I did a wardrobe post in 2012 but skipped 2013, which was a big transition year for me. Previously I had 3 closets for my clothing, but I had a baby and converted my dressing room into a nursery, so I had to get a little creative about reorganization and storage (more on that later).
I bought a lot, and also sold a lot of items (and now have some regrets about a few JetJ and IW prints). I still feel like I have too much stuff (haha, how often do you hear a lolita say that?) because I also do historical costuming and my 18th century/Victorian/Regency/etc. gowns take up even more space.
JSKs:
BtSSB Pockets Embroidery (first edition)
I love this dress so much I had a floor-length version made in silk for my wedding.
BtSSB Pockets Embroidery (third edition)
I wore this to my bridal shower tea party.
BtSSB Marie Antoinette
I don't think I could ever sell this because I have the matching purse.
Innocent World
I love the dotted chiffon fabric.
F+F Baroque Pipe Organ
H&M (chiffon) and F21 (embroidered lace).
I love how soft this lace is.
Krad Lanrete Mozarabic Chant
My first item from a Taobao brand. I am very impressed by the detailing and crispness of the print.
Unknown brand
Handmade by me
OPs:
Victorian Maiden
The best part is the back.
Silk beaded 18th century inspired sacque back dress (handmade by me)
Innocent World Marple Check
Handmade by me from commissioned fabric
Black velvet screenprinted with gold
Atelier Pierrot
Lola
It's hard to see, but this is chiffon with pintucks and ruffles.
Sailor set handmade by me
One of the first things I made for lolita. The OP, bodice and skirt are made to mix and match.
Handmade by me
Linen bustled polonaise (meant to go over a black underskirt)
Skirts:
Angelic Pretty Puppet Circus
No comment needed
High-waisted skirts
Innocent World, Bodyline, AaTP Vampire Requiem
Lilies of the Valley
Embroidery!
Cherie Cherise
The jellyfish is embroidered, with sequins and beads. The underskirt is sparkly!
Lady Sloth
Unknown brand
This is one of my earlier items, and I still love how comfortable and easy to wear it is. Machine-washable for bonus points!
Handmade by me
Handmade by me
First attempt at scallops a few years ago
Long skirts
Black (nonbrand, with tiers of ruffles and lace) and cream (handmade by me)
Brand blouses
All Innocent World
I forgot to photograph the one lonely AP blouse I have.
I love the wonderful details IW puts into their blouses.
These are only some of my non-brand blouses because it's too much effort to take all of them off hangers, button them up, fold them, and rehang them. =)
I love fabric details.
A sea of black
BtSSB, Angelic Pretty, Innocent World, BtSSB
Yes, I like things with bows on sleeves.
I have a love affair with cardigans. This is some of what I have (from various places like F21, Anthropologie, Esprit, Old Navy, etc.)
Coats and Jackets:
Angelic Pretty
I Do Declare and F21
Handmade by me
Wool riding jacket with vintage lace and jacquard fabric accents.
The back is very full to go over big skirts.
Sometimes I think the fabric is too busy, but I really like the way it looks close up.
I'm stealing the next few pictures from my last post to save time. (I have been photographing things here and there whenever the baby sleeps!)
Blue wool (handmade by me), cream (nonbrand)
I am addicted to wool coats. I also have some new and vintage ones in gray, black, navy, black again, royal blue, green and yellow, but they are not specifically lolita so I won't post them.
Gold aristocrat set (handmade by me), black coat (nonbrand)
Velveteen jackets
Laundry by Shelli Segal, Fang, Mossimo, Fang, Paris Blues (clockwise)
Mantles/capes/collars:
Swimmer (fawn), nonbrand (houndstooth), embellished by me (white)
My current project is to replace the toggle clasps with something nicer. I love this hooded wool mantle. It reminds of Red Riding Hood, if she skinned the wolf as a trophy.
Purses:
Angelic Pretty (top row), AaTP, BtSSB
All Innocent World
My favorite non-brand
The teapot is Pylones and the chocolate bar is Kate Spade. I'm not posting the ones I don't use as much.
I can't wear anything too OTT to work, so these are my "everyday" purses so I can still have something frilly (Axes Femme and Coach).
I store the purses in the Martha Stewart fabric bins from HomeDecorators.com. They come in lots of colors, and have a pocket in the front for you to put a labeling card. I also have some in other places around the house. They're great for papers and hiding clutter on a bookcase, and for items in a storage bench.
Parasols:
Nonbrand, Moschino, nonbrand pagoda shape, Angelic Pretty, Innocent World, decorated by me (top to bottom)
A handy way to store parasols is to install hooks in your closet. Most people have an empty little corner next to the door where you can't really put much else.
Most of my hats and headbows are in hatboxes and trunks.
Many of the items in the picture were made or decorated by me.
Corsets:
Custom-made by a friend (yellow and blue), Dark Studio (black), Louise Black (skeleton cameo corset)
Belts:
Leather violin (Etsy) and 2 nonbrand from eBay
Shoes:
I mostly wear heels and boots with lolita. Much of my shoe collection is the same as when I made my last post, with the exception that I've accumulated more items from American Duchess.
The green shoes I painted and glittered. The silk ones are meant to be worn with buckles (currently on the red leather shoes). I also have some decorative silk stockings from American Duchess, and recommend them due to their high quality.
My favorite boots:
Innocent World (brown/cream), Newport News (gold), Funtasma? (others)
To store my shoes I built shelving at the back of the hall closet. I measured the space and bought brackets and planks. (Home Depot will cut them for you). If you have a power drill it won't take too long. Here is a somewhat outdated picture of my shoe closet; I have more shoes now and need to install more storage:
Here is a picture from my last post showing shoe fronts:
I roll up my socks, tights and gloves and put them into these organizers. They are fabric and breathable, and have a cover that closes with velcro. (I got these off of eBay as "sock organizers").
Tights:
Sorry you can't see much of the detail in the black ones. Some have different patterns woven in.
Socks:
A mix of brand and non-brand
Gloves:
New and vintage, leather, cotton and satin
Since I wear classic and gothic, most of my jewelry consists of pearls, cameos and vintage pieces.
I store my jewelry and accessories in a wooden armoire. The top drawers have dividers for rings, earrings and bracelets. The bottom drawers are big enough for hair accessories and some small handbags. The long thin doors on the sides open for hanging necklaces.
Sorry, I don't want to take everything out and put it back! The good stuff is in a safe deposit box, anyway.
Petticoats:
They are stored in plastic bins underneath my bed. I used to hang them, but I have 7 of different shapes and lengths, and they take up too much room. I have 3 bins; some stuff is in the wash.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Sorry I had to take some shortcuts and a few things are creased from storage. If you want more details about something feel free to ask.
BTW, just for fun I decided to inventory my son's wardrobe. (Don't worry, no pictures here!) He's less than 2 months old, but has received so many gifts: 46 short-sleeved onesies, 14 long-sleeved onesies, 32 footed PJs, 12 rompers, 5 overalls, 13 jackets, 6 sleep sacks, 5 swaddles, 15 hats, 24 bibs, 29 socks, 8 pairs mittens, 4 pairs shoes, 1 pair booties, 3 pairs shorts, 30 pairs pants, 36 tops, 2 snowsuits, 1 raincoat, 1 pair rainboots and 3 sleep gowns. I think he will be quite the little dandy one day.