/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

New VM releases!

Versailles OP
https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/all/products/2208op001

Versailles jacket
https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/all/products/2208jk001

What the hell VM, what’s with the fucky tailoring/design on the bodice?
Did they switch designers?
I really wanted to like this one but I couldn’t.

>>10805590
Ah so that's why VM always uses the trim

>>10805588
I really dislike the construction of this. What a shame, it looks like a vintage grandma bedcover with that gold trim

>>10805588
I like the hooded jacket a lot! Wish they kept the lace from older designs, but I'm glad they extended the sleeves.

>>10805590
Pretty sure the Versailles series uses the old patterns from Amy Rose, but with a few tweaks. They've been repackaging a lot of old designs lately.

>>10805588
what the hell is going on with that skirt. is she even wearing a petticoat. what's the point of having all that fabric that will sit stiffly if you won't even put a decent petti on your model

>>10805590
God okay I thought I was being particularly picky or something here, the construction on these recent releases have been looking kinda rough to me as well. Lady Mallory looks like there's still top stitching happening on the sleeves and such, but these "updated" releases really do look like they've been sewn with less care than cosplay.

Sorry for late replies,

>>10797487
Belatedly, thanks so much for the review, anon! I'm around your size (between 23.5-24) and I don't plan to wear these without stockings or socks so now I don't know if I should size down, hmm. The toe box tightness is worrying as I sometimes have trouble with my toe knuckles being squeezed.

The rubbing off of the color is a little concerning, but hopefully it's just the first cleaning? I could see if there is a bit of excess like with items that bleed a bit on the first wash?

>>10801273
Sorry for the very late reply! These are the Fluevogs I have that I would consider usable for lolita, left to right:
>Baroque Caravaggio - long sold out, you might be able to find secondhand here and there- I still see them pop up sometimes on ebay
>Queen Transcendent Elizabeth - also long sold out, much harder to find in my experience; there was a similar strapless style as well
>Attic Iris - still available, I actually bought these for work functions but they look very nice in certain coords too
>East End Templeton - sold out, but not too long ago
>East End Venables - still available

The East End collection has a lot of boots and heels that can be suitable for gothic and classic and are also quite comfortable, I would give them a look especially for those that like a more comfortable instep in a heel.

>>10801859
I have an ivory Patricia Nash bag from a few years ago, the Paris satchel in ivory. I love it, it's held up very well, too. Maybe you can track that one down secondhand if you like the design? She does come around then and again with the color so I would definitely keep an eye out.

>>10805588
Oh no... I had been awaiting this release but that looks really questionable.

>>10805759
>Fluevogs
fancy shoes but expensive as holly mother fuck
at least for a central Europoorean

>>10805870
nta but fleuvogs aren't good for lolita and i hate people recommending them.

The black version of the hood looks stunning.

>>10805929
More pics please if you can! I'm interested in how it looks like from the front, especially the part with the lace overlay.

>>10805882
not for classic indeed, they have gothic lolita potential

>>10806028
i can see some being good for gothic, true. i've always thought they looked a bit too "witchy" for classic though. a friend's mom gave me a few pairs of her older ones, since we wore the same size, and they never quite fit into my wardrobe how i'd have liked...

>>10806028
What is wrong with the bow ones?

>>10805929
This looks better than I expected, but the edge of the hood being just a plain untrimmed edge is a little... flimsy looking to me? It almost looks raw due to the material. It would have been nice bound with a grosgrain ribbon or something.

>>10809230

Hell yes, fingers crossed for Rococo black

A VM blouse and skirt, worn by Kiyohara Kaya (middle girl), appeared in promotional material for the drama 「霊媒探偵・城塚翡翠」
>https://twitter.com/VM_press/status/1574233547983835137

Rococo Bouquet Release details are out!
>https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/rococo-bouquet

>>10809793
I've been waiting!!

Also, I first noticed this in the instagram photos, but wasn't sure if it was due to a filter or something. But the pinkish colorway seems to have a much more vibrant yellow than previous releases (except in the heavily filtered photos). The original 'peach' color was fairly warm and had some yellow to it, but was on a creamier base and was nowhere near this bright. I'm not sure how I feel about it desu. My browser translated the color option as 'rose' but I don't read moonrunes, I wonder if it's labeled the same as the older 'pink' option, or something new?

>>10809809
I believe it's an entirely new colorway. Don't quote me though.

>>10809809
(cont) It definitely follows the flower color layout of the old peach release closest. These photos probably have lighting & saturation blasted which doesn't help, but the difference is visible in the instagram videos too.

>>10809811
It's definitely new. Ayumi said so on her twitter.
>https://twitter.com/ayumi__designer/status/1574693755633868800
>〜ロココブーケ〜
それは…
pinkでもなくて
peachでもなく
シックで落ち着きのある
NEW…rose
Translated from Japanese by
~ Rococo Bouquet ~
that is…
It's not pink, it's not peach, it's chic and calm NEW…rose

>>10809812
Thank you! I only follow the main account so didn't see this at all. Interesting... I do hope this means more accessory releases are in the future as well, since it won't match older ones.

Petition for Rococo Black and Rococo Greige!!
Happy for the rest of you but what the fuck!!

hot take:

Comms should exclude men of all genders/orientation

>>10809819
all males and trans men should gtfo of lolita

I never met a male in a comm that wasn't a sex pervert or tried getting into another girl's bloomers. The ones that are actually into it (make their own dresses, do their own make up, good photographers, etc) are the most dangerous ones.

>>10809825
most of them don't know how to behave either and break a few social rules and make everyone feel uncomfortable.

I get that it's in men's nature to be sexual and it cool to bang girls that have the same hobby as them, but most girls are just there to have a good time, not have to worry about seen as someone potential dating partner. Also girls, stop bringing your boyfriends.

>>10809819
agree but wrong thread

>>10805929
I'm not a fan of how the solid fabric looks with the jacquard, I feel like a satin finish here would have looked better

>>10809793
huh, I can't post images from VM website, unsupported files? Anyways, I'm really happy for 4 different dress designs! I hope it's gonna be popular so we get more releases this like in the future. Dont miss the reservation period gulls!

>>10805759
>Sorry for the very late reply! These are the Fluevogs I have that I would consider usable for lolita, left to right:
I think this was a response to me. Sorry for the very late reply right back. Thank you for writing this out for me. Do you have Fluevogs that you don't use for lolita?

The new stockphotos are terrible enough, but does anyone else feel like even all of VM's newer photoshoots are pretty off? The models, the makeup, even how they're showing off the dresses all just look really bad to me.

>>10810339
AYRT, but yes I have the Derby combat boot in the cherry burnished red and another boot I can't remember the name of for more casual wear! I've always wanted a pair or two in the Swordfish style as well but unfortunately my toes just can't tolerate pointy/narrow toeboxes.

>>10811230
Agreed on the off photoshoots.

I don't understand why VM is releasing stuff only in the ugliest colors possible.

>>10811244
eugh

>>10811244
>>10811246
I actually like this dress and would buy it in wine or pink, why did they go with this shit greenish brown? Even a chocolate brown would've been cute.

>>10811230
The designs of the new dresses aren't exactly amazing to begin with so yeah, the photoshoots just compound the problem further.
>>10811415
It looks like the alternate colors available are a camel brown, a deep purple, and a black. Not sure if this one's being made from surplus fabric or something but this isn't the first time they've used this particular khaki color.

Anyone own VM boots (the ones recently rereleased)? Is the pleather as shit as AP or do they actually hold up?

>>10811513
This looks like it's a similar design to the Corruption Gauze series from a few years back, so you are likely correct.

VM's coming through!

>>10812723
Hell yeah

IW is going to accept reservations for a bunch of new items next week. This Gobelin JSK is pretty nice for a change.

>>10813050
Classical Tiered Jumper Skirt in a new color also looks interesting

>>10812723
literally salivating over this, finally

>>10813050
Too long, this shit is so ugly
>>10813051
Almost ok but I don't like the color and wish it were a couple cm shorter

>>10813050 if only it was actually long length rather than the awkward in between sort of tea length

VM posted a short story for Halloween! It's written by Novala Takemoto.
>https://www.victorianmaiden.com/blogs/story/victorian-case

Fellow classic lolitas, how is the state of your wardrobe in 2022? Have you managed to get all of your dream dresses?

I just have one dream dress left and some accessories to find, it's strange to have come to this moment. My wishlist only has around 10 items now. I noticed the second-hand market for classic starting to slow down (not in terms of prices though) and I'm wondering if it's because most classic-chans also have mostly completed their wardrobes.

>>10811565
They actually hold up. I have a release from 2014 (?) and the new ones and the material is great, no cracking or scuffs on either.

>>10816983
My wardrobe is ok. I ended up getting frustrated with classic and expanding into sweet. A lot of my dream dresses are too small even when I lost weight, in the back and shoulders, or sometimes occasionally in the chest. So I sold half my IW and switched to custom sized J et J and VM for new releases, and occasionally buy an older piece a couple times a year at most

>>10816983
I'm more or less at this point. The couple items left that I'd like to find are blouses and accessories and things like that. I'm bored with new releases and don't buy much aside from the odd thing on lacemarket and a Moitie release now and then since I also wear gothic. I've been looking more at indie accessories than anything else.

>>10818430
Same, anon. As I got older I got too fat for a lot of my items around the same areas. My upper arms are too fat for a lot of short sleeved blouses and OP's now which makes me very sad but there's not much I can do about it. I expanded into gothic around the time of covid which is not much better but at least Moitie has larger sizing now for some items.

>>10816983
I'm pretty happy with my wardrobe as it is and I've narrowed down my wishlist to about 2 dresses at this point. None of VM's recent releases have really appealed to me enough to buy them. Now they've increased their sizing just slightly, but it's enough that I don't like how they look on me and have to alter them to not feel frumpy. I miss the fitted waists so much.

I do have a small gothic wardrobe but I stopped adding to it years ago and have no interest in nu Moitie or anything. I've been expanding my style to more classic-adjacent non lolita brands that do the vintage-cottagecore thing. Maybe I'm just drifting away from lolita? At this point a full MM revival is probably the only thing that would make me interested again.

>>10816983
I think now that i've finally tapped into a more underground classic lolita interpersonal trading network, i've actually developed a larger wish list right when I thought I was happy. I didn't realize how many other people were just messaging others "hey if you'd like to trade anything let me know!" so engaging in this way has been really beneficial. i gained a few rare MM pieces that i never even dreamed of from just a quick compliment and an instagram convo.

SO many sweet lolitas can just go to their local swap meet through the years and trade that way, but honestly I've never been able to swap/trade/or buy any of my items that way. nobody is interested (or they can't fit if i'm being honest kek)

New colourway for Rococo Bouquet Long OP

>>10819877
Shit sorry posted the wronP image.

>>10819878
Beautiful, so glad waited! Reservations officially open tomorrow at midday Japan time but it also seems to be available now (just reserved mine!)

Something about the heavy contrasting doesn’t feel right.

>>10822455
I don’t mind the contrasting, though I’m not a fan of this particular colour composition. What are they doing to that poor model though? She always looks like she’s being held captive by a serial killer and forced to take these pictures in his dungeon. It looks like he’s the one who did her makeup as well.

>>10822455
told you that hair style was the bomb

>>10822455
Poor girl she looks like she looks so incredibly I'll. I love vintage clothing not vintage illnesses

>>10822465
It being full of bombs would explain her expression

>>10822466
>#Vintage Style Not Vintage Virus

Long shot, but does anyone know where MM sources their buttons from? I'm looking for a replacement for MM's Sailor Collar OP. It seems to be made from brass with a decorative ring of plastic on top.

>>10824488
Glad I skipped the long version.

>>10822455
What the fuck is her make up? Her eyebrows are red, and her cheeks are blushed with yellow?? She looks jaundiced

>>10824488
Good release, I'm glad they brought back the greige x ivory. The designer commented that yoke for this release is fake.
>https://twitter.com/ayumi__designer/status/1604702155427807233

>>10824493
Coward, should've gotten both

>>10819469
Could you help me join nonny? That sounds really useful, especially for how hard it is to find those rarer MM pieces on the market nowadays

>>10819469
Whenever I see anons talking about the "super secret underground classic market" or stuff like that I think it's a joke, but with the state of the secondhand market these days I'm starting to wonder if it's true.

>>10819429
The arm thing isn't your weight, nonny. I'm short and thin (5'0" and my weight varies 90-95lbs) and blouses fit tight on me in the arms at times.

construction looks nice on this new vm release

>>10829167

>>10829167
>>10829168
a notorious work of art of "not a cringe print"

>>10829167
This is so cute. And I'm glad to see theyre styling the model in a more flattering way now.

>>10829170
What did she mean by this?

VM - Liberty Print Mary OP
Comes in 3 colours
Price: 42,350 yen
Reservation starts 27 January, 12:00 JST
>https://www.victorianmaiden.com/products/2301op003

>>10832205
It's a collaboration between VM and the British textile brand Liberty Print made for VM's 25th Anniversary

>>10832206

>>10832205
the bottom ruffle on this looks pretty bad

>>10832205
The shoes are to die for, but the bottom ruffle is pretty sad. It's see through polyester, I hoped more from VM

>>10832217
>>10832209
it's cotton you spergs.

>>10832206
Speaking of anniversaries, I just realized it's Mary Magdalene's 20th anniversary is this year. They probably won't be doing anything though, sadly.

>>10832218
OK then it's pretty sad cotton.

>>10832218
It’s not about the material. The way it’s sewn on top is what makes it so bad.

>>10829167
Hoping that they release the blouse, it'd be nice to have a short sleeve at that length since it looks like it'd get past the largest part of my arms.

And speaking of having chunky upper arms, I'll probably end up selling the 2022 Lady Mallory release because I can't wear the long sleeves part of it. They somehow made the neck of the detachable yoke massive too.

More worn photos of the Liberty Print Mary OP from KERA. Reservations end tomorrow.
>https://twitter.com/kerashinjuku/status/1619179852791439361

>>10833273
The model is 158 cm tall

Bump?

Reservations for the Adela Marine OP close in 2 days!
>https://www.victorianmaiden.com/products/2302op001

VM was at New York Fashion Week. VM has some of the runways up on their Instagram stories

JetJ has a flamingo(?) print on reservation from tomorrow to 28th Feb. It costs 63,000 yen.
>https://twitter.com/J_et_J/status/1624966597608894464

>no flamingos
>Gabrielle d’Estrées and One of Her Sisters
Well that was surprising

>>10836801

>>10836802
>blip blop got your nip nop

>>10836802
>>10836804
Me and who

>>10836801
me on the left

>>10836448
Here is the youtube video of the runway

https://www.youtube.com/live/TCaKKUMkoVM?feature=share&t=476

Just goes to show how important styling is to lolita. Some of the hair/shoe choices and lack of petticoats are a little ita, but this happens anytime lolita is modeled somewhere mainstream.

>>10837963
And all the sleeves being hella short on them

>>10837966
I was honestly surprised the waistline and hems weren't shorter on them too but I guess that's a benefit of everything these days being made stupidly long.

New releases!
Wonder Garden Princess Dress
https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/wunder-garden/products/2303op001

>>10841851
Wonder Garden Side Ribbon Dress
https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/all/products/2303op002

>>10841854
>>10841851
I'm so glad they're releasing so much, it gives me a lot of hope. I really love the blue dress

comm goals

>>10841985
I can't stop laughing at bottom left's expression.
Also, as great as it is to have a comm meet where everyone is well dressed (and not a mega ita landwhale meet), it's kind of boring to see so many people not only in the same dress but also in the exact same colorway of the same dress. I understand that's also the point of the meet, it's for fans of the brand.

>>10841995
It's actually a meet for that specific dress, not just the brand - not sure if that came across. They also have separate pics by colorway, like twinning on steroids.

>>10842034
I guessed it was. They're not wrong, it's a great dress.

>>10841854

I used to defend the shit out of VM but my god I cannot fucking stand that waist at whatever price point they're doing these days. Sorry.

>>10841854
Too bad their quality has gone down the drain. The quality of recent releases across brands have been so disappointing.

>>10841985
This makes me so happy to look at.

>>10842055
Maybe it’s an attempt at being more size-inclusive? I agree it looks bad. If there has to be shirring/elastic I prefer it mid back so the front and sides remain smooth.

>>10842097
How has VM gone down the drain? The rococo bouquet release this year was great.

>>10842193
if they're doing it to be more size flexible there are a lot more pretty ways this can be done even in the front. A regular shirring panel up front with or without lacing, or smocking, or multiple rows of channels with ribbon in them that can be tightened, or an overdress that has criss cross lacing over finished edges (see pricrel), or shirring in the back. I've never seen a dress where just one channel of elastic at the waist (and nowhere else) looked good. It's just plain lazy. A lot of VM dresses from the old school era had size flexible features and it looked great.

>>10842287
Did you buy it anon? If you think it's great then I don't think you even own any older VM pieces. It's not worth that price tag. Also their new design choices are questionable.

>>10842292
I would be willing to bet it's not an inclusivity thing, classic brands have rarely cared about that. It's just a poor aesthetic choice.

>>10842287
Don't worry about them anon, some people just love to complain.

>>10842305
first anon here. I looked through lolibrary and was actually a bit pleasantly surprised at how many of the early 2000s VM pieces had size flexible features and how great it looked with their aesthetic. Later on they went through a much more "smooth and tailored" era without these features but it's really not a good idea to keep doing that if your brand was close to closing once already. VMs designer needs to reflect back to the early 2000s and figure out how to incorporate those features into their current aesthetic in a way that actually looks as good as the early 2000s examples.

>>10842292
the comment on their insta says it's great for dinners, so I think they're implying you can loosen and re-tie the waistband after a big meal. skinny ladies can be self conscious about that kind of thing even though they're skinny. so it's not necessarily to be inclusive of fat people but to be inclusive of people who feel fat.

>>10842322
Nta but that's probably just the brand being playful. I doubt they designed a dress specifically around someone feeling fat. Moreso that an elastic waist is just comfortable and casual, with the whole being able to eat without being self conscious as a bonus more than the whole intent around the design.

>>10842297
I did actually, and it's very lovely. Did YOU buy it? Probably not because you're complaining about the price kek. But if you did, what's so bad about the quality, and how does it compare to old VM? Give me examples.

>>10842311
This is actually a very reasonable response.
While I'm glad that VM is now catering to bigger sizes, it's true that they might need more time to figure out how to incorporate size flexibility with flattering aesthetics.

>>10842322
I'm not claiming VM is doing (or has done) anything to be inclusive to actual fat people. When I mentioned "size flexible" features that VM used to include more in the old school era it's more like 5 to 8cm flexibility in most cases. That still doesn't include fat people. Including fat people is when you do full back shirring, or a shirring panel both in the front and the back, and have clothes that can go from 85cm to 120cm garment bust pretty regularly, and not less than a handful of times over your 23 year old brand history.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying VM has to do that. I have no dog in that race. And if they want a big dinner comfort feature for people who are self conscious about what their belly looks or feels like during or right after dinner then so be it, but they could make it prettier.

>>10842332
maybe VMs designer doesn't like the early 2000s VM aesthetic. The Classical Doll OP from 2001 is very typical of their old aesthetic and fully shirred and would sell like hot cakes right now imo. Chiffon doll from 2002 is also fully shirred and wouldn't look out of place next to modern VM. Long Collet OP from 2003 is fully shirred but has the shirring below and under the bust meaning it's more flattering as well. Plenty of their other older pieces have very generous shirring in the front.

>>10842287
>>10842305
Recent designs that aren't rereleases have really scaled back in terms of fabric manipulation detains. Cuts are way plainer than they used to be while being way more expensive.

I own both the original and re-release of the long dress and the sewing on the re-release is way worse. >>10842097 is right. VM's quality has gone to shit.

>>10842332
You didn't have to be so defensive kek. Like>>10842401 I have both the old release and this new one. The pattern pieces they used on the new one is lesser, the material is thinner and the sleeves are not gathered well. The elastic thread they used for the shirring is also shitty.
I'm glad that you like yours. Maybe if I would if didn't have anything to compare it to.
The drop in quality is quite obvious to me.
It's not a terrible piece but not worth that price hike.

Reservations are open for the Pullip x IW collab
https://innocent-w.jp/onlineshop/Alice-in-InnocentWorld.html

>>10842422
Frederick, you look... different

>>10842332

like >>10842408 and >>10842401
I have an older and a newer one but desu you don't need to see an older one to spot the difference in quality.

There are loose threads on the newer one. The insides have a messy overlock stitch finishing the fabric. It is not worth 40k yen as much as I wish it to be.

Anyways you sound young. Sorry you came into classic at a bad time.

>>10842431
Nta but how are the seams finished in the older, better quality release? Are they still overlocked or something entirely different?

>>10842492
NTA but here's a side-by-side of mine. White is the new long dress. Peach is the original.

>>10842500
that sucks

>>10842500
Ayrt, thanks for the photos! It looks like the newer one was (partially) flatlined, and while flatlining has its place IMO this looks like it was done simply to save time and money.

>>10842500
Are the sleeves on the newer one looser? I saw someone on IG talking about it.

>>10842506
I wouldn't even mind the flatlining if they at least finished the seams a bit more nicely instead of just slapping on an overlock and calling it a day.

>>10842507
They definitely are on mine. One of my weekend plans is to go to a tailor and have the cuff end taken in by a few inches so it fits around my arm better.

The side front and side back panels are also cut wider, with the unstretched bust measurement being about 4 inches wider than the original. I needed to lace it in a lot to get it to not look baggy, and that's a common issue from what I've seen on Instagram.

Victorian Maiden - Luna Tulle OP
Price: 38,500 yen
Comes in sax, baby pink and black.
Reservations open 24th March, 12:00 JST

>>10845329
Dropped link
https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/dress/products/2203op003

>>10845329
this is just depressing to look at

>>10845329
What store is this? Doesn't look like atepie

>>10845359
The photo is from Kera Shinjuku's twitter

>>10845329
Whoever dressed this mannequin used a petti that's way too big, damn. but even without the petti, yikes. this dress looks like an afterthought.

>>10842512
As someone who's gotten fatter over the years, would you say the sleeves can now comfortably fit like a 30-32cm arm? Maybe I'll actually pick this up if there's a hope. Sucks about the quality drop though. I can only fit the longer sleeve or sleeveless OP's well now, but I love looking at the sewing details of 2000's VM.

>>10847926
The outer sleeve elastic unstretched on mine was 30cm, so it'd probably even be a bit loose on you.

Finally caved into finding a Xianyu SS to get VM's Nereid OP. What are your recent purchases, classic gulls?

>>10850565
What SS did you use? I wanna buy from Xianyu I hear it's very risky and I don't wanna get scammed. Also what search terms do you put in to navigate Xianyu?

>>10845329
Literal lampshade

I don't know how to feel about the new Rococo Bouquet release colours. I liked the series because there was so much of it, so it was easy to match between releases. The new colours throws that off. But if this is the direction VM is heading in, would it be better to buy the new colours to match releases in the future? Ah, it's a tough decision, especially when the prices are as they are.

Looking at the seams here makes me mourn the old VM.

>>10854314
That puckering and uneven sleeve gathers looks like babby's first handmade. Makes me wonder what brands are actually better quality than taobao-lita at this point...

>>10854399
cmiiw, but aren't the uneven sleeve gathers to make the little shoulder puff that VM sleeves sometimes have?

>>10854399
Doesn't look uneven, the gathers are only supposed to be on top, just badly needs to be ironed.

Worn pictures of the Rococo Bouquet samples
>https://twitter.com/kerashinjuku/status/1657230785806733318

>>10854532
the new colorways are lacking visual interest for me, it feels less like a cute floral and more like grandmas curtains

>>10854570
>>10854532
I love it. Ordered the underbust jsk but kinda want to get the short sleeve OP also

>>10854532
the shoes look so out of place here

New VM release: the Sherlock Check Series
>https://twitter.com/kerashinjuku/status/1666329715827937281

>>10860177
I love it but this cut will look awful on anyone taller than 5'2". The waist even looks a little too high on this model and she looks short AF. It's a shame since they added shirring to accommodate bigger sizes too.

Classical Doll is back on the menu, this time with a "Plus Size" version. There is also a coat.
>https://twitter.com/VM_press/status/1671352243721846784

>>10860177
oof, extremely classy, would like other colors, but can't complain really

>>10862417
Kek, the Lolita Updates comments about this sure are something..

This thread smells like fish

>>10862483
Landwhale hands typed this

>>10862447
Agreed. I will never understand why westerners don't get that plus sized in Japan is different than in the west. They always seem surprised that the Japanese clothing brand is making clothes for Japanese people.

>>10862447
All those fat girl tears, funny because I'm sure none of them would actually buy one even if it was in their size

>>10862561
This, exactly this.
Every time a brand expands their usual size range just a little bit with a bigger dress there are people complaining that it's not big enough and doesn't count as plus sized because it doesn't fit them. But these are usually also the same people who don't want to spend money on japanese brand that does cater to their size. They're usually the same people who say that japanese brand is classist and will only buy from lower budget chinese brands.
AtePie revealed that even though many people said they want there to be plus sized dresses, most of them would not follow through by buying.

>>10862499
>>10862561
It's clearly for at their loyal fans in Japan and China who still want to wear VM but as they get older, had kids etc. they don't all have the same bodies they had in their early 20s anymore. The ones who have always supported VM and have those big meetups all wearing the same dress, collect multiple colorways etc. It's not for whiny westerners who don't have any interest in VM and have never bought from them in their lives. I still haven't forgotten when VM was in danger of closing years ago the way fat westerners on LU were celebrating because they can't handle something not being for them.

>>10862624
>>10862625
I know people throw around accusations of racism and bigotry around like it's going out of fashion but the entitlement of these fat women is truly disgusting. Just because it's not an American 6xl obeast size doesn't mean it's not plus sized.
It's plus sized by the standards of the country and culture it's for, and whom most of their customers are. Most of them weren't even wearing lolita in their profile pictures, just cosplays

>AtePie revealed that even though many people said they want there to be plus sized dresses, most of them would not follow through by buying.
When did this happen?

>>10862660
They did an AMA on r/lolita recently.

>>10862670
OOF that's embarrassing, no wonder they don't listen to us

>>10862670
This isn't just for plus sizes, she specified this applies to general releases as well. Most overseas customers just don't follow through on purchasing, even releases they beg/ask for.

Worn photos of the Classical Doll OP and coat
>https://twitter.com/kerashinjuku/status/1672234927746842624

>>10862701
The cost is a bit lackluster at the bottom, some ruffle or small lace would’ve made this worth the money

>>10805600
this is cute, but the ruffles on the sleeves read as sort of cheap to me? idk something off about it

Anyone know if VM is going to rerelease the Mallory OP?

>>10862417
Reminder that reservations close today, 23:59 JST
Pic related could be you

>>10863502

>>10863504
What has become of you, VM.

>>10863505
>pic
lol

>>10863505
The dresses are fine, but damn they really need to hire a new make-up artist.

>>10863536
As well as a new photographer and/or new models.

>>10863505
>>10863536
I wonder if they're aiming for that Victorian era consumptive-chic look?

New release form VM - Damask Cat
>https://www.victorianmaiden.com/collections/damask-cat

>>10865936
Print has cats

>>10865936
Worn photos
>https://twitter.com/kerashinjuku/status/1676507496310276098

Nonnas, I've finally tried old school VM and I'm never coming back. You elegant couchlitas, you.

Nonnas, I've finally tried old school VM and I'm never going back. You elegant couchlitas, you.

>>10865937
I love it

>>10866051
I love the print itself but wow, those cuts have to be some of the ugliest and cheapest looking shit I've ever seen from VM. The satin tape, the horrible bib, the overlong bottom ruffles... Half of the colorways suck, too.

VM x Pullip release
33,700 yen
>https://twitter.com/VM_press/status/1677135346549784576

>>10805585
I think that due to global warming, we won't get to enjoy classic lolita much longer. Its already difficult for brands to be environmentally conscious, and with the state of the world we're coming closer where no brand at all can be ethically-sourced. Also the rising temperature makes it really hard to wear lolita in the American south for instance

>>10805588
I... think I'm in love actually

>>10866846
all lolita is actually dying this time because brands and street fashion as a whole is dying. lolita brands try to hard to base their appeal parallel to mainstream fashion. plus brands that copied chinese brands and now are just a more expensive version of things no one wants

>>10866846
is this a weird new flavor of bait

>>10866846
since when have brands ever been environmentally friendly or ethically sourced? look at all the products made in china, the philippines, myanmar, etc. it’s also not too hot if you’re not a sweaty fatty.

>>10868311
>lolita brands try to hard to base their appeal parallel to mainstream fashion
Maybe AP but BABY and Meta, MAM, and others definitely don't.

>>10868354
>BABY and Meta, MAM, and others definitely don't
i was talking about classic brands, which are all toning down to match the simplicity of modern mainstream jp fashion. this is the classic thread.

>>10868357
My bad nonna pls forgive me

>>10868364
don't worry, anon! having baby to fall back on is atleast comforting.

>>10868311
>all lolita is actually dying
>>10868357
>i was talking about classic brands

Were you?

http://www.marymagdalene.jp/contents/new/index.html
MM silently re-released a bunch of stuff. Of course I am seeing this a month too late. Did anyone manage to get something?

>>10868370
NTA but it's obvious she started talking about classic brands specifically. You're quoting two separate sentences. Use your brain.

>>10868370
anon, she also mentioned jfashion in general, but it's obvious she'd be talking about brands relevant to the thread...
and even if you view it as all lolita, she was talking about brands that are guilty of that, which are ALL the classic brands. they certainly toned down sooner than MMM and AP.

>>10868372
i wish they'd announce these

looks like this release of farutetto is smaller than previous ones?

>>10805585

JetJ is rereleasing Les Couloirs du Temps JSK
Price: 53,000 yen
Comes in pink and black, sizes are 0, 1 and 2.
Reservations close 8th August 2023, 12 pm JST

>https://twitter.com/J_et_J/status/1686210643282767872
>https://juliette-et-justine.com/products/les-couloirs-du-temps

>>10872089
the fabric lookin like crepe paper

>>10872112
are we complaining about shantung now?

>>10872147
quality or not it's ugly as hell. i dont like this fabric on any dress i've seen it on. matter of taste i guess

>>10872147
most shantung these days is poly

>>10872147
>>10872157
Most shantung has always been poly but this looks a lot shittier

>>10872174
the sleeves look like shit but not because of the shantung.

>>10872174
it's giving costume kei

VM 25th Anniversary release - Victorian Jubilee OP and Overskirt

OP price: 82,500 yen
Overskirt price: 46,750 yen

Colours:
>Pearl
>Crimson
>Black

Reservations from 4th August 12:00 JST to 9th September 23:59 JST

>https://twitter.com/VM_press/status/1686572528469417984

>>10872260
Front view

>>10872261
This is fugly as hell wtf vm

Why is NuVM such a travesty. The only good designs have been rereleases, and even then they look a bit worse and plainer than the old versions.

I was happy they didn't go defunct but their current state makes me sad. Classic is truly dead.

Fellow classicfags what do you use to fill the void? Any other brands you like recently?

>>10872261
Hate it.

>>10872275
If I'm being honest I feel like most classics already have such a solid wardrobe that there's no void to be filled at this point. Old secondhand fills the void for people that don't, and plenty of classics focus on what's simple, elegant and wearable from my experience. The haydays of MM are long over- MM made me fall in love with classic. VM will never fill that void for me.

>>10872275
It's because of the tanking ecomony. Up until 2019/2020 their quality was decent. Maybe in a few years things will be different again.

>>10872275
Oh, they got a new designer. I think she's still learning the ropes.

>>10872275
honestly? mostly i've just been biding my time, trading or waiting for pieces i want secondhand and watching this thread for new drops. i used to be a huge fan of classic original prints, so brands like ETC, leur getter, MB, etc while plainer than i'd like are scratching that itch. i've also had mixed success styling some of baby and aatps pieces as classic.

right now i'm considering taking the plunge to longer dresses and trying some of IW's new releases out. they don't seem nearly as bad quality wise as some other brands.

praying for more MM surprise drops, but not holding my breath.

>>10872089
It sold out! Hopefully they open another round of preorders.

>>10872275
I don't think I've really wanted any new releases from any brand for a while now, classic or otherwise. And as >>10872284 noted, I'm at a place where I've got around 7 wishlist items, and 3 out of those are actual DDs. Anything I get outside of those tend to be other colorways of existing pieces or support items (real leather shoes..) but I don't need or seek any of it now since my wardrobe's basically complete and the new design directions aren't for me.

>>10874724
i feel like classic lolita being kind of unpopular is a big reason why so many classics can just build a wardrobe doing secondhand and trades even if the new releases are grim.

I am trying to find a pattern to help my friend make a dress like picrel, but I don't know how to describe it to search for it.

>inb4 this is not classic
Then what is it?
>Inb4 cosplay is not lolita
I know I'm sorry.

>>10874819
You should post this in the sewing thread.

>>10874819
this design is generic enough you may be able to find a near identical one secondhand from IW or maybe Meta or some middling brand and just wear an undershirt and underskirt if you wanna get lazy with it.

>>10874741
I think for the releases that had enough buyers for a given release to feed the secondhand market this is true, but if it's not that popular to begin with then there isn't much to sell secondhand either. Feels like the classic market's been drying up more rapidly this year if not for a couple of years already especially if you're looking for specific brands/releases.

>>10875053
I've had a lot of luck finding dresses I've wanted in the past 12 months, I even bought an older VM JSK and my first MM piece but the market has definitely felt really dry since covid. Maybe I've just been lucky?

>>10875127
i've managed to score a few MM pieces on my list, but yeah, i wouldn't say the classic secondhand market ever *wasnt* a little dry, since classic fans usually don't resell their good stuff unless it's a trade for something better or they leave the fashion.

will MM do any more releases in the future?

I've developed a taste for their designs and I know they struggle financially so I'd like to buy directly from them instead of hunting secondhand.

Their 2023 releases have only been old stock/B grade items. Is there any hope?

>>10876427
God I hope so, I'm about to get a high paying job and I'm so excited to drop some serious money on my favourite brands

>>10876427
this years coat release wasn't old stock or b grade. they usually release 2-3 items a year. sometimes they'll skip a year. items are usually rereleases

however every drop tends to be a complete bloodbath because they only make a handful of each.

unless you either nab a preorder or refresh the page every friday religiously for the rest of your life you may not have much luck ordering firsthand.

hiya
I'm jumping back in I think after dipping my toes yeeeears ago.

Instead of a bunch of questions for eternity I think I'll just ask yall what your favorite JSKs are, in generally darker tones like bordeaux/navy.
also recommendations of where to buy blouses for wide ass shoulders?
thanks.

>>10878186
seconding recs for wide shoulder blouses pls

so what made you change your mind and come back and how far did you go the first time anon?

>>10878186
how wide are we talking? Generally blouses with a short puffed shoulder are pretty forgiving but they may look awkward if your shoulders are really big.

>>10878186
>>10878229
for classic? you'll either need to learn to alter, or keep an eye out.

IW's L size and AATPs "mens" size runs a bit larger in the shoulders. MB also does to a lesser extent.
if you can find a blouse that has a lot of space in the bust, often that space can help the shoulders fit even if the measurements seem like it shouldn't.
cutsews usually look too casual, but lace pullover type ones can look very elegant. knits also tend to have more give than blouses, and are popular in classic.
blouseless is also much easier to pull off in classic and gothic than sweet, particularly by utilising gloves and other elegant armwear, or choosing pieces with particularly elaborate upper bodice and strap designs (think MM)
OPs with shirred necklines (vm and aatp do these regularly) are your friend.
if all else fails, occasionally a sweet blouse will run particularly loose, and be plain enough to style as classic, but this solution takes a bit more skill.

>>10878229
atelier peirrot blouses have shirring all the way to the shoulder and they do classic blouses sometimes

>>10876510
They update on friday?

>>10878273
the page actually lists the exact date of the last update, but yeah, it's usually on a friday

>>10878229
Not far at all, just a simple coord with an indie JSK and some knockoff accessories, got to do a few meetups (the botanical garden meetup was so bomb I miss it daily). Dumb crap happened and I ended up letting go of them. Coming back because I need something that focuses on my looks and motivate me to stop being a lazy shit and take care of my health better. Fueled by frills.
>>10878249
wide load 45cm shit, shirring gonna be eternal for me it seems, though I'm also a-okay with non brand if it's proper.
>>10878253
Thank you very much, so easy to get lost. My friend was handholding me my whole way through the first time.

>>10878289
nevermind not that bad I though shoulder measurements were end to end
a bit more tepid 41cm
should have looked up how to properly measure in the first place yeesh, I was dying looking at lace market blouses and their sizes

>>10878290
>>10878289
anon who gave huge advice post here: oh you'll be fine! my shoulders are around 38-39cm so a smidge smaller, but not by much.

and don't even worry, i'm just excited to see newer lolitas embracing my favourite substyle! i forgot to say, but for winter looks another fun thing i do is use capes, stoles, etc as shoulder cover! and if you're cool with non brand and less popular brands, some taobao brands do occasionally make classic friendly shirred tops (krad lanrete is one i've used), and i can second other anons rec for AtePie! moitie also makes some decent fancy cutsews as well that have a surprising amount of give. there's lots of neat ways to "cheat" your way past any awkward measurement.

good luck and have fun!

>>10878310
luckily where I live half the year is cape weather. Thanks for the recs and help, classic above all.
(´∀`)b

New JetJ release
>https://twitter.com/J_et_J/status/1698893718143582438

VM Mildred Series teaser
Series details will be up on 13th September, 12:00 JST
>https://twitter.com/VM_press/status/1701521033969451046

is there a age for lolita fashion? im 20 and feel old for this

>>10879562
Miss their whimsical releases

>>10880142
No

>>10880142
retard question. most people in this fashion are older than that. think about how many 20 year olds can afford lolita in a serious way. that’s your answer.

>>10880148
>>10880149
yeah true, im 5'9 though that feels like a problem for these japanese brands

>>10879562
>Why stop at wearing your grandmother's couch when you could wear her whole room?

>>10880142
Meta (a lolita brand) once said their main demographic are women from 20 to 45. And they make sweet lolita (also other styles). I'm guess the main demographic for classic brands is now a little bit older, maybe 25-45.
The main reason for this is that unless you have your own income it will be unlikely you'll be able to afford to build a wardrobe.

>>10880253
aren't some lolitas like mana, kato, and misako in their 40-50s? honestly i think if the clothes fit and you're still into them there's no real age limit.

>>10880308
Misako just turned 40 if I recall. And I'm just saying those numbers are what Meta said their main demographic was. Of course there are some people older than 45 who wear lolita. Some styles might not look as suitable on a 50yo as they once did (2010s over the top sweet on an apple shaped body with permanent RBF granny face for example) but that doesn't mean they should stop.

Older men in sweet lolita is a big red flag though. Older men getting into lolita in general is rather suspect.

>>10880142
when people say stuff like this it seriously confuses me. do you envision the fashion as being made up of primarily high schoolers? who have limited purchasing power and need their parents' approval to wear weird clothes? how often do you see teenagers with serious brand wardrobes beyond just a handful of $30 taobao pieces? and do you expect them to ditch all of it in a few short years when they hit 20? I'm not trying to be mean at all I just don't understand how the logic of this worldview works out, especially when 20 is so young

>>10880324
i don't get it either. even if you had rich parents and could throw away money like that i can't imagine how one would even build a good wardrobe before age 20, (especially if your figure is still changing-- for some women hip and bust size continue to change until early-mid 20s, so if you start as a teen you may grow out of pieces). you'd have what, 5 years tops?

in classic especially some lolitas spend that long hunting down a single dream piece. i hate to advocate for sunk cost fallacies, but that's too much time, money, and effort just to slap an expiration date on the hobby.

>>10880130
Hm, I don't know how I feel about this one

>>10880358
it looks halfway finished, like they started a dress design but stopped before adding any real accents or details

are Victorian Maidens parasols good quality? they're quite expensive even second hand and I'm not sure I wanna drop that amount of money on something that's not high quality

>>10880358
I hate nu-VM tailoring.

>>10880606
The other dress in the series was gorgeous though and I'm glad they added the hat to the shop!

>>10880534
In my experience, anything from pre-2018 VM is good quality except for hats (though to be fair they suck in the same way that 99% of lolita hats do because none of the brands know how to do millinery properly).

I don't like the lace lining on most recent Rococo Bouquet parasol, but that's just personal preference, and I didn't see anything else wrong with it.

Feel like shit I just want old JetJ back!!!

>>10880788
I hate the way they style this poor model.

>>10881051
dropped pic

>>10881051
its bizarre that VM seems to have lost any ability to style models even to a basic/normal standard. those lace tights, gloves, and purple lipstick scream 2010s clubbing scene, so weird.

similarly although i like the design of the dress, i wish they had released it in slightly less overpowering colors (the black is nice but boring). the brand just seems to have lost its sense of refinement.

>>10881086
>slightly less overpowering colors (the black is nice but boring)
Gull, it's the yearly Halloween-adjacent release, like the Corruption Gauze series.

>>10805585

Hope you like Rococo Bouquet. VM posted this teaser.

>>10888015
>Hope you like Rococo Bouquet
I do I'm very excited