Lolita Fashion Resources
I had made a tumblr version of this but I want to create a stable version on my website that can be updated as needed. I still consider myself a beginner lolita and hang out in a lot of beginner spaces like BSoLF or the r/Lolita reddit. I've also have seen some of the lolita & gyaru content on Tiktok, which has odd ideas/misconceptions in it. I've realized from watching some of these tiktoks and interacting with fellow new lolitas that researching the fashion has gotten more difficult due to Google getting worse and some people are looking to Tiktok rather than blogs/communities that are full of information from experienced lolitas (10+ years). I love short form content as much as the next person but I don't think it's the best way to learn about lolita fashion. There's so much to learn and it's hard to explain in 5 minutes or less.
Someone in my comm encouraged me to make this list of resources for new lolitas. We were talking about how hard it can be to find information from Google search and there's just so much misinformation out there. I have a list of links that I've bookmarked and read over the past decade for when I finally become a lolita. I organized the list by sections in a specific order. It goes from information about the fashion and then to where to buy it. I was debating making an updated guide for lolita fashion, but there are already a lot of great resources already written and are well-written. It didn't make any sense to reinvent the wheel unless there was something I disagreed with.
To any new lolitas, there is so much information out there about lolita fashion that is still available. Part of the fun for me was researching the fashion, looking at coords, and learning what makes lolita lolita. There's so much information out there for you to immerse yourself in and even more stuff that's not listed in this resource list. I encourage everyone to use this as base level research and to explore each resource thoroughly instead of just only reading the pages of the links here.
What is Lolita Fashion
FyeahLolita - This is my favorite blog and I still go back and read it. The last post was made in 2016 and the fashion has changed a lot since then, but it's pretty comprehensive and provides a good base knowledge. Imo, I think these articles (1 2 3 4) are required reading for anyone entering the fashion
Lolita Fashion 101 - Bay Area Kei did several videos on lolita fashion during lockdowns. I recommend them for anyone that prefers video format.
Raine Dragon's Lolita 101 series - Raine is a lolita that still updates her blog and has a lot of information on the history of lolita fashion. And she has a really great post on Chinese indie brands that should also be required reading for anyone new to using Taobao.
Costs of Lolita Manufacturing - One of the first things you'll notice is that lolita can be expensive. This resource breaks down the costs associated with manufacturing and why brands charge what they charge.
Substyles of Lolita Fashion
The below links are for the three basic styles of lolita fashion. If you research more, you'll find that there are more directions that you can take your wardrobe, but I recommend starting with one of the three above to make it easier for to build your wardrobe.
Where to Get Lolita Fashion
Before even buying anything, you will need a tape measure to take your measurements. You'll need to measure your bust, waist, hips, and shoulder width in centimeters. That's how you will find out which clothes will fit you. Sizing can be different from brand to brand and country to country. I know many are used to buying using letter sizes, but it's best to go by actual measurements. Aim to buy clothes that are 4 - 6cm larger than your actual measurements to allow room for breathing/eating/etc. If you're brand new to the fashion, I highly recommend sticking to the sources listed in the videos below. It's very easy to get scammed if you don't know what to look for and I'd hate for anyone to lose their money on barely wearable clothes from Amazon/Ebay/Aliexpress.
How to shop for Lolita Fashion online - secondhand is life for lolita fashion and there are so many options. PinkFakeFlowers goes in depth into the many ways to get it. I personally recommend 42lolita for anyone looking to buy from Chinese brands on Taobao.
Plus Size Lolita Fashion
Unfortunately, many of the Japanese brands and even some Chinese indie brands are not size inclusive. If you can't fit into the mainstream brands, don't worry there are still options. I always recommend Meta since they have a Plus Size and occasionally a Plus Plus size of their dresses and blouses that goes up to 160cm or even 200cm in some releases.
Where to Start as a Plus Sized Lolita - This is a wonderful resource listing brands that are size inclusive.
Online Spaces for Lolita Fashion
Lolita fashion is pretty spread out now compared to the EGL (still recommend reading livejournal because its a cool time capsule of the lolita comm) days, but there are still groups on Facebook
BSoLF - Great for beginners to ask questions and be helped by others. It's hard to search here but I recommend looking through the group for info.
Your Local Comm(if applicable) - most are still on Facebook even if they still have a Discord. You can search for your local one on this list. They're great because some comms will have swap meets and they'll sell or give away clothes to each other. It's a great way to begin your wardrobe.
Bonus
These are just a mishmash of links to resources/lists/blog that I like.
Megan Rose - a sociologist that researches Japanese kawaii culture.