2021 Wardrobe Post: My Favorite Things

 It's time for the annual revival of this blog with another wardrobe post! Like everyone else, I didn't have a great 2020, so I wanted to kick off 2021 by sharing some of my favorite items from my wardrobe.

This year's post has no particular theme beyond "things I really like". I only set two restrictions for myself: (1) try not to repeat too many items from last year's post, and (2) try and show off the items that represent my (weird, extremely varied) taste. If you came to see interesting old-school, you might have better luck looking at last year's old-school-focused wardrobe post. But if you came to see some of my favorite couch florals or some weird Jane Marple blouses from the 1990s, read on~!

A Selection of Gobelins and Couch Florals

I'm a sucker for gobelins, tapestries, and any floral print that looks like your grandmother's wallpaper. Here are a few of my favorites!

Jane Marple Angel Wing Gobelin JSK (est. 1997-2003)

Jane Marple's gobelin pieces are always my favorites, and this one is no exception! It features a unique bubble hem and a filet crochet insert with another Jane Marple staple, the angel wing motif. It was released sometime between 1997 and 2003.

Emily Temple Cute Gobelin JSK (est. 2000)

I originally got this dress as a consolation prize after many years of fruitlessly searching for Moitie's famous gobelin JSK. After a year, this dress has really grown on me! I think the rounded neckline and lace trim are a better fit for my style than the Moitie, and the pink roses are much easier to match with my nominally sweet lolita wardrobe. 

La Luice Gobelin Bunny Rucksack (2020)

I always love a gobelin bag (JM's Crown and Lily Gobelin purse is a perennial favorite), and La Luice really outdid themselves with this 2020 update to their classic bunny rucksack. 

h.Naoto Gramm Baby Bag (2014)

Gramm's designer, Zian, is one of my favorites and the novelty bags she produced during her tenure at h.Naoto are truly unparalleled. This baby with one (1) gobelin arm is a top favorite of mine. You can commission her to make past bag designs via MR Corset, and I'm already plotting an unholy gobelin/chicken concoction.

Jane Marple Paper Doll Gobelin JSK (2007)

Jane Marple's floral gobelins are always stunning, but I also love their quirkier novelty gobelin designs like this paper-doll-themed piece from 2007. 

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright Fairy Print OP (2003) 

This longtime dream piece finally made it home to my wardrobe in 2020. It's one of my absolute favorite BTSSB prints, and one of the pinnacles in couch-like florals.

Metamorphose Revival Bouquet Set (2010)

The various iterations of Meta's Antique Bouquet series are another couch floral high point in lolita, and this is one of my favorite cuts. The combination of the long skirt and capelet allow you to blend seamlessly into any floral couch or wallpaper. 

Metamorphose Antique Bouquet Apron (1999)

This unusual printed apron is from the original 1999 Bouquet Print release. It's incredible for layering over solid pieces, and it's inspired me to make some printed aprons of my own this year!

Cosplay Ita Shit

If we're being honest, "cosplay ita shit" probably describes a solid 75% of my closet. Here are a few of the pieces that might make you think Misa Amane is my lolita idol.

Anglelic Pretty High-Waisted OP (est. 2001)

A classic cut and color combination, or a dated piece that's about 20 years out of style? Who cares, it's one of my favorites. This piece was made before AP formally switched their corporate name to Angelic Pretty in late 2001, but after they stopped branding clothing items "Pretty" in 2000.

Angelic Pretty Dolly Cross OP (2014)

AP proved that they haven't lost their touch for making black x white classics over the years with this 2014 release. Though it was wildly unpopular at first and languished for months on the sale section of their website, this proved surprisingly difficult to track down!

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright Margaretha Apron (2015)

Not to be outdone, Baby came out with this adorable cross apron in 2015. Is it for a nurse lolita cosplay? Or for your latest maid costume? Only you can decide! (As for me- the answer is both, always both!)

Cornet OP (est. 2000-2001)

This OP is A Mess. It's made of a shiny satin fabric that's inexplicably combined with a matte eyelet lace. I have no idea why this dress exists, but I love it. It was also featured in Alice Doll, by another lolita with excellent taste.

Innocent World Balloon JSK (2001)

It looks like a garbage bag and that's all I have to say about it.

Algonquins Addiction Leopard OP (Unknown)

Heart Leopard may have been the first leopard print lolita piece I fell in love with, but it (unfortunately) wasn't the last. I'm not even going to try to describe this OP, it definitely speaks for itself!

Angelic Pretty Girly Leopard JSK (2018)

AP put out this bizarre Fran Drescher-inspired fever dream in 2018 and it's simultaneously inexplicable and perfect. It also came with matching bejewelled cat ears to really drive home the anime cat girl aesthetic.

Angelic Pretty Cross Cat Headdresses (2019)

It's time for a mini animal ears extravaganza! I love cat ears and rectangle headdresses so much that I couldn't resist nabbing this in two different colorways.

Alice and the Pirates Captain Chris Ears and Tail (2020)

Cat ears too basic? Don't worry, AATP has you covered with this bizarrely-proportioned ear and tail set! The ears are fine, the tail is the size and shape of a hot water bottle.

Alice and the Pirates Round 'n' Round Bandage and Meow Meow Hide and Seek Ribbon OP (2018)

This is the ultimate gothic lolita cat maid OP. AATP thoughtfully threw in a choker that has a working bell on it!

Emily Temple Cute Milky OP (2019)
I don't know, I don't really have an excuse for this, I just thought it was funny. This describes a solid 95% of my wardrobe.

Antique Beast Coffin Headdress and Choker (2017)

The "choker" is two tiny pleather coffins suspended on a 46" long piece of rickrack and the top pieces of the bow are shaped like little coffins. The bow also ties onto your head with two tiny coffins suspended on rickrack. Truly, a dream come true.

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright Full of Flowers Choker (2004)

I don't know why Baby made a pleather choker but I am very glad it's in my wardrobe.

Absurd Accessories

Up until around 2017, I had a closet full of dresses and wore the same plain headbow and simple necklace with every coordinate. No longer! I've gotten really into collecting goofy accessories in the last couple of years. Here are a few of my favorites!

MILK Knit Headdress (est. 1990s)

I have a lot of questions about this MILK headdress, namely, was there a sweater made to match it and where can I buy it?

Jane Marple Trumpet Necklace (2002)

I really love this necklace but I desperately want to know- what was it supposed to match? Jane Marple didn't release any instrument prints in 2002, so it just seems like they tossed out a random tiny trumpet into the world, asked people to pay $200 for it, and hoped for the best.

Jane Marple Melton Tartan Mini Crown Hat (2016)

Jane Marple released this hat as part of their 2016 winter collection, during a season where they released no other wool tartan items. Instead, they randomly paired it with a scarf that looks like a decapitated stuffed animal and some very dressy and serious prints, and called it a day. I'd highly suggest taking a look at the lookbook, I truly aspire to the JM stylists' level of chaotic greatness. 

Metamorphose Headdress with Silk Rose (2008)

Meta just hot-glued a giant silk rose to a little felt square and asked people to pay 5,600 JPY for it. The scale of this thing is truly incredible, it's huge and just looks like a flower sprouting from the top of your head.

Angelic Pretty Marionette Clock Canotier (2011)

The Marionette Clock series is one of AP's most inexplicable releases. It came out at the height of the OTT sweet craze, during the same year as Chess Chocolate and Sugar Hearts, but it's a simple screen print on a simple cotton dress. And the dress design doesn't look like a "clock" at all- it looks like AP screen printed a bunch of random numbers on some dresses and skirts before giving up and calling it a day. Predictably, it went on sale; even more predictably, I bought it and all of the matching accessories. The clock hands on this canotier move, because why not?

Emily Temple Cute Pine Parfait Hat (2018)

I started collecting pineapple-themed pieces a few years ago because I mentioned in passing on my Facebook that I had managed to collect a few 90s pineapple prints from Pink House. People just assumed that I was really into pineapple-themed stuff and started sending it my way, and I kept collecting it because I thought it was funny. This Emily Temple Cute pineapple trucker hat was, naturally, the perfect overpriced addition to the collection.

In reality, I am allergic to pineapple and I haven't eaten it in about a decade!

Pink House Pineapple Corsage (2018)

It looks like a pinecone, but it was too cute to pass up! Pink House has been reissuing some of their popular 90s prints recently, and they've reissued pieces from the pineapple series in particular twice over the past three years. I already have most of the pineapple print main pieces I want, and this pineconeapple is the pefect accessory to pair with them.

Emily Temple Cute Oz Lion Beret (2019)

It's very silly and I loved it so much that I reached out to multiple shopping services to be sure I could get it. Instead I ended up with two lol.

MILK Rat Race Bracelet (est. 1990s)

MILK was founded in the 1970s, so it had a 20-year head start over the mainstream lolita brands in cranking out novelty accessories. And they clearly used that time to their advantage, with classics like this chunky bracelet featuring a ridiculous, rat-themed 3-panel comic. The rat race, indeed!

Dandy Puppetrois Vampire Stand Necklace and Ring

Dandy Puppetrois is a relatively new indie brand that focuses on acrylic jewelry. I couldn't resist this vampire-themed candy apple jewelry! As a bonus, the wheels on the cart actually roll!

I Love Raschel Lace!

Raschel lace is my favorite type of lace, hands down. I love it and I frankly think it's a real shame that brands don't use it more often! 

And in case you're wondering what raschel lace is: It's lace made using a specific type of warp knitting machine. Though it's no longer popular in lolita fashion, most modern lace is made on Raschel machines. An overwhelming majority of raschel lace is made of synthetic fibers, and that's what lolitas typically envision when raschel lace is mentioned. But since the "raschel" nomenclature refers to the weaving method and not the fiber used, raschel lace can also be made of natural fibers, like cotton.

Metamorphose Strawberry Print Lace-Up JSK (2002)

Sometimes you just need a strawberry dress.

Metamorphose High Waist JSK with Pants (2002)

The pants were not included. On its face this might seem like a problem, since this 2002 number clocks in at a whopping 73.5 cm long, it has little zipper flaps you can open up on the hem to show off your bloomers, and I am a very western 168 cm tall. But I am also an avid collector of ass-length babydoll dresses so it's fine. Please look forward to my next ero coord!

Metamorphose Stripe Knee Socks with Lace (2006)

The perfect sock does exist, and Meta made it in 2006. I really wish Meta would rerelease these- they are the perfect length and shape!

Metamorphose Heart Pocket Blouse (2003)

In case you hadn't noticed, Meta's cotton raschel lace pieces are some of my favorites, and this blouse is no exception.

Metamorphose Embroidered Heart Bodice JSK (Heavy Denim) (2003)

I love this style of JSK with a heart bodice, to the point where I almost gave items with heart applique bodices a whole section of their own in this post. It felt too weird so I scrapped the idea, but I hope you enjoy one of my Meta favorites in a bizarre pepto-bismol pink with matching bloomers and just a ton of cotton raschel lace.

Metamorphose Heart Apron (1999)

I'm just going to share the excellent Metamorphose site copy with you (emphasis mine):

The apron is irresistible; a Metamorphose staple item. Tagged with the heart-shaped apron, also works for a maid. Newlywed friends might like it as a gift.

Victorian Maiden Velour Tippet and Cuffs (2013)

Meta isn't the only brand to feature raschel lace in its pieces! These Victorian Maiden accessories are from a 2013 collaboration with famed mangaka Makoto Takahashi. The dress they came with is hands-down the most unflattering dress I have ever purchased, but the accessories? Excellent.

Metamorphose Heart Lace Pochette (est. early 2000s)

Anyways, back to Meta! This curly tag pochette is perfect for the days you need everyone to know you're a cosplay ita.

Metamorphose Faux Flower Headdress (est early 2000s)

Another curly tag masterpiece from Meta, this is basically just a bunch of flowers hot glued to a standard rectangle headdress.

Metamorphose Blouse with Cape (2000)

I love this blouse so much, it's the perfect shape and the raschel lace has a gorgeous cross motif! I also have it in white because I'm a mess.

Kazuko Ogawa Onepiece 0009 (unknown)

This OP looks like a Leg Avenue sexy maid costume on me, so I always call it my "French maid" OP (coming from me, it's not an insult). I actually thought it was an ass-length babydoll OP when I purchased it, but sexy French maid is good, too. Kazuko Ogawa put out multiple variations of this OP in different fabrics and colorways, like this all-black version Mana showed off in a 1998 street snap. But I think the classic black x white is my favorite!

Some Neat Stuff I Found from Defunct Brands

I just really like digging up old stuff from small indie brands, like the real-life equivalent of Marge Simpson and potatoes.

田園詩 Long OP (est. 1990s)

田園詩 is one of my favorite weird old defunct indie brands. They started out as a natural-kei brand making Pink-House inspired pieces with a slight Victorian feel. In the mid or late 1990s, they shifted and started producing pieces that combined Victorian pastoral elegance with lolita silhouettes- a forerunner to modern country and classic lolita. 

Though the brand folded in 1999, you can still spot their influence in lolita today, and this dress is one of my favorite examples. This OP is one of the most iconic 田園詩 pieces in my book. They released a ton of OPs with wide collars, big waist ties, and historically-inspired sleeves, and this particular style came out in cotton and velvet versions, in both long and short lengths. Moitie has produced a variation of this dress twice: once in 2000, and again in 2019. Personally, I like the cream lace on this version the best.

田園詩 Velvet OP (est. 1990s)

Another of the classic wide collar, puffy sleeve pieces from 田園詩, in velvet this time! This is another piece that came in cotton and velvet variations, with both tulle and cotton lace. I absolutely adore the unusual grey and cream color combination of this version, and I one day hope I can nab the red denim version too!

田園詩 Embroidered Blouse (1993)

Released as part of a top and skirt set in 1993, this blouse is covered in hundreds of embroidered flowers. The matching skirt is also covered in floral embroidery!

Excentrique Crystal Palace OP (2015)

I desperately miss Excentrique. They closed three years ago, in 2018, and no other brand has been able to match their quirky, historically-inspired pieces. This empire-waist OP featuers a custom toile-style print with animals and flowers.

Cornet Heart Pocket OP (est. early 2000s)

I actually spent most of 2020 trying (and failing) to track down a red tartan JSK with white lace and heart-shaped pockets. I missed out on about 20 different listings that fit the bill (usually because I was asleep!), but I did manage to bring home this tartan OP with cute heart pockets.

Kazuko Ogawa Babydoll OP (2002)

With its babydoll cut and sky-high hemline, this OP is right up my alley! When I spotted it in GLB 5, though, I was shocked- it's actually a top, with a matching set of ruffled capri pants. As with the Meta JSK up above- it's better this way.

Top Novelty Bags of 2020

I am a huge sucker for novelty purses- the weirder and more impractical, the better!

Kazuko Ogawa Feather Backpack (unknown)

It's just a standard backpack, but covered in feathers? It's a neat textural accent to black and gothic outfits even though it doesn't hold much.

Fashion Brand Company Garbage Bag (2020)

The handbag representation of my 2020.

Jane Marple Angel Wing Coin Pouch (1999)

Sadly, this bag is too small for anything but coins (it doesn't even fit my phone!), but it's so cute I'll give it a pass.

Jane Marple Crown Key 3-Way Bag (2012)

I love the key-styled handle of this bag, and it's really versatile: the key handle detaches, and it also includes a long chain shoulder strap. It can be worn as a shoulder bag, a handbag, or a clutch, and if you're feeling spicy you can just carry the key around as an accessory.

Dresses that are Impractical for Local Weather

I live in California because I am super sensitive to cold weather of any kind! Despite the fact that it never really gets cold here, I also have a huge soft spot for velvet, wool, and faux fur- especially when two or three of these materials come together in one dress.

Jane Marple Wool JSK with Fur Bows (est. 1996 or earlier)

This wool JSK is one of my favorites: The hem features not only faux fur trim, but four giant faux fur bows! Predictably, the skirt is also ultra short. 

Jane Marple Velvet Pleated OP (est. 1996 or earlier)

I first became interested in Jane Marple by way of their pleated pieces: a lolita I really admired posted about this dress, and I was immediately sold! Though I still haven't tracked down the original pleated OP I fell in love with, I did find this incredible all-velvet version in 2020. 

Jane Marple Velveteen Shirring JSK (2001) 

I'm not really sure why this JSK has shirring because it doesn't stretch that far! But it's super comfortable and fun to wear.

Jane Marple Fur OP (est. 1996 or earlier)

This OP makes no sense. It's like a dress for a baby gothic clown, with its huge puffball buttons and drop-waisted pleated skirt. But it fits perfectly and I've been wearing it around the house nonstop!

Jane Marple Fur and Velvet Cage JSK (est. 1996 or earlier)

The darker cream parts are faux fur and the lighter cream parts are velvet. I paid $15 for this and it's my second-favorite piece in my wardrobe, despite being wildly impractical in every way.

Weird Tops, 1986-1997

For my first five years in lolita fashion, I had four blouses: a white blouse, a cream blouse, and two black blouses. There wasn't much variety in mainstream lolita blouses and I saw no reason to own five white blouses that were functionally the same thing.

That all changed a couple of years ago when I unearthed some ridiculous Jane Marple blouses on auction! Those few weird blouses sparked an obsession with weird 90s blouses and tops. 

Pink House Ski Club Jacket (1986)

Pink House did a lot of truly wild prints in the 1980s and 1990s. This jacket was part of a fairly large clown collection that spanned the company's women's and men's lines, and also included an incredible clown-print crepe dress. Pink House has returned to the clown theme a few times throughout the years, but the angry skiing clown on this jacket is my personal favorite.

Garaus Wide-Collared Blouse (est. 1990s)

The eyelet lace on this blouse features a unique circle design, and the giant puffy sleeves are extremely 90s.

Milk Tartan Blouse (est. 1990s)

The white cuffs and sleeves on this blouse are detachable, in case you need a little more uninterrupted tartan in your coord.

Jane Marple Red Blouse with Bow Tie (est. 1996 or earlier)

This blouse is almost the length of a dress, so please look forward to me wearing it as a onepiece.

Crushed Velvet Blouse (est. 1996 or earlier)

This blouse, to me, epitomizes Jane Marple's output in the 1990s: absolutely gorgeous materials coupled with absolutely wtf design choices. This blouse combines a soft mauve velour with stunning cross-embroidered eyelet lace and a weirdly massive collar. It doesn't go with any other pink or purple items I own, so I usually cheat and pair it with black.

Jane Marple Patchwork Blouse (est. 1996 or earlier)

This blouse represents another major facet of 1990s Jane Marple: incredible workmanship with hideous results. It's truly patchwork, and someone sewed hundreds of teeny squares of fabric together to put out this square dancing reject blouse. Like the best Jane Marple pieces, it straddles the line between "wow, amazing!" and "but why??"

Jane Marple Page Collar Blouse (est. 1996 or earlier)

I featured this one in the teaser image, and the stunning collar is made up of different squares of fabric just kinda... slapped on there. Not really sure what it was made to represent or go with, but it looks really cool over a JSK. 

Jane Marple Petal Collar Blouse (est. 1996 or earlier)

The collar of this blouse is made up of little wired "petal" shapes that you can bend around as you please. I wore them pointing straight up for a Halloween costume last year, but this curved look is my favorite. The second layer of petals detaches, so you can dress up another blouse or OP with this collar or go for a more toned down look (can you be toned down in a blouse like this? Maybe not.).

Jane Marple Heart Collar Blouse (est. 1996 or earlier)

The collar of this one is a bunch of heart shapes slapped on the collar band!

Jane Marple Rumpled Tie Blouse (est. early 1990s)

In the early 1990s, Jane Marple was just making slightly cutesey versions of iconic Vivienne Westwood designs. This one is a personal favorite that's clearly knocking off VW's iconic "alcoholic" tailoring. When fully buttoned onto the blouse, the tie is meant to look rumpled and disorderly- but you can also undo the buttons and wear it flat.

Jane Marple Heart Collar Blouse (est. 1996 or earlier)

A slightly different take on the heart collar design- this one features two hearts on the collar points! 

Jane Marple Angel Wing Stole (est. 1996 or earlier)

From the brand's earliest days, Jane Marple's pieces heavily featured an angel wing motif. This faux fur stole is a cozy and creative way to add an angel wing theme to a coordinate!

Funny Knits That I Wear With Lolita

Jackets and blouses are fine, but cozy cardigans are my favorite kind of outerwear! And now that I'm working from home, they're the perfect cozy and comfortable accent to my coordinates. Here are a few of the goofiest knits in my collection.

Atsuki Onishi Treasure Island Cardigan (1986)

Atsuki Onishi was a Japanese designer who got his start in the 1970s. Knits were one of his brand's signature items! Originally, he made chic and elegant womenswear, but in the 1980s he shifted to making Pink House-inspired pieces with lots of quirky prints and fairytale themes. This cardigan is from his 1986 "Treasure Island" collection.

Jane Marple Autumn Wings Mohair Cardigan (1998)

I love the tiny angel wings on this cardigan, and the thick mohair yarn is super warm and cozy!

Pink House Pineapple Cardigan (est. 1995)

It's just a knit cardigan covered in tiny pineapples! It's the perfect weight for most weather. I bought this thinking it would be a great sweater for travel, but I thought wrong. The tiny pineapples can't be scanned by x-ray, so security staff have to "manually scan" each one. (This just means that, at every layover on my 2019 trip to Germany, one security staff had to squeeze every pineapple on my sweater while their coworkers tried not to laugh.)

Pink House Pineapple Pullover (est. 1995)

Perfect for those toned-down days where you just want one tiny pineapple.

Wonderful World Pineapple Pullover

Perfect for spring and summer days where you just want one medium sized pineapple!

Milk Card Suit Motif Bolero (est. 1990s)

This 90s Milk cardigan has a unique design of crocheted clubs, spades, and diamonds sewn together to form a bolero.

Street Organ Doll Cardigan (1999 or earlier)

Street Organ was 田園詩's sub-brand. Though I haven't been able to find any formal documentation describing the difference between the two brands, it seems like Street Organ made more casual, Pink-House style pieces while 田園詩 focused more on Victorian-inspired pieces. This wool cardigan features tiny dolls embroidered all over it- their faces are all slightly different, and it's super cute!

Atsuki Onishi Speed Skating Sweater (est. mid-1908s)

Another Atsuki Onishi gem, this time featuring a winter Olympics/speed skating motif? The patch on the right arm features the names of a bunch of made-up skaters with made-up speed skating times at a fake Olympic game that never happened, and I love all the unecessary effort that went into this pointless detail. The attention to detail did not extend to the large German text on the back, which reads "fast running."

My Antique Frame Collection

Lolita is, of course, a fashion- but I'm a collector, and sometimes I just like to collect things. One of my recent favorite collections has come together within the last year or two! 

I was originally introduced to MILK's Antique Frame print via a 1998 street snap in FRUITs, where two friends were posing together and one was wearing the pink cutsew dress. With its weird combination of roses, cherubs, a madonna and child, and yorkshire terriers, it's the perfect mashup of my favorite motifs! 

My Dream Dresses (No, Really)

The last couple of years have been very kind to my weird little wishlist.

Alice and the Pirates Scent of Rapunzel OP (2011)

I've tried to buy this OP many times over the years, but it felt like I was cursed: every single time I lined up a sale, the seller turned out to be a massive scammer. After 5 failed attempts to purchase it, I was finally successful this summer! I bought this dress because the pink trim on the border is actually a giant braid, and I love braid and hair motifs!

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright Sleeping Alice Print OP (2006)

This is another cursed dress for me. I bought it in 2010, kind of overpaid for it, and when it arrived... it was stinky and covered in stains. At the time, I'd seen the dress floating around pretty regularly on sales communities, so I assumed I could just buy another version and call it a day. I assumed wrong- I couldn't find the dress for sale again until 2020! Luckily, it's mine again, and in much nicer condition than the previous version.

Angelic Pretty Fruits Parlor Apron Skirt (2008)

If you were on EGL in 2008, you remember the infamous Lil Mama Fruits Parlor coord. I managed to find the skirt on eBay from a random seller who bought a storage locker full of Lil Mama's stuff, and on a whim I made him a very low offer that he accepted. In addition to being covered in rhinestones, someone altered the skirt to be about 6" shorter- a development I greatly appreciate!

Victorian Maiden Flamant Frill JSK (2009)

"I bought it because I thought it was funny," this time with flamingos instead of pineapples.

Alice and the Pirates Hymn Long JSK (2009)

Another JSK that I've been trying to find for a decade that finally fell into my lap in 2020. I adore the rose and music note motif, and I was absolutely delighted to read Josine's recent blog post where she explained the musical score on the print is more or less functional!

Excentrique Nurse OP (2012)

I missed out on this OP during its original release for a really ridiculous reason: it only came in green and navy, and I couldn't decide on a colorway. I spent so long waffling that it sold out! I'm glad I waited to get it, though. I don't think this would have fit me 8 years ago, but it's a perfect fit now. Though I normally don't wear green, the color is surprisingly flattering!

Jane Marple Fur and Velvet JSK (est. early 1990s)

I originally saw this piece in a 1990s Jane Marple Christmas ad, where the model wore a dressed-up version with a matching cape and top hat (!). Though it was a dream dress, I never had any real expectation of finding it: Jane Marple collectors can be kind of ridiculous, and the really cool pieces are either grossly overpriced or snapped up in a heartbeat. Last summer, I found it in a truly unexpected place: in a three-piece lot with a sundress and a random polka-dot blouse, for a whopping total of 5,000円. With this, I'm positive I used up all my dream dress-finding luck but it was absolutely worth it! 

This dress is from the height of Jane Marple's 90s VW knockoff phase, and features a velvet bodice, an inverse heart cutout at the neckline, a chiffon skirt, velvet ribbon trim, and heart-shaped appliques in alternating faux fur and velvet. Everything about it is just perfection, and I really wish designs like this were more common in lolita!

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And that's it for my 2020 wardrobe post! In looking over the items I chose, it all feels a little random and full of some junk that is just really weird. But in that, I think it's also very representative of my garbage/great taste, haha. Hope you enjoyed!