• Buy a lovely floral print notebook or leather-bound journal and keep a Diary. Begin each entry with 'Dear Diary', press flowers between the pages, and draw Lolita fashion designs in it.
  • 2. Get a Lolita pen pal, learn how to write a proper formal letter and send it on pretty scented paper, send gifts and things for each others birthdays. You might want to purchase a quill or dip pen, its fun to write with when you get used to it and has an old fashioned feel.
  • Find a time during the day when you can enjoy the ritual of Tea. Late afternoon or mid-morning is traditional. Read about how to hold a 'high tea' and visit specialist tea shops to learn about the different blends and qualities. (My favorite is Chai!)
  • Visit the library and look for some suitable reads while you await the next G&L Bible. Fiction: Look for Victorian romances, classic children’s stories, compilations of fairy tales, gothic novels etc. Non-fiction: books on Victorian fashion and life, crafts, cooking, pattern books etc.
  • Host a dinner party for something different, bring out the fine china and confuse your friends with a full array of cutlery (make sure you know which fork to use for the fish!)
  • Teach yourself some arts and crafts, make lavender sachets and pillows, learn embroidery or cross-stitch and sew up some loli-able goodies. Other crafts you might enjoy a millinery, teddy bear and doll making, jewelry, knitting, quilting, calligraphy and watercolours.
  • Have a go at learning a musical instrument, classical instruments such as piano and violin may take your fancy. An alternative may be to attend some classical music events such as symphony, opera or ballet.
  • 8. Set aside one day a month to be your "Princess day", put on your favourite outfit and spoil yourself like a little princess for just one day, eat yummy desserts and pamper your royal self. (this idea is from a Japanese Lolita)
  • Have a picnic, theme it to suit your taste. A teddy bears picnic in your local park, a solemn occasion at an old graveyard or a formal event by the river or in a garden.
  • Find a small patch of land or some pots or window box to start a little flower garden, grow whatever flowers you like, roses, violets, lilies. Water them and take care of them and pick the flowers to decorate your house or yourself!
  • Learn a bit about the history of your town or city, visit old churches or graveyards, art galleries, museums and libraries and absorb the history and culture embedded in them. Try and imagine what it was like to live here 100-200 years ago.
  • Have a Lolita movie night! Watch classic childhood movies, gothic horror and Victorian/steampunk films!
  • Create a place in your bedroom or bathroom that can be used a your 'Vanity'. A small table with a chair or just a shelf on the wall will do. Decorate an old mirror to hang above it and store all your Lolita necessities, make up, perfumes, bows, ribbons and head dresses. You might like to find an old styled hand-mirror and matching brush, and place a vase of flowers to complete your Vanity.
  • Get dressed up and go to the theatre, try and catch something classic like Shakespeare or a Jane Austen or Oscar Wilde adaptation. Some old theatres are among the most loliable places you'll find. Check out the bathroom, sometimes they even have a 'powder room' with full length mirrors!
  • Watch some Lolita themed anime, Rosen maiden, Chobits, Paradise Kiss and Sister Princess are good examples but there are many more. You might be able to read the manga too.
  • Host a murder mystery party! It’s a great chance to dress up and act a part as well. You may even be able to find an alternative, a vampire styled mystery game!
  • Take a ride on an old steam train, especially one where you get a little compartment to yourself and can have dinner on board.
  • Learn some old fashioned card and dice games. Gather the girls for a ladies poker or bridge night.
  • Visit antique and second-hand stores; be on the look-out for vintage clothing, furniture and objects that have a Lolita style to them. Use your imagination.
  • 20. Try to present yourself as Lolita, even when you aren't wearing the style. Refine your manners and be courteous and respectful. Find opportunities to do little good deeds (help an old woman who is lost, offer to help a mother with children and loads of shopping etc.) they will improve your self esteem and the way others see you. Little acts of kindness can brighten another’s day.
  • Take morning or evening strolls in the park, or local public gardens. Appreciate the weather, the seasons and the people around you. You might like to find a quiet bench to sit and write in your diary, or just enjoy the peace.
  • Take dancing lessons, ballet or classical dance depending on your age and fitness. Dance will help you learn how to move gracefully, and it can be a lot of fun too.
  • Study etiquette, there are many books on the subject. Learn how to greet someone formally, how to introduce people, how to write invitations and declinations and the like.
  • Take pleasure in the tradition of gift giving, you need not spend a lot of money, little gifts and homemade things can cheer others and make them feel appreciated. Always bring gifts to parties and learn how to wrap them with style and elegant presentation. Gift ideas: home baked cookies, jams, flowers, handkerchiefs, hair pieces, scarves, candles, photo-frames, floral sachets and pomanders, soaps.
  • Refine your language, speak slowly and clearly and use proper terms for things instead of slang. Never swear or speak rudely to others. Learn to control your emotions in public, if you are upset consult with a close friend and be thankful to them for listening. If you are interested, learn Japanese as it will come in handy to read Lolita magazines.
  • You may like to write poetry, a popular form in Japan is Haiku. Learn the forms of haiku and traditional poetry and use them to express your feelings and appreciation of nature. Poems also make nice gifts.
  • Find or make a set of Lolita bed sheets, floral prints and lace-y designs are usually easy to find. Lolitas like lots of poofy pillows and bolsters. A canopy or mosquito net can be decorated with lace and hung above your bed as a cheaper alternative to a full four poster bed.
  • Travel in Lolita Style! Next time you go abroad have a farewell party. Buy an old-fashioned suitcase to pack your things in and carry a small purse with you, perhaps bring your favourite doll or bear for comfort. On your holiday meet up with other lolitas in the area, go to local tea-shops and visit places of interest. Take photos of yourself at different places (you can edit these to black and white or sepia if you want that old look.) and write letters and postcards back to your friends. Bring home sweet little souvenirs for everyone.
  • Sit for a professional portrait or photograph in your Lolita clothing! If you're lucky you can convince friends or family to join you for a group portrait. Keep a photo album for your pictures.
  • Make a Lolita scrap book. Decorate it with stickers and cutouts from magazines, newspaper etc. Print out your favourite pictures of Lolita outfits and draw your own. This will be a great source of inspiration for your projects.
  • Bake, Bake, Bake. There is no end to the amount of Lolita recipes out there, whether you like sweet cakes and treats, elegant sandwiches or cross shaped cookies. You might like to collect all your recipes into a Gothic & Lolita cookbook to share with your friends.
  • 32. Take up some ladylike sports, Croquet and Badminton are good choices and not too hard to play in skirts and petticoats
  • If you live near a river take a river cruise, perhaps on an old steam or paddle-wheel boat. For an alternative go rowing and have lunch on the river.
  • Start a doll or teddy bear collection, make them little Lolita and dandy outfits and give them a special place in your room. Find a book on names and have fun giving them silly old fashioned names like "Sir Walter de Porpington."
  • Take sewing lessons, or learn a form of needlework like cross-stitch, embroidery, appliqué or lace making.
  • Visit a children’s home (orphanage) and volunteer to help out or make a donation, try and spend some time with children and remember what it was like to be young, they will help inspire your imagination.
  • Buy some essential oils and make your own Lolita scent; roses, violets and lilies are suitable, perhaps with some old spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and a dash of something fruity.
  • Visit a Heritage rose garden, walk amongst all the different varieties of rose and choose your favourite. This might be a good place to have a picnic or tea party. Try some rose delicacies like rose petal jam and rose tea.
  • Decorate your walls with Lolita style. Instead of painting them choose a floral wall paper in soft colours or striking black and white. Get some ornate frames and put in pictures of yourself and your family, Mana pictures or Lolita style artwork. Hang an ornate mirror or one shaped like a cross and decorate a clock face with roman numerals to have that gothic look. If you are going for a floral theme make garlands of silk flowers to hang about the place and hang paintings of flowers and landscapes.
  • 40. Make a lolita silhouette. This is very easy, you need a photo of yourself in profile (from the side on) you can also use a photo of a loved one. Get some tracing paper and trace around the outside of your image so you have a shadow like outline of your picture. Use it as a stencil to cut out the shape from black card or paper. Paste the card on to some white paper and frame it in an oval frame. Very Victorian.
  • 41. Dress you pet up in Lolita style! A cute black bow around their collar or tiny hat to match your outfit, if you have a dog you may like to take it with you on your evening strolls. If you are considering a pet, Lolita’s prefer cats, small dogs and rabbits. Always be responsible with the safety of your pet and make sure it is comfortable with your accessories.
  • 42. Celebrate Friday the 13th! It is surrounded by superstition and makes an excellent date for a lolita party. Research other superstitions surrounding the number 13.
  • Experiment with some old beauty remedies. Buttermilk to cleanse the face, powdered oats to exfoliate. Lavender or rosewater to refresh ones complexion.
  • 44. If you live in a suitable area, arrange to take horse riding lessons. Horse riding is a sport reserved only for the most wealthy and genteel.
  • Design and make your own 'calling cards' they should include your name and address. A calling card can be left when you pay a visit to someone or as an informal 'business card'
  • Fans and Flowers. Both were language in Victorian times. A fan may be used to signal your intent or carry a secret conversation across the room. Flowers each had specific meanings, next time you buy flowers take care to choose those appropriate to the occasion.
  • Take a ride in a horse carriage! Some large parks and old towns have carriage rides for tourists. Enjoy the romantic experience of riding in style.
  • Make some Lolita jewelry. You'll find it easier than it looks, try and find some glass beads and charms shaped like roses, crosses, crowns and keys. Cameos and fake pearls can also give a very elegant style to your creations.
  • Make your own Lolita stationary. Find some beautiful clip-art of scroll-work and flowers and Lolita symbols, if you like drawing design your own. You can make envelopes, letterheads and memos. Marbling is another technique to decorate your stationary. For fun seal your letters with sealing wax.
  • In spring collect some flowers to press and dry. Little flowers like violets look nice pressed, just put them between two sheets of paper and stack heavy books on top. Give them a few weeks to dry then you can attach them to cards and other gifts. Large flowers like roses and lavender can be dried in bunches, hang them upside down in a dark dry place. Later on you can put them in vases or use them as accessories (careful, they will be fragile!) For a gothic look dye your dried roses black or blue.
  • Alice in Wonderland is a popular symbol to all lolitas; host an Alice themed party for your birthday or next tea-party. Get people to dress up as different characters and have Alice themed activities.
  • Next time you visit the beach, go in Lolita sailor style! Collect shells to make things with and have a picnic with ice-cream and pink lemonade. Don't forget your parasol!
  • Think of some little changes you can make to your lifestyle to incorporate a sense of Lolita style. Instead of using tissues buy a nice handkerchief and decorate it with your initials and some lace and ribbon.
  • Take a bath instead of a shower, use pretty scented bubble bath and floral soaps. You might like to float flower petals in the bath and light candles.
  • Make or buy an old fashioned night gown, you might like to make a night cap too! Read one of your Lolita books and have a cup of sweet cocoa or warm milk before you curl up in bed.
  • Spend more time on your appearance, take care to look your best everyday and try new hair styles and make up. Preparing for the day can become a nice little ritual, often we rush around in the morning rather than taking time to choose and coordinate our outfit and face, hair, perfume.
  • Make an effort to get in touch with your inner child; don't worry about being grown up all the time. You might like to take a little brother or sister or cousin to the movies, see a kid’s film and allow yourself to be carefree for an afternoon.
  • Next time there is a circus in town, get some tickets and go along! Circus’s are a great way to spend an evening with your lolita companions, enjoy the costumes of the performers and watch out for the gentleman in the top hat!
  • Find out a bit about your ancestry, some old relatives may have pictures of your ancestors in clothes that are very Lolita like indeed. Try and imagine what life would have been like for them, rich or poor. If you can get a copy of one of these pictures hang it up in your room to remind you of your history.
  • Here is a fun game for you and a fellow Lolita, find a park that has a giant sized chessboard. Play some games and use it as an excuse for a photo shoot. You can also pretend to be chess pieces yourself!
  • A good way to incorporate a little Lolita style in to your everyday clothing, especially work or school clothes, is to make some hair accessories. They don't have to be full headdresses. little bows and ribbons can give you a very sweet look and they are easy to make! Choose velvet and satin ribbons, lace, silk flowers and little jewels. At craft stores you can often find barrettes and clips to glue these on to.
  • Another fun party theme is fairy tales. Fairy tales are full of little girls who were naughty or nice and lots of princesses, you could go as lolita themed red riding hoods, Goldilocks, Bo-peep, Cinderella or Snow White!
  • If you have lots of Lolita friends in your area host a Halloween masquerade ball! This is the perfect time to show off you most stunning outfits, make delicious food and flaunt your ladylike charms. You might even meet a handsome prince!
  • Celebrate Christmas (or a winter holiday) in Lolita style. Make a Christmas themed outfit with bells and red velvet and white lace/fur. Decorate your tree with ribbons and hearts and homemade gingerbread you can eat later! Make lovely lolita gifts to give to friends and family and design your own Christmas cards.
  • Spring is another great time for a Lolita celebration, whether you celebrate Easter or not you might and enjoy a chocolate egg hunt. You can decorate your own basket and make an 'Easter bonnet', a great fancy hat or headdress with flowers and bows and spring themed things. It is the perfect time of year to enjoy your garden and have a party or picnic.
  • Build yourself an old styled Doll house. Doll houses are a popular hobby even among adults and there are many shops that sell furniture and items to put in them. This might be a good alternative if you can't decorate your own house in Lolita style.
  • If you're a gamer, look in to Lolita styled games and rpgs. Three recommendations: Londonia Gothic on DS, Granado Espada for PC, Castle Falkenstien is Pen&Paper. Perhaps you might like to start an online Lolita rpg?
  • Look for ways to add Lolita style to your more modern accessories, decorate your phone, mp3-player, purse or anything else with a little lolita trim or artwork. You'll find even when you're dressed in 'normal' clothing it adds a secretive touch of Lolita to your day.
  • Make yourself a playlist on your computer or MP3 player that inspires you, you might like to go for classic music or j-pop/j-rock. If you search there are many songs that reflect Lolita ideas and where the fashion came from. Try sound-tracks from the movies or anime mentioned previously. Music with child-like vocals or a carnival or music box melody.
  • Go to a carnival in full Lolita style! There is something inherently fascinating and a little spooky about carnivals, especially at night. Ride on the carousels, Ferris wheels and eat heaps of fairy floss!
  • To look like a lady (or lolita!) you must carry yourself like one, don't worry this doesn't mean walking around with books on your head, but paying attention to your posture will make you look more elegant and beautiful in Lolita-style. A few tips: Take small steps, carry your head level and look straight ahead, don't swing your arms, let them rest lightly by your sides, sit with your knees together and never slouch!
  • Make an effort to take good care of your nails. They should always be clean and neatly trimmed. The french manicure style is suitable for daily wear but you might want to decorate them for special events, pretty hands are a great asset when serving tea.
  • Pay attention to your choice of scent, appropriate perfumes and oils in fragrances like vanilla, rose, violet, jasmine or something darker with musk or cherry tones will offset your outfit. Try to avoid anything overpowering or very artificial. There is even a perfume called 'Lolita Lempicka' which is quite delightful.
  • If a Lolita wishes to stay healthy (and fit into her summer dresses!) she might consider some childhood games such hopscotch, jump-rope and hoola-hoop.
  • If you are fortunate enough to be getting married, why not have a Lolita wedding? Look at the Bibles for inspiration, and find images of victorian wedding dresses. If you're very fortunate you may be able to coax the groom in to a top hat and frock coat!
  • Convince a friend or partner to learn ballroom dancing with you, its fun, ladylike and you will always stand out at a ball or party.
  • If you prefer something a little faster, try and catch a ride in a really old car, the sort with great long fenders and little round head-lights. There are a lot of vintage car clubs that run shows and events you could attend.
  • Learn to arrange flowers, either real ones or those made of silk. Roses, violets and lilies are old fashioned favourites that will bring elegance and beauty to any room. Or you can carry them with you as a little possie.
  • Host an old-fashioned garden party! This can be a simple outdoor event to enjoy a lovely summer day. You might like to have a fruits and flowers theme, ask people to incorporate these in to their outfits and serve fruity deserts and pink lemonade on a table decorated with flowers.
  • Do some research into the history of the Lolita fashion. Familiarise yourself with the bands, artists and designers who inspired it. It’s always good to have an understanding of where you fashion started and how it’s progressed over the years.
  • Painting and drawing is a traditional past-time for young ladies, even if you don’t draw regularly give it a try. Start with simple things like flowers and gradually work up to people or landscapes. It’s a great way to express your ideas for outfits too!
  • A good Lolita will always make those around her feel comfortable in her presence, and this is especially so for other lolitas. Always try and find what is nice about their outfit and compliment them on it. Even if you have a fancier or more expensive dress don’t use that as an excuse to act better than them, it is very rude. Only offer constructive criticism if they ask for it.
  • If you can, wear Lolita to work or school one day! Use it as a way of educating people on the fashion and presenting a good image of Lolita.
  • Here is a fun craft idea. Find a large round hat box and decorate it as you like. Decoupage, lace, ribbons, make it look as you wish and then use it as a space to store your accessories, memories, keepsakes and trinkets. You might like to have a few of these to store letters and photos as well!
  • Find an old cigar box and make a cigar box purse! They’re a great size for your small necessities and can be made to look lovely with any outfit.
  • Stitch your own teddy bear, doll or rabbit. There are patterns in the Gosu Rori pattern mooks or you can create your own. You might like to make one sweet and another gothic to carry with you.
  • Why not have a lolita sleep-over? Invite over a few friends and watch lolita movies, eat yummy foods and tell each-other ghost stories. It’s also a great way to share hair and make-up tips, have fun curling each others hair and reading lolita magazines.
  • An easy cut-sew or lolita shirt can be made using your computer and printer! Create a design with lolita images like crowns, hearts and roses and add some text. Then print it out on to some iron on transfer paper which can be found at printing stores. Then all you have to do is iron it on to a t-shirt, skirt or cardigan!
  • Next time you take some photos of yourself in lolita wear, put them on your computer and try editing in Photoshop. Use sepia and black and white to make them look old, or diffuse glow to give them an ethereal quality. You might like to add little ornate frames or borders.
  • Spend some time with your grand-parents or other elderly relatives. You may find they appreciate your style more than anyone because it reflects what they wore when they were younger. Take them a nice home-baked gift and they might tell you a few stories in return.
  • Get some friends together for an afternoon of sewing and crafts. You can bring any outfits you’re working on and help each other out. If you don’t sew pic some other crafts to do together. Serve tea and sweet cakes.
  • Many lolitas love sweets and candy, visit an old English sweet store and try sherbet lemons, peppermint humbugs and other old fashioned sweets. You might even like to make some yourself!
  • 93. If it snows where you live, go ice skating in winter! This is quite a traditional past time and can be elegant as well as fun. Don’t forget your muffler!
  • Find out if there are any historic homes around your area, especially those that have been preserved. Some will run tours and you can go and peek in the many rooms. This is a great way to see period furniture and pretty lolita décor.
  • Why not write a Lolita story? A short story or something longer if you have the time. You could include many Lolita themes, things like vampires, little girls, handsome men in top hats, a gothic london setting. Make your heroine a brave young girl with excellent fashion sense.
  • Find yourself a pretty charm bracelet. It can be a lot of fun to find lolita charms to add to it, keys, hearts, crowns, bows, butterflies. It’s traditional to buy charms for special events too, to help you remember them.
  • 97. Next holiday season hold a Lolita themed secret santa. Write down the names of lolitas who want to participate and set a price limit for gifts. Then let everyone draw a name and make or buy a lolita-themed gift for their secret friend. Just don’t tell anyone who you have!
  • Find or make a special jewelry box for all your little treasures. You may be able to find some old ones that play music when you wind them, or decorate your own. Don’t forget a little mirror under the lid.
  • A fun activity for your next picnic or just a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon, blowing bubbles! Mix some dish washing detergent in water and put it in a tub, then shape your own bubble blowers out of pipe cleaners. See who can blow the biggest bubbles!
  • Pay a visit to your local zoo, it may form the perfect place for a picnic too. You might like to add an animal flair to your outfit for the day. Bunny eared hoods would be perfect.
  • The ultimate Lolita excursion is, of course, a trip to Japan! Make sure you plan well, pack well and spend well. And bring back plenty of pictures!

(from the long gone princess portal! I striked through the ones I have no interest in and corrected some mistakes; plus, I'm not that into lolita anymore, but I still like some of these, though I'd change the word lolita for something else in most of them)

jul 30 2019 ∞
jun 25 2021 +