Atelier Pierrot Nocturne Comparison

Vallée Lys’ Nocturne tulle cardigan was a big hit when it came out – but sometimes that extra length is not what I’m after. So since the Lace Fishtail Gilet didn’t fit me the way I wanted it to (sadness), my first slow emergence from my no-buy was with the Nocturne tulle overdress. But just because they share a name and a designer doesn’t mean that one is but a shortened version of the other!

I’ll ignore the obvious differences here (like that one is longer – duh!). Some of the differences in design seem to be based on reviews and feedback of the cardigan, while others are more likely choices influenced by aesthetics or maybe even material costs. Wherever they are pictured side by side here, the left is the cardigan (i.e. the original thing) and the right is the overdress (i.e. the more recent thing).

Different hems

This is what prompted my wanting to make a comparison post in the first place as I didn’t realise this when purchasing. The cardigan’s hem is a layer of mesh ruffle with a layer of ruffled lace topstitched over it (so it looks like two layers of lace). With how much fabric there is in the piece, the lace adds a certain amount of weight, helping the cardigan sit straighter and giving it a marginally heavier drape.

The overdress, on the other hand, only has one layer of ruffled mesh on the hem. However, and this is a big one, where the cardigan is plain mesh all the way down, the overdress has a row of smaller lace going around the skirt a few inches over the hem, effectively creating a tier. I’m uncertain what the strip of mesh above the lace is for, as the two are not connected, though it adda a bit of visual interest. This makes the overdress lighter at the skirt portion and also probably easier to layer over printed pieces where a heavier row of lace would’ve obscured anything under the overdress.

Sleeve trims and shapes

The sleeve on the cardigan is a very elegant shape, a little billowy from the shoulder seam to the wrist, then shirred at the wrist, with a flare of ruffled mesh and lace at the very cuff. On its own it makes for a very elegant detail that will add interest to blouseless coords, though it’s also small enough that so long as your sleeve comfortably fits under the shirred cuff, it’ll layer over that with ease.

Meanwhile, the overdress’ 3/4 sleeve is only trimmed with ruffled mesh at the cuff. Whilst there are two lines of overlocked stitching going across the sleeve itself, they don’t seem to be adding any volume as such, so I wonder if this was to maybe help with fabric efficiency or for plain ol’ visual interest? The sleeves are also significantly wider to accommodate all kinds of layering better, so that you’re not restricted to only wearing short sleeves under it. It’s certainly a more comfortable design if you prefer a looser fit.

Waist closure and buttons

Both Nocturne designs fasten with buttons going all the way down the front. One of the main gripes I had with the cardigan and that I heard others express too was that the buttons were plain white ones and covered with a layer of the same mesh fabric. Something that would’ve worked with a more opaque material resulted in the buttons being much lighter in colour and looking a little bit cheap. The buttonholes are also cut into a doubled up layer of the mesh, which keeps that part of the design light and flowy, but always has me worried about accidentally causing damage. These have both been fixed with the overdress: the main buttons are now a warm wine red colour at the base, as well as covered with the mesh, and the buttonhole side is secured with a sturdier placket in the same warm wine red. Sure, it’s less of a seamless effect when worn and that front placket will stand out, however, as it’s not isolated (see below), it shouldn’t give you that much of a Moitie Cross OP lookalike effect.

In addition, the size flexibility of the cardigan was down to a loose design that’s adjusted with ribbons threaded through two channels going across the torso. A very classic design, though one that will test one’s bow and ribbon-tying skills, as well as that may require a bit of faffing to ensure an even gathering around that area. (And may require keeping an eye on the ribbons untying themselves, which is something that happened to me before.) The overdress, however, utilises a tried and tested elastic channel, single as opposed to double, meaning that by default a similar volume of fabric is already cinched a bit and will expand on the wearer as needed. Since that channel is done in the same fabric as the buttonhole placket, it offers visual consistency across the designs.

Neckline design and lace colour

The added size flexibility with the overdress design has extended to the neckline. Where the cardigan’s neckline overlocked into place, offering no movement in that area, the overdress has another panel of elastic there. This immediately widens the range of sizes that can be accommodated and depending on your body frame, it may allow for more fun styling options if you are able to extend that neckline to be off the shoulder. It’s generous enough for that to be an option for me, though I am relatively average in that area at 36cm shoulders.

More noticeably, however, if harder to photograph, is that even though the lace design is the same on both the cardigan and the overdress, the one on the overdress is a different colour. Wine red is notoriously tricky to photograph accurately, though you can see that whilst the cardigan is the same shade and tone throughout, the lace on the overdress is cooler and almost purplish. The main mesh is the same across both designs, even though they seem to photograph slightly differently, making the cooler lace of the overdress stand out a little more. This might not be an issue for some and I certainly don’t foresee it being an issue for me when worn, but it may bother others.

Built-in gathering channels

One feature that the cardigan doesn’t have at all that’s introduced in the overdress are built-in gathering channels: two on the front and two at the back. Atelier Pierrot loves a bustle look, so it makes sense that they’d include that feature for their customers’ ease. Even more so as all the social media promotion of the overdress was focused on highlighting how versatile it is. Having built-in gathering channels makes achieving that look with no pins, no pain, and in no time. Moreover, as the shorter length of the overskirt (more traditional lolita length than the cardigan’s near midi) inherently works better with prints, being able to throw an overdress without having to resign yourself to hiding the print for the day is a big plus. 

Hopefully this comparison helps anyone who may have been considering getting a Nocturne and wasn’t sure which one to go for. And if you missed your chance by the time you’re seeing this post, at least you’ll know now whenever one appears on the second hand market.

Lolidrobe Reassessment Post 2026.02

The heatwave degraded my brain cells and I zoned out through what time of the year it was. Also, how have we gone through half of 2026 already? 

New additions

My initial no–to-low-buy was meant to last until mid-June. So naturally, a bit of easing on the spending has happened, especially as I was gifted some money. Still, I hope that this won’t now be some sort of an opening of the floodgates for the rest of the year as I’ve unlocked some new saving goals.

• 1 overdress (classic in wine)
• 1 pair of shoes (classic in wine)
• 2 pairs of socks (1 classic in ivory x wine* and 1 classic in ivory)
• and 2 sets of accessories (1 pair of classic earrings in gold x pink, 1 gothic headdress in black)

This looks like a slightly imbalanced, but nonetheless (almost) full coord.

No such thing as too many roses.

Should I have bought those socks, any of them? No, absolutely not. This was exactly the sort of impulse buy that I was trying to avoid on my no-to-low-buy. But I simply could not resist the chance to support Mary Magdalene directly and without it being a bloodbath. And since I was already ordering from Atelier Pierrot, adding their lacy socks felt too good of an opportunity to pass up on. Worst comes to worst, I might reuse them as arm warmers and tick that part of my need list off.

Possible new looks

With fewer purchases and a heatwave preventing me from fully enjoying my most recent additions, it’s only fair that less happened on the new looks front. I will wear the overdress and the AtePie OTKs soon though, that’s so much breezy lace and mesh that surely I can make it work as soon as temperatures stop being around 30s.

Photo from May 2026.

Photo from June 2026.

Need and Replace list progress

The replace list still looks the same as it did. In trying to stick to my no-buy as much as possible, I avoided doing any digging for specific pieces and let’s face it, the jewellery is very much something that’s most likely to be found randomly during a charity or antique shop trawl. We will get there. One day. Just not now.

However, my early foray out of the no-buy has ticked off two of the need list items. The Nocturne overdress is going to be the replacement for the ill-fitting Lace Fishtail Gilet (which I still have, someone please buy that off me!) and based on just a quick try-on, I think it’ll perform that role splendidly. And since I already had an AtePie order going, I chucked in a headdress to tick off that item from this list too. It’s not much, but the point is to add stuff intentionally, not en masse.

Current wishlist

There’s also been no changes on the wishlists. Well, except that I’ve removed the Nostalgic Matryoshka Doll from it. It’s an adorable series that I will continue to enjoy from afar. But the more time goes on, the more I want to focus on classic pieces and on adding some versatile solids into my wardrobe. I’m unsure how much is the ‘you are who you hang out with’ effect, but it feels like Atelier Pierrot and myself are a bit more intense in our ‘will they, won’t they’ dance of them releasing things that I appreciate, but that are juuust that slightly off from what I want. We’re bound to land on a hit sooner or later. And if not with them, then definitely with Physical Drop, I simply want more of PD’s cotton OPs to save me from future heatwaves.

New Year’s goals: progress summary

The goals are progressing, slowly but surely.

1. Did I adhere to my wish/need/replace list more strictly? Whilst at heart it feels like I stuck to those lists more over the last three months than the first three of the year, the hard numbers tell a slightly different story.  Yes, overall I bought less and spent less money on clothes and accessories. Yes, they are all pieces that will fit right at home in my wardrobe. But out of 6 items, only 2 were actually on my need list. Something to work on more over the next six months as I would like to get some of those pieces.
2. Have I gotten back into meet organising? Whilst there hasn’t been an official meet hosted by me in the last quarter, I do have one on the cards for August and am thinking of one in September as well. Both are very easy-to-do, ‘come to this place that’s effectively a built-in activity’ kind of an affair, so I’m not worried about having met that goal by the end of the year. What I am (a little) worried about is that I now have two big things to organise in the slightly more distant future instead of just the one that I envisioned at the start of 2026.
3. Wear Every Lolita-Specific Pair of Legwear Challenge progress? I am currently at 43 out of 80. So great, I am exactly halfway there. Less great is that I’ve added two more pairs of socks in the last three months. And if the heat doesn’t significantly ease over the summer, then I’ll have to cram more into the autumn/winter months to meet this goal. Whilst I have 4 pairs of ankle socks that haven’t been worn yet, they aren’t exactly going to carry me through all of summer, even if that would still be progress.

This last quarter was absolutely dominated by me actually doing about half of these trips that were taking up my mental real estate and that prompted the no buy. Thanks to them my spending has been lower on clothes (though a little less controlled in other aspects). And as we move through the rest of summer towards the latter half of the year, I very much would like to refocus towards those need and replace pieces more. I better note that somewhere visible though, so that I don’t lose track of this goal again…

June Coords Roundup

What a progression of looks to showcase what June is like weather-wise in the UK. 

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Coord 1: Not Quite ILD

| Metamorphose Charlotte JSK | offbrand dress as blouse, hair clips, and earrings | Baroque Repose of Queen tights | Elf Armorie Cupid’s Heart shoes | handmade cape | Violet Fane Le Portrait De La Reine necklace | handmade ring (not by me) |

At the start of the month I got very into trying to do thin eyeliner. which is hard as is, but even more so when it's magnetic eyeliner.

A little bit of everything kind of a detail shot.

On the very last day of May our comm went to The Rex (formerly Gotham Hotel) for afternoon tea – a perfect occasion to get fancy! Since my floral cape has seen literally zero wear since The Great Lace that it was made for, I instantly knew that that’s what I wanted to wear and once I landed on the Charlotte JSK to go with it, everything else fell into place naturally. This coord fully reminded me why I love classic lolita and how this is what I feel my most beautiful in. I was literally getting emotional when I changed out of it in the evening and was looking at the dress just hanging on the back of my door and marvelling at it in all its glory. The afternoon tea was delicious, as always, though this time round the food took quite a long time to arrive. It meant that we all ate everything, barely anyone took anything home with them – but I also made myself a little sick with all these sweets. Clearly I don’t have the stomach for this much sugar anymore lol.

Did you even go for afternoon tea if you didn't photograph it?

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Coord 2: WFH

| Metamorphose Shirring Tiered Ribbon JSK | Axes Femme cutsew | Innocent World Ribbon Lace Millefeuille bolero | Red Maria tights | American Duchess Bernadette shoes | vintage hat | Tiny Passerine Creations necklace |

Every time I wear a hat I think to myself that I want to be more of a hat person, but the wide brims I like do not gel well with big overhead headphones.

Wanting more Tiny Passerine Creations jewellery, it's so good.

The theme was maximum comfort because I was being lazy and needed less pressure around my torso. And gods, this JSK is so damn comfy! I’m not sure if I have anything else that could compare, it’s just that good. The coord itself is vaguely a re-wear/reinterpretation of one I wore way back in 2018 that annoyingly I can’t find a post link for now. It’s fine, just imagine this, but with more offbrand pieces and a chain brooch across the bolero. But yeah, if anyone ever wants to sell this dress in wine (either the early [] or the later release), hit me up, please.

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Coord 3: Pre-Trip Errands

| The Black Ribbon Rococo Rose JSK | Axes Femme cutsew | Innocent World Rose Lace Millefeuille bolero | Metamorphose Little Squirrel OTKs | offbrand shoes and hair clips | Sour Cherry earrings | Mademoiselle Boutique necklace | handmade (not by me) brooch |

Very much into hair accessories that do not photograph well because they are so much easier to wear.

Considering that this brooch is going to be I think 9 years old this year and that I wear it pretty frequently, it's holding exceptionally well. Whoever made it, you did a grand job, applause!

I was going to Poland for a literal 36 hours and had to go to town for a few last minute bits. This warranted getting dressed, but still necessitated something more practical, as achieved here by the lower poof and comfortable shoes. I’m a little surprised that I hadn’t tried to coord this dress with wine red yet, but then I guess I got it right at the onset of last year’s heatwave and it is a fab sundress too. But now that I’ve realised the error of my ways, I shall amend this accordingly and more wine-based coords will (eventually) follow, I really liked this. The trip was also ultra-efficient, I was quite literally in and out of every shop I stopped at and lucked out with my buses being at the stops right as I arrived. Perfect.

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Coord 4: Business Lunch

| Mary Magdalene Paulina JSK | Infanta Swan Lake blouse | Innocent World Ribbon Lace Millefeuille bolero | Innocent World Union Flag Lame OTKs | American Duchess Bernadette shoes | Cutie Creator Maiden’s Prayer headbow | offbrand earrings and ring | Rose Marie Seoir necklace |

This was towards the peak of my June makeup experimentations. Sometimes the algorithm really brings you the stuff that you need to see right now.

This is actually quite nostalgic as so many of these pieces here have been with me since like 2017/2018.

Sometimes you gotta get the gang together and go somewhere cute for a business lunch to plan out some details of a future event. And when that hits right after a big international travel, then you pick out pieces that are easy and comfortable to wear. The match of those navies is so good that even the camera seems to pick it up a little, which is a rare treat. Our planning jaunt was extremely successful and I am excited for things to come.

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Coord 5: Go on then

| Grove Deer Moon of Eternal Day OP | Axes Femme cutsew | Axes Femme Kawaii Bear Brooch Knit bolero | Metamorphose Heart Ladder Lace OTKs | Elf Armorie Cupid’s Heart shoes | Haruhi Clover headbow | Big Pink Boutique earrings | After Midnight necklace | Wicked and Whimsy ring | Star Glazed Delights Brandwhore ring | Folk and Fortune Diamond of the First Water brooch |

I think the bow on one of those earrings got caught in my hair and I didn't bother to retake the photos.

A feisty detail shot.

I wasn’t going to dress up. But then I needed to throw something on myself to start the working day, landing on this OP. And once it was already on and I started thinking of how I could wear it, the coord just sort of materialised. So I said “Go on then” and put it all on, even if most of the accessories (traditionally) went off after the photos. 

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Coord 6: Romantic Assistance

| Violet Fane Otome Nostalgia skirt | Axes Femme cutsew | Innocent World Wendy OTKs | Elf Armorie Cupid’s Heart shoes | handmade headbow and necklace | Big Pink Boutique earrings | handmade (not by me) brooch | BtSSB Merry Sweet Cake ring | Banned Retro Bella belt |

Iirc, ironically, I tried to do a lighter makeup there and ended up with a heavier one? Unsure how. I need to keep practicing, I guess.

This ring gets so little wear that I literally was thinking of selling it days before this coord happened.

It's been way too long since I went to a meetup with my local RNA chapter and this one couldn't have been better timed as I had a slightly rough week specifically about writing. Nothing like some time with people who just get it, you know? I kept my coord casual and as I was in the middle of picking out accessories, my boyfriend walked into my room and then asked if he could pick those out. So basically all the jewellery is his choice. And if I may say so myself, he's done pretty well, he went with bits that I likely wouldn't have chosen myself, but that ended up working quite well. Further proof of how versatile this print is, it can carry so many different and potentially contradicting themes with ease. Otome Nostalgia is a literal workhorse and staple.

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Coord 7: Sundress Central

| Lady Sloth Slavic Bestiary JSK | Axes Femme hat | memery sandals | Vivienne Westwood Lorelei studs | Vivienne Westwood Mini Bas Relief pendant | offbrand bracelets |

Lemme tell you, the brim of this hat wants to flop so badly that it felt like trying to take a selfie in between it falling down.

It's such a normie fashion move to have nothing but a (here: relatively) small pendant on a chain for accessories that it feels extremely foreign to my body, even when this is all arguably not lolita and just fancier normie.

I was going to wear a more proper lolita coord (by that point I’d been meaning to wear my Atelier Pierrot blouse for so long). But I looked at this dress and realised that I struggle so much with according it as a lolita JSK – whereas it is the perfect shape and fabric for being a sundress. So I think with this I may officially relegate it to the other side of my wardrobe. Ahead of the heatwave with all these natural fibres was as good a time as any.

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Coord 8: Chill Green

| Wonderland Ukiyoe Lilith’s Collection skirt | Axes Femme cutsew | Tutuanna ankle socks | offbrand shoes and bracelets | indie hair clip | Violet Fane Violet’s Tea Room brooch |

Once again getting slightly weird angles to capture those hair clips.

Another wardrobe staple. Violet Fane, man, I'm telling you, they have some proper bangers that will work hard for your wardrobe and style if you only let them.

I almost didn’t include this one in this post. I was still dressed up (minus accessories), but couldn’t be bothered to take photos and tried to remind myself that I am not obliged to photograph every single time I wear anything that involves my EGL pieces, that these are my clothes and I can wear them without the world knowing about it. But then I wanted to play around with blush, by which point I thought “Oh heck it, the accessories will take two minutes” – and so I threw the bits on and took the photos. I still want to work on not putting as much pressure on myself with regards to dressing up and documenting it, but this was a good step towards that.

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The heatwave cut my outfit plans short. Yes, I understand the logic that if you’re going to be hot and sweaty, you might as well be cute, but screw that, it was too hot to exist in my own skin, let alone in any kind of fabric. Although God bless Kato-san for Physical Drop and the cotton dress, that was a saviour for the hot weather. Here’s to hoping that July will cool down because dressing up aside, I was not enjoying my energy being drained by the heat and humidity.

May Coords Post

Looking at the thumbnail of all the coords, it’s wild to consider that all of those are from the same month. May felt pretty long and somehow managed to be packed with outfits.

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Coord 1: NSP

| Metamorphose Cyber Neon Girl JSK | Fluffy Tori Kawaii AF pin | Lockhart Mansion necklace | everything else offbrand |

Least aesthetic background and a super fast selfie, surprised the earrings aren't blurry from the motion.

Meta's energy is so strong that it drowns out the ribbon.

This is barely counting as lolita, but also basically what I bought this dress for. I got it because it’s an amazing print and got OK with it being worn mostly in non-lolita ways for gigs. This is the first chance it got to fulfil that purpose to see Ninja Sex Party. Thank the gods that we had seated tickets because as fun as these shoes are, I'm ready to part with them since they’re best for photos and very little else. But yeah, happy with the coord, had a great time at the gig, excited to do more different style gig coords with this print.

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Coord 2: Town and Croissants

| Bodylina L262 JSK | Axes Femme cutsew | offbrand cardigan, barrette, and earrings | Angelic Pretty Twinkle Star ankle socks | Sosic Shop shoes | Etoile Reverie brooch | handmade bracelets |

Smiling because there's the teeniest, tiniest corner of my barrette peeking, so I can confirm presence of hair accessories.

I upcycled this cardigan really early into my lolita journey and it isn't actually that great for it (or in general), so it's extra fun that it worked out with my very first lolita dress.

My BF’s mum visited us for the first Bank Holiday weekend and since she’s never had a croissant in her life (I know!), we promised to take her to a good place when she came over. This necessitated a jaunt into town and those necessitate a fun outfit. I needed comfortable shoes and with the weather promising warmth, landed on ankle socks, which then informed the vague starry theme add-on to the outfit. It was just about warm enough for this much leg (with a hoop under it no less!) and the ¾ sleeve cardigan, but I really like how it came together. She enjoyed her first croissant and then I bought a pair of earrings in Afflecks, as well as tried on a pair of practical shoes from Clarks that I planned on getting (although they sold out, boo), so my transition into a granny who needs to take care of her body is very firmly underway.

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Coord 3: The Choir of Man (After a While)

| Angelic Pretty Cinema Doll JSK and OTKs | Axes Femme cutsew | Innocent World Original Lace Millefeuille bolero | Modo Prayer Poem shoes | Cutie Creator Maiden’s Prayer headbow | Sour Cherry earrings | offbrand necklace | Q-Pot Teabag necklace |

The face of someone excited to support The Choir of Manon tour.

Very happy with these earrings. I've been going to Sour Cherry so often and they have so much fun jewellery, so it's great to finally add something from them.

I had waited for The Choir of Man to go on tour probably since discovering it back in 2022 and then bought tickets for this show as soon as it was announced. I haven’t, however, put the same amount of foresight or thought into my outfit. So this one is a simple result of checking what’s the thing I haven’t worn in a while and going with something nice with it, unrelated to the activity. I’ve put off wearing Cinema Doll because I’m not entirely happy with the alteration I had done on it and am procrastinating with spending more money on fixing it (and am unwilling to do it myself), but I think that it’s going to have to happen and soon because it genuinely makes me put off wearing this dress and makes me sad by extension. The bolero (and a bunch of safety pins) covers up most of the bad parts, so I quite like the overall coord. Though not as much as I love The Choir of Man. It’s had to change a little for the tour and it was wonderful to see it again and without having to go to London for that.

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Coord 4: Japan Nostalgia Strikes Once More

| Physical Drop Shirring 3-Tier OP | vintage haori and earrings | Innocent World Origa OTKs | Elf Armorie Cupid’s Heart shoes | indie hair clip | My Inspiration necklace | Cutie Creator wrist cuffs | handmade bracelets |

The fun thing of taking pictures in the moment and uploading them earlier is that how you feel about them changes. In the moment I clearly thought I had some good selfies. Now, I like them less. But eh. Such is life.

Doing some subtle manipulation to have each layer actually visible in the photo.

Sundays require comfort. And Sundays when your Japan nostalgia strikes again require emotional, as well as physical comfort. I really like the silhouette that this OP and haori create, it was just the right proportions of long to wide. Not much else to be said, it was a lovely day of doing very little.

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Coord 5: Homely Elegance

| Baroque Repose of Queen Teatime Dress | Axes Femme Kawaii Bear Brooch Knit Bolero | AatP Poison de l’Amour OTKs | Laura Ashley shoes | offbrand hair pins, jewellery, and belt | Peacockalorum Silver Jewel Feather brooch |

I don't remember what I did to get this much volume in my hair, but I wish it was like this more often.

Juuust about caught that brooch in the picture too.

Pretty much a rip off of a coord from April 2020 – but anything from 2020 deserves a remake. That and I didn’t have it in me to be extra for working from home just for the sake of being extra. Meanwhile, the idea of a more column silhouette with the peplum of this cardigan appealed to me a lot. Very much in the spirit of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

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Coord 6: Gourmet Fast Foods

| Summer Fairy Limited Menu JSK | offbrand blouse and shoes | Angelic Pretty Musee du Chocolat OTKs | Cutie Creator Maiden’s Prayer headbow | Candy Kitsch Creations earrings and ring | vintage necklace | handmade bracelets | Cutie Creator wrist cuffs |

Winking for selfies is awkward, but sometimes you just have to embrace that.

And speaking of difficult and awkward photos, details of legwear also fall into that category!

This coord would’ve been worn the day before, but the blouse was stuck in laundry, so I wore it a little later. After going through my coords archive I noticed that when it comes to this dress, I really gravitate most towards pairing it with ivory or red. And since an all-red look felt just that smidge overdone in the moment, more ivory it was. This coord is so all over the place thematically, but I quite like how from a distance (i.e. on the coord picture) it still looks overall like a pretty similar elegant-leaning vibe. Not very on brand for burgers, but hopefully on brand for me.

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Coord 7: Board Games Night

| Physical Drop Shirring 3-Tier OP | Imogen’s Imagination beret | vintage earrings | Wax Poetic necklace | Grimoire brooch | everything else is offbrand | 

Tried new things with my makeup, having fallen into a rabbit hole of makeup tips for over-40s (which I am not, but it feels appropriate to start practicing these early, right?).

This necklace has been such a staple, I feel like I feature it every time that I wear it, even though I know that's not true.

This is 100% a coord that I would not have come up with had I not tried my best to have my BF and myself match. Our wardrobes do not overlap much, but when he said green x black, I had a flash of inspiration for exactly this. He did say the shape of it reminded him of animated Disney’s Cinderella’s stepmother, which I’m not mad at. And since the black leant the outfit a slightly more cool vibe, I tried to complement that with a more cool makeup. The blurry gradient lips that was all over East Asia at one point is still a total mystery to me, I don’t know how people do it and I think at this point I’m ready to accept that I’ll never know.

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Coord 8: Cute Delivery

| Metamorphose Polka Dots Tiered skirt | Axes Femme cutsew | Axes Femme Kawaii Bear Brooch Knit bolero | Red Maria tights | offbrand shoes | Kreativ Studio earrings | Melty Wish necklace | Violet Fane brooch | 4Aces ring |

Post day = happy day.

Looks like I'm making a pledge of allegiance to the Post Office lol.

Waiting for packages can be cute. Although this look started more as my initial idea for the board games, before getting moved to a WFH day. I didn’t even bother with any hair accessories – I know, a rebel without a cause! But who cares, the important part is that I still looked cute. 

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Coord 9: Overdressed

| Angelic Pretty Flower Garden JSK | offbrand top and belt | morun x muuna stoic overskirt | Jane Marple OTKs | Elf Armorie Cupid’s Heart shoes | vintage hat and gloves | Sour Cherry earrings | Enchantlic Enchantilly necklace | handmade (not by me) brooch and ring |

Lolita logic is doing your makeup and then hiding half of it with a veil.

The most impractical of rings, but also one of the most gorgeous of rings.

You know what? I’ve been saying how I don’t have it in me to dress up very fancy for working from home like I used to back in 2020 and that does guarantee that some of my dresses get worn less, even though I really like them. So the night before I removed every possible obstacle to that, laid the coord out, steamed the dress, and told myself that I will wear it – and it happened. And I could not be more glad for it. Yes, I still took it off the moment that working hours were up and hopped into something comfy. But I enjoyed the heck out of being a very fancy lady at my desk, earning that burando money, whilst it lasted.

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Coord 10: Strawberry Picnic

| Chrysanthemum’s Concerto Lost in the Garden of Eden JSK and headbow | BtSSB blouse | Angelic Pretty Wrapping Cherry ankle socks | offbrand shoes and necklace | Cutie Creator straw hat | Tea and Paintwater brooch | handmade bracelets | Twinkle Kitty Boutique rings | BtSSB Kumakumya with hair clips from Two Days Slow |

Should've at least redone my lipstick, but the rest of the makeup has held up to the weather and the travel surprisingly well.

The Strawberry Picnic's Plush Pile that I almost missed, came back for it just in time!

After years of being adamantly against getting any strawberry themed accessories or prints, this was the first time that I wished I had some. But cherries are still summery and picnic-appropriate, especially when paired with gingham. Boyfriend did say that I look like the whole picnic, which is the highest compliment for this coord. Trekking to Leeds by coach and buses with my homemade snacks and foldable chair was a lot in the heat, but totally worth it, the picnic was awesome and all the frilly energy that I needed to fill my cup back up after the real world depleted it a bit.

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I thought I might squeeze at least one more coord before it was time for the monthly roundup, but heatwave got in my way. And also made me regret not getting another colour of that green Physical Drop OP, since that would’ve been perfect for that. But anyway! The annual reminder of how neither me nor my wardrobe are made for hot weather has me worried for what might come later. That being said, at month five of the year I’ve worn every one of my main pieces at least once already and am almost halfway with my goal of wearing every piece of legwear at least once. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the second half of the year play out.