End of Year Lolidrobe Reassessment 2025

What a year 2025 has been. I might have said that about every year in these end of year reassessment posts, but each year is its own thing 

Overview of Acquisitions

It is pretty impressive that I managed to keep the purchases quite so low in volume this year. That doesn’t, however, mean that they were cheap as I indulged in four whole main pieces bought directly from the makers upon release. Though I guess they were balanced out by my getting rid of a bunch of stuff. Swings and roundabouts, eh?

• 4 JSKs (1 sweet in green and red)
• 1 skirt
• 4 tops
• 4 boleros/jackets
• 1 cape
• 1 apron
• 3 pairs of shoes
• and 11 sets of accessories (1 sweet ring in red, 1 pair of sweet earrings in brown, 1 sweet ring in white, 1 pair of sweet clips in orange, 1 classic brooch in green)

My trajectory certainly is a downward one. In 2023 I acquired 90 new-to-me things, in 2024 only 44, and now here I am at 29. And whilst last year this was balanced out by non-lolita fashion shopping, I have slowed down on that too. If anything, this year my spending has gone into books, but that’s not for this blog to discuss. I’m very glad to not only have featured so many of my new purchases over here in worn coords, but with the overall rate of selling to acquiring this year. It feels healthy and sustainable, a good run up to a year that will kick off with a bit of a no buy (more on which will come in the 2026 goals post).

The Year of More Millefeuille

The collection may not be quite complete – but I managed to score all the different lace kinds of the Millefeuille bolero. That is arguably the more impressive feat and the pink bolero will appear when it appears. There is something extremely satisfying about having them all. I have found my niche and if anyone ever wants any closeups of any of them, feel free to DM me, I will more than happily oblige. And once I have a pink one to complete the collection, I will do a blog post or maybe even a video about them all. It does make me hope, however, that despite what I asked for in one of Innocent World’s surveys, they won’t re-release it in new colours.  I really can live without one in sax…

I was hoping to find the pink one still in 2025, but the frilly gods did not will that to be.

The Year of More Wardrobe Cleansing

I finally committed to getting rid of more of my sweet things. The pressure of owning things that were bringing me more discomfort than joy was getting to me, and I really wanted to shift what was in my wardrobe. The more than impressive sale of Meta’s Bubble Bath was the catalyst that I needed and more pieces followed since. Whilst I still have a small bunch that hasn’t shifted yet, the mental freedom of not having them in my actual wardrobe is significant. I’ve gone from something like 52 main pieces at the start of the year down to 45, including the few that I bought this year. And truth be told, if the other ones don’t shift within the next few months at the pretty significant discounts that they’re already at, then I might even give them away or dump them on auctions with starting prices of £1 and to heck with it.

Just some of the sales I made this year (the ones conducted via LM). I'm not even sad because I know these pieces are seeing more use now , which in itself is a great sign that I made the right decision.

The Year of More Alterations

The goal of altering more pieces was absolutely smashed this year. Not only that, I was able to trial two new-to-me seamstresses for their alterations, both of whom are much more local. The important thing is that going through the process breathed a new life into my wardrobe by giving me back the pieces that I love to wear. This means that I should now only have items that fit me comfortably and well in my wardrobe, and I shouldn’t be dreading any of these main pieces coming up in my last worn spreadsheet. And if any sense of dread does appear – that’s an immediate sign to either do more alterations or get rid of the thing. (Unless it’s my Mary Magdalene JSK, that one will go with me to the metaphorical grave.)

If you are still on the fence about getting yur pieces altered, then this is your sign frm the universe to just do it. If you're terrified of the prospect, I cannot recommend Naddine Atelier enough!
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com.

The Year of Less Pressure to Create Content

This goes out especially to my now very much dead YouTube channel. I’m not saying that I’ve given up on making videos entirely. However, since I didn’t have anything to say or show, I wasn’t going to force myself to put something out just for the sake of it. The channel may still get the odd upload if I decide to vlog an event or find something to talk about. But right now, I’m very happy to have gone back to just blogging. This blog is what I care about first and foremost, writing is my primary form of expression, even as I’ve let go of a big chunk of pressure to post here as rigorously as I once did. I’m more in my mid-30s than anything else, it’s time to stop pretending like I have the energy or will to push myself so much for something that ultimately is a passion project. And the YouTube channel lasted nearly 9 years, that’s very good going by any measure.

Reiterating where my true passion and priority lies with content.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels.com.

Review of 2025 Goals

I am very pleased with my goals’ progress for 2025. 

1. Did I get my pieces altered? 100% yes! Three out of three done this year, even though one isn’t actually finished yet and is still with my seamstress, but it will be done. That plus a small handful of pieces sold has had a big impact n my wardrobe.
2. Have I bought more classic and casual main pieces? I’d say so. Out of the 5 main pieces purchased this year, three are very firmly classic florals, the Forest Girl Clothing skirt can certainly double up for more toned down looks, and I could even argue (though I won’t) that Meta’s Cyber Neon Girl will be worn in more non-lolita ways, so it counts as casual. That last one is a stretch, but I’ve done very well overall. As much as I’d like to carry this goal onwards onto next year, to fill my wardrobe with a few more skirts, I’m going to have to be a lot more choosy with my spending in 2026, so let me think on this for a bit. Look out for the 2026 wish/need/replace list for details!
3. Have I gotten roped into organising anything? Also a resounding success, with only one casual meet and the annual CLAM Christmas Lunch on my record for this year. On numerous occasions I was tempted to volunteer or to do something, but I resisted. As much as the extra time to myself was great, I did miss organising things. This is another aspect of my life that I’d like to have a serious think about as I chase that elusive perfect balance.

Again, what a year it’s been. Right now doesn’t feel like the same year as my going to Chicago for The Great Lace (did that even happen for real?). Hell, I’ve been living in a different place since April and it’s now surreal to consider that only at the start of the year I was living on my own, that I didn’t have my own office/lolita room (the one you see me take my outfit pictures now). And so many people across Europe are coming up with events for 2026 already, I wish I could attend them all, but that is physically (and financially) impossible. But I will definitely be going to some, so catch me around if you’re also travelling to the same ones.

And, above all, I hope that you get some rest and time to engage the creative parts of your brains right now, and that you have a peaceful, inspiring, healthy, and safe 2026!

1 Dress 4 Looks Take 77

When I ordered Chalmiere’s (formerly Axes Femme Kawaii) Christmas release for this year (and yes, I am mildly annoyed that it’s just called Christmas), I expected it to take a while to get to me, potentially posing a risk on whether it would appear in time for the annual Christmas lunch. But then Chalmiere surprised me by shipping it out in less than a week, arriving with me within two weeks of placing the order. So I had to get my arse in gear for this post quickly! Now, let’s not even pretend like this dress will come out at any other time except December. There will be no attempts at trying to tone down the holiday vibes. This post will be 100% dedicated to Christmas coords of varying levels of intensity, so girdle your jingle bells and strap on your boughs of holly, we’re getting festive.

Look 1: Work Appropriate

| Axes Femme cutsew | vintage cardigan | Snag tights | Hot Chocolate Design shoes | Two Days Slow hair clips | offbrand barrette | XKawaiiCutieX earrings |

Whilst Chalmiere’s cuts are not typically that exciting, that makes them great for more otome-leaning styling – which in turn lends itself to things such as fun office wear. This is obviously only for Christmas and office jobs (at least in the UK) will usually let a lot of things slide during December, especially fun outfits that bring everyone some joy. Minimal accessories, plenty of comfort, this might be something that I’ll actually wear at some point this month (for the office or at home).

Look 2: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

| Bodyline L581 blouse | bows from Haenuli's Whipped Cream Kitty JSK | Naddine Atelier bow top | Haenuli Secret Garden tights | Irregular Choice Flickety Kiss heels | Chrysanthemum's Concerto beret | Cutie Creator headbow | offbrand earrings and brooch | vintage necklace | Twinkle Kitty Boutique rings |

Christmas and gifts go hand in hand, as do bows and presents. So I slapped every bow on this coord that I could without tipping the balance the other way. Of course, it had to include Naddine Atelier's bow top, one of the best purchases ever, which I’m now realising is tricky to make it photograph nicely on flatlays. Whilst I usually don’t like lighter shoes with darker tights, it’s not a bad combo and it preserves the theme of bows everywhere. And if I may say, sticking the bows on the sleeves was an inspired move on my part.

Look 3: The Gingerbread Innkeeper

| offbrand top, shoes, and brooch | Chalmiere Christmas 2025 apron | Angelic Pretty Odekake Ribbon OTKs | Angelic Pretty Twinkle Sky headbow | Beholder Fashions Apple Pie headdress | Lady Sloth Winter Spices necklace | XKawaiiCutieX earrings | brooches handmade by Kerry | Becki's Kawaii Charms ring | Risu Rose ring |

This idea is where the awkwardness of this colourway comes out as I initially wanted it all to be much more brown/beige-based. But this dress really is not beige with colours, it’s very much colours + beige. So I swapped the colours around, but kept the theme of it all. Obviously this apron is not going to see any actual baking or decorating action, so this is fully keeping in with the fantasy. A cosy fantasy of a proprietor who’s actually an anthropomorphised critter running their own business in an economy that isn’t supposed to make sense because everything runs off festive cheer and vibes. Send me to that world, please.

Look 4: Candy Cane Carnival

| Polish traditional blouse | Snag tights | Elf Armorie Cupid’s Heart shoes | Metamorphose Tulle Lace wrist cuff | Angelic Pretty Rose Princess wrist cuff | Cutie Creator headbow | Beholder Fashions mini hat | Axes Femme brooch | handmade necklace | Candy Kitch Creations bracelet | vintage brooch | Chalmiere ring |

The ultimate Christmas form, with plenty of borrowing from last year’s CLAM Christmas lunch coord. Because it was great, so why shouldn’t I? This is definitely something that I’d wear to this years CLAM Christmas Lunch if I didn’t already have other plans involving this very dress. But it’s always good to keep a festive fancy coord idea in the bank. (Btw, Candy Cane Carnival fully sounds like an AP print. You can have that one for free, AP.)

Now, you’ll have to wait until the end of the month for December’s coords roundup post to find out what this other idea is. But a whole post of nothing but festive coords is making me incredibly happy. This post sparks joy. Also, I literally only just noticed that other than the very first, very casual coord, they all feature two headpieces. It’s Christmas, after all, excess is the name of the game!

All That Glitters is not Gold

The Bibliotheca bloggers have picked Glitter as our theme for this round of posts and I admit, I too considered writing something around the sparkly tights I have from Snag that remain unworn or the pretty trinkets that my magpie instincts have accumulated over the years. I am not immune to the enthralling sparkliness of glitter and I too could spend an eternity staring at the way it reflects light. Yet the saying is true: all that glitters is not gold. Shiny, brand new items are not all that lolita fashion is about. Some of the most worthwhile aspects of this fashion are some of the least glitzy ones and I’d like to dedicate this post to giving them a bit of spotlight.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

The Togetherness During Challenges

It sounds really grand and like lolitas are out there doing disaster relief (some might, but I sincerely doubt they do it in frills!). But for every person out there who went to a big meet, a tea party, a con or a big event, there are dozens of unsung heroes behind the scenes. At TQiD, my friends staying over or just dropping by to say hello didn’t have to do any of the work, they were attendees like everyone else who bought a ticket – but they chose to join me for the setup and made the work lighter by extension. At the Big Northern Bring and Buy the people who weren’t volunteers didn’t have to stay behind to help with the cleanup – but they did so anyway. Whenever a challenge comes up for our comm, be it another wannabe intruder or just someone at risk of not making it home because of public transport delays, lolitas will band together and do the right thing, unprompted. The lolita community isn’t just a bunch of folks in frilly dresses having a nice time. They are a literal gold acting for the betterment of the whole community and not just its individual members. 

The goodie bags do not assemble themselves and many hands make light work.

The Quiet Between Occasions

Meetups are great to attend. I love going to them and I love organising them. But people who don’t interact with the fashion and/or the community at all in between the organised activities… well, I’m not even sure if they exist, to be honest. Because whether we chat with others in the lolita community through the various social means or on our own, browsing Instagram, YouTube, sales listings or magazines, we all do something in between the meetups, even if we can’t (or don’t want to) dress up. And there’s a real sense of connection in those quiet times, at least to me. Our love for the fashion has time to deepen as we discuss the latest release with others on Discord or do a deep dive into wardrobe posts or magazine archives. This can be as slow and ceremonious or as intense and rapid as suits the individual, and it can really fire up those creative juices that get coord ideas going or the anticipation of an upcoming meetup. It’s not a very metaphorically glittering time, since so many of us, when we’re not in lolita, are dressed in whatever is comfortable or required of us, but without that downtime we wouldn’t have had the time to reflect on our coords to make the next one better.

Browsing through media whilst in your pyjamas still makes you feel connected to the fashion.

The Tenderness In Care

One of the aspects that we not only love about lolita fashion, but that draws many people towards it for the long haul. Quality clothing is durable, but not indestructible and taking care of it doesn’t have to be a chore. We can choose to view the caring and mending as a way to appreciate the garments we own and find new details, as well as extend their lifespan. Sure, it is annoying when a waist tie button pops off because it was held together by a prayer, but how nice is it knowing that now it will stay securely on for years? And how good does the fabric feel between your fingers, the sound of thread going through it a satisfying murmur? You can practically feel yourself becoming Momoko as she’s in the midst of an embroidery frenzy. Even beyond maintenance that supports garment longevity, a simple bit of ironing or steaming can get you so familiar with a piece that you thought you knew inside out. I sure as hell have had my share of discovering pockets in dresses I owned for years because I finally bothered to iron them properly. And being up and personal with a garment steamer means that small details that disappear in the big picture come into focus. Sometimes those details might even be literal glitter on the print. But more often than not, they’re elements that don’t sparkle bright unless you know where to shine the light.

To fix a hole you have to get very up close and personal with the garment. And that allows you to appreciate more details about it. Photo by Eduard Kalesnik on Pexels.com

This post got a touch metaphorical at times and turned towards the meditative, but the point of it is that even something as loud and gaudy (affectionate) as lolita fashion is still full of loveliness that isn’t immediately obvious, that has to be experienced in order to be appreciated. All that glitters is not gold, after all.

If you’ve enjoyed my somewhat loose interpretation of the theme, but hope for something actually glittery, then make sure to subscribe to the Bibliotheca mailing list. There are plenty of J-fashion bloggers whose content will arrive straight into your inbox about once a month or two, and someone else is bound to get all sparkly for the holiday season – right in time to enjoy during that end of year downtime that I hope we will all get to enjoy this year.