I wear lolita, and I know it is very expensive. The cheapest, and worst quality stuff is online. I live in california, so whenever I can I go to the Baby The stars shine bright store in san francisco. I am going to Japan this school year for a field trip, and obviously I am bringing a thousand or so maybe for shopping. Are the lolita clothes cheaper in japan, where they are made?
Fashion & Accessories - 2 Answers
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1 :
Actually, not all cheap quality items are found online. Many brand named and independant companies create and sell lolita items through the internet. What really matters is WHERE you're shopping at, as well as what items would be of good quality. Take Bodyline for example, some of their items are very much miss: cheap lace, wonky cuts, too maid looking; yet some of their items are made of decent quality and actually make it to the list of what fits the lolita standard. Not all things on eBay are horrible, but here's a better explaination: http://community.livejournal.com/egl/11376960.html I've personally never been able to set foot in Japan (ah, but I was lucky to make a flight pit spot at Narita Airport *-*), but my friend Kara and her friend Shannon went to Japan last November, and although the prices are still pretty high, they were actually able to buy many items for a steal in person. For example, a jumper skirt from Angelic Pretty would normally cost 200USD plus shipping, but at the store, it might be on clearance for 60USD. This isn't the case for everywhere though. When I visited the Baby store in Paris, I shelled 181 EUR for a skirt. Aside of the Euro being stronger than the Yen, overseas shops are going to charge more to cover costs owed to the company to keep the store running and supplies full (if you get to visit NYC and shop at Tokyo Rebel, this will be the case, even if the clothes are new with tags). Although I'd probably get crazy about shopping for countless of lolita clothes that'll be cheaper in Japan, I'd still try to keep a budget since you are traveling. Make sure you have enough for transportation, food, touring fees (like museums and shrines), and maybe for wherever you're staying at if that isn't already taken care of. When it comes to shopping, know what you need to buy before you go off blowing your money (so yes, do make a shopping list, and then when you got what you need, and have enough money, you could then splurge on a little something special). Personally, I would at least have 200USD for shopping If you really want to make your money's worth, aside of visiting the actual stores, check out Closet Child. If you haven't known already, it's a second hand shop made for only lolita clothes (and maybe a few goth/punk brands like Putumayo and H.Naoto). In case you ever need it: http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?keyword=Non-Online+shopping&user=egl&sortby=des and general list of brands (not quite complete, so I have more than one link), as well as where to shop on a budget: http://lolita-handbook.livejournal.com/2466.html#cutid1 http://www.lolitafashion.org/brand_list.php http://community.livejournal.com/egl/15204857.html EDIT: when making your shopping list, break it down to whatever that's part of a basic outfit: -tops (blouse/cutsew) -skirt -undergarments (petticoat, bloomers) -legwear (socks, tights) -shoes -accessories (headbow, bonnet, jewelry, purses, parasol) -special pieces (one piece, jumperskirt) Check out the lists of shops I mentioned earlier and use xe.com to convert the prices from the Japanese yen to the US Dollar. Like I said, you're likely to find a lot of items for a steal. I wouldn't be too suprised if a pair of $30 socks turned out to be $5, but I'd be prepared to bring a little more. And please keep your receipts because when you hop back on the plane to the US, you're going to have to fill out a custom's form; it'll ask you how much worth of merchandise have you bought from overseas. Have a lot of fun in Japan!
2 :
Have a try on http://www.taobao.com/, which is the best China online auction shopping site and the commodities is fairly cheaper, but it needs a Taobao Purchasing agent. Here is a one called Taobaoenglish.com. This agent provides a shopping assistance service for all who want to buy products from Taobao with a fair agent service fee and cheap shipping way, also it has well user experienced and easy to operate. Here is the website : http://www.taobaoenglish.com/ The online helper MSN : raymondpy35@hotmail.com
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