Do I agree with The Lolita Handbook? (Let's talk about rules and nostalgia! ) 

NGL I am on a one woman mission to bring Punk lolita back.

So there is a reason why they say opening an umbrella inside is bad luck! Back in the 1850's when the modern umbrella was invented, people would open the umbrella and there was a chance it would not open properly. It could go crazy and hurt anyone nearby. They said it was bad luck to open an umbrella inside because the likelihood of hurting someone or something near by went up when you were inside. :-) Yay random knowledge!

I think lolita brands release styles that aren't traditionally lolita to appeal to a wider audience. People in the fairykei, decora, hime, gyaru etc scenes can purchase items from the lolita brands that appeal to their style, even if it's not lolita. For lolita's themselves, I think the mini skirts or other traditionally non-lolita items offer versatility in day to do wear. Mini skirts may not be lolita but they offer a pop of color in day to day life. It might be too much to wear a whole dress to a certain occasion, but a skirt with the same print may be just as appealing. I think it's smart marketing really!

Wait wait wait! WAIT! "Your clothing should be tailored and comfortable to move around". So, you're telling me that the handbook says it's okay to tailore the garments in order to fit you properly? Then why is everyone so angry when they suggest to add panels to the sides of a brand dress so that it fits properly? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

“...Mana-sama came down the mountain with this blog” I was DYING omg 😂

I believe that "whiteface" in this context is directly referring to straight up painting one's face white, the way Mana does it or in a similar way to shironuri. I could be wrong about this but as far as I can remember, makeup products in unique colors weren't as easily accessible then the way they are now; products like black lipstick and white foundation were more common to find around Halloween and weren't good quality at all, and would yield streaky, sloppy results, hence this section discouraging people (particularly newbies to the fashion) from trying these looks. It's definitely a lot more applicable to the early 2000s and not as relevant anymore.

I think it's hilarious and ironic that in Japan "loli" is bad and in the West "lolita" is bad. No good answer haha

I think the whiteface is referring to visual kei make up, like how Malice Mizer members would CAKE on white face paint. I disagree as people like Minori who does "shironuri make up" can make some really beautiful looks, but it may have been different 14 years ago since high quality make up wasn't as readily available as it is now and I can only imagine the horror that is unsealed white face make up on lolita pieces because someone wanted to replicate Mana's make up style

I feel like lolita fashion is a textile based thing not a makeup thing. Like goth etc. You can sort of do any makeup you want because the makeup isn't lolita, the clothing is? Does that makes sense? Am I crazy? Like if you stripped off someone's ruffles and only left there makeup there would be no way, regardless of the style, to know the makeup was "lolita" because there is no real hard and fast lolita makeup style.

19:26 OH ABSOLUTELY NOT, i live in norway and it is sososo cold, especially in the winter. if i didnt have some thight under my socks i would actually freeze to death

Lolita Handbook: don't wear baggy clothes AP: hold my sack dress

I agree about lolita brand miniskirts. They can be styled in the same way as lolita fashion (accessories, ott, etc), but in my opinion they always look fairy kei or something else, not lolita. I think it can be a great casual look if you love a print but don't want to deal with going all lolita though.

The nostalgia is so real omg 🎀🌸✨💖🧸

As someone who has over the years been obsessed with when Avril Lavigne wore punk outfits, I am obsessed with punk lolita. But I have a hard time finding more inspiration for making a coordinate. Its a fun style that I really want most my lolita wardrobe to be.

Princess Peachie was my og Lolita idol even though I didn’t start wearing the fashion until ten years later XD

i assume that "whiteface" is being used the same as it is in clowning, it's just putting pure white makeup on your face. it's historically only been used to refer to that type of makeup.

from what i remember back in the day before lolita got a lot of traction, there was this sort of community need to set ourselves aside as an actual fashion subculture vs weird anime con kids/scene kids and that combined with the lack of access to ~Actual Burando~ created the emphasis on rules like don't wear cat ears, don't let your petti show (i.e. stuff an unaltered square dance petticoat under a sort of flared miniskirt and let 4 inches of it hang out the bottom). The overall emphasis was on avoiding things that looked "costumey" rather than intentional, as well as distancing the fashion from any potentially sexual or fetish-y interpretations. the line about wearing things at your hairline was probably aimed in the days of Old School headdresses, to help avoid looking like you'd strapped a raschel lace trimmed maxi pad to your forehead, and also help newbies figure out how to "balance" a head eating bow. these days the kids wear metal cat ear headbands as mainstream fashion and OTT sweet lolita is a thing, so make mistakes, get messy and don't worry too much.

I’m going to defend the no blue or black lipstick suggestion. If you don’t buy a high quality lipstick, those two colours can turn out really bad. They could end up patchy, bleed badly, or be generally difficult to apply. If you find a good one though, I don’t see why you shouldn’t wear it.

love that you talked about the humidity and weather, having hyperhidrosis in Texas is so hard to wear a blouse with lolita, (which is why blouse and skirt works better for me)

This probably sounds dumb, but whenever my petticoat is showing I call it "rufflebutt". 😂

Socks over tights is something I do even though I don't wear lolita! I wear leather shoes and a lot of them have that cut edge that rubs against my tights and make them pill and catch/snag. Wearing socks over your tights is just economical and a good way to extend the life of your tights!

"Don't wear ill fitted clothes" My 5'11'' ass: "Easier said than done"

I think animal ears can look quite cute with lolita. There are shops on instergram for example littleluxies that make really beautiful ears, with gows and cute stuff on them that can tie in quite well...but I feel like wearing those cheep ears that are not even fluffy or anything, looks quite bad, especially for sweet lolita. And lolita will always look like a costume to an outsider- so it dosen't really matter, dose it?

I don't even care to read the title anymore, I just immediately click on the video and watch when I see her

Honestly as someone who makes her own lolita, I just keep in mind the silhouette of the fashion and what I want to make. I made a princess leia lolita dress even though it’s basically a cosplay, it follows all the lolita rules. Yet that wasn’t ok when I first started lolita. Even today people say you don’t want mix cosplay and lolita but it can work!

I remember the time when i said that i was worried to join the lolita community, and not be a lolita, or have anything related to lolita, and people would not like me for it, and would be mean. and immediately i got tons of replies of people being like "HOW DARE YOU THINK OF LOLITAS THAT WAY" and it just, immediately made me shake my head, cause they were basically being the thing, i said i hope they wouldn't be, and were mean. Of course not all lolitas are like this, but damn, talk about ironic.

I look at lolita "rules" like art rules, my mom told me its important learn the rules so you know how to break them properly

Fashion is fun because there are people who push boundaries and experiment with new styles. Lolita fashion needs to evolve like any other fashion.

13:41 they’re wearing tutus not petticoats there’s a difference, petticoats are undergarments designed to add structure to another garment they’re usually quite plane except for maybe some lace or trim along the bottom in case the petticoat peeks out from under your skirt, on the other hand tutus are designed to be worn as a normal skirt they come from dance costumes so are colourful and decorative and although they can be used as a petticoat the won’t do as good of a job and an actual petticoat as it’s not designed to be one. This is by no means saying you can’t wear a petticoat as a tutu or visa versa I’m just saying there’s a difference

Hi Lor, I’m a high school teacher and my sister is also really dyslexic, and I want you to know that it makes my heart happy every time I see you read out loud on your channel, because you do a really good job every time and I know how hard it is to have confidence in that when you have an LD. You’re doing awesome

I like the way you go about teaching lolita where you treat it like a disaplin instead of a sandbox of fun

Lolita community seems so toxic and revolving around brand names, as an outsider looking in(i know there is a lot of amazing once too who just want to have fun and express themselves). I once had a long discussion with someone about lolita and when you can call yourself one... And this person was very firm when stating you can not be a lolita unless you can buy expensive dresses, you can not make your own dresses and anything outside the "rule" is forbidden. And they weren't the first one I saw saying similar things. I am a cosplayer personally and I see any hobby or life style as "Do it for yourself. If you feel amazing in it, go out there and rock it". Sure it's good to do your research, it's good to learn about the "theory" of being a lolita, but in my eyes fashion has no hard rules. (unless you want to go out of your way to make things "Historically accurate" ofc. But then you are stating you want it to be close to 100%). If you don't want to spend money on expensive dresses because you aren't sure if you are going to enjoy it, just start small and make it your own. Isn't that what Lolita was meant to be? For Japanese women to break the norm and do what makes them happy? Like when you start cosplaying you don't need to be amazing at it. You don't need the most expensive wigs or the most expensive ready to wear cosplays or fabrics. And you don't ever need to be 100% accurate to the characters. What matters is you are having fun and you feel confident in yourself... ANyway gonna probably get alot of hate, haha. Just sharing an opinion, and observation. I don't follow Lolita communities closely so please educate my ignorance, haha.

Im convinced "white face" is referring to shironuri which because increasingly popular during the 00s . Even though the look is damn near impossible to do, it was really impressive.

Oh man, this video really took me back! I have very similar positions to you on many of these "tips" in the handbook. While a petticoat looks super cute as a skirt with other fashions, I personally would never do it with lolita fashion. Regarding the mini skirts, could it be that lolita brands want to be more accessible to a wider crowd? Many other cute fashions, like fairy kei, gyaru, otome kei could use them and other accessories. Who knows! Thanks again for another fun and informative video and SO MUCH for the shout-out ♡!!!

Great video! I just wish you would have mentioned the reasons for some of those rules to have been made back then. Specifically the ballgown length rule. That was because there were just SO many horrible ita dresses being ballgown length, horrible quality lace ruffle monsters. Those don't look anything like the proper long lolita of today. Many newbies fell into those traps, usually sold on ebay. It's eas y to say these rules are so wrong 15 years later when there are countless resources and dresses available but back then it was a different landscape and newbies reading this and watching the video just dont understand that. So they tend to hop onto the "rules are wrong" bandwagon.

I have the opposite problem when it comes to makeup. I have sensitive skin and I don't want to put on a lot so I'm glad that the natural look is ok 😂 Also socks with tights! They can work but only if both match with the coordinate 💖 TBH I love it when lolitas break the rules a little and pull it off!

Sadly back when I first wanted to get into Lolita back when that LJ started. The way a lot of people in the Lolita community used it as a way to be just straight out nasty towards beginners who were just trying to get into the style. Style is very personal and some like to put their own touch to it. But holy heck were people mean as heck about others doing so. It actually made me not want to even get into the style back then. And now in 2020 I find myself looking back into it.

Otks over flesh color tights saved me in winter though.

I think the short skirt thing has been a crossover between Lolita fashion and the himekaji (casual princess) and romantic gyaru styles. I specifically remember seeing a lot of crossover in the 2012-15 range, when I was exploring both styles, and I remember seeing several Lolitas buying Liz Lisa, in particular.

OMG my pic made it!😍thank you so much. I feel so honored ☺️

I am severely dyslexic too! If you are still struggling to read blogs and things online I highly recommend using something like Google read and write.

Hello! Elder lolita, here. Painting your face white was going on with gothic lolitas at that time. There were also some guides floating around suggesting you lighten (or 'brighten') your skin with lavender powder. Dolly eye...I don't remember that being a thing in 06, I feel like that was closer to the 10s. AP around that time released some shorter skirts but they were a little sooner, like 03? There were some skirts ending a couple inches above the knee to show a slight gap between your over the knee socks and the hem of your skirt. There were some lolitas at the time who vehemently hated that look. This is so nostalgic! Thanks for making this video!

The Disney x AP Marie collab skirt you show as an example is actually longer than a mini : ) I own it and it's knee length on me (I'm 5'3) it can absolutely be worn with the lolita silhouette and accommodates a full petti no problem! Just in case anyone who may be interested in it is potentially put off!

I would love to see a “lolita 2000s blog” react or discussion series. The one that taught me about lolita was Fyeahlolita, and there are so many lists and posts their that would be interesting to see if they hold up or would be recommended today.

Before I got a hand steamer, I used to sometimes just iron the collar and cuffs of blouses and wear them under a cardigan or waistcoat or jsk. Ironing is the worst 😂

19:40 ahhhh I'm glad I'm not the only one! I love wearing frilly ankle socks with tights sometimes because my ankles just feel so naked at times. Idk if anyone else feels that way too but that's my reasoning lol. I love adding details from head to toe ♡

I loved this! Very nostalgic. I stopped wearing lolita fashion in the beginning of college but you're getting me back into being active in the fashion!

I can't wait for you to read more of the handbook! It's amazing looking back and seeing how much the community has grown (and how much less we rely on DIY stuff)

I really hate how rude and constructive some of this is, like they’re using some of their personal style choices as rules everyone should follow. I’m not a Lolita myself, but I’m a goth person, And a lot of goth fashion is about thrifting and really just putting together what you can to feel confident in yourself, and it’s a little bit shocking to me personally to see so many rules and constrictions being put onto a fashion style… I believe that people should wear what they want and be confident in, and if they identify with the subculture, it shouldn’t be gatekept so hard :/ it’s honestly my biggest pet peeve about Lolita, people are so rude and constrictive. Some of the guidelines almost sound like how you should present yourself as a housewife lol. things like aging isn’t pretty, you have to keep yourself and your hair and your outfit in perfect condition at all times.,. As someone with depression, taking care of yourself and your clothes constantly is overwhelming, and all human beings age, so I don’t know why you should shame someone for going through the natural process of aging. it seems really conservative imo.

I've got some sensory issues and can't handle head pieces and wrist stuff so I've got to work around that.

I followed your RU-vid after getting back into lolita because I remembered you from the LiveJournal days! This brought back a lot of nostalgia (and taught me how some things have changed since the last time I wore lolita 😅)

this was such a funny and nostalgic video, the only one I really agree with fully (besides keeping your stuff nice obviously) is that brand miniskirts are not lolita. they're really cute though and I want some for when I'm sick or too lazy to fully coordinate. I want to see more videos like this for sure, I'd love this to be a series!!

Omg! I started watching your videos like today and i just realized that i used to watch you all the time when i was younger and fascinated with lolita fashion. Still funny and stunning

I have a btssb parasol that is suitable to use as an umbrella. It's called "rain or shine" umbrella/parasol. But with the version I have from the early 2000's the instructions say that when you come in from the rain you have to immediately wipe the parasol as dry as possible. Their newer parasol/umbrella combinations might be more user friendly.

ty for mentioning some people wear it casually. i have to wear it casually because i have spine issues and seizures when dehydrated. so I can't full out wear it. I need to wear sneakers and wear less layers or else my health is in danger. people also need to realize accessibility is more important than aesthetic. some people physically cant wear certain items that others might deem essential (shoes, petties, etc) and thats ok

It was really interesting listening to you talk about when you first started dressing Lolita because I think that when you make a decision to dress in a way that’s really different it can be quite a conscious choice.. I remember when I was a teenager and I decided I wanted to dress really alternative / goth / punk and it was so intimidating because I didn’t own anything like that and I didn’t have the money to go out and buy loads of alt clothing! But I built my wardrobe gradually and it was a very meaningful thing for me..! So it felt quite personal in a way hearing you talk about starting on your fashion journey! ☺️❤️❤️

There’s a really good post on Raine Dragon’s blog about the history of salopettes in lolita, which may shed some light on mini skirts for anyone interested. Edit: many brand parasols are now rain proof FYI

Most "rules" still apply, I think. But I like to read it with a grain of salt! When we're used to coordinating, we feel more free to try and experiment new makeup, new hairstyles, new accessories, new shoes, new shirts, everythiiiiing

Also I love the idea of you doing a review of the lolita handbook

I don't know much about Lolita and randomly came across this video ^^ today I learned a lot from you. Very interesting :) !

I am male and don't even wear Lolita, but I still watch this because the fashion is just soooo fashionable and pretty, I love it

I'd love to see videos talking about substyles, even if they're ones you aren't particularly into. Maybe you could find folks within the substyle to interview over Zoom or something lolol loved the video!! x

i literally got called out for a blouse that wasn't even lolita!! and was told i was a teen that knows nothing.... it was a new shirt that i wore to a job i had, i miss put lolita in my tags but it was obvious i wasn't trying to do Lolita at that time

Hard asf to style your hair if you have to wear protective styles that are supposed to last 2-4 weeks :/

Excited to watch this video!

Honestly I love love love love love your hot takes about the fashion, and how experimental you get. I feel more comfortable making my own designs thanks to your videos! Excited to finish my masterpiece and send it in for your Fixing Your Coord series 💜

Don't wear layered sports bras 👏 that's so bad for you, buy a fitting binder. You can see it as an extra snug sports bra of you want. Gc2b is a great brand they are comfortable and size inclusive. If you can afford brand you can afford non damaging undergarments 👏👏👏

You will definitely catch me wearing socks and tights in the winter, it be cold in Finland. In my opinion it's just about the combination that matters. Sometimes I wear just double tights to keep the look simple and uniform, but for darker looks grey tights and black socks don't really stand out too much compared to wearing black socks and no tights. I guess combining patterned tights or socks can get a little busy though.

I dont do lolita (I wear a casual fairy kei) but I love your vids so much!!

I’ve never been this early to a video ever also your coord looks cute

I love punk lolita, but I haven't really gotten the chance to build any coords yet. I hope to do so soon!

*raises hand* I've been following you since 2013. We started wearing lolita around the same time so this is all a blast from the past. Also I got salty about the makeup, I'm definitely one for more vibrant makeup and didn't like the idea of neutrals. Now I just wear whatever color I want.

Wearing blue lipstick is wearing lolita on expert mode.

Your outfits do cute in this video!!!! 💖

Oh MY GOD! Thank you!!!!!!!! Im super interested in the Lolita aesthetic and happy to learn the "rules" but it drives me fucking nuts how rigid, holier than thou, and classist a lot of these Lolita forums are. Personally I sew all my own stuff bc 1. I can't afford it and 2. Im enjoying learning the Lolita aesthetic deeply and then adapting and morphing it into my own fashion aesthetic. Can you recommend any forums that have philosophies like yours?

I’ve been considering getting into Lolita and honestly REALLY interested in reviving punk Lolita

I remember that article! I read it and got so discouraged thinking I could never, ever have enough to consider myself a lolita. Thankfully I grew out of that mindset and I look back on it and laugh a bit.

Love this makeup and wig on you!

Omg Im dyslexic too 🥺❤️ , but for writing ! sorry I had to say this because its so rarely talked about

Please continue this series

ok i moved on from lolita to fairy kei and decora a long time ago and like, that idea abt using my lolita petticoats in fairy kei? that's Genius and i absolutely wanna do that for a coord some time

I just flushed "da rulz" down the toilet. 🤣 I got into lolita fashion since 2004 and it has evolved so much that these guidelines seems too stiff. 1. Regarding to make up, lolita is a dramatic fashion, so natural makeup does not with it. Also, makeup is so open to experiments that there are so many new things that can match well with lolita. Also, one of the last times I wore lolita I had blue lipstick on, oh no... 2. I think brands are trying to adapt to new trends so they don't die, therefore they make clothes inspired on lolita that are not lolita precisely, like the mini skirts. 3. Related to petticoats and fitting, I agree with you. 4. I like that wigs are not mandatory. I wore wigs for years but now I feel super proud of my curly natural hair and it actually looks good with lolita. 5. Accesories just need to match the coord theme, that's common sense. 6. The parasol thing was so funny. 🤣 7. They forgot about the sneakers. 🤣🤣🤣 Also, I have kawaii sneakers for whenever I need them with lolita. 😌

Such a pretty look for you. And that blouse - bellisima!🎀😍

Me "oh finally i found a style that suits me" *reads all the lolita fashion rules* Also me: "hmm......nvm" I like knees lenght skirts because they make me more secure but im not into BUFF skirts i prefer long sleeves and i don't have a head acessory :'D Sometimes i think in a minimalistic lolita fashion not so exagerated That can wear such things such as long shorts to the knee lenghts as the dress

ive seen the mini skirts used in other fashions like gyaru or fairy kei or lolita "inspired" coords that fit everything except the skirt length which takes a more skilled lolita to do, I honestly really liked one I saw with bloomers but it was definitely more fairy kei than lolita

I remember years ago expressing interest in Lolita and asking about punk Lolita and if that’s a thing because I saw stuff that looked like it and people from my local com had a go at me and said it doesn’t exist and that punk Lolita was never a thing and they’re all fakes/not real Lolita

my baby usakumya is famous!! (theyre the usakumya in the kumyachurch pfp) :3c (also sidenote but loved this video, so damn nostalgic of those early online lolita community days)

Yes pleeease make this a serie!

can you please make an in depth history of lolita video? That would be really awesome!

7:53 whiteface in this context is where you use white foundation instead of a natural color. I personally do something halfway between natural and whiteface in where I wear foundation that's not a pure white but it's several shades lighter than my natural skin color (which can make foundation hard to find sometimes unless I go high end cuz I'm already kinda pale)

Thank you for mentioning people who wear lolita casually around 5:27. I worked in a market research firm, in an office in downtown Chicago, and while I couldn't go full lolita coord for work, I was able to get away with some simpler dresses for fun; I used to wear Lady Sloth to work because I felt really cute in it, but I was always afraid some "real lolita" would see me and be offended by how I styled it for my office job.

I agree with the short skirt argument, but I just think of them being used for Decora Lolita. Even though the fashion is usally with dreses/jsk but Idk? Loved the video!

When the handbook talks about not wearing socks over tights, you can if you'd like! I'd recommend covering it with some leg warmers if you don't like the look but still want to be warm

Omg just realized I'm here early so; we Stan a Lolita queen.

it would be great if some Lolita's got together an really updated this with sections for do's and don't for each sub group. Thank you

I think the biggest rule I don't follow is the brand is best. Especially as a plus size lolita. I understand how beautiful and amazing brand is and I'd love to have it one day. However, as a newbie I think it's better to get dresses from Devil Inspired to try to learn the fashion before I dive into getting my dream dresses. Excited to grow and learn! Thank you, Lor, for all that you do! I've already have all my friends into lolita fashion. 😊

YES PLEASE A SUBSTYLE VIDEO! I mean, I know most of them but it’d be so interesting to hear you really break them down in a much more educated way as opposed to say if it was just me talking about it I’d be like “this thing exist and its usually more this type of print/color then this other type of print/color” end of explanation lol

Ahhh the sweet days of LiveJournal

Wearing tights under socks is a game changer honestly because it keeps them from rolling or falling down the whole day without annoying sock glue (which doesn't even work on me because my skin is coated in teflon I guess). If you think it might look weird you can just wear skin tone colored tights and socks over it. Especially if you're wearing OTKs I think they are a good thing to have so long as weather permits it. 10/10 would recommend.

You look so pretty in that wig and coord!