Shopping for Lolita Fashion

So, you've decided you like lolita fashion or an adjacent style, have your measurements on hand and are looking to get started? Lucky for you, there are many sources and approaches you can take to building your wardrobe! We have detailed below a few of the most common methods of shopping for lolita.

Direct/new from Japanese brands

Easy mode:

Stores that ship internationally - Many lolita brands nowadays do offer direct overseas shipping from their webshops, including Atelier Pierrot, Innocent World and Metamorphose among others. Additionally, Atelier Pierrot and Wunderwelt Fleur carry multiple lolita and J-Fashion brands that do not have storefronts that ship directly overseas. Similarly, Flores Astorum provides a similar service for smaller Japanese indie designers.

Stores that have overseas branches - Both Angelic Pretty and Baby, the Stars Shine Bright have locations outside of Japan that may be easier for you to order from depending on your location. Please note that these locations may not carry the same stock or receive releases in similar timeframes to their Japanese counterparts.

Hard(er) mode:

Brands/items listed on Japanese webshops - Using a shopping or forwarding service will allow you to make purchases from Japanese online stores and consolidate them for combined international shipping. Useful for brands that do not offer international shipping, items that require more Japanese communication with the seller (such as custom sizing), or to save on shipping in the case of multiple overseas orders.

In-person items, such as location exclusives - Personal shopping services are able to go into a physical store and purchase items for you. This is sometimes necessary for in-store releases, or to get items from brand and closet child blogs. Their fees are usually higher than standard online-only shopping services, and you can expect to cover their transportation fees to the location as well.

Direct/new from Chinese brands

While some brands may have shopfront with English-language or international shipping support, most Chinese lolita brands host their webshops on Taobao and will typically require the use of a shopping service or forwarding service.

Japanese second-hand

There are a number of different sources for second-hand lolita items on the Japanese market. Some trusted/commonly used sources include:

• Closet Child - Can ship internationally, translation extension built into website
• WunderWelt - Can ship internationally, English language website/support, can be combined with new items from WunderWelt Fleur)
• Usagiyouhinten - Can ship internationally for orders between 1,500-100,000jpy; unique in that it routinely carries secondhand flolita/fashion-related books and magazines as well as clothing.
• Maiden Clothing - Currently inactive, accepted international orders.
• Yahoo! Auctions Japan - Auction-style secondhand listings by individual owners/sellers. Typically requires a shopping service.
• Fril.jp - Also known as Rakuma. Secondhand listings by individual owners/sellers. Typically requires a shopping service.
• Mercari.jp - Secondhand listings by individual owners/sellers. Not all shopping services will accept Mercari orders due to the site's stricter restrictions on proxy buyers and services.

Chinese second-hand

Xianyu, sometimes translated to Idlefish, is Taobao's secondhand sales listing platform. While in the past this platform was accessible via 2.taobao.com, it has since migrated to an app-only platform. That said, links to listings copied from the app can be viewed from any browser as standard item.taobao.com formatted links and thus can be submitted to shopping services. Please note however that individual shopping service policies regarding Xianyu and secondhand items may vary.

Useful terms for Xianyu shopping:

求: WTB

出: selling/WTS

换: exchange/ WTT

不出只换: trade only(most likely to a specific cut or color), not selling

可换: willing to trade but selling first

打包: selling as a package with other items

分期: payment plan

尾款: leftover payment

定金: deposit

全新仅试: brand new, tried on only

带吊牌: New with tags

吊牌尸体: Tags keeps separated from the dress

预定: reserved

暂不出/暂挂: listed but not selling for the moment

可排：Notify the seller so when they decide to sell, they will contact you (usually follow the word 暂挂）

山：replica (literal meaning: mountain)

English-language/International second-hand

Lace Market - Requires an account but is private sales from one lolita to another. Main shopping platform for lolitas outside of Japan

Lolita Sales in English (Facebook Group) - Most people cross post from Lace Market, but can be used for posting WTB (want to buy) as well as selling.

Beginner's Tips to Lace Market & Sales Community Etiquette:

• Leave feedback!
• No take-backsies; if you bid/buy, you’ve committed to completing the purchase.
• Fit issues; these are the buyer’s responsibility. Most sellers include a Lolibrary link and/or their own detailed measurements.
• Sellers: include both stock and your own photos when possible.  Note any colour differences, damages, inaccuracies.
• Responsible tagging/categorization - Don't tag your hair-clips as "plus size friendly" or spam substyle tags.
• PayPal fees are the seller's responsibility; it is directly against the Paypal TOS for the seller to charge buyers or circumvent fees by requesting a "friends & family" payment.

Buying from indie brands

International brands may often offer a wider selection of sizing.

Location/shipping

Supporting small/independent businesses

Available at your local convention!

Use CAD, USD, Euros etc

In Person!

Swap Meets/Events

Great way to meet other lolitas while also building your wardrobe!

Can see items close up/feel fabric textures before buying

Always ask before trying on!

Local Comm Sales

Local Facebook groups (your comm page, Lolita Sales groups for your country or state etc.)

May offer in-person pickup or exclusively ship; make sure ahead of time!

Different groups have different policies/etiquette around selling.

“Is X a scam?” How to keep safe and spot trouble before it gets ya

🚩 Red Flags 🚩

• Very cheap price
• No proof photos
• Photos are all different styles
• Poorly photoshopped backgrounds/overlapping watermarks
• Little to no reviews

🟢 Green Flags 🟢

• Multiple unique photos showing the item
• No/few reverse image search results
• Shop/Domain age
• Realistic pricing
• Favourable reviews from friends/trusted lolita sources

External Links

Crimson Reflections - Secondhand Shops & Auctions List

Crimson Reflections - Second Hand Sales Pricing & Manners

42Agent - How to Buy Used goods from Taobao Xianyu