Wa Loli?

[UsagiNoSenshi]

Err.. I'm kinda new to the lolita fashion, but a friend of mine really loves it! I want to make a outfit so we can loli it up together. I really like the Wa-Loli style. I've seen quite a few styles when looking for examples. Is there a set way to go about a wa loli outfit? What makes something truely wa loli? What kinds of accessories go with the style? ^^; I'm a bit lost when it comes to this sort of stuff, I'd love some help from the experts on this one! <3

[Amaya De'Morte]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wa_Lolita

wikipedia on wa-lolita. Generally.. as they say it.. it's a mix of traditional japaense items with lolita.

also try looking around on the photosite "flicker" by typing in wa-lolita into the search. There's lots of great photos..

and of course the memories on the lj community has this tosay:
http://community.livejournal.com/egl/3075981.html

Hope this helps!

[UsagiNoSenshi]

omg thanks! that ljpost helped a bit!
http://www.avantgauche.co.uk/glb13/103.jpg - so cute! I never thought of adding a bunny hood to the kimono top! Maybe i'll try that for my next one. XD

I have a pretty good idea of how i want to construct it and the basic pattern of it. I guess i'll start with that and then i can have people help me with adding to it.

[Amaya De'Morte]

whoot! I don't know much about wa-lolita.. but I know people that do, so if you have any questions, send them my way and I'll relay them!^^

[UsagiNoSenshi]

ok this is what i have so far-
http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=684273

http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=684274

The pics are a bit dark beacause my room isn't well lit, but you get the picture. I don't know if i should add anything? Maybe diffrent shoes than my go-go boots? Maybe i should wear a wig? I unt know @_@

But I got my skirt to poof! I am so happy! It makes me feel like i'm pregnat though....

[Amaya De'Morte]

ooo.. I think some black ruffles on the black underskirt would look cute.. but that's just me. I always like alot of stuff on mine^^

You could wear a wig- or not.. it's all personal preferance, I think. I prefer a wig because I hate my hair^^

and can't much tell you on the shoes.. I never was very good at picking those ^^'

[penny_dreadful]

Cutey-patootey! I love go-go boots with loli outfits, but the standard maryjanes or platforms and such would work as well. I think your hair looks cute as it is; a wig would only be if you felt like doing something a little wackier.

I agree that some lacy ruffles would add a nice touch. I LOVE the little flower on the skirt, though-- a perfect touch!

--PD

[HackerEd]

It's nice to see some interest in wa-lolita^^ It's not the easiest of the lolis to research, but they are gorgeous, ne? Ed has one too but it's pretty simple~
http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=650947

If you go with mary janes or the like you can get some cute knee highs with lace or buy some and add your own touch. That's what's next on the list for mine, I'm attatching red lace with a bow on the side that has bells on the ends.

[UsagiNoSenshi]

Wa Loli is so much fun! I'm suprised more people aren't into it...

=^.^= i think i might try a Qi-Loli next!

Edit-

Err... I went to post pictures of my outfit on another image board (Lolisnap) and they won't let me. They said it looks like a cosplay outfit. @_@ I don't get it. I was trying to make a lolita outfit and made a cosplay instead?! I think not!

[penny_dreadful]

I have a qi-loli sitting around waiting for me to have enough time and money to work on it. It's gonna be spec-TACULAR; at least the top is easier for me to wear than a kimono.

--PD

[TiyenaKayla]

I just finished this I think it's addorable but that's just me heh

http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=685071

HOpe you all like it :)

[UsagiNoSenshi]

Ha! That's so cute!

[Yumeko]

I just finished this I think it's addorable but that's just me heh

http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=685071

HOpe you all like it :)

That is uber adorable :heart:


BTW
What is Qi loli???

[Lilli]

Qi-loli (pronounced "chee-") is inspired by the traditional chinese dress. The "Qi" comes from the name of the dress, 'qipao.' (Also commonly known as cheongsam, the main difference I've been able to find is that qipao are worn exclusively by women, whereas cheongsam can be worn by men or women.)

http://www.avantgauche.co.uk/gotsuloli2/18.jpg - Example of Qi-loli

[Tia]

UsagiNoSenshi ~ I really like the style of the dress, and I just wish you had lighter pictures of it so I could see the detail. There's one thing that's bugging me about it a little, though. The skirt seems really short. You might want to either lengthen the underskirt or remake it so it's closer to knee-length. All the wa-lolis I have ever seen have had the skirts be knee-length or longer.

[UsagiNoSenshi]

I will have better pics, I'll be wearing it at AnimeNEXT this weekend!

As for the skirt, i HATE longer skirts! I find them frumpy. I know it's not 'true' to a lolita but i like my skirts short. Some of the name brands do offer shorter skirts. As i was making the outfit for myself i wanted to make it how I felt best fit me, not to fit the lolita mold.

[Sarcasm-hime]

I have wa-loli obi for sale in my store (link in my sig) and was selling full wa-loli outfits at Anime North...but I was so busy and distracted I forgot to get pics of them before they sold out! :( Will have to make more...

[Eleryth]

I'm interested in making a waloli at some point as well. Usagi, how much material did you need? I think I might need the whole bolt of fabric I found (it's Japanese kimono fabric, so it's very narrow).

I just don't know what to add for details and things... I'm not a super huge fan of lace. At least, not yet. ;)

Oh - so what is the "defining point" of a waloli outfit? The kimono-like top? Can the skirt be any style as long as it's a bit poofy? Does it need to have lace and ribbons? Any number of collars ok?

[UsagiNoSenshi]

hmm... i think my top was about 3 1/2-4 yards?

I have yet to find true defining points. Since wa-loli isn't as mainstream it doesn't seem to have 'strict' rules like some of the other styles. I think that as long as there is clearly some japanese influence then the outfit counts as wa-loli. I'm not a huge fan of lace either, I tried to use as little as possible on my outfit. You can make an outfit look really 'japanese'(looks a lot like a kimono and has standard kimono pattern) or you can make it really lolita (lots of lace and frills, looks less like a kimono) I feel that if you have a nice patterned fabric you don't need a lot (if any) lace and frills.

[Yumeko]

Lilli:
Thank you for the info and pictureIt gave me an idea for an outfit I am going to make and sale.

Sarcasm Hime:
When you made and sold your wa-loli outfits, did you just make gereral sizes and how many did you make? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I am just asking becuase I am working on items for my shop and need to know if I need to go get more fabric than what I already have

[penny_dreadful]

For my wa-loli kimono I used maybe 4 yards of fabric, I think; that still doesn't have the trim, but there's a few more yards' worth of trim to be added.

I used an underbust corset, but I'd like to make a mock-obi in the future in complimentary colors.

I am not big on the lace or ribbons, either; I'm already a big girl, and I think too much frippery makes you look even bigger. A little peeking out from under the skirt is cute, but personally I like to keep it a little low-key. I think if there's a kimono-style top over a poofy skirt, and some Japanese-ish accoutrements, it's identifiable as wa-loli.

--Penny

[Sarcasm-hime]

For my outfits I made wrap tops based on a standard kimono pattern, so they're pretty much one-size-fits-all. The skirts have a drawstring waist so they can also fit most sizes. I mostly just used contrast piping on the tops, with ruffles along the skirt hem. I agree that wa-loli can look weird and overdone with too much lace/ruffles; the appeal of Japanese style to me is the beautiful patterns and simplicity of the shapes.

I only had time to make two complete outfits before the con; I'll be making more as soon as I can get a bolt of nice fabric for cheap.

[mikazuki]

Looking at a few pics, I have to say they remind me somewhat of Vampire Princess Miyu.

[Yoko_Tori06]

You guys can check out my Wa-loli pics on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/unrivaled_beauty

[Destined2Rock]

You guys can check out my Wa-loli pics on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/unrivaled_beauty

That Bodyline piece is one of the better ones and those shoes - are they by demonia? Very cute.. However, your skirt is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too short to be lolita... I would definitely make a new one for the next time you wear this outfit.

[Hropkey]

UsagiNoSenshi, I think the overdress is adorable and looks great on you, but I really believe you have to lengthen the skirt. Unless you're going for erololi, which is a hard style to pull off but can look good, and even then you'd have to lengthen your skirt a bit. It's not as much of it being "true lolita" as it is not being branded "cosplay lolita".

And brands are NOT gods. >.< They may have short skirts, but that doesn't make them loli. WTF_burando (http://community.livejournal.com/wtf_burando/), anyone?

[Destined2Rock]

UsagiNoSenshi, I think the overdress is adorable and looks great on you, but I really believe you have to lengthen the skirt. Unless you're going for erololi, which is a hard style to pull off but can look good, and even then you'd have to lengthen your skirt a bit. It's not as much of it being "true lolita" as it is not being branded "cosplay lolita".

And brands are NOT gods. >.< They may have short skirts, but that doesn't make them loli. WTF_burando (http://community.livejournal.com/wtf_burando/), anyone?

XD I love wtf_burando... I made the first post there. Ah, burando, how you make me laugh.

[Yoko_Tori06]

That Bodyline piece is one of the better ones and those shoes - are they by demonia? Very cute.. However, your skirt is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too short to be lolita... I would definitely make a new one for the next time you wear this outfit.


Yep the shoes are by Demonia and I love wearing them. ^_^

But yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing about the skirt. I wonder if I could find the same material and added to the skirt in order to lengthen it. It does look a little erololi. ><

[Tamlin]

I want to do a wa-loli dress too for "casual" ware for cons but I had a question or two... I want to ware geta's or zori's with it and tabi socks but will the socks be to sort for the modesty of lolita style? Also I wanted to make the top in a solid color and screen print my families tartan plaid in spots- like you see on some yukata's. What's a good material for this and has any one done something like this?
I love the lolita look and this will be my first dress, any help would be great!

[-katsu-]

I have a question too concerning wa-loli, I was going to make a pleated skirt to go with a Miko wa-loli outfit (a Miko is a Shinto Shrine Maiden), and have no idea how many yards of fabric to get for the skirt! I have a kimono pattern for the top, but no pattern for the skirt. (T_T)

To Tamlin- yukata are made out of cotton. Maybe Egyptian Cotton since it is more durable than cheaper stocks of cotton (plus it feel nice on your skin). Tabi in my opinion would be too short for lolita, maybe modify a pair of knee socks so they fit in zori.

[RikoBurandetsu]

Yep the shoes are by Demonia and I love wearing them. ^_^

But yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing about the skirt. I wonder if I could find the same material and added to the skirt in order to lengthen it. It does look a little erololi. ><

I have the same outfit, and I completely ditched the skirt. I found fabric of a similar consistency to the top, and made a new skirt. I still wear the old skirt, but not as a Lolita--I wear it with a punk tee and leggings. XD

I wouldn't bother trying to make it longer, and would make a new skirt. It worked out the best, I think. You can see pictures of how it turned out in my cosplay gallery.