Altering Lolita Name Brands?!

3/13/2020

It's no secret that I am a plus size lolita. I have been plus size my entire lolita life. Things have changed a lot from when I first discovered the fashion and for the better! There are so many indie brands that offer custom sizing, and even lolita name brands that have started to be more size inclusive, wow!

There are some dresses and skirts that I love that I cannot hope to wear...or can I?

Magic Princess

I adore the Magic Princess series by Angelic Pretty. From the pastel Disneyland-inspired castles to the ornate golden wands, I love everything about this release! I could easily own each piece from the series in my wardrobe, including the main pieces that I would be unable to wear. When an altered pink Napoleon jumperskirt was listed for sale on Lace Market - I jumped at the chance to own it!

Altering Brand

When it comes to altering lolita clothes, there are a few methods that have seen.

1. Waist Ties

For printed and solid pieces, waist ties are an option for alterations! Waist ties are extra fabric that matches the dress or skirt. If the fabric is enough, it can be used to add additional measurements to the dress. I have seen this method used to add more centimeters to the bust and the waist of brand pieces! If you still want waist ties, the tailor can use solid fabric to create some new ones!
**Note: This is how my Magic Princess dress was altered

2. Printed Tote Bags

Name brands often release printed tote bags with their release. Angelic Pretty is especially known for this. The printed tote bag's pattern can be matched to your dress or skirt and, through alterations, give you extra precious measurements. I have come across popular pieces, such as Sugary Carnival and Dolly Cat, that have used this modification. This can save your waist ties, too!

3. Solid Fabric

A complimentary solid fabric can be used the add additional measurements to a lolita piece, even printed ones. As with the first two options, the extra fabric is added to the sides of the piece. While the solid fabric blends right in, the solid material doesn't blend as well with the printed material. That's not to say that this method doesn't work, though, if done well!

Coordinate Rundown

❤❤❤
Magic Princess Napoleon JSK (Altered)
by Angelic Pretty
Magic Princess Headbow (Altered)
Waist Tie Material by Angelic Pretty
Crystal Heart Necklace
by Puvithel
Hime Blouse
by Glitter Tale
Magic Princess OTKs
by Angelic Pretty
Shiny Unicorn Shoes
by Cotton Candy Feet
Bubble Heart Bag
by Cotton Candy Feet
Star Clip and Rings
by Me/Off-Brand

Final Thoughts

I am very happy with my altered piece. I will keep an eye out for modified lolita items in the future! Will I have some of my dresses and skirts altered? Yes! There are main pieces I would love, and keep, in my lolita wardrobe. Since I love this series so much, I plan to add more colorways of this dress!

Do you have any altered pieces? Are their items that you would like to modify? Are you completely against modifying brand pieces? I'd love to read your thoughts!

Stay Frilly,

12 Comments

Grace link

4/13/2020 12:37:20 pm

I just wanted to thank you! You have no idea how much I needed to see this. I keep looking over all these dream dress, thinking I could never wear most brands because of my size. Seeing how beautiful you look, and realizing that it isn't some great crime to alter a dress makes me so relieved.

Callista Marie (magicalgirlme) link

4/14/2020 10:56:09 am

Hi, Grace! Thank you so much for your comment. I am so glad that this post made such a positive an impact! You should be able to enjoy your clothes and have them fit you. I'd love to hear what dream pieces you add to your wardrobe in the future ♡!

Christiana

8/15/2020 11:18:47 am

Hello, I'm new to Lolita and I bought a jsk and the bust is too short due to the cut and I just wanted to know if you have any recommendations for where to get alterations done on Lolita dresses

8/15/2020 12:01:46 pm

Hi Christina,

Sadly, I do not have any recommendations on where to have alterations done. I am still in the process of finding someone myself. I purchased the dress already altered. I would reach out to your local lolita community and see if anyone can suggest someone near you that can do the alterations for you!

Rosalind Causey

8/9/2020 03:29:58 pm

Thank you so much for this blog post! Between you writing this and seeing one of my insta friends alter one of her dream dresses, I finally took the plunge, and began altering the Milky Planet OP I've been hanging on to for the past three years. You look absolutely magical in Magic Princess, and I'm so happy for you!

8/11/2020 07:56:22 pm

Hi, Rosalind!
Oh my goodness, Milky Planet is one of my favorite prints! I am so happy that you are making the dress work for you <3 You should be able to wear what you love. I hope the alterations go well!

China Carter link

9/28/2020 09:56:07 am

i love the fact that you have tips for altering brand dresses!! i just got started into this fashion less than a month ago, and had to alter my first dress, a black Bodyline jsk-i had stretchy black material so i replaced the shirring panel with a larger one and bigger side panels!! i'm currently altering the mess out of a Taobao jsk with bigger side panels and stretchy shoulder straps!! thank you for the tips you provide!!

Callista Marie link

11/8/2020 01:45:12 pm

Oh wow, that's wonderful! I am so glad that you were able to alter your piece to make it more comfortable. The fact you have the skill to alter lolita pieces is amazing! I wish you the best with your future projects ♡!

Sara

11/5/2020 08:54:54 pm

My first Lolita dress was a gorgeous print from diamond honey, but it fit too tight and was too short for me to feel comfortable. I made it into a skirt by chopping off the top from the armpits up, and though i felt a bit terrible at first, I am so happy with it! I wear it all the time, even when I’m not in a full coord!

11/8/2020 01:47:17 pm

Hi Sara,

That's wonderful! I'm glad you were able to make this piece into something you can wear often. You need to feel comfortable in your pieces! Don't feel badly - now you can enjoy the print more!

Leah

2/25/2022 04:21:38 pm

I'm stumbling on your post pretty late, but I wanted to say thank you for the ideas! I had been committed to using matching solid fabrics before hearing about using the waist ties or totes to alter brand, and I think my future pieces will be that much better with more options because of that. I dream of wearing AP OPs! Bless this post!

11/3/2022 09:52:41 am

Leah,
I'm so glad that this post was helpful to you! Wishing you the best with your new alterations <3

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

magicalgirlme