Converting to a New Style

     Hey guys!  I'm here to share some of my own personal experiences that I've discovered when recently revamping the bottomless pit known as my closet to update and transition my everyday clothes into something a little more "me".

      I'm not leaving lolita fashion, this is purely going off discoveries from my other clothes, and transitioning them into a new style, though this information could be helpful for anyone who is trying to start out as a lolita, or even switching lolita styles too! I've been far too lazy with regular clothes, and one of my resolutions for 2016 is to take a little extra time to get ready and enjoy how I look when I'm going out, and I feel like getting rid of some old, and introducing some new pieces to my wardrobe will definitely help! Though of course, I still get to be lazy at work, since a uniform is required anyway. Anyway,here's a few tips! I hope you guys find them as useful as I did.

• First of all, transitioning to a new fashion isn't easy.
  You probably expected this before. You're starting from scratch. Reimagining yourself. You're still deciding what aspects of this fashion you love, and which ones you hate. It's okay to take your time! Look at photos of other people in it, and do some research. Make sure this is really something you want to dedicate a lot of time and money into.
• Take inventory of your current wardrobe.
  You don't have to sit down and take note of each and every piece of clothing that you own, but take some time to look through your closet as it is. Are you fully commiting to this fashion, or are you keeping it part-time to wear on certain days? While you don't have to stick to just one fashion, there's always limited space for clothing. Assess what pieces you already own that might easily transition to your new style, and see what things won't at all. Consider getting rid of old clothes that won't fit in with your new fashion. Own three denim skirts, while you're looking into lolita? It might be a good time to say goodbye. Don't be afraid to coordinate outfits from what you have either. If you introduce a new top in to your wardrobe, plan an outfit with it! Once you do, start all over again, and see how many more outfits you can make. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself, and be sure to take pictures to help yourself remember what you put together!
• It's a good idea to dip your toes in the water.
  It's never wise to blow large sums of money at once in order to achieve your new style ASAP. While it's tempting, you need a little patience. Are you positive this is something you want to do? If so, great! Start looking for new pieces that work with the style, but don't rush to buy them too quickly. Keep a list on pinterest, or facebook, or amazon of items you like. Piece together outfits with the stuff that you find. If it's something that coordinates well into an outfit, AND can be mixed with multiple items, go for it. If you don't have anything to match, or it only goes with one other item, it's a good idea to keep it on your wishlist for later. If you're really fond of it, you don;t have to delete it entirely! Keep it in mind while you're looking around, and you may find some other pieces that will help you incorporate it after all.
• Choose your favorite colors, and stick to them!
  While it's easy to find articles of clothing in every color under the sun, it's much easier on your wallet and your closet if you keep to cetain color schemes. You may find the most amazing, velvety black top that you just HAVE to have, but take a second to glance back on that handy little wishlist you made. Is everything else pastel and white? What would you possibly wear it with? While it's certainly okay to branch out to more colors when you become more experienced, it's best to stick to a smaller scheme at first. Maybe pink, gold, and white are your top choices, so challenge yourself to only add things in those colors, or ones that compliment it well! It doesn't necessarily have to be your favorite colors that you're using either, but you'll enjoy your wardrobe a lot more if the color scheme is one you love!
• Make sure you're comfortable.
  I don't just mean hanging around in sweats all day, unless you're into that of course. Assess your comfort levels, and how far you're willing to push yourself for the name of fashion. Crop tops may be the hottest thing right now, and a large part of whatever fashion you're deciding to convert to, but are you comfortable exposing that skin? It may not the clothing itself either, but maybe the reactions you'd get from wearing them. Is it out of the norm? Will people stare at you as you're picking out produce at the grocery store? A lot of styles can be considered outlandish, and will garner stares and unwanted attention. Not everyone has nerves of steel, but many people learn to adjust,and have ago to routine of ignoring, or giving a brief description when people approach. If you absolutely cannot handle similar situations, maybe try looking into a fashion that is similar, but more toned down and "socially acceptable". It's also possible to incorporate accessories from the original style you love into your everyday wardrobe, or even wear it around the house! You'd still get to enjoy it, without the hassle of dealing with the crowds. Whatever you decide, make sure it's something you can tolerate. You aways know yourself best, and are aware of what limits you're willing to push.

Make sure you love each and every piece that you own. Your wardrobe is an extension of you, and your personality! It's the best way to let your creativity flow, and show off what you love, so there's no point in wasting your time wearing something you don't like.