Lolibrary Features Guide

(still in progress) Intro here

Waist Types

Common garment waist types

Please note that natural/normal waist garments do not require any special tagging. If you are unsure of the waist height, go by either the brand’s description, ask a fellow Lolibrarian, or use your best judgement.

Empire Waist

The skirt starts directly after the bust, or even before the bust ends. May be described as a babydoll cut. Not to be confused with the “Underbust” feature tag, which describes items such as JSKs or corsets featuring a U shaped open front that does not cover the bust at all.

High Waist

The waist is higher than the natural waist, but not directly under the bust.  Corset skirts, or any skirt with a tall waistband should be tagged with this feature as well.

Dropped Waist

The waist sits lower than the natural waist, making the torso appear elongated.  Common in salopettes.

Shirring Types

Common shirring types

Shirring (シャーリング)is the gathering of fabric via rows of elastic, allowing items made from non-stretch fabrics to easily stretch to accommodate a range of sizes.

Full Shirring

The shirring goes all the way around the garment continuously at the bust, waist or both.

Back Shirring

Shirring across the whole back from one side seam to the other. Typically no zipper.

Partial Shirring

There is a panel of shirring that is less than half of the garment. Frequently paired with corset lacing (dresses) and waist ties (skirts) for more flexibility / to hide the shirring panel. Partially shirred dresses may often feature a side zipper.

No Shirring

There is no elastic in the bust or waist of the garment. May still be adjustable via corset lacing.

Sleeve Types/Details

Common sleeve types

All entries for OPs, blouses, cutsews, coats, boleros and cardigans should be tagged with at least one sleeve type, as applicable.

Short Sleeves

Sleeves that end at elbow height or above.

Long Sleeves

Sleeves that end below elbow length, and are not better categorized as princess or kimono sleeves.

Kimono Sleeves

Sleeves that have a large chunk of cloth attached to the end like a Kimono. May be more broadly applied to Yukata-style sleeves or any with a large amount of fabric attached to the end that do not count as princess sleeves.

Detachable sleeved items may feature more than one cuff type, as pictured here.

Detachable Sleeves

Any garment with short sleeves that have a detachable longer sleeve. For ease of searching, detachable sleeve items should not also be tagged as long and/or short sleeves. These items may often have more than one type of cuff (see right).

Princess Sleeves

Sleeves that begin fitted like a typical long-sleeve, but then flare out towards the bottom, often into lots of wide ruffles. Very flowy, will probably knock over your tea if you're not careful.

No Sleeves

Exactly that; a typically-sleeved garment type designed in a sleeveless way. Please note that this should not apply to items such as vests or JSKs for which it would typically be redundant. Items described by the brand as a "Sleeveless OP" are typically recategorized into the JSK section, at the Lolibrarian's discretion.

Buttoned Cuffs

Sleeve, pant, or wrist cuffs that close with one or more buttons.

Elasticized Cuffs

Sleeve, pant or wrist cuffs that stretch to fit via elastic.

Collar Types/Details

Common collar types

Halter Neckline

Fabric from the front of the garment ties or fastens behind the neck. Commonly found in vests, but can be found in most garment types, including in the form of extra halter-style straps on otherwise standard-necked dresses.  Not to be confused with neck ties (see below).

High Neck Collar

Tall collar that covers all or part of the neck, similar to a turtleneck style but typically with button closures.

Jabot

A cascade of layered lace or ruffles at the neck, often detachable.

Peter Pan Collar

A round collar that comes in at the middle to form two wide scallops.

Neck ties vs Halter neck comparison

Removable Collar

Any collar that fully detaches in some way.

Sailor Collar

Collar with a V shaped front and square back, usually has stripes. Like a school uniform or our good pal Sailor Moon.

Neck ties

Thin straps that make an X at the neck and tie behind the head. Usually paired with a square neckline. These are the lolita-specific X-shaped straps only, and not the thicker ribbons intended to be tied halter-style. Please note that this tag is not to be used for men’s neckties or bowties.

Detachable Components

to be filled - copied from guide here as filler/base

Detachable Apron - An apron (either full size, or skirt only) that can be removed

Detachable Bow - Any bow or bows that button, velcro or pin on and off.

Detachable Strap

Detachable Trim - Any sort of ruffle or lace or fur accent that can be removed with buttons, also used for like actual “trim” type bits that pin on and off of hair accessories. Use your best discretion

Detachable Waist Ties - Waist ties that unbutton from the garment. Sometimes it translates to “removable waist ribbon”, but if the pictures don’t show a sash, it’s this.

Detachable Yoke - Any sort of removable “bib” type piece that isn’t a jabot.

Removable Belt - A belt that comes off. Has been transformed in some way, either it’s fabric that is stitched into the shape, or it has holes and a buckle, or it’s leather. It’s something other than just a plain length of ribbon tied around the waist.

Removable Sash - It’s just a length of ribbon that gets tied around the waist. It doesn’t have a buckle or any sewing like a removable belt might. If you could unroll a roll of ribbon and use it the same way, it’s a sash.

Removable Waist Ribbon - Legacy tag, do not use

Other Features

to be filled - copied from guide here as filler/base

Back Zip - A zipper in the back

Boning - Hard metal or plastic strips in the garment for structure

Built-In Petticoat - There is a ruffle of hard tulle sewn on the inside.

Bustled - If there is a cut out in the skirt with a tiered ruffle under it (front or back), OR if it has a layer that ties up. (Under layer doesn’t have to be white, just shows up well)

Capelet - This item (usually a coat) has a mini cape built in that may or may not be removable

Convertible Straps - A JSK or Skirt that has optional shoulder straps (like you can take them off and not wear them), or any item with an optional halter neck strap, or a bag with multiple handle / strap options

Corset Lace (Decorative)

Frog Closure - Buttons that look like fancy knots.

Lining - Is the item lined (usually in a separate fabric). The materials list often will list lining if this is the case

Pintucks - Thin areas where the fabric has been folded over and sewn. If you imagine it as a channel, it’s probably too narrow to shove a chopstick into.

Pleats - Usually refers to a skirt or the skirt part of a dress. Fabric is folded and creased instead of just gathered, Makes very regimented folds. Also used for tightly and stiffly accordion folded fabric.Pleats look like someone ironed them.

Pockets - Inside or outside, functional or decorative All the pockets get this tag.

Scalloped

Side Zip - A zipper on the left or right side

Tiered Skirt - Either tiers of ruffles that you can like, stick your hand under because the bottom edges aren’t sewn down, or strips of fabric that are sewn together at both ends. Either way, you have lines going horizontally across the skirt at the tiers.

Tucks - Like pintucks, but thick. If you imagine it as a channel, you can not only put a chopstick in there, you might be able to shove a whole thin ruler in there.

Underbust - A top that does a weird little swoop under the bust, almost like a corset. For things where the waist stops directly under the bust, use “Empire” waist. For skirts, use “High Waist” even if the name uses “underbust”.