If you want the absolute best for your doll, you're probably going to want to hunt down some official Lolita brand dresses for you doll. Volks will on occasion release limited editions of dolls that come with a Baby, The Stars Shine Bright or h.NAOTO complete outfit, these usually sell for over a thousand dollars. Sometimes they will also release limited sets of clothes, while much cheaper than buying them with a full doll, you can still look to spend about 300 dollars per set. These sets can be pretty difficult to come by, so you're most likely going to have to look on the second hand market for them, and because of that, expect to pay a bit more than their new price, although I have found a few deals on just the dresses alone (they tyically come with shoes and purses and other accessories), and have seen some of them go for less than $200. I'm not actually very well versed on Volks and the things Volks does, and I've had very little desire to spend 300+ bucks on my dolls clothes, so I'm not the best person to ask about these collaberations. Take a quick peek at this list of Volks collaborations with various Lolita brands.
Besides impossible-to-find ultra-expensive brand pieces, Volks puts out their own doll clothes, some of which are Lolita clothes. The quality is usually very nice, comparable to the brand pieces they put out, and is usually a lot easier on the wallet. Volks dresses go for about 50-100 dollars, most of them being about $60. On the second hand market I've picked up several Volks Lolita dresses for $30.
Besides impossible-to-find ultra-expensive brand pieces, Volks puts out their own doll clothes, some of which are Lolita clothes. The quality is usually very nice, comparable to the brand pieces they put out, and is usually a lot easier on the wallet. Volks dresses go for about 50-100 dollars, most of them being about $60. On the second hand market I've picked up several Volks Lolita dresses for $30.
The indies Lolita brand Milky Ange sells doll sized versions of all their clothes. While these are rather easy to pick up, Milky Ange ships to the US and there are always a lot of different styles in stock, they are still rather pricey. Just a little cheaper than their people-sized versions, Milky Ange's doll clothes will cost you between 100-230 dollars, most of which are about $140.
DollHeart is well known for putting out beautifully made, detailed Lolita outfits and shoes. They are usually released in limited quantities available for pre-order only, but they are not difficult to get a hold of at all, it's mostly just the month or two wait that kills me. Their outfits are usually around $100, but are well worth the price as they are usually made up of several pieces, typically a blouse, underskirt, petticoat, overskirt or dress, and accessories, that can be mixed and matched with whatever else you have.
Arcadia Dolls is a shop selling a variety of doll clothes, many of which are Lolita or very Lolita inspired. Their clothes look to be of excellent quality and are priced at around $70 per dress. Sadly, this doesn't include things like bloomers or socks, but some of their designs are just amazing!
Kon'D has a few choice Sweet Lolita dresses. I've never bought from them, but their pieces look to be rather good quality and their designs are just too cute! They are a much cheaper alternative as well, their dresses costing around $50.
Cotin Doll World is another great place to buy teeny tiny Lolita dresses. Prices range from 60-100 dollars. I've not yet bought from this store, but their pieces do seem wonderfully made and come in a variety of very cute designs.
Honig Doll sells a whole lot of incredibly cute Lolita pieces for a really great price, about 35-60 dollars. I've not bought from them personally, but a friend has, and they are all great quality pieces.
Dollmore is a site that sells tons of doll clothes, and scattered around the hundreds of different outfits they sell are a few really great Lolita pieces. Their clothes come from various places, so the prices and quality range quite a bit, from 30-100 dollars. But for the most part you can pick up a really great quality Lolita dress from Dollmore for around $50. You just have to do a lot of hunting for a good dress on their site, because there are quite a few pieces that look okay at first, but are way too short or just not as cute as they looked on first glance.
I don't get it; why would anyone bother spending that kind of money on a doll dress that probably cost less than $10 to make, when one could buy real-person lolita clothes for the same price? Pretty good ones, even? Even $35 could get a girl a basic dress from Bodyline or the like.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't understand this. D: I love dollies and BJDs too, but it's so much easier, cheaper and quicker (than the shipping time, at least) to just make them their clothes.
Like Caro-chan said, not everyone can sew, and not everyone has an interest in learning. Plus, making clothing that minuscule isn't easy, even if it's a fraction of the cost.
DeleteBecause not everyone can sew XD Sewing (and pattern drafting, because good luck finding doll sized Lolita patterns!) is a tough art and not everyone can master it, certainly not in miniature. As the owner of a fair share of dollsized Lolita clothes, I can say that there's a bit more than 10$ worth of fabric, trims, lace, and notions on many doll dresses. Plus the cost of labor, a sewing machine, a serger, and heck, even a screen printing device.
ReplyDeleteIf making it yourself was just that simple, commissioners and anything other than big name brands (which would just be bought for the sake of the name) would be out of business XD
Oh man. I have been wanting a BJD for like...well over 6-7 yrs now?
ReplyDeleteAnd I can never bring myself to buy one...b/c there's like a tonnn of brands out there and I just can't decide which one I like the most. :'(
So basically my own indecision combined with high cost has prevented me. D:
I want to get my second BJD soon, and waiting when Baby will pull in a BJD collaboration.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if they pull in at least a clothing set, I will jump and buy it.
By following your advice, I bought from DollHear, though they are not Lolita, they look like butter!
But I think I wasted my money! Because they fit a SD more.
ReplyDeleteXD I'm planning to sew Lolita dolls clothes myself sometime. I'm just hoping, and waiting for Latidoll to give the Redline female a double knee joint(like the boys have, so I feel that I'm getting my moneys worth). Theres two Doll issues of the Gothic & Lolita Bible. First doll issue has a full AP pattern set for human & SD(flat headdress, onepiece + detachable sleeves, and an organdie pannier just for the doll). Second issue has a mini IW priscilla bonnet pattern. I'm hoping the Haruka sock pattern in GosuLoli vol.6 works for Redline girl size. So, hopefully whenever I get Matsuko from Lati, I'll be able to sew her a full coordinate.
ReplyDeleteI'm bordering on useless at drafting patterns, yet I've already made a few yukata for Sakuya(Lati Redline M). I tried to scale down an IW blouse pattern for him, but messed up slightly on the sleeves (>.<) though, its still wear~able.
Recommend a company for the guys? (any male Lolita garb especially worthy? I'm hoping for a boy BJD and I'm rather into kodona myself...)
ReplyDeleteAdd Annahouse to the list. They sell lovely BJD lolita clothes.
ReplyDelete@Cakes I'm aware that I am necroposting. But wow, this comment is very naive and dismissive. It didn't even aged well considering how we are in a recession right now and most people are occupied with full-time jobs to focus on a hobby-skill like making doll clothing. Which takes years to master.
ReplyDelete