Qi-lolita

Qi-lolita: Chinese-inspired lolita clothing. Lolita fashion being primarily defined by its  petticoated skirts, qi-lolita is especially doable because most cheongsam tops have slits up the side to accomodate skirt poof. I'm a follower of lolita fashion right now because I'm young and deviant, but I've made it a point to be collecting qipao all my life. I buy an average of maybe three cheongsam-style pieces every year depending on whether I find one that I like while it's on sale (<-- i.e. broke because of lolita fashion *_*) and I haven't shown signs of stopping yet. When I am older and more monied I will find a tailor and make him produce my awesome qi-loli designs as well as cheongsams for everyday use.

Cheongsam tops are especially useful for work wear because they can be worn with pants. The combination makes me feel elegant and powerful in a ye olde worlde don't-mess-with-da-master way. The dress varieties are wonderful too but I save them for special daytime occasions, since they're all knee-length or slightly below. Black-tie requires ankle-length styles, and I haven't any of that kind yet.

Today someone asked if I could make qi-lolita coordinates, and I took these photographs -- the lighting wasn't so good, but No. 3 shows my rose corsages!


COORDINATE I 
intended for wearing to a cheongsam exhibition (the pink flamingo is called Shrimp.)
cheongsam: Madame Butterfly, silk voile over polyester chiffon
bolero: Innocent World, Millefeuille Tulle Lace
skirt: Alice and the Pirates, Dance of the Black Cats




COORDINATE II
tea party for Chinese New Year last year (sans a buttload of pearl accessories! I forgot to include them in the picture!!)
cheongsam: Pine Peninsula (松崎), peony-patterned cotton blend jacquard
bolero: Innocent World, Frigg
skirt: Alice and the Pirates, Hide 'n Seek with Missin' Alice




COORDINATE III
random outfit I thought of today, featuring my awesome rose corsages (I wanna make more!!!)
cheongsam: i-Shanghai, cotton and polyester brocade with pattern of chrysanthenaum, wild rose and sedge
skirt: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Alice Cards



I ended up going out today sigh. And reading. I'll draw tomorrow. Procrastinate procrastinate.

(it occurs to me that I should have changed the colours of my signature to tally with the colour themes of each photo, but I'm too lazy to switch it back. Well, next time!)

*__*