Getting Into the Pool: Adding Alternative Fashion to Your Wardrobe

In thinking about how I got into alternative fashion, I realized that there are a few different ways that I have seen people get into their fashions of choice.

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1) Dip a Toe In.

This is the option I recommend if you’re looking at a fashion that is very different from what you wear everyday: start with the vibe of the style and move from there. If you’re a confirmed tomboy and want to start wearing frills, start by adding a few classically girly pieces to your wardrobe. Start by wearing some skirts and see if you feel comfortable in it.

Obviously, this isn’t necessary if you’re already edging on your fashion of choice, but I think it’s important to mention. I've seen a lot of people who realize after sinking their money into a fashion that it simply isn't something they are comfortable with.

2) Wading in.

Wading in involves adding a piece or two at a time and blending them with your existing wardrobe to ease yourself into your fashion of choice. I will warn you that this is the time when you might get the “ita” style labels thrown at you, but this method of getting into a fashion is all about easing items into your wardrobe.

This is how I got into Lolita, actually. I started by getting a few casual classic skirts that fit in with the things that already floated around in my wardrobe. Then I incorporated them into other retro-inspired outfits and moved toward Lolita from there. Were my first outfits Lolita? Nope. Did I call them Lolita? Nope. I just wore clothes I wanted and slowly built up my wardrobe from there.

3) Deep Dive.

I’m going to be honest with you here: the deep dive is not my preferred method of getting into a style. It involves going out and getting all the elements you need in an outfit – shoes, accessories, clothes, even wigs and support garments – and going whole hog from the start.

There are a lot of reasons why this isn’t my preferred method. The biggest one is that it’s expensive, especially if you’re getting into Lolita, and if it turns out not to be the style for you then you have to find something to do with the frilly pieces you have purchased.

On the other hand, this is right for some people. They want to have their dream outfit ready before they step out in public. If that’s you, that’s awesome. It’s just not my cup of tea.

How did you get your start in Lolita (or any other alternative fashion, for that matter)?