Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Trend in Dolly Kei: Vintage Slips, Lingerie, Peignoirs, and the Like.

Within the last year or so, the line separating Dolly Kei from Cult Party has become less defined. The darker colours, defined silhouette, and heavy accessories that defined dolly has been giving way to lighter and airier looks, and simpler coordinates that one would have associated only with Cult Party some time ago.

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In the last few weeks I've noticed another Cult Party staple showing up in Dolly Kei coords: vintage peignoirs, slips, and other bed or undergarments. These pieces lend an overall "soft" look that Cult Party is known for.

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Image and video hosting by TinyPic


How to wear this trend:

-Peignoirs are essentially like a housecoat (but much prettier!), and can be worn like a little jacket/coat, as a top layer. Because they tend to be sheer, they make a great top layer because your other clothing and all it's details (pattern etc.) can be seen through it.
-Slips/nightgowns as a dress. Layer them over tops, belt them, you could even wear a top over it so that the bottom shows like a skirt. You could layer them over another dress, or wear two together. Slips as dresses were also popular in the 90s during Grunge thanks to Courtney Love. Googling images of her from that time can also lead to some great ways to wear them.
-Layer multiple pieces over each other. Do a few slips together, and layer a peignoir on top.
-To keep the silhouette, belt any bulky or shapeless pieces.
-It's going to be easiest to keep this look looking "dolly" if you stick with a richer colour palette. I personally love Miwako's take on this look with the black peignoir (first picture).

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Image and video hosting by TinyPic


To me, the key to keeping this trend looking 'Dolly' as opposed to Cult Party, is going to be the accessories, pattern, and colour. Also keep in mind the silouette. Dolly Kei is still, for the most part, having a defined waist, while Cult Party is still very voluminous and soft.

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Image and video hosting by TinyPic


So what do you think of this trend? Do you like the direction that Dolly Kei has been taking over the last year?



*Photos from the Grimoire and Grimoire Almadel blogs.

11 comments:

  1. To be honest I don't really like how the dolly is evolving, it became less interesting in my opinion...
    It looks more and more like putting some vintage dress on you, high heels and let's go...


    I prefer the darkness of the "start", the morbid accessory and heavy patterns blending together in harmony. But perhaps it will come back with winter ?

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    1. I agree! I miss all the things that originally drew me to dolly kei: the darkness, the romance, and the soft creepiness.

      Heri and Saki were probably the two girls who wore the "darkest" looks, and with Heri no longer being with Grimoire, and Saki not even really wearing what I consider to be dolly, it seems like the lighter looks are becoming more prominent. It's hard to say if this is just within the Grimoire staff, or in general, because I'm not really finding too many new dolly kei street snaps lately either. Cult Party seems to becoming the more popular of the two, and it seems to be dominating.

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  2. I have to agree with Rehem, this isn't the dolly kei I fel in love with. I was never really a fan of Cult Party so this development is uninteresting to me. I do hope that the cooler weather brings back the style original concepts.

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    1. I hope it comes back as well. I had thought originally that this was just a symptom of summer, but the lighter colours and toning down of accessories has been going on for the best part of a year, from what I can tell. Fingers crossed that autumn brings back the darer colours!

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  3. I've been noticing this too, I guess it's not unsurprising fashions evolve and change. These two styles, cult party and dolly, are linked in my mind. I feel it's like a sister trying on the others clothes. xD
    But I'll be mostly keeping to the earlier dolly look myself (at least w/ the colours, I'm not that great with lighter colours), but I do love the idea of using peignoirs & slips. So I think I'll be experimenting. ^^

    Haha, this is the first time I've commented on your blog after some months of lurking and I just want to say you're blog is really awesome!! Thanks for writing it. : D

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    1. The two have always been linked in my mind as well. I always think of Dolly and Cult Party being like best friends, haha.

      I like the idea of peignoirs and slips as clothing, I'm just not sure if I like them in Dolly to be honest. I like the first snap of Miwako with the black peignoir, but I really don't care for the others. Maybe if they were in darker colours and had more accessories perhaps.

      Thank-you so much for reading my blog! I'm so pleased you enjoy it :)

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  4. Some pieces are cool to make an outfit, but for me is so HAAAAAARD to make a good coord something who look to use in home to go to walk outside.

    PS: English isn't my native language, so, I hope you can understand me. And your blog for me is love!

    Kisses!
    http://sussurrodoar.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I think it's hard as well! You always run the risk of looking like you ran outside in your pajamas last minute, hehe.

      I understand perfectly :) Thank-you so much, I'm so happy you like my blog :)

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  5. Man, this is one trend I am totally on board with. I've always loved vintage lingerie and now I wish I'd actually bought some when I saw it, instead of thinking "Yeah, but it's not like I'd ever wear it out..."

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    1. Vintage lingerie is so beautiful to be sure. I find new variations are just missing something. Details, and I find that their is such a sweetness or innocence to the design of vintage peices. I own a few myself but I'm not sure that I'm ready to wear them outside XD

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