Lifestyle Lolita 101 Presented by Addie Sebastienne Welcome

Lifestyle Lolita 101 Presented by Addie Sebastienne

Welcome! About me: • Lolita for ~8 years • Lifestyle Lolita for ~8 years About the presentation: • Re-work of Rufflecon 2015 Presentation • Survey

About the Survey v Survey of 186 lolitas; 38 lifestyle lolitas; 29 Unsure v Distributed via Face. Book v Hand-analyzed v Section 1: for all lolitas v Section 2: for lifestyle lolitas This presentation pulls from section 1 of all participants, and section 2 of the 38 lifestyle lolitas. Due to time constraints, I could not analyze the section 2 of unsure participants.

Presentation Overview 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What is lifestyle lolita? About the Lifestyle Common Aspects of a Lolita Lifestyle Recommendations Further Reading

1. What is Lifestyle Lolita? According to the lolita general public

“It’s taking enjoyment in life. ” (Anonymous, /CGL, 9/11/2017)

Disclaimer: The term “lifestyle lolita” is a subjective one. It means something different to everyone. There is no singular definition. These are just my opinions and the opinions that I gathered in the survey.

What makes someone a lifestyle lolita? Wearing Lolita as often as possible (78. 5%). . . or other J-fashion (20. 4%). . . or other elegant/ladylike/fancy clothing (83. 3%) Lifestyle lolita does not exist (5. 9%) Décor (5%) Conclusion: Clothing matters.

Despite this, several people stated they were a lifestyle lolita before they were a lolita. Lolita Fashion Lifestyle Lolita Elegant Lifestyle

What do people think of lifestyle lolitas?

What are some words you would use to describe lifestyle lolitas? Word # of people Elegant 31 Passionate 8 Dedicated 30 Cute / Kawaii 7 Hardworking 11 Devoted 6 Patient 10 Creative / Crafty (etc. ) 6 Wealthy / Rich / Expensive 9 Traditional/Old-Fashioned 6 Committed 8 Skilled 6 Well-Mannered (etc. ) 8 Ladylike / Girly (etc. ) 5

More Words Word # of people Unrealistic / Escapism (etc. ) 5 Confident / Brave 4 Classy / Classic 5 Aesthetic 4 Focused 4 Determined 3 Fancy 4 Obsessive 3 Dreamy (etc. ) 4 High-Maintenance (etc. ) 3 Sweet 4 Careful 2 Trying too hard / extra (etc. ) 4 Sophisticated 2

Words, Words. . . Young / youthful; Princess; Lucky; Consistent; Broke; Privilege; Fake; Resourceful; Ambitious; Organized; Peaceful; Delicate; Whimsical; Nice; Focused; Superior; Immersive; Superficial; Normal; Carefree; Thoughtful; Perfectionist; Romantic

What is your opinion of lifestyle lolitas? No Opinion Very Positive Slightly Positive Very Negative Slightly Negative

But. . . Some people wrote in some very negative responses. There is definitely a slight negative stigma, but it is much less prevalent than I had thought.

2. About Lifestyle Lolitas According to lifestyle lolitas

How long have you been wearing lolita? 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 -2 years 3 -5 years 6 -9 years 10+ years

How long have you been a lifestyle lolita? 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 -2 years 3 -5 years 6 -9 years 10+ years

Conclusion: ✢ People become lifestylers at any point during their lolita “career” ✢ Some people are lifestylers from the moment they start lolita (like me!). . . ✢ But most become lolitas long before converting to the lifestyle. ✢ Some people claim to be lifestylers before they started wearing lolita

Do you wear any other styles? Vintage Dolly-kei Conclusion: Most lifestyle lolitas participate in other fashion styles. Mori Larme Rockabilly /. . . Goth Gyaru Otome-Kei Menhera Cult Party. . . Fairy-kei /. . . 0 5 10 15 20 25

Are these hobbies considered lifestyle lolita? Hobby # Crafting / Sewing 34 Cosplay 3 Home Décor 33 Planning & Hosting Lolita Meetups 31 Thrifting / Antiquing 27 Blogging / Making You. Tube Videos About Lolita 24 Playing Musical Instruments / Singing 26 Watching Anime / Reading Manga 7 Studying Other Languages 14 Playing Video Games 32

Conclusion ✢ Crafting / Sewing, Home Décor and Reading are undoutbtedly lifestyle hobbies. ✢ Just because you like something does not mean it’s lifestyle lolita. ✢ Not everything you do has to be lifestyle lolita!

How important is wearing other J-fashion to living a lolita lifestyle? 14 Conclusion: Although most lifestyle lolitas wear other Jfashion, most don’t view it as a requirement. 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 (Not Important) 2 3 4 5 (Very Important)

How important is consuming lolita media to living a lolita lifestyle? 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 (Not Important) 2 3 4 5 (Very Important) Conclusion: Consuming lolita-specific media, like blogs, magazines, forums and videos, is important.

How important handmaking lolita items to living a lolita lifestyle? Conclusion: It is not necessary to handmake lolita in order to live a lolita lifestyle. 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 (Not Important) 2 3 4 5 (Very Important)

How important is speaking eloquently to living a lolita lifestyle? 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 (Not Important) 2 3 4 5 (Very Important) Conclusion: Speaking eloquently is not very important, despite the perception that many people have.

What must someone do to be a lifestyle lolita? ✢ Have lolita-esque hobbies ✢ Be kind ✢ Decorate your surroundings to suit your aesthetic ✢ Look cute even when not in lolita. “The air about them. A lifestyle Lolita should carry herself in way that represents her style and how she wants to be treated. It's one thing for someone to look like something they love, but another entirely to embody it. ” (Saphique)

What must someone NOT do to be a lifestyle lolita? ✢ Be rude or have poor manners ✢ Buy replicas ✢ Judge non-lifestyle lolitas ✢ Not wearing lolita “If one engages in adult substances, kinky sex, or vulgar language, they should keep it separate from lolita. ” (Anonymous)

Being a lifestyle lolita takes so much time and effort. . . Why bother?

Because it makes us happy! Out of the 36 respondents, all but two said that becoming a lifestyle lolita improved their lives. The most commonly-mentioned improvements were self-esteem and confidence, improvement of body image, and friendship / community. Personally. . .

3. Common Aspects of a Lolita Lifestyle

Home Décor

Names Laceala. Mode’s Bijou Fanny Rosie’s Madame Bissonnette

My Darjeeling

Cute Food

Products with Cute Packaging

Collectio ns Laceala. Mode’s Dolls

4. Recommendation s

When I was starting in the fashion I used to make a point of having nice tea one morning a week, teapot, sugar cubes, the works. No T. V. , no distractions, just relaxation and reflection, and maybe breakfast. (Anonymous, CGL, 9/11/2017)

ks ✢ Themes: ✢ Historical fashion & Jewelry ✢ Books about lifestyle hobbies ✢ Queens and Princesses (nonfiction) ✢ Books / Series: ✢ The Selection Series ✢ Madame Bovary ✢ My Lady Jane ✢ The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady ✢ Dracula ✢ Emily Post’s Etiquette ✢ Her Ladyship’s Guide Series ✢ The Curated Closet ✢ Why You Can Go Out Dressed Like That ✢ Face Paint ✢ So Pretty / Very Rotten Genres: ✢ Romantic Literature ✢ Classic Horror ✢ Historical Fiction ✢ Etiquette Books Authors: ✢ Agatha Christie ✢ Arthur Machen ✢ Tasha Tudor ✢ William Shakespeare ✢ Frances Hodgson Burnett

Anything that makes you slow down and find beauty and value in simple or odd things is Lolita. (Anonymous, CGL, 9/11/2017)

Films: ✢ Marie Antoinette ✢ Kamikaze Girls ✢ My Fair Lady ✢ Mystère a la Tour Eiffel ✢ Bram Stoker’s Dracula ✢ Breakfast at Tiffany’s ✢ A Little Princess Western Television: ✢ Downton Abbey ✢ Reign ✢ Penny Dreadful ✢ A Place to Call Home ✢ Harlots ✢ Anne with an E ✢ Crown Films & Television Anime: ✢ The Rose of Versailles ✢ Go! Princess Pretty Cure ✢ Princess Jellyfish ✢ Lady Jewelpet ✢ Kiniro Mosaic ✢ Princess Tutu Japanese Television: ✢ Musashino-sen no Shimai ✢ Deka Wanko Genres: ✢ Baking Shows ✢ Historical Fiction ✢ Slice of Life Shoujo

“Any magical girl series, shares themes of transformation and protecting love and beauty, which I think is very relevant to the lolita lifestyle. Plus, there tends to be a lot of frills and bows even if the style is different” (anonymous)

Game s Video Games: ✢ Animal Crossing New Leaf ✢ Style Savvy series ✢ Story of Seasons ✢ Princess Debut ✢ Anything by Hanako Games Board Games ✢ Parfum ✢ Lords & Ladies ✢ Machi Koro

A Little Lily Princess by Hanako Games

Long Live the Queen by Hanako Games

Music Genres: ✢ Classical ✢ Baroque ✢ Celtic Western Artists: ✢ Bjork ✢ Joanna Newsom ✢ Kerli ✢ Peter Guntry Japanese Artists: ✢ Yukari Tamura ✢ Kokusyoku Sumire ✢ ALI Project ✢ Meltia ✢ Kanon Wakeshima ✢ Yousei Teikoku ✢ Perfume ✢ Kyaru Pamyu ✢ Malice Mizer

Hobbies & Activities ✢ Embroidery ✢ Millinery ✢ Dressmaking ✢ Cooking / Baking ✢ Writing (Poetry) ✢ Bullet Journaling ✢ Playing Instruments (Classical; Violin, Piano, etc. ) ✢ Gardening (Herbs, Flowers) ✢ Tea (studying, collecting) ✢ Reading ✢ Studying Languages ✢ Thrifting / Antiquing ✢ Translating for the Community ✢ Flower Arranging ✢ Studying Etiquette (Classical and Modern) ✢ Ballet ✢ Visiting Historical Places (museums, castles, churches) ✢ Pen-Pals

“I find it easier to be a lifestyler when you make the clothes you already have even nicer, and it saves money too. ” (Anonymous, CGL, 9/11/2017)

More Lolita-Specific Hobbies ✢ Planning Meetups ✢ Blogging or You. Tube (Creating & Consuming) ✢ Engaging in Community Discussions ✢ Moderating Lolita Forums (Facebook, etc. ) ✢ Reading Very Old Lolita Blogs (Way. Back. Machine)

Inspiring People ✢ Princess Skye ✢ Fanny Rosie ✢ Nana Kitade ✢ Tasha Tudor ✢ Sweet. Emalyne ✢ Princess Peachie ✢ Milk. Ribbon ✢ Hello Batty ✢ Milkbox ✢ Milkpunk ✢ Jillian Ventures ✢ Jillian. Vessey (pixielocks) ✢ Katiebabydoll ✢ Unicorn Princess ✢ Yumi Fujiwara ✢ Misako Aoki ✢ Martha Stewart ✢ Milky. Fawn

3. Further Reading

More Resources ✢ Princess Portal (via Way. Back Machine) ✢ Lifestyle Lolita Threads on /CGL ✢ Survey Data & This Powerpoint on my blog

Thanks! Any questions? Please take a business card!