Bodyline’s Atelier Pierrot Replica Skirt [L325] Review

It’s time for another review!

Today’s post is a review of Bodyline’s replica of Atelier Pierrot’s signature corset skirts. While I can’t do an exact comparison review because I don’t own the original skirt, I have owned several bustle OPs by Atelier Pierrot in the past and I feel like I can at least compare the quality between the two companies accurately.

Atelier Pierrot Bustle Skirt (Left), Bodyline Replica Skirt (Right)

Atelier Pierrot’s most popular items are definitely their corset bustle skirts. I have always wanted one because there are a ton of different ways to wear them – you can leave the front bustle down for a classic look, or you can pull all four up for an over-the-top outfit with a ton of frills. Unfortunately, the majority of their bustle skirts do not have shirring, and they sell out extremely quickly. When Bodyline came out with a replica, I thought that it would be a nice way to add a fancy skirt to my wardrobe for every-day wear, but I didn’t really notice all of the differences between it and the original until it arrived.

To begin with, unlike the original, the bustles on this skirt are completely fake. This is something that should have been obvious to me from Bodyline’s photograph, but for some reason I thought that they had just folded the bustle under and pinned it at the front. This isn’t the case, instead of there being a string that can be used to lift the bustle up to the desired shape, the Bodyline replica simply has two panels of fabric that drape along the front. They are not connected to the panel of fabric below, so the skirt cannot be let down for a more simplistic look. That said, the Bodyline version does lay a bit neater in the front, so for some, this might be a fair trade off.

Again, this is something that is pretty obvious from Bodyline’s photo, and it is a common design among other retailers like Baby and AP. So, while I’m disappointed by it, I can’t blame Bodyline for my mistake. Still, I feel like Atelier Pierrot’s design is better, because it allows the wearer more options.

The materials appear pretty standard for Bodyline’s quality. Unlike Atelier Pierrot, there is no chiffon underskirt, and they use a thinner cotton. Bodyline’s fabric is a little bit slick and shiny instead of being a matte, and all of the hems are rolled (thread is rolled around the edge to prevent fraying, instead of folded over and stitched on the inside. Atelier Pierrot does this too, though). The ribbon used in the corset is also very shiny instead of being a nice matte grosgrain, and all of the boning is plastic. It reminds me a lot of the fake corsets you can purchase at Hottopic that get warped after the first wear. I do think that the grommets are nice, I’m glad that they are metal instead of lace.

Unfortunately, my biggest complaint about this skirt is that it isn’t at all meant for plus sized girls, excluding even those on the smaller side of the spectrum. When Atelier Pierrot does shirring, they do it right. They usually include a corset so that thinner girls can tighten the JSK or skirt, but under that, they include a panel of extremely flexible shirring so that larger girls can wear the garment too. This is definitely not the case with Bodyline’s replica. I purchased the 2L skirt because I wanted to make sure it would fit, and it looked like the back had a ton of shirring. Of course, the majority of Bodyline’s clothing runs a bit small, so I was expecting this skirt to have a max waist of 80cm instead of the 82cm listed on the site. I would have to say that it is even smaller than that with the shirring in the back fully stretched. Due to my current illness I’ve lost a bit more weight, and the skirt is tight on my current waist of 76cm. I am almost certain that this skirt won’t fit when I get better and regain the weight I lost.  

As usual, the price of the skirt alright. For 53 USD, the materials are acceptable, and the lace along the corset is actually pretty nice. That said, if I’d had the opportunity to try on this skirt in the store, I probably would not have purchased it until it went on sale. As it stands, I would give the skirt a 3/5 for quality, because I don’t really care for the fabric, ribbon, or plastic boning. When compared to the original brand, the skirt is acceptable and wearable, but not really memorable. On its own, it is a nice skirt and definitely good for the price.

Yours,

Rosie

Shoes everywhere! Secret Shop Large-Sized Tea Party Replicas, and Bodyline Rockinghorse Shoe Review

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been very sick for the last few weeks. Today I was feeling better though, and I decided to try on and review some of the shoes that I purchased recently.

Secret Shop Tea Party Shoes (Large-Size)

My birthday was this month, and for my present my darling mother purchased three pastel coloured pairs of Secret Shop Tea Party Shoes for me! I went ahead and purchased myself two more pairs so that I’d have them in every colour they currently make in L-sizes, but I was really worried about the sizing. I’ve tried on Angelic Pretty tea-parties, and regular sized Secret Shop replicas, but they have always been about 5cm too small for my feet.

Luckily for me, the shoes fit well. I purchased them in a 3L, which is supposed to be 25.5cm. My foot happens to be exactly 25.5cm, and they fit with a little bit of room to spare. Mind you, my big toe is also my longest, so if your second or third toe is the longer than your big toe, you may have different results. For the most part the shoes are comfortable, but I don’t think it would hurt to add a little padding to the insoles for long days. I’ve never owned shoes from Angelic Pretty, but the one’s I’ve owned from Baby the Stars Shine Bright definitely have a bit more padding to them, and are very comfortable for extended wear.

My favorite part about these shoes is the fact that they are made from a nice smooth material and feature a round toe. I have owned Tea Party Replicas from An*tai*Na, and the toes are always very square, which makes me feel like a duck. I also love that the bows are wider than the shoe itself, which makes my feet look very petite and cute, even though they’re actually quite large!

Another big plus is that the colour in the shoes are even, particularly in the red. I have never seen brand shoes with blotchy colour, but I have purchased red shoes from Bodyline (heart buckles) and An*Tai*Na (Tea Parties) that were not dyed correctly, and had very uneven colouring.

I have heard rumors that Secret Shop shoes are made in the same factory as Angelic Pretty shoes. These do feature the same cute polkadot insoles that you see in some Angelic Pretty shoes, but the replicas I received definitely do look different from the ones I’ve tried on in the Angelic Pretty shop, particularly where the bows on the toe and heel are concerned. Regardless, I still feel as though they were an excellent purchase for the price.

As of right now, I would give them a 4.5/5. I do wish that maybe there was a little bit more padding, but if these hold up as well as my Baby the Stars Shine Bright shoes have (three years!) then I’d probably give them a 5/5.

Bodyline Rose Clip Rocking Horse Shoes

Rocking Horse shoes are probably one of my favorite kinds of lolita shoe. I love the height, I love the simplicity, and I love the contrast of the wood-sole with the rest of the shoe. I’ve owned RHS from Montreal, An*Tai*Na, and Yosuke, all of which have been well worn and well loved. Until recently, my favorite shoes have definitely been my An*Tai*Na Ruffle Rocking Horse Shoes, but I haven’t been able to wear them as often as I used too, because clunky platforms aren’t really appropriate for my daily life, and they don’t work well with my daily wardrobe. After falling ill, they’ve became too heavy for me, and they’ve just been collecting dust while I choose flats every week instead.

I’ve been curious about Bodyline’s RHS for quite some time now. Most of the RHS that they carry feature some kind of strap across the front, which is something that I like a lot. Unlike traditional RHS that are secured around the ankle, these are secured around the top of your foot, which makes them easy to walk in because they don’t put a lot of pressure on my weak ankles!

I would have ordered them sooner, but as usual, Bodyline was out of my size. Recently however, they uploaded this version of their RHS to their punk section. Since I was on a shoe-buying kick, I decided to place an order for them in every color as well. I purchased them in a 255, and they fit my 25.5 cm foot exactly. In my experience, Bodyline’s shoe sizing is not consistent, but I feel that these are true to size. I would recommend measuring your foot, and purchasing the size that is equal to your foot in CM, or the size higher if your measurement is slightly over.

As far as quality goes, I would definitely have to say that the shoes appear well made, and they are easy to walk in. The soles are made of foam (thank god) so they aren’t too heavy, and don’t make a ridiculous clop-clop sound while I’m walking around. They are much nicer than the RHS that I’ve owned from Montreal, much easier to walk in than the ones I’ve owned from Yosuke, but not quite as comfortable as the RHS I own from An*Tai*Na. They don’t have any padding along the arch, so if you need support you may need to purchase insoles. Also, as I mentioned before, my big toe is the longest, and since these have a slightly pointed toe instead of a rounded one, they aren’t quite as roomy as I’d prefer. If your toes are different, you will probably have better luck.

Lastly, The flower clip on them is… cheap. I definitely prefer my the flower clips that came with my Yosuke RHS. I do like the lace detailing on the shoes however - it is done very neatly and lies flat against the shoe instead of peeling up. I’ve had that problem with some TaoBao shoes I’ve purchased in the past.

All in all, I’d give the shoes a 3.5/5, which would be upgraded to a 4/5 if they last me over two years with consistant use. The flower clips are cheap looking, and the shoes aren’t quite as comfortable as my An*tai*na shoes. However, they do feature the cross front straps that I was looking for, and the materials and lace details are pretty nice. At 40USD each pair, I don’t feel like they were a bad purchase, and if they hold up well, I’m sure they’ll be a good addition to my wardrobe.

So Ducklings, what do you think? Do you have experience with either of these brands? This is my first Secret Shop purchase, and I am very pleased! And, while I would not usually recommend Bodyline for shoes or bags because of my previous experiences with their quality (I’ve owned bags that broke within 30minutes of using, and shoes so uncomfortable I had to removed them after an hour of wearing!) , I do feel like these shoes are good for the price.

Yours,

Rosie

The right to be ugly.

I don’t have a lot to say right now, I’m currently recovering from illness. I do not look good. I have not been wearing makeup, shaving my legs, or styling my hair. I have a lot of bruises on my body because my body is weak, and a horrible rash from sleeping too much. I’m not bothering to cover either. I’m tired, I’m sick, and right now I greatly prioritize my comfort over the comfort of those who come to see me.

When I get better, I will most likely go back to my typical beauty routine. I’ll shape my messy eyebrows, apply some foundation, and wear a cardigan if my rash hasn’t fully faded. But, I don’t have to. And neither do you.

• You have the right to be ugly.
• You have the right to be unhealthy.
• You have the right to prioritize other things over beauty and/or health.

You know your physical limits better than anyone else. People can criticize your decisions, but they can’t speak for you unless you let them. You have the right to be the person you want to be, now. If you want to be healthy or beautiful, work towards it. If you don’t care, then focus on whatever priorities you do have. If you are confident in yourself, that confidence will spread to other areas of your life. It isn’t your responsibility to make other people happy, unless you want it to be.

Much Love,

Rosie

Cute Wallets

One of the nice things about lolita that often times brands make lifestyle accessories to accompany the clothing. These items can add a bit of extra flair to a lolita coordinate, or can help you carry the style with you when full on frills aren’t appropriate. Here are a few available from brands now!

 

Angelic Pretty

 

 Baby the Stars Shine Bright

 

Metamorphose

 

Swimmer

What do you think, Ducklings? Swimmers wallets are the smallest, but also have the most variety and are the least expensive. Angelic Pretty tends to release their wallets with popular prints, while BTSSB and Meta keep their wallets looking classic, which makes them good for any occasion. Do you have a favorite wallet? What about from previous releases?

-Rosie

Sunday Secrets + D: + OOTD

Yesterday I wrote up a piece about creating a work wardrobe, but WordPress decided it was hungry, and ate it while I was out with my boyfriend. I’m working on re-writing it, but unfortunately it won’t be up today. Instead, I thought I’d talk a little bit about one of the lolita secrets that I saw today.

Text: Hey you, yes you OMG my dream dress is over-stretched on a fatty-chan body! If you can’t afford a dress, it’s your problem. Stop Bitching, and Watch Out!

I’m not really sure how I feel about this secret. In general, I agree with the sentiment – I think that it is immature for someone to believe that because they meet a socially approved standard of beauty that they deserve a dress more than another person who does not, regardless of how hard that person may have worked for their items. I know that I resent it when I hear these comments made about me (and I have, both from people I know and strangers I’ve met at conventions…) because  I’ve dedicated a lot of time and money into building my wardrobe. I’ve skimped on all sorts of other things so that I could fill my wardrobe. The idea that because I’m a plus-sized girl, I don’t deserve these things as much as a thin one who didn’t work as hard for them really hurts my feelings.

At the same time, something about this secret doesn’t really sit well with me. I don’t know if it is just the vaguely threatening “watch out” that bothers me, or if there is something else about the wording, but I feel like it leans more towards bashing poor thin girls than it does stopping fat hatred. What do you think?

And lastly, I’ve got a photo to share. I keep forgetting to take pictures of my outfits, but I’m doing better than I was before. Unless I’m going to a meetup or special event, I tend to wear lolita pretty casually. Same hairstyle and makeup as usual.

• Jumperskirt, Necklace: Metamorphose
• Socks, Bracelet, Purse: Angelic Pretty
• Shoes: Montreal
• Cardigan: Thrift Store

- Rosie

Just because she’s smiling doesn’t mean she’s happy.

Today I went out for a bit, and before heading home I stopped for a soda. As I was walking up to the counter to pay for my item, a cashier’s register froze. With an apologetic smile on her face, she informed everyone in her queue that they would have to move to the next line, as her computer rebooted. The majority of the customers moved over to the next line silently, but one man walked up to her, and started shouting about how he’d been inconvenienced by her misfortune – as though she’d chosen to restart her system just to spite him. As he stepped into the adjacent line, heads turned in shame and shock – no one wanted to look at the man, let alone speak to him.

I walked over to the counter, and tried to offer a few words of comfort to the cashier, and as I did, I heard another woman speak up loudly. The man had reached the front of the line, and the woman was saying “Yes yes, please, hurry with him, he has places to be. Look at how he complains!”

There were a few snickers, and every one could tell the man was embarrassed. He grumbled a bit, but as he looked around the room for support he found none, and soon was silenced.

After he left, I sat in line, waiting to pay for my drink. I couldn’t keep from thinking about the situation.  If the cashier could bite her tongue, why couldn’t the man? She kept her smile, and soft apologetic tone as he screamed – why was it so hard for him to just shut up, and move to another line? Why did he feel the need to act out so violently? Screaming and shouting at a complete stranger literally did nothing to fix the computer, or make it reboot faster. If anything, his behaviours alienated all of the other shoppers who were also inconvenienced. But it made him feel in control of the situation. He’d put that cashier who had inconvenienced him in her place.

But then,  the woman who spoke up did something similar – she effectively shamed the man into silence with only a few choice words. She put a man who had made her uncomfortable in his place. Now, she was in control. Like the man, she spoke up to a complete stranger, yet instead of contempt she earned the admiration of those in line behind her.

Both the man and the woman were behaving as bullies. Both used their voices to silence a stranger. Yet one’s action was heroic, and the other a nuisance.

When I think about the lolita community, I see the same power dynamics play out. I understand the people who bully others out of insecurity, jealousy, or just plain cruelty. I understand the people who bully those who make them uncomfortable by challenging their beliefs about the world. I understand those who fight back with cruel words, hoping to defend those who were hurt, or who want to regain control of the situation. I just start to feel hopeless when I realize that none of this shouting or screaming really helps.

-Rosie

New Metamorphose Series : Cotton Candy

Metamorphose has released photos of their first reserve series of the year, featuring a border print of cotton candy animals and crowns along the hemline. There are three jumperskirts, a skirt and a single OP to choose from, in blue, pink, or black.  I know that it is completely a step in the wrong direction for me wardrobe wise, but I would really love to purchase one of the jumperskirts in black! (I’m still kicking myself for not picking up one of their fairy-tale high waist skirts last summer…I know I’ll never see those on auction  ) 

One of the nice things about Metamorphose is that they manage to do sweet in a n illustrative kitschy way that lacks the anime/cartoon stylings of Angelic Pretty. Much of their art looks as though it could have been drawn for a story book, not a children’s television show. They also give their customers a ton of options – each series has multiple dresses to choose from, and many of those have removable bows, ruffles, aprons and bibs. I find that this makes Metamorphose a very versatile and wearable brand in comparison to others because their prints don’t look outrageous on a dress, and you can easily change an outfit from over the top to casual simply by removing all the extras.

I say all of that to say this: I’m sure that there will be a ton of comparisons between this print and Angelic Pretty’s Toy Fantasy or Toy Parade – but in my opinion, this series is a bit more every-day wearable in both print, and design. (That’s my rationalization for purchasing it, anyway.)

What do you think, Ducklings? I know that most people have a love it or leave it attitude when it comes to Metamorphose. How do you feel about this series, or the brand as a whole?

Yours,
Rosie

Cute Cardigans + Angelic Pretty + OOTD x 2

Just before New Years I popped over to my local mall to see if I could find any cardigans to compliment some of my newer lolita purchases. I didn’t find anything in brown or pink, but I did find these three at Forever 21, and thought I should share them with you guys.

                                     

The two black cardigans are slightly longer than waist length, but I still think they’re nice for casual daily wear. Both of them were selling fairly quickly at my local store, so if you want one, you may want to pick them up online instead of going into town. I’m absolutely in love with the red cardigan, which is exactly the right length for a coordinate I was planning, and also has adorable wooden buttons down the front!

In other news, Angelic Pretty has released photos of their next series, which features present boxes. The collection is almost all pastels, with little bunnies and boxes in an all over print. Personally, I like the print, but I’m not sure that it is one that I’ll be getting. I’d like to see some close-ups first. I do adore the socks though, and I’m hoping to pick up a pair in black when they’re released.

Lastly, I’d like to share with you my first two outfits this year! Both of these are a bit more toned-down than anything that I’d wear to a meetup – I don’t usually bother with petticoats, heavy makeup or fancy hairstyles for casual wear. Never the less, I hope you enjoy them.

January 1, 2012

• Dress: Metamorphose
• Cardigan: Forever 21
• Socks and Shoes : Baby the Stars Shine Bright
• Purse and Charm : Angelic Pretty
• Fur Collar : Swimmer

January 2 2012

• Dress + Purse: Angelic Pretty
• Cardigan + Earrings: Betsey Johnson
• Socks + Bracelet: Baby the Stars Shine Bright
• Shoes : An*Tai*Na

Thanks for looking!

~ Rosie

Monthly Resolutions – January

Last year was one of the most difficult years that I can remember. I know that I’m happy to see it gone. As I’m settling into my new life this year, I want to introduce some stability and structure into my life. However, instead of overwhelming myself with a huge list right off the bat, this year I’m going to make monthly resolutions, which will hopefully be a little easier to keep. 

January Resolutions

This month I plan to…

  Get my new home organized! One of my biggest stressors last year was finding a stable place to live. After moving twice in the last few months, it feels great to have a new place to call my own. The only downside is that the majority of my stuff is still packed away, and I can’t find anything! It’s time for me to get the place cleaned up (and to take down my last minute holiday decorations!) , so that my new home is a place to relax. 

Learn to cook one new thing every week. I love cooking, but I don’t do it nearly enough, nor do I actually ever attempt something new. I’d really like to become skilled in the kitchen, so this month I plan to learn to cook at least one new thing each week.

 Get ready for school! Last year was also the first year that I ever spent away from the school system, and it was a really big adjustment for me. I’ve missed both the educational and social aspects of school like crazy, so I’ve decided to return for the spring semester, and take a few basic classes so that I’ll be able to apply to a higher degree program within the next year or so.

 Return to being an everyday lolita. When school was my main priority, wearing lolita daily was really easy. After years of being in the fashion, I have enough of the clothing to wear it routinely without getting bored, but as of late, I haven’t had the opportunity because all of my belongings have been boxed up and awaiting the move. It’s strange to say, but I feel like a huge part of my life has been gone. I haven’t attended or hosted any meetups in months, nor have I been paying much attention to my appearance in general. I’ve been so busy with other things that I’ve neglected myself. It’s time for me to start paying attention to what makes me happy again!

 Clear out my closet. That said, it is definitely time for me to do some closet cleaning. While unpacking, I’ve noticed that there are quite a few dresses that I’ve forgotten about, but I’m not exactly thrilled at seeing either. When it comes to clothing, one of my main goals is to only keep the pieces that I absolutely love, because I know that they’re the ones that I’ll feel best in. Even if I adore a print, I will not keep it if it does not fit me properly and/or cannot be altered to do so.

  Make a new wishlist. I usually keep a wishlist of all the lolita items that I’d love to buy, but over the last few years I’ve managed to purchase all my big items, and most of what is left aren’t pieces I’m truly in love with anymore. After clearing out my wardrobe, I need to sit down any make a new wishlist. My current wardrobe is infested with too much Angelic Pretty - it’s time for me to look at more classic, gothic, and old school sweet items instead. As much as I love over the top sweet prints, I’ve recently found myself desiring something a bit more elegant and mature – but I don’t have many items that fit that description. Brand wise, I plan to look at Alice and the Pirates, Atelier Pierrot, Chantilly, Metamorphose, Moitie, Innocent World, and Old-School BTSSB for inspiration, and perhaps consider adding some ETC to my wardrobe if it will fit. I’d also like to take a look at purchasing more high waisted skirts, but because brand skirts tend to run small, I’m not sure that they will be a practical goal to set. I don’t plan to really buy much this month, but hopefully after making a sales post, I’ll have enough to start a wardrobe overhaul!

  Play with styles outside of lolita. Lately I’ve found myself browsing through vintage stores, and enamoured with retro-styled a-line dresses and skirts. I’d like to build myself a mature, elegant wardrobe outside of lolita, for the (few) days when lolita isn’t exactly appropriate or practical.

  Document more of my outfits. I rarely take pictures of my outfits, but this month I’m determined to start. I want to create a look book scrapbook, so that this time next year, I can see how my style has changed!

I’d also like to work on this blog more, and perhaps revamp the layout (it’s so boring…) but we’ll see how that goes. Hopefully 2012 will start out slower than 2011 ended.

What about all of you, ducklings? Do you have any resolutions you’d like to share? I hope all of you had a wonderful year, and that this one will be even better!

~Rosie

So…

I was going to try and start updating more regularly, but due to unforseen circumstances, I’ve been without internet for quite awhile now. I should have access back by the new year, but until then, there won’t be any new updates. Sorry Ducklings! I hope you all have a good holiday season, and I’ll see you next year.