Sewing OK?

[Kawaii_neko23]

Hi, I'm pretty new to the whole Gothic Lolita style and lifestyle and just wanted an opinnion on sewing ones outfits. I kind of got in an argument about this with a friend who thinks a true Loli would only buy their outfits, but these outfits are mega expensive. My argument with her was that a "true" Loli would make or buy her outfits depending on what she could afford. I mean why the heck would G&L Bible or Gosurori (Glossary?) magazines offer patterns and ways to make accessories if they didn't want you to make outfits? Any comments?

[lady_artemis]

I think what your friend said was ridiculous. I mean, it's like saying only true goths shop at Hot Topic and no where else. It's not about the outfit's price tag that makes a true lolita, I think it's all about the personality and state of mind and the way someone carries ones self. I think it's alright to make your own outfit. I mean, no one is made of money and you may never come across the "perfect" dress/skirt/shirt/headdress/etc. There is nothing wrong with making your outfit yourself opposed to buying it just as long as you respect all the "rules" of lolita fashion. And besides, the outfits a sewed by someone, it's not like Baby the Stars Shine Bright’s clothes are a gift from god in the literal sense...

[Angel-ASAGI]

I would like to know the excat reason why your friend thinks that way. For example if you are able to do 100% excat same looking outfits by yourself, as what some shops sell (lets just say that BabySSB) for example, why it would be better to buy from there? Ofcourse if you *want* to pay that prize four time as big than what it would have been if you made that outfit by yourself, then go ahead. Big and famous shops always tend to have much air in their prizes.

I could say as well that "true goths/rockers/punks/whatever-style only buys stuff"... but that would be nonsense

[penny_dreadful]

It's possible that some lolitas think you should only be wearing lolita if you can fit into the outfits they sell, but typically those are sized for the average Japanese woman, and the average non-Japanese woman can have trouble finding something that'll fit her. Not to mention the high prices and all of that. Maybe some people think you shouldn't be wearing loli if you're not Japanese. I don't know, but I find that attitude to be ridiculously elitist. ABSOLUTELY you should be able to make your own outfits.

If anyone thinks "true" goths only shop at Hot Topic, they have never spoken to someone who considers herself a real goth.

By the way, I thought "gosurori" was the equivalent of "goth loli".

--Penny

[Nina Star 9]

i think that a girl that was truely lolita would do whatever made her happy in the fashion. if that is buying really expensive things, so be it. if that is getting the satisfaction and personal touch of making a completly unique outfit herself, that works, too. if it is modifying clothes and doing the best that she can on a low budget, that is good, too. whoever thinks that only brand name clothes can be lolita needs to open their eyes. the only exception i can think of is EGL and EGA, as thsoe are mana's terms and really only apply to his brand, though they are more widesread in use, unfortunatly.

so if you want ot make your own clothes, then go for it. make somethign really awesome and unique and pwn that silly friend of yours. :P

[lolita*neko]

Well, that was the dumbest thing I've heard in awhile. Why would she think something like that? I don't know about the rest of you, but I think sewing and other crafts is a very loli thing to do. *lol* I don't see the difference in making your own things and buying them except for you put much more into the item when you craft it yourself and in the end you save so much more money. So, really sewing lolitas are the smartest. *^_^* I personally look up to lolitas who make their own clothes because I want to have a wardrobe that's mostly handmade some day and it makes me know that I can do something like that. Lolita's are shallow to an extent anyway - as long as you have a well made outfit and you look the part, we don't care who your wearing. *lol*

[Kawaii_neko23]

Thanks for your comments guys! I showed them to my friend and what she was basically debating was that since most Gothic and Lolita (EGL and EGA included) trends deal with designer labels, that basically a "true" Loli should only wear designer clothes. But in retrospect she said that perhaps a person could also make the outfits (but only ones based off of the real designer labels clothes...i.e. dresses from BSSB).

I'm still new to G&L and because I usually sew a lot (even regular clothes I wear) I didn't want to not sew some nice outfits. I base all my designs off of patterns in "Gosurori" and G&L Bible and those designs are usually based off of designer labels. Besides like someone said above those clothes are based on Japanese sizes and even if I can fit something it would still be too short because I'm really tall. Anyways thanks for the comments, it helped me proved my point to my friend. :)

[penny_dreadful]

I still have to say, fashion trends may be started or epitomized or whatever by a particular brand or designer, but they are not the sum and whole of it. As someone who's shopping around for wedding dresses, for example, someone somewhere started the trend of balloon skirts, but you see them all over the place from the major high-end designers to the cheapest knock-offs. Just because you're not wearing a particular designer doesn't mean you can't participate in the fashion movement their designs inspired. If you're making your own lolita clothes, some designer somewhere has most likely inspired your design and you're either making a replica of it (which would be boring if everyone did this because we'd all be wearing the exact same thing) or using it as a base and making variations you're happier with. And then what? Someone says, "That looks exactly like so-and-so's dress from the Spring collection only in purple", or you make it individual enough that it becomes entirely your own.

I am always infinitely more impressed by people who have the creativity, gumption, and initiative to define their own style rather than letting someone else tell them what they are and are not allowed to wear.

--Penny

--Penny