/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

Harajuku and Shinjuku in Tokyo are the places to shop for lolita fashion. The big stores such as Laforet has the boutiques in the basement and Marui One in Shinjuku on the 5th floor. Many brands such as BTSSB and Innocent World have their own brand stores. BTSSB has a store in Harajuku south of Laforet. I recommend checking for the location of brand stores. Closet Child has stores in both Harajuku and Shinjuku. If you're wanting to buy fashion magazines such as Kera or Gothic Lolita Bible, Bunkyodo and Kinokuniya are places that will have sell them.

As a guy, it was rather awkward for me to shop especially when I bought something at Innocent World, but the places did greet me when I entered. Do say ohayou gozaimasu or konichiwa depending on the day. It's good manners and respectful. I was in Japan so I bought some clothes. Make sure you have lots of cash on hand and use an ATM if possible. I used Citi's ATMs and was not charged neither a cent in ATM fees nor charged a currency fee because my bank reimburses ATM fees and the currency fee was waived as my card I was using was waived. If you're from the United States, you can enter the country with $800 worth of goods without duty.

Once you're done shopping at a high-end store or boutique and the sale as been ranged up, the shopkeeper will escort you out of the store and bow. This is proper custom in Japan. They won't do it at stores such as Closet Child or Bodyline.

tl;dr know where the brand stores are, have lots of cash on hand, know the amount you're spending, and understand Japanese shop customs.

What did you just buy recently? I just got back from Japan yesterday. I just bought an IW summer blouse, an IW book purse, Cameo ring, May 2013 Kera magazine, Spring 2013 Gothic Lolita Bible, and a AP book with Sugary Carnival tote bag.

Lets keep this thread cosplay, EGL, and j-fashion related.