you think they are not worth what the seller is selling them for, and also TRY the pieces on to see if they fit!! Shopping online is a gamble, shopping in person is even better!!
POPULAR CULTURE CONVENTIONS
Depending on where you live in the world, popular culture conventions are a great way to buy lolita fashion. At some conventions, the brand names come to sell there goods, and the local lolita community may come together to sell their preloved pieces. This is also a great way to meet new people, make friends and how to become more involved in your local Lolita fashion community. I know it was through my local convention is how I made my way into the lolita fashion realm and made new friends!!
BEING PRESENT IN JAPAN
If you happen to be in Japan for a holiday, or for work, and a lolita fashion enthusiast, then you are in the right place to buy Lolita fashion. Most major cities in Japan will have a fashion brand shop of some sort. As I currently live in Sendai, here we have Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Angelic Pretty and the KERA shop. KERA stocks brands from Metamorphose and Moi mem Moite, to name a few. However, in cities like Tokyo, and in the suburbs of Harajuku, Shinjuku and Shibuya, you will find the brand stores will be dotted around the place. Sometimes, even places you will least expect them. For example, in Harajuku, you will find Innocent World located above a Kebab shop.
There is also a second hand Lolita store called "Closet Child", here you will find preloved lolita fashion for bargain prices. Buying second hand in Japan, is like buying brand new, because the clothes have been well looked after. They also carry clothes from non- lolita labels like Liz Lisa, MILK, goth clothes and normie clothes in general. Closet Child also have an on line store as well if you don't live in Japan and want to buy from them.
Another chance to grab a bargain if you are in Japan is at New Years. The brand stores sell lucky packs (which are also sold on line), and you can purchase a complete coord for at least 22,000 yen/ $220.00. It has everything you need to start off in Lolita fashion. The newbies may think that it is expensive, but it will cost you more than that for a dress alone EXCLUDING things like a blouse, socks, hair accessories, bag and shoes. I recommend lucky packs for beginner lolitas. They are a good value for money, more kind on your pocket. However, if you are plus size like me, lucky packs may not work for you size wise.
The brand shops also have percentages marked off the original price and also mail out coupons to use if you give the store your address. In my recent purchase from Baby for example, I saved quite a bit of money.
These are recent purchases I bought at the Baby, the Stars Shine Bright New Year sales.
So you are probably thinking after reading all this, "can I really justify SPENDING $$$$$ that much on Lolita fashion"? Well in retrospect, you are paying for the quality rather than cheap, affordable fast fashion. So, I will leave you with a video from a YouTuber called Lovely Lor, she puts it into perspective of why Lolita fashion is so expensive.
She also touches on some of the things I have mentioned in this blog post as well as expanding on other topics of how to afford lolita fashion.
Until next time, have a frilly day!!
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