Ask Miss Caro-chan: Mature Elegance For Curvy Girls

Today's Ask Miss Caro-chan, comes from a woman named V. V asks:
Hello there!

I was wondering if you could help me? I love the whole lolita/quaintrelle look but I'm a UK size 16 (I think that might be a US 14?) and veeerrry curvy (i.e. largish boobs and a small waist with an epic hips-and-bum combination!) I'm also 23 now, so I'm coming to it quite late and don't want to go too sweet.

I'm interested in a slightly more classy, adult look that is flattering for an older, larger girl. Do you have any advice on how I could include lolita qualities in my everyday dress without looking like a huge, pastel-coloured, frilly child-doll!

Thank-you,
V.

First of all, you might want to check out my Everyday Elegance post, which is directed at someone just getting into Lolita who is looking to start dressing more elegantly. I must admit that I am not too familiar with the Quaintrelle, correct me if I am wrong, but it is a rather romantic and old fashioned approach to life and dressing? If you are not necessarily going to go for a straight up Lolita approach, you can easily find beautiful clothes that have a very romantic look to them but aren't ruffly and pink. Pair a fluttery top that has a flattering cut with a swishy skirt, wear a very light petticoat, not so much to give it poof, but to keep it from being clingy. Use accessories, such as elegant bracelets, chandelier earrings, pretty rings, and Victorian inspired evening bags to make the outfit romantic.

If you are planning on trying to get into Lolita, without looking like a pink cupcake, try one of the more mature styles such as Classic Lolita or even Gothic Lolita. The muted colors in Classic Lolita, and the basic black and cleaner lines of Gothic Lolita are not as childish as pastels, and are even more accepted in mainstream fashion for anyone over the age of 8. Many Classic Lolita dresses, especially A-line and ones that don't require lots of poof, can get away with being worn to "normal" social functions, such as weddings, company parties, and whatever other "grown-up" things you have to bother with.

Now, onto the matter of your hourglass figure. I personally think that an hourglass figure is one of the most flattering figures to have in Lolita. Mainly because a defined waist and X-shape (that is poofy sleeves, tailored waist, and fluffy skirt) is what often makes the Lolita silhouette so special. Combine that with a womanly figure and it can just look so classy and timeless! You don't always have to be a willowy little waif of a girl to pull off the style. You might want to check out the Lolita community for plus-sized Lolitas, EGL_Plus, or even my friend Rayray's blog, Part Time Lolita, as she is a plus-sized Lolita and occasionally posts about it. In fact, for a more expanded post about plus sized tips, check out the post she did on the subject.

Tips for hourglass shaped Lolitas

  • Don't worry so much about your hips and bum. Lolita skirts and dresses are meant to flare out at your natural waist, so even if you've got a bit more going on in your hips and bum than you would like, the poofy Lolita skirt, even if they are A-lined or don't have a lot of poof, is going to hide that.
  • Avoid underbust dresses and empire waists. Underbust dresses and JSKs are just going to over-emphasize your bust, and empire waists simply will hide your hourglass figure completely.
  • Avoid an overly ruffly top. Lots of ruffles on your chest is just going to make it look larger than it really is.
  • Don't overstretch shirring. If you are going for brand dresses, and you're very busty, you're probably only going to be able to fit into a fully shirred dress. But don't think that just because a dress can stretch to nearly 50 inches that it's going to look good on you. It's called a boobloaf, ladies, avoid it. Avoid wearing things that gives you anything that can be described with the word "loaf" XD
  • Make sure things fit nicely around your waist. Make sure that the waist on a dress does not fall above your natural waist, is too tight, or loose and wrinkly. If you're a bit iffy about the shape of your waist, and want a Lolita/Victorian feel right down to your underwear, you might want to invest in a steel boned corset, check out my old post on corsets. Or, if you're looking for something less expensive and less extreme, look for modern alternatives, such as shapewear designed to smooth out your tummy.
Not all Lolita dresses have to look like a lace and bow and tulle encrusted pink cupcake. There are many Lolita dresses that are more inspired by Victorian elegance than hyperactive kawaiiness. The following dresses are from a variety of brands, Innocent World, Mary Magdalene, Victorian Maiden, and a few other classic brands. If you are of a larger size, you're most likely not going to fit into the actual brand dresses, as Classic Lolita brands tend to be absolutely tiny, but they are great inspiration for when it comes time to commission something, or simply to keep in mind when window shopping.


15 comments:

  1. great advice luckily I have a body like a child XD

    I've never heard of boobaloaf either tehe :p

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  2. Awesome post! And thanks for the plug xP I promise I'll be posting more plus-sized related stuff in the future.

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  3. As a plus size gal myself, I just would like to add one thing about butts and poofy petticoats. If you don't want to accentuate your already large bottom, I wouldn't recommend an uber-poofy petticoat, because it would just attract more attention to your butt XD

    Also, avoid boob bows like the plague. If they're detachable, move them somewhere else!

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  4. Thank-you so much for answering both my questions, I'll be sure to check out all the links. I'm a passable seamstress so it'll be nice to look through those brands and get a bit of inspiration! Plus those dresses are beautiful!

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  5. Hi! I just got here and find this absolutely awesome post! *___* im a plus sized and absolutely adore lolita, but to be franc, i was a little apprehensive with start using lolita style clothing because i was under the impression that i will look like a puffy meringue.
    Im happy to see that im not the only one with this problems hahaha and more happy to see that my ideas weren't all that wrong (im a huuuuge fan of Mary Magdalene style *-*)

    Thanks a lot for all the information!!! <3

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  6. aaaahhh.. this is SO me!!! same problem, once again... the curves! SOOO much help from you here... thanks a LOT / lol.

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  7. do you know any websites in the USA or that at least sells to the USA for curvy lolita???

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  8. Oye I can never find the right ones for my body with out a sweet lolita looking fettish. U//n//U I'm a freaking 28 DDD (yes thats is a real size) with a kid's waistline and a ghetto booty. not entierly made for my innocent sweet lolita that I love.

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  9. The boobloaf comment got a chuckle. XD
    If you dont mind, I have a question. What about girls who are curvier *and* want to wear sweeter styles?

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  10. Thank-you so much for answering both my questions, I'll be sure to check out all the links. I'm a passable seamstress so it'll be nice to look through those brands and get a bit of inspiration! Plus those dresses are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi! I just got here and find this absolutely awesome post! *___* im a plus sized and absolutely adore lolita, but to be franc, i was a little apprehensive with start using lolita style clothing because i was under the impression that i will look like a puffy meringue.
    Im happy to see that im not the only one with this problems hahaha and more happy to see that my ideas weren't all that wrong (im a huuuuge fan of Mary Magdalene style *-*)

    Thanks a lot for all the information!!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  12. As a plus size gal myself, I just would like to add one thing about butts and poofy petticoats. If you don't want to accentuate your already large bottom, I wouldn't recommend an uber-poofy petticoat, because it would just attract more attention to your butt XD

    Also, avoid boob bows like the plague. If they're detachable, move them somewhere else!

    ReplyDelete
  13. How do you pose an ask Caro-chan question? I apologise if I am asking this in the wrong place.

    ReplyDelete

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