Reader: What’s the difference between a crinoline, pettipants, and a petticoat?

Codi: Pettipants (more frequently called bloomers), are exactly what they sound like – pants. They add a nice floof under any dress, and also I like the feeling of them keeping me cool in summer and warm in winter. A crinoline and petticoat are pretty much the same thing. Layers of tulle piled on top of each other to make a sizable floof. When I think crinolines, I think more-so of a circle shape. Although it works for square-dancing skirts (which are circle-shaped), it does not work for lolita, where many skirts are actually a trapezoid shape. (Therefore, wearing a square-dancing crinoline under a brand-named dress will usually create unnecessary wrinkles and poof rather awkwardly.) I think that these two items are the most essential to any lolita wardrobe!

Reader: Why are the dresses I see so many different lengths? Some are short some are long; what’s the average or standard length for a typical lolita dress/skirt?

Codi: Purely speaking lolita here, and not gothic, some lolitas prefer longer-styled skirts, as to fit with a “Classical Lolita” theme. The average length for a lolita dress (measuring from the waist measurement to the hem) is about 20 inches. Every house is different however (some measure 22 inches, for example.) However, 19-22 inches seem to be the most average for lolita wear! In my journeys however, I’ve noticed that brands like Metamorphose temps de fille will go much shorter or longer, depending on the style of the dress.

Brands such as Innocent World and Victorian Maiden however, have touched into longer styles, which measure about 43 inches in total. Innocent World offers them usually at winter time, offering an alternative to an average-length dress. Victorian Maiden will incorporate a longer style dependent upon the actual design of the dress.

Reader: I’m up for a promotion soon at a major corporation. What can I do to impress my superiors without looking like I’m brown-nosing?

Codi: Being impressive, while always delightful in male bonding situations, is unnecessary in high society! As long as you are true to yourself and to them, brown-nosing should not be a problem. Brown-nosing is such a commoner thing anyway!

Please let Codi know if you have any questions you’d like answered loli style by e-mailing her or by leaving them in the comment section.

Reader: A lot of the prints I see online at the fashion houses are kinda ugly; what kinda fabric print/patterns should I use if I wanna make my own dresses?

Codi: Anything you want to! I recommend any kind of 100% cotton prints, or cotton twill. (NOT Broadcloth, it hangs horribly for lolita projects.) Usually, I advise to go with what’s in season. Sailor prints and pink floral prints would not work for winter styles, for example. Gobelin print, while expensive, usually carries incredibly luscious prints, which I recommend, especially for winter!

Reader: I ate far too many cookies this Christmas and feel really bad about it.
How can I retain my figure without starving myself?

Codi: While I only wish to fill my body with sweet things, I am also reminded that Metamorphose will be having their annual Winter Sale a few days after Christmas. Therefore, I use moderation! However, since you’ve unfortunately already have done the deed, I recommend frolics in the
park, and although it pains me to say this, tea… but with no lumps of sugar.

Reader: My girlfriend wants to practice martial arts but I’m scared she’ll hurt herself or someone else (mostly me). What can I do to support her without letting my true feelings get in the way?

Codi: Learning a martial art is completely un-lolita, but in these rough times (may the Queen save us all!), even I have had to learn the art of Parasol Kung-Fu. Being a gentleman and supporting your beloved is
the best you can do! I do not think that she would intentionally hurt you, but accidents do happen. (I speak with experience from all of my shoes!) Perhaps then, the two of you could stroll the streets without fear of anyone bothering your elegant time together.

If you have any questions for Codi concerning lolitas or life at large, please send em’ our way by emailing Codi or leaving a comment!

In Japan, there are many brands or “houses” that cater to lolita needs, just as the West has famous fashion houses for contemporary style. For every Gucci, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana, Japan offers up Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Innocent World, and Angelic Pretty. To all lolitas just starting the loli lifestyle and to all seasoned lolitas, here’s some fashion info for winter from The Anime Blog’s Lolita Fashion Editor, Codi:

Lolita Winter Fashion Line-Up

by Codi

As Winter approaches, so does the line for Autumn and Winter goods from the various brands!

This year, however…your faithful loli is completely saddened by the lack of beautiful things to adore. Many brands this year started on pre-orders of their various winter goods much earlier than usual, with the standard coats and velveteen versions of already existing dresses. (I am staring at you icily, Baby, the Stars Shine Bright.)

The problem was there was nothing to fawn over! No brand this year is offering any stand-out series or coats; they are all dreadful re-hashings of things they’ve already done. Although there are certain things we come to expect with certain brands (Poodle series with Angelic Pretty, Sailor Series with Metamorphose, for example.), the lack of creativity still stands.

That being said, it was hard to find a common connecting theme or what is hot this year. Series (where brands take a print fabric and design a one-piece, jumper-skirt, skirt, bag, and matching headpiece with the fabric), are the only real trend for Winter. This is a surprising shock as prints are mostly left for the Summer lines. Angelic Pretty wins (and not necessarily in a good way) with not only one series, but four in total. Punk fashion house Putumayo comes in second for their tried and true Alice/drug-induced-themed prints. Metamorphose temps de fille completely loses for bringing out their kimono print, normally reserved for their summer kimono and summer pieces.

Another thing that’s always in style in Winter are plaids. Each brand offers their own plaids, and this year’s offerings were more like the plaids you’d find on the $1.00 a yard rack at the fabric store than in classy boutiques. Offering such gaudy plaids as orange and blue, and pink and black, Baby the Stars Shine Bright stray from their usual fare, but in the process lose all that is cute. A real winner here is Victorian Maiden, for using standard plaids with clean lines, and not using overkill with bells and whistles to distract from the plaid.

There is not all negativity in this! Many of the coats this year, while lacking any common theme, are simply divine. Ankle-length coats are in vogue this year, replacing the cutesy knee-length overdone ones. Simplicity and clean lines seem to be a common theme from everyone to Atelier Boz to Victorian Maiden. Innocent World shines with this, as their coats are exquisite without being gaudy. From a small choice in button design to one of the only brands offering gobelin print, Innocent World brings coats back to their humble beginnings in the lolita world. It is truly a Renaissance in a Victorian World.