Welcome to Gaia! ::

^_^ Well, I'm your typical overweight american, and I know some people are of the opinion that people my size have no place dressing lolita. Still, it looks better on me than the aristocrat stuff because I look so much younger than what I am, and when I try to dress sexy I get laughed at because I'm just NOT sexy. I'm "cute". I'm always told I'm "cute", and even when I have tried to pull off true "goth", it still comes out looking "cute". I don't mind that because I do have a love for all things cute... I also think plus-sized girls look fine in lolita wear so long as they aren't incredibly busty. After all, the point is to look young...

However, my main problem is this: I have epilepsy, and we're having a heck of a time controlling it. Right now, it controls me. Lolita wear is precious... Very precious, but often made from the nicest of fabrics. Fabrics which need a bit more care than average clothes. The crux of epilepsy + lolita is that I often end up getting my clothes filthy when I collapse on a dirty floor somewhere, or a dirty wall in public... At this past Anime Weekend Atlanta I ripped my white stockings when I suffered a partial seizure which secondarily generalized. Thankfully my ex-b/f and my friend Simon were there to catch me, so at least I didn't get the velvet skirt filthy (although I'm now considering finishing it up with better lace and selling it to someone who won't have to worry about having a seizure in it. I simply don't need a velvet skirt with that fear hanging over my head...).

I notice a lot of Ameri-Loli's have these very strict rules of what a lolita can and can't wear, whereas things are a bit more lax in Japan. In Japan the whole fashion seems to be seen as more or less a work in progress, with more and more subgroups being born often. I always hear that they never wear shiny materials, yet in one of my G&LBibles there is a section covering various materials and the best ways to utilize them/sew with them, and included are some shiny materials, including latex. My Japanese isn't great, so I'm not sure of all the ways they endorsed usage of each one at the time, but in more recent pics it seems that things are becoming more and more relaxed on fabrics so long as they are sewn well.

I'm wanting to make some lolita clothings from materials that won't be too hard to clean after a fall. As it is, I already use cheap lace. I know a lot of people frown on that, but it's one of the sacrifices I already make because it is the only sensible thing I can do given my condition. I'm not wanting to sew anything from cheap floppy halloween costuming material, but I'm certainly wanting to start making smarter choices built around my health. So now I have this question:

Would you consider me being untrue to the spirit of lolita if I did this? Or like me, would you take such changes with a grain of salt given the ever evolving nature of fashion in the first place?

Thanks!

Untrue?! No way! It's apparent that you're doing your very best to commit to something you love, even though its difficult with your condition. I think that your plan is very smart. A change in material doesn't seem like a big deal to me, either.

Good luck with your new lolita wear!

I'm not exactly a lolita, so maybe my opinion doesn't matter much, but...I personally think that what matters the most is that, whatever you wear, the fabrics and looks work well for you. And i don't mean "what people think works well for you", either. I mean what YOU like.

If you don't want to pay the money for the material, or you need something easier to clean, I see no problem with using something a little cheaper. I think you're doing great job wearing clothes you love--and I think wearing cheaper materials isn't at all a problem. I don't think lolita is about elitism, anyway.

Using somethig cheap doesnt always automatically refer it to being bad. I think your intentions are for the best. and i really applaude you for trying to stay lolita for that.
I would still try to decorate things a little too. So They wont look as plain and "cheap"

And if i were you I would keep the velvet skirt! it's something you worked hard on. You deserve to keep it.

I feel the same way, I'm glad that we have this community, and I just wanna give you a big hug! whee

I always thought the most important thing about lolita was to be yourself.

weather your a true lolita or not you should dress and wear the material you want and need.
personally i live im tx and there is no way im wearing velvet or 4 layers of undies and a shawl.
but that dosent mean i cant dress the way i like or as close to lolita or as lolita i care to be.
who cares were you fall or not, just be comfertable.
and never forget
clear deodrant for loli crap rofl

Umm, it'll look a little bit ghetto sweatdrop , but why not make yourself a new lolita dress out of coloured vinyl material? Vinyl is SUPER easy to clean. Good luck with your endevours! heart