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 Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:04 pm
 Entering the world of lolita can be a downright scary experience when you're a newcomer. There are so many new things to explore, so many new websites to browse and articles to peruse. Oftentimes, it can be overwhelming. Many newcomers struggle with finding answers to their many questions. Sometimes, they ask a question that has been answered many times in the past.This FAQ and List of Hints and Tips is designed to help those who are new to this guild and new to lolita find their way and learn about the style as a whole, without having to repeat questions over and over again. It is a resource for all guild members to use, contribute to, and learn from. It will be updated simultaneously with the thread located in the Lolita Society so that all questions possibly presented are answered.
 [01.00] FAQ
[01.01] The Basics
[01.02] The Vocabulary
[01.03] General Buying
[01.04] General Sizing
[01.05] General Styles
[02.00] Japanese Brands
[02.01] The Basics
[02.02] Questions About Anglic Pretty
[02.03] Questions About BABY, the Stars Shine Bright
[02.04] Questions About Metamorphose temps de fille
[03.00] Hong Kong Brands
[03.01] Questions About Anna House Fashion
[03.02] Questions About Fanplusfriend Garden
[04.00] American Brands
[04.01] Questions About Candy Violet
[04.02] Questions About In the Starlight
[04.03] Questions About La Dauphine
[05.00] Second Hand Sales
[05.01] Questions About EGL Community Sales
[05.02] Questions About Closet Child
[05.03] Questions About Yahoo! Japan Auctions
[05.04] Questions About Shopping Services
[06.00] Hints and Tips
[06.01] Critique and Advice
[06.02] Wardrobe Building
[06.03] Color Coordinating
[06.04] Hairstyles
[06.05] Make-up and Nails
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:12 pm
 If you have a question, well, you've come to the right place. Follow the headers of each section in order to find an answer to what you want to ask. If the question hasn't been answered here, post it and someone will try and help you out.
Last Updated: August 28, 2008
 Q: Where do lolita skirts fit? Is it okay to let them sit on my hips?
A: Lolita skirts sit at your natural waistline. This is the most narrow portion of your torso and is often right above your belly button. Wearing a "lolita" skirt lower than this point generally does not create the proper shape for the syle. There are naturally exceptions to this rule, but beginners should generally adhere to the suggestion that they keep their skirts at their natural waistlines.
Q: What is a petticoat?
A: A petticoat [also called a crinoline] is a skirt worn under dresses or other skirts in order to provide shape and fullness. Generally, petticoats are made of either tulle, organdy, or layers of similar fabrics. Ideally, a petticoat in lolita provides skirts with a cupcake shape rather than the triangle shape found in squaredancing skirts.
Q: Do I really need to wear a petticoat?
A: Not always, no. Many times, casual lolita outfits do not involve petticoats at all. Also, some empire-waisted lolita dresses look ridiculous with full petticoats and so they are better left out. As a rule, though, formal, full-skirted lolita will need a petticoat to achieve the proper shape and style.
Q: I'm not a girl, but can I dress lolita?
A: Certainly! Many jokingly call boys who wear lolita "brolitas", but there are boys and young men who wear lolita. Similarly, there are young women who wear kodona.
Q: Is lolita cosplay?
A: The short answer to this question is just a plain "no". The long answer has to do with the attitude behind lolita and the fact that it is not a costume, it is a fashion. Those who wear lolita regularly aren't pretending to be someone else, they are simply expressing their tastes through their clothing. Cosplaying a lolita is like cosplaying a schoolgirl--generally ridiculous and laughable. Unless you're cosplaying a particular character who dresses in lolita [such as Miwako from Paradise Kiss], lolita is not a form of cosplay.
Q: Is there an equivalent to lolita for boys?
A: Yes. It's referred to as kodona or boystyle most often, and for a more mature look, dandy or aristocrat. Like lolita, this style is not limited to just one gender, however. Most followers of this style are actually young women.
Q: Where can I meet other lolitas in my area?
A: There are a lot of ways you can go about finding other lolitas. MySpace and Facebook both have extensive communities and you're bound to encounter others from your area there. Also, you can check the EGL Master List of Communities to find one relating to your area.
Q: I always hear people talking about "bad lace" so what is it?
A: "Bad" lace versus good lace is generally synthetic versus organic. That is, plastic or polyester lace versus cotton lace. Most of the time, raschel [stamped] lace is considered "bad" because it's normally large, shiny and thin. Cotton laces, usually tatted or crocheted [such as Venice lace or Cluny] or forming an eyelet pattern are best for lolita. Having large lace overlays tends to look tacky, cheap and very costume-like. Make sure to keep your lace in style with the rest of the garment and don't let it overpower the outfit. Remember, sometimes, less is more. Look at Japanese brands like BABY for examples of good lace and its use.
Q: What is the Bible/G&LB/Gothic & Lolita Bible?
A: The Gothic & Lolita Bible, or G&LB for short, is a seasonal publication [released once every three months or so] that focuses on trends in lolita and the various goth cultures in Japan. It contains ads, interviews and sometimes patterns for clothing. Because it is seasonal and rather large, it's often referred to as a "mook". Tokyopop is also releasing their own, English version of the G&LB in February 2008; this release and Tokyopop's handling of the project has led to quite a bit of controversy within the lolita community.
Q: What's the proper shape for a petticoat? What's wrong with square dancing petticoats?
A: The proper shape for a petticoat in lolita is a cupcake shape or something like an up-side-down teacup. The hips poof outward, but the hems do not flare. Square dancing petticoats are wrong just for this very reason. They turn your skirts into a triangle shape, rather than a softly bowed curve. You can change this by modifying the petticoat. If it has only two layers [which is ideal since they're very full] you can pull up and sew the top layer so that it is about half its normal length. This will improve the shape drastically. It is, however, still easier to just buy the proper sort of petticoat to begin with rather than modifying one.
Q: Isn't lolita about sex?
A: Not in the case of the fashion, no. Lolita as a form of pornography has nothing to do with lolita the fashion at all. Lolita pornography refers to girls who appear underage.
Q: Isn't Lolita a book about sex? Gross!
A: The novel Lolita by Nobakov is actually not entirely about sex. It is about the appeal of 'nymphets', or sexually precocious young girls [girls who have sex at an early age; not whores, not sluts]. The main character obsesses so thoroughly about a young girl named Lolita that he marries her mother to be closer to her. It does not relate to the lolita fashion except in the fact that they share a name and some followers of the style feel that it reflects a reversal of the situation: that is, young women pretending to be younger than they are, rather than older. This view is not one that is widely held in the community, however, and is often frowned upon. For more information on the book, please view its Wikipedia Entry.
Q: Doesn't lolita mean "whore"?
A: No. Lolita is a name which was used for the style. It originally is a diminutive of Lola, which is a diminutive of the Spanish name Dolores meaning "sorrowful". It doesn't mean whore, slut, prostitute, prostitot or nymphet in its original meaning, nor do these meanings relate at all to the fashion in any way.
Q: Aren't lolitas supposed to be sweet and nice? Why are so many so mean?
A: Well, there's no way to answer this easily. Lolita is a fashion first and foremost. Some followers ascribe to a lifestyle that they feel suits the princess-y feel of their clothing, but most do not. Even in Novala's story [Kamikaze Girls/Shimotsuma Monogatori], the main character, a lolita, is a selfish and self-centered person. The lifestyle you choose is up to you and cannot be forced on others; just keep in mind that being a lolita doesn't mean you have to be a doormat, it doesn't mean you have to be a snob or mean. It also doesn't mean you have to like tea, speak properly, or like a certain type of food. Some lolitas do, some lolitas don't. The lifestyle you choose is all up to you, though very few would actually suggest changing your whole life due to your clothing tastes.
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 Q: What is a "JSK"?
A: JSK stands for "jumper skirt" and is a bastardization of English-to-Japanese-to-English. It's the Japanese for "jumper", more or less, and refers to sleeveless dresses worn in lolita. It is acceptable to wear them without a blouse during spring and summer, but even then many lolitas will layer a cutsew or blouse underneath for modesty anyway.
Q: What is an "OP"?
A: An OP is a "one piece" or a dress worn by itself. It has sleeves most of the time and is more formal than a jumper skirt. They tend to have more complex designs than jumper skirts, as they are meant to be worn by themselves rather than layered with blouses as JSKs are. Naturally, there are exceptions to this rule.
Q: What is an "RHS"/"RHB"?
A: RHS stands for "rocking horse shoe" and RHB stands for "rocking horse boot"; these are platformed shoes which are common in lolita. Generally, they have a two to three inch platform with a sharp slope at the front toe and a small quare cut-out at the heel. They are also occasionally called "ballet rocking horses" due to the fact that you can rock up "en pointe" with them.
Q: What is a "cutsew"/"cutsaw"?
A: Cutsews are essentially blouses that are made from light cotton jersey material [t-shirt material]. They are generally more casual than full blown lolita blouses as they require less careful fitting and construction. They are literally cut and sewn together.
Q: What is kodona/boystyle/dandy?
A: These words all refer to the style of dress that is sort of a male counterpart to lolita, especially kodona and boystyle. Dandy refers simply to a young man dressing sharply, which can occasionally leak into the other two as well. Kodona tends to borrow from boys' styles from the Victorian period [much like lolita does from girls' styles] and often incorporates waist coats/vests, knee-length britches, and some sort of cap or hat.
Q: What is an "LP"?
A: LP stands for "lucky pack" and is the English equivalent of "fukubukuro"; they're explained a bit better further down in the Japanese brand section, but it's more or less a grab bag that contains either random pieces of clothing, accessories, or sometimes a full, head-to-toe outfit.
Q: What is an "ita"/"italoli"/"italolita"?
A: This term is a derogatory word or slang that comes from the exclamation "itai" in Japanese (ouch! more or less). It's more or less a lolita who is "painful" to look at; that is, someone who has made errors in the style or doesn't suit the clothing. Most often, this term is used as an insult towards a particular person, but is useful to know as it is also used to describe items of low quality rather than just a badly dressed person.
Q: What is "brand"/"burando"?
A: Brand's definition varies from person to person. Some people use it to describe clothing that is manufactured by machine and sold under a particular label. Others only use this term to describe Japanese brands' items.
Q: What is "gosurori"?
A: Gosu rori refers to actually a few things. First of all, it's the Japanese pronunciation of "goth loli", the short version of gothic lolita. It also refers to a magazine/mook that focuses on the hand-made aspects of lolita. These mooks contain photographs of hand-made outfits, patterns for said outfits, and hints and tips on creating your own lolita style.
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 Q: Can I buy lolita in normal clothing shops?
A: Not usually. Sometimes you can come up with a lucky find [such as when Charlotte Russe, Target or Forever21 are going through one of their many cycles of Victorian-inspired fashion]. H&M often sells clothing appropriate for casual lolita, as well. However, don't bank on being able to build a full wardrobe just from regular clothing. The skirts in particular tend to have the wrong shape.
Q: Can I find lolita clothing at HotTopic.
A: No. I cannot emphasize this enough: HotTopic does not sell lolita. You can sometimes find great accessories such as jewelry, hair clips, purses, socks or shoes. Clothing, though, blouses, skirts and dresses, are right out. Even those which are advertised as being lolita are not appropriate if you're going to do it right. The materials are generally shoddy and the workmanship not up to par.
Q: Lolita is so expensive! How can I afford it?
A: Well, the simple answer is this: get a job. The less simple answer [for those too young for jobs or unable to work for other reasons] is to save your money. Lolita is an expensive fashion and you can't cut corners if you're going to do it right. You don't have to buy brand, though, and you can always bargain hunt. Buy from off-brands or smaller brands like Fanplusfriend Garden, In the Starlight or Anna House Fashion. Hunt the Yahoo! Japan Auctions or Mbok, scour the EGL community sales for deals. Save your pocket change in a jar for a few months, do odd jobs or chores for family, friends or neighbors. There are many things you can do to save for clothes. Just don't get discouraged.
Q: I saw a great dress on eBay! Should I buy it?
A: It really depends on where and what you saw. Fanplusfriend Garden has an eBay store that they run and is a reliable seller. Many other sellers on eBay who deal in "lolita" are very shady. Sellers like Momo's Handicrafts should generally be avoided; any seller who uses stolen brand photographs and doesn't provide a picture of their actual product really should not be trusted.
Q: Where are the lolita stores in the United States?
A: As of January 2008, there are none. BABY, the Stars Shine Bright plans to open one soon in California, but otherwise there are none. BABY also has a store in Paris, and a few boutique owners in the United States, Europe and Canada sell lolita as part of their stock. In Europe, there are a few shops that do exclusively sell lolita clothing. One example of such a shop is MFashion in the Netherlands. They also ship internationally. Also, in Brazil, there is a shop called Neko located in Rio de Janeiro. Also, you can order from Dream Shoppe, as well. They are located in the United States.
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 Q: What size do Japanese brands sell?
A: Generally, each brand only sells within a certain range. Some, however [Metamorphose being the most easily available] will occasionally release multiple sizes for one item. You have to just check your measurements against those that they have listed.
Q: Japanese girls are so tiny! How do I know I'll fit into brand name clothing?
A: Most Japanese websites have measurements for each garment listed in its description. If you can't read Japanese, using a translator [such as the Google Languages Tool] is incredibly helpful. Also, many Japanese brands are deceptive in their sizes. Metamorphose in particular uses a lot of shirring in their garments, which allows for a variety of sizing possibilities.
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 Q: What are the different styles?
A: Lolita has many different variations, including but not limited to Gothic, Sweet, Classical, Hime, Wa, Qi, Country, Guro and Sailor. For a full list of styles and examples of each, try looking in the Lolita Handbook Style Guide. It has a comprehensive list of most lolita styles and subsets.
Q: Black goes with everything, so I can just wear black shoes all the time, right?
A: Wrong. Lolita is very, very color-oriented within a coordination. Wearing black with black or dark colors is fine, but wearing black with an otherwise all white, all pastel, or all pale outfit is just going to look weird. Some people will accept having dark hair as being an exception to this rule, but generally that is not the case. If you're having trouble deciding if two colors go together, ask yourself if they're within a few steps of one another--that is, cream and white are usually alright so long as they are in balanced amounts. Pastels and whites are similar. If you're not sure, ask; just try and keep in mind that you should have probably no more than two main colors and an accent or one main color and two accents, otherwise things just get crazy looking. For example: with prints, pick one of the accent colors out of the fabric and use that for accessories.
Q: How long does my skirt need to be?
A: Most lolita skirts are knee length or there about. Usually they are no longer and no shorter than two inches away from the knee. Erotic and punk lolita styles occasionally are a bit shorter, however. This also depends on personal preference, but your own modesty and the shape of the garment are what count most. Some girls will wear long bloomers with shorter skirts so that the hems peek out from underneath, or disguise the length by wearing tights or longer socks to cover their legs.
Q: I'm new to lolita! What style should I wear?
A: This is all a matter of personal preference, really. Look at the style guides listed above and think things over for yourself. If you need advice, ask for it. It's all a matter of personal choice, however; choose the style that suits your tastes the best.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:18 pm
 Got a question about Japanese brands? Go ahead and look for the answer here!
Last Updated: March 21, 2008
Q: Help! I don't know how to read Japanese. How do I find what I want?
A: Only a few Japanese brand sites actually have an English version to their websites at this point, as you've probably already noticed. For the sites that do not have one, you'll need a translator. I highly recommend the Google Language Tools because it will continue to translate a page even if you click a link in the "Translate a Website" option.
Q: How much are the prices in USD/AUD/CND/GBP/etc.?
A: In order to change yen to your own, home currency, you'll need to use a conversion resource like Xe.com. Most sites that accept overseas payments will only accept them in their home currencies, though. You'll need to use a PayPal account to pay for your purchases most of the time. PayPal has a built-in currency converter that you can use when you go to pay for your items.
Q: What is a lucky pack/fukubukuro?
A: A lucky pack or fukubukuro [福袋] is a sort of "grab bag" that brands release at different times. Usually, they are released at the New Year as it is considered bad luck in Japan to start a new year with old goods. They are also often released as part of an anniversary sale, store opening or change in seasons [such as the spring-to-summer or summer-to-fall packs occasionally released]. Sometimes lucky packs are released online [Meta releases theirs internationally as well], but often the contents are determined by each particular store. For more information on lucky packs, please check out the LPs Explained Post on EGL.
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 Website: http://www.angelicpretty.com/
English Website: http://www.angelicpretty.com/en/
Also Called: AP
Q: Can I buy directly from Angelic Pretty outside of Japan?
A: As of March 2008, yes you can! AP has opened an English branch to their store and an overseas shopping cart. You can currently only buy the items that are on the English site, but they have promised to add more items as they better develop their system.
Q: What forms of payment does AP accept?
A: Currently, they only accept PayPal for overseas orders. There are other options in the checkout list, but none of them are available outside of Japan, unfortunately.
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 Website: http://www.babyssb.co.jp/
English Website: http://www.babyssb.co.jp/en/en_shopping/
Also Called: BABY, BtSSB, BSSB
Q: Can I buy directly from BABY outside of Japan?
A: Yes you can. There are several methods by which you can do this, including mail order, the English site, or the Japanese shopping cart. Unfortunately, the English site is no where near up to date, so it's best to use one of the other two methods.
Q: What form of payment does BABY accept?
A: They accept International Postal Money Order [IPMO], PayPal and direct bank transfer. IPMOs and bank transfers have extra fees attached in order to be processed, unfortunately, but are a good alternative for those who do not wish to use PayPal.
Q: Exactly how do I order from BABY? I'm so confused!
A: There are several ways to order from BABY's site. If you're in an area/country that has very high customs fees for imported goods, I'd recommend using a shopping service, as they will be willing to remark the goods at a lower price. Even after fees, this tends to be cheaper for some people. Another method would be to use the shopping cart on the Japanese website. The English site is almost always out of date, but you can still using the Japanese cart for overseas orders. You can use Cidsa’s Guide from EGL or BABY’s Guide from their website for the shopping cart. Additionally, you can order items via email using this form which Cidsa also explains.
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 Website: http://www.metamorphose.gr.jp/
English Website: http://www.metamorphose.gr.jp/english/
Also Called: Metamorphose, Meta
Q: Can I buy directly from Meta outside of Japan?
A: Yes you can. They have a very well developed English site that ships internationally. It's generally very closely up-to-date with the Japanese site.
Q: What form of payment does Meta accept?
A: Meta accepts major credit cards such as Mastercard, VISA and American Express. They also accept PayPal.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:26 pm
 Got a question about Hong Kong brands? Go ahead and look for the answer here!
Last Updated: April 15, 2008
 Website: http://www.annahousefashion.com
English Website: n/a
Also Called: AH, Anna House
Q: Can I order directly from Anna House outside of Hong Kong?
A: Yes, you can! They have an overseas mail order explanation on their website that is in English. It is linked directly from the front page.
Q: What form of Payment does Anna House accept?
A: Anna House accepts only PayPal for international orders. You also must pay in Hong Kong dollars and add an additional banking fee to your total. This is all explained in better detail on their website.
Q: Why is Anna House so expensive?!
A: Anna House's prices are in Hong Kong dollars, not USD/AUD/etc. To get a better idea of the prices in your home currency, use Xe.com to convert it. PayPal will convert for you automatically when you pay Anna House.
Q: Can I order something in a different color than they show on the site?
A: Yes. You will have to order the item as "bespoke" instead of the normal, default choice. You also probably should email ahead of time to ask if the color you desire is available.
Q: What does "bespoke" mean?
A: It means that the garment is made to your specifications; customized. This can mean a change in color, sizing, or even lace.
Q: Which e-mail they use as their paypal?
A: Anna House sends you the email that they want you to use to pay them after they confirm your order. This is to prevent people from paying them before the stock has been confirmed as available. If you haven't received an email from them, just be patient and wait. Once you receive a response, they will tell you where to send the money.
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 Website: http://www.fanplusfriend.com/
eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/Fanplusfriend
Also Called: F+F, FpF, Fanplusfriend
Q: Can I order directly from F+F ouside of Hong Kong?
A: Yes, you can. They sell almost exclusively as an international vender of cosplay and lolita outfits.
Q: I want to order from them but don't know what size I need. What should I do?
A: There's two ways to handle this, since they make custom orders. You can either look at their sizing chart [which is linked on every page of their site] or you can choose "custom measurements" and provide your own. I actually suggest that you do that instead, since they have a tendency to make skirts and sleeves too long without exact measurements being provided.
Q: Wow! They make such pretty clothes! Who designs them?
A: Actually, a combination of people. Most of F+F's items are knock-offs of Japanese brand clothing. Another portion of their clothing is self-designed. A final portion comes from contests that they hold within their forum community. This contest allows customers to design a full outfit which they win as their prize. The outfit is also then sold on the site.
Q: I want to get a different color from the photos that they show, can I do this?
A: Yes, you have to let them know that you want a color change when you place your order, though, or you'll receive the default color in whatever size you chose.
Q: Why are some parts of their garments see-through?
A: For a lot of items, F+F uses a broadcloth to make the items. The main portions of the garment [skirts, vests, bodices] are lined, but other parts [sleeves, coattails] may not be. This means that the fabric will be somewhat see-through.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:31 pm
 Got a question about American brands or seamstresses? Go ahead and look for the answer here!
Last Updated: January 10, 2008
 Website: http://www.candyviolet.com/
Also Called: CV
Q: I want to order a petticoat from CV, is it worth it?
A: Yes and no. In general, CV's petticoats add a huge amount of poof to skirts because they are, in fact, square dancing petticoats made by Malco Modes. These petticoats are ideal for heavy, full skirts, but will require some modification for anything made from light cottons.
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 Website: http://www.inthestarlight.com/
Also Called: ITS
Q: What is the difference between poplin and broadcloth?
A: Broadcloth is a smooth-finish fabric. ITS uses varying types of broadcloth that are cotton-polyester blends for the most part. Poplin is similar to broadcloth in terms of its fiber content, but it has a slight texture to it due to the weaving process used. In many cases, it's more opaque and of a slightly heavier weight than the same color of broadcloth. ITS explains their fabric choices on the Which Fabric to Choose page on their website.
Q: Which petticoat is better, the Poof or Princess petticoat?
A: It really depends on the skirt you're wearing, to be honest. The poof petticoat gives a very strong cupcake shape, which is perfect for sweet lolita and heavy skirts for any other style. The princess petticoat is better for "classical" cuts and skirts with fitted, rather than gathered, waists.
Q: So which is better, broadcloth or poplin?
A: It's a personal choice, really, but most of the time poplin really is the better material. It's more opaque, crisper, and just all around better looking, and doesn't have the shiny quality that broadcloth does under bright lights. Also note that their "black broadcloth" is now actually a black poplin material.
Q: When would it be acceptable to use broadcloth, then?
A: Broadcloth is best used for items that need to be light weight, such as petticoat linings or accessories. Most of the items they have as examples on their website are actually poplin material rather than broadcloth, since it tends to look better in photos and wear better in person. Broadcloth is also good for ITS' black items, mostly, or for brighter colors because it's a synthetic blend with cotton. It has a smoother finish and so tends to come out a bit glossy looking under bright lights. Their "black broadcloth", however, is actually a poplin fabric. They stopped carrying true broadcloth in black for anything but petticoats due to the fact that it's rather too thin for dresses.
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 Website: http://www.ladauphine.net/
Also Called: n/a
Q: It's an American brand, so why's it so expensive?
A: Manufacturing costs as well as quality of materials both contribute to the final cost of the garment. These pieces are fully serged, lined and have built in petticoats, just like Japanese brand pieces. They are a higher quality and durability than most other American brands currently releasing items, and the price reflects that fact.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:37 pm
 Got a question about auctions or second-hand shops? Go ahead and look for the answer here!
Last Updated: January 10, 2008
 Website: http://community.livejournal.com/egl_comm_sales
Also Called: EGL comm sales, EGL
Q: Do I have to have an account?
A: Yes. Sellers generally do not trust anonymous buyers as it's impossible to track them without email. Having an LJ account assures them that they will be able to find you again if need be. Also, many members of the community will marks their sales as "friends only" so that only other community members can see the post.
Q: Buying online like this makes me nervous. Are the sellers trustworthy?
A: Most are, yes. It's a good idea to check up on the LoliGoth Database if you're unsure about a seller, however. Most members of the community leave feedback on the database for others to look over. Also, just by watching the community, you can learn over time which sellers or buyers can be problematic.
Q: How can I pay for things I buy there?
A: Well, this mostly depends on the seller as an individual. The community has an international base, so most sellers accept primarily PayPal. Some will accept bank transfers, International Postal Money Orders [IPMOs], or occasionally concealed cash within the same country.
Q: What sort of things are sold here?
A: Just about everything, really. Clothing, shoes, accessories and trinkets from all styles and genres, as well as a few non-lolita street styles. You can find Japanese brands, Hong Kong brands, American brands, off brands, home mades and more. Also, if you can't find what you want in the sales posts, you can make a "want to buy" or "want to commission" post.
Q: What do all the acronyms mean? Like DS, FS, WTB, WTS, and so on?
A: These are abbreviations used to identify posts' purposes. These are their meanings: DS is "direct sale", FS is "for sale", DA is "direct auction", WTB is "want to buy", WTS is "want to sell", WTC is "want to commission", WTT is "want to trade", and so on. Generally, if you can't figure out what the abbreviation means, you can just read the post and all will become clear.
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 Website: http://www.closet-child.com
Also Called: n/a
Q: Does Closet Child ship overseas?
A: Yes, they do. You can find information on how to order here: International Order Guide.
Q: What form of payment will they accept?
A: Closet Child accepts PayPal, Visa or Mastercard for international orders at this time.
 Website: http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/
Also Called: Y!JA, YJA, Y!J
Q: Do I need an account to buy things here?
A: No. You will, however, need a shopping service for the time being. Yahoo! and eBay are teaming up to bring Y!JA to international buyers in the future, but we're not there yet.
Q: I can't read Japanese and the translator won't help me to search for what I want. What do I do?
A: Even if you use a translator, most of the time you won't be able to just search for terms in English and get results. Brand names are generally left in English if that's what they were originally in. Otherwise, you'll need to use Japanese Specific terms. There is a list of Useful Search Terms on EGL. Using these in combination with a translator should help you find just what you're looking for.
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 Q: How do I contact a shopping service?
A: This varies from service to service, so you'll have to check their individual pages. Celga and Crescent Shop require you to set-up accounts with them to use their services. Mai Ozawa requires only that you email her.
Q: Do I need to pay a deposit?
A: It depends on the item in question, but generally, yes. You will need to pay a deposit if the item is pricey or you are a first time buyer, especially. This is a precaution that the sellers take in order to protect themselves if a buyer skips out on an item.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:42 pm
 Helpful hints for getting into lolita smoothly.On Giving Critique:
- Remember that even though this is the internet, you are still directing your comments at another human being. You don't have to sugar coat your comments or critique, but at least be sensitive to the fact that they may have invested a good amount of emotion into their works.
- Try to be tasteful in your comments even if you're being blunt. Disagreeing with someone or disliking a piece is fine, but try and make your point without being intentionally cruel. There's a fine line between blunt and mean. You don't have to sugarcoat your comments, but phrasing things in a tactful manner is definitely preferred.
- Don't give negative critique just to stir up wank or drama. People get away with this a lot of the time because it's hard to say whether or not it's being done. For the sake of this guild's peace and quiet, please try to avoid stirring up too much drama.
On Receiving Critique:
- Remember that people are not out to get you. If someone gives negative critique on your piece of art, clothing, writing or so on, it's not because they hate you or have a grudge against you. Most of the time they're trying to help you, rather than hurt you.
- Don't just ignore advice that is offered to you or make excuses. If you ask for advice or critique, be willing to accept it. Even if it goes against what you originally thought, open up your mind to the idea and consider it. Maybe even try it. If it doesn't work out for you, then reject it, but don't make excuses for every single option offered. It tends to discourage people from trying to help you.
- If you're upset by a comment, do not answer immediately. It's easy for arguments to escalate out of control because one side got upset. If someone gives you critique that hurts your feelings or upsets you in some way, take a deep breath, step back, and don't answer it until you've calmed down. If you feel that the comment was intentionally hurtful, contact a moderator to help you work through the situation.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:43 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:44 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:48 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:49 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:50 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:53 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:56 pm
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:53 am
This is really useful-Thank you!
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