Daily Lolita Highlight: Stellagemellata

Spring is in full swing now and I think Spring is the most daring of all the seasons. The world is starting over, waking up, and it is a time for newness. That means I am doing this highlight on a "newer" part of Lolita, Bitter Sweet. Bitter Sweet is a mix of the Sweet style and adding dark accents. I don't think it is its own style or genre yet but it is tossed around a bit. I rather like it. 

Stellagemellata is an adventurous Lolita who is very good at Bitter Sweet Lolita and adding bits of punk and alternative style to her co-ords. People who play around with their co-ords and have a little fun make me happy. Yes, there are rules in Lolita but that doesn't mean you can't bend and play around with them.

How cool is she? A bad ass Lolita for sure. I would not mess with her. Her JSK, pink blouse, black tights and boots, and black biker jacket make a nice combination.  It is a nice outfit for a spring day. I really enjoy walking around in public wearing my Lolita co-ords proudly and her outfit above would be one I would love showing off.

 This outfit is just plain adorable. Light pink and black are such nice colors together. They compliment each other very well, especially in Lolita. Her shoes are amazing as well. I love shoes and boots with big heels and high platforms but I don't how tall they make me. Stellagemellata says the same thing in her post. Even though she is short they make her tower over a lot of people. I think people get confy with their height and when it is changed a  lot it just feels weird.

On top of her cute Daily Lolita post she has a blog as well, Under the Glass Umbrella. I found it through her post on Daily Lolita and now I follow it. you might want to as well. She has posts about her daily co-ords, fashion shows, Monster High dolls, occasional videos, and more. Check it out!

Daily Lolita Highlight: Yunaka

I haven't done a Daily Lolita Highlight in quite some time and there is one reason for that. I haven't been looking at Daily Lolita much lately and by lately I mean the past 2 or 3 months. I find that I fall in and out of love with it. I look at it everyday for while and then I just stop cold turkey. I don't make a conscience decision, it just happens. Anywhoo, I found a really nice one for you. You won't be disappointed.

Yunaka, is a Lolita who traveled from France to the US to go to a few events and she got all dolled up for the occasion. It is especially fun and special to travel somewhere new and show off your Lolita best. I don't travel much but when I do dressing up is important to me and I think it that way for a lot of people but especially the Lolita crowd. 

 Gothic Lolita is just amazing. I know it is not as eye catching as Sweet Lolita but just like Classic Lolita the subtleness is what I like about it. It doesn't scream, "Look at me!" but it just as lovely. her outfits are mostly Moi même Moitié and I am a bit jealous. I don't have anything that is Moi même Moitié but these pictures are making me really want just one thing Just one. The black dress in the right picture. Her shoes  are from a seller on ebay and I really love them too. A chunky heel shoe is very flattering.

 Not only she really cute and her outfits really cute too. Her friends are really cute.They remind me of a play set of dolls. Done up all perfect. I want to play with them and take them on little adventures. Little Lolita adventures like finding the perfect bag to go with the new JSK. This lucky Lolita got to go to a con, see a band, eat cup cakes, meet local Lolitas, and more fun things on her trip. I don' think I could think of a more fun trip for her.

Constructive Criticism in Lolita

I find this to be a difficult subject to talk about at all and even more so when it comes to Lolita. Lolita is a very difficult style to master let alone get a grasp of. There are so many rules and finer points that it takes a lot of work to have a successful coord. When a guy or gal start to try wearing Lolita it is usually a rocky start. The only way I think one could perfectly pull it off would be if they followed the fashion for some time, had a bit of money to spend, had a Lolita mentor, and spent a good amount of time planning. Many of us do not have this so it is understandable that most of our first attempts are Ita, lace monster, Hot Topic, cosplay'ish messes. 

Now, there is a large difference between a constructive criticism that will help someone improve and a flat out insult. But, this means both parties (giver and receiver) must have good communication skills. The person criticizing must know how to give a criticism in a polite way and the person being criticized must know how to take it. Don't see it as an attack and really try to understand what they are saying.  On Daily Lolita I see a lot of first timers putting up their pictures which takes a lot of courage and most of the time there is room for improvement. 

Telling the truth is a necessity in my opinion. One thing I see happening is people giving out compliments and accolades and no constructive criticism. Sometimes you will see pictures posted where a new or even not new Lolita will break several rules or will not pull something off well but no one will say anything. Perhaps it is just a pet peeve of mine but I feel this does no one justice. I am not conservative and think we all need to follow every Lolita rules but most of them are in place for a reason. For example, a modest skirt length is a very important part of Lolita and I feel it should be observed. When I see a skirt worn and it is practically mini skirt length it just gets me.

Helpful Tips for Constructive Criticism

*Start with a complement 

*Don't be bossy. Try wording such as, " I would try...." or "You might want to think about...."

*If they are breaking an important Lolita rule supply them with a link such as the Lolita Handbook to clear it up for them

*Stay positive

*Tell the truth

Helpful Tips for Receiving Criticism

*Don't take it as an attack

*No one is perfect, so don't worry if you make a mistake

*Fashion is an art not a science, there is wiggle room and differing opinions

*If someone is just flat out being mean ignore them, they are not worth your time

*Really try to hear what the person is saying

Please remember there is a time and a place for constrictive criticism. Some people don't want or need your advice or opinion. A lot of posts on Daily Lolita ask for it and it is more than welcome there. Your Lolita friends, family, and community probably welcome it as well but that is still on a person to person basis. Use your best judgement on handing it out.