Picnic season is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere - even the UK weather is oddly behaving and conducive to one. It’s a great activity for a lolita meetup because all it requires is some space that people can get to. The relaxed nature of it also makes for a good first meetup for a new lolita to attend since everyone can work out what a good picnic manners are (even though trust me, the afternoon tea etiquette is mostly a myth, don’t stress about it, it’s not Titanic dining with fifteen sets of cutlery). So to prepare any lolitas who may be new to their comms or who are going to their first ever lolita picnic, here are some types of people that you may encounter.
The Country Lolita
Starting out with the obvious, a picnic meetup is the perfect opportunity to bring out all of those country looks. Ginghams, straw hats, wicker baskets, ankle socks, berries, all of the things that contribute to a summery country lolita coord will make their appearance there. In fact, there will probably be more than one as the comm long-timers may have a designated Picnic Coord that they bust out once a year just for that. Country lolitas are also a wholesome bunch to join, so if you’re worried about making friends at the meet, dress in something country yourself to immediately feel like part of the group.
The Picnic Mother
This could be the organiser of the picnic, but isn’t restricted to them. You will immediately know who the picnic’s mother is because this is a person who arrives PREPARED. Disposable plates and cutlery, napkins, a bin bag, wet wipes and stain remover pens, sunscreen, a water bottle, an insect repellent, super glue - whatever scenario might be likely to happen in the area you’re having a picnic in, their Mary Poppins bag has something ready just for that. Be sure to express your appreciation to the designated picnic mother (or mothers, although more than one are typically restricted to bigger comms and bigger picnic meets). It’s all too easy for people to take this type for granted and you don’t really know how important they are until you are packing up a picnic and no-one has a rubbish bag on hand, so don’t forget to say ‘thank you’.
The Lifestyler
More commonly known as a lifestyle lolita, even if the term does seem to be somewhat in decline right now. Think Momoko from
Kamikaze Girls or an elegant Victorian lady and you’ll get what we mean. Although being a lifestyler goes beyond just the aesthetic. For them a picnic is as natural a summer environment as water is to fish. They probably contribute homemade biscuits for everyone, made to a very special recipe that sounds so fancy you expect it to be on the menu at an elegant cafe. Or they might whip out some handiwork to do whilst they chat with everyone like a bit of crochet. Don’t worry, the lifestylers won’t judge you or think you less of a lolita for not doing these things, this is just who they are and what brings them joy. And as they are often the quieter types, sit close to them if you need a breather from all the socialising, I’m sure they’ll happily tell you about their gardening.
The Entertainer
By this I don’t mean your typical class clown (though maybe there is someone like that in attendance). The entertainer can sometimes go hand-in-hand with the mother type, except that they make sure that everyone is occupied and having a good time. Instead of practical bits their bag is probably filled with magazines for people to browse or some portable board games to play in smaller groups to break the ice. If they are very experienced at this, they will even have games in their repertoire that do not require anything more than people, like charades, to get everyone to have a fun time. Even if you consider yourself to be quite a shy person, joining in with some of their suggested games is a good way to be a part of the comm whilst still getting to know everyone. After all, the point of playing lolita charades isn’t to win, it’s for you all to have a laugh at someone trying to mime a BtSSB print name like
Heart Marble Chocolate and Sugar Coated Cookies (that was me, by the way, true story).
The Goth
What? Goths at a picnic? Yeah, goths go to picnics too! Some of them may be living up to the stereotype and hide somewhere in the shade, slightly on the side to the rest of the group, so scan your picnic area thoroughly. But others aren’t so fussed about a bit of sunshine and will socialise along with everyone else. Whilst some people wear multiple substyles and therefore adjust to something more themed to the picnic, those who exclusively wear gothic lolita will just roll along with the meetup and wear whatever they can, sometimes opting for comfort and sometimes sticking to their aesthetic guns. If you are a gothic lolita yourself and may have been worried about what to wear as a goth to a picnic, go talk to them. They will be happy to help you be one of them without boiling to death in all black.
The Photographers
Granted, this type isn’t restricted to picnics and appears at all kinds of meetups, but the bucolic nature of a picnic seems to bring out the photographers even more. Worried about getting an outfit picture? They will sort you out and help you with posing too. When you get home, you may find a whole bunch of incredibly cute candids that they took that are scrapbook-perfect to remember the day by. Some of the more outgoing or social media savvy ones will even gather people up for elaborate group photos or find the perfect backdrop for an entire photoshoot. The important thing is to not be intimidated by them or let yourself think that you’re imposing. They will genuinely be the first ones to offer to take a picture for you and if you can openly communicate your preferences to them, it will help them get it right the first time round.
Picnics are such a collective effort, it’s a big part of what makes them great for meetups. Everyone finds a place for themselves that fits in with their personality and it really brings a community together. You may find that in your comm one person wears several of the hats listed above or you may find that a group of individuals, each assuming one of these roles, is running this picnic like the most efficient factory line. Also, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy a picnic (as long as you’re being respectful to the space you’re in). So if you have an opportunity to attend one, go for it - you will not regret it. And who knows, maybe in time you will find that your comm considers you the designated type from one of the above?
Thank you to Bibliotheca for suggesting picnic as June’s theme. Even though I personally don’t seem to have one lined up yet to attend, it is good to at least think about having a picnic and remember the people from my comms whom I associate with the types above. But there is so much more to picnics that the other Bibliotheca bloggers will be exploring this month, so if you haven’t signed up to the mailing list,
make sure to do that now!
My friend is both a country lolita & picnic mom! Just like what you mentioned in your blog post, she did wear gingham dress & straw hat to the meet! She also came prepare with the picnic blanket, cute cutlery, wet wipes and Spotify playlist for picnic! :) I love her so much!!
ReplyDeleteEven a Spotify playlist? That is a whole extra level of care and attention <3
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