Chiharu's Creative Corner

It’s nearing Summer and that means the weather will be getting hotter. Lolita consists of layers on top of layers which will seem like an utter nightmare!

Wear lightweight fabrics and loose some layers. Put your velvets away in your wardrobe for a few months. The breezier, the better. Start from the inside out. It can be something as simple as just not wearing bloomers, but you can keep going from there and loose the blouse and just wear a jumper skirt, and then loose the socks or tights. If you're afraid of committing a lolita faux pas that can sometimes even be considered or labeled "ita" as some lolita elitists would say by going blouse-less under a jumper skirt, don't worry about it! The blouse under the jumper skirt can add an unnecessary layer.

Going blouse-less is usually seen as okay nowadays, and a lot of lolita brands even make halter styled tops in the summer that are meant to be worn without a blouse underneath. There are however some jumper skirts that look absolutely fine without a blouse. These usually have some sort of decorative details around the top, an interesting cut of the collar area, and maybe even a lace overlay on the shoulders. If you still want to wear a blouse under your jumper skirt, it's a good idea to find some very breathable blouses otherwise it'll make the jumper skirt and blouse a very warm combination. Even if it's a little bit see-through it's not really going to be that big of a deal because you're going to be wearing them underneath. In my opinion, when it is really hot out, I'd rather dress more casually than overheat.



Try to stay away from long sleeves. If you do decide to wear long sleeves be prepared for your arms to feel extremely warm. Chiffon blouses will be able to give your arms air.



Usually blouses are worn under a jumper skirt. Salopettes and with skirts however, there's a second option. Cutsews are casual t-shirts with a thin cotton material. They also come with cute prints such as bunnies, ice cream, bows, etc. Chiffon black cutsews are also available for Gothic. If you wear skirts more than jumper skirts, invest in some cutsews. They're much less stuffy feeling than button-up blouses and the fabric usually breaths better.

Bloomers help with keeping you more hot, so instead skip the bloomers and wear a simple pair of shorts. Whether it's pajama, a casual Fairy Kei, or just a pair with frills.

The less layers you wear the cooler you will feel. The great thing about this item is that you can skip the cutsew or blouse and still fit in with the proper Lolita aesthetic and you will feel better in the hot weather. Go with a breathable fabric such as cotton for the dress and choose a short-sleeved piece over a long-sleeved one. Avoid a high neckline style if possible since necks can be sweaty places! If it is really hot and you want to wear a jumper skirt without a blouse, go for it! Whether or not you wear a blouse is your personal choice. Do what makes you feel comfortable!


In cool weather, I always wear over-the-knee socks or knee socks over tights or leggings to keep my legs warm. When it’s warm, I'm usually okay with wearing knee socks since I’m usually cold, but I know that sometimes, it gets really hot! For some people, wearing knee socks or thick socks can be unbearable in the heat. I've seen a lot of cute ankle socks, so I think this would be a great summer alternative to knee socks and over the knee socks. Most brands carry ankle socks with lace tops that look very cute with lolita shoes. If you find cute crew socks, those could also work. If your not comfortable with short socks you can also wear thin lace tights. Another thing to keep in mind is your leg wear. Full tights or stockings, or even knee or over the knee socks can hold in heat and make you uncomfortable. One good alternative for more mature and elegant styles of lolita such as Classic and sometimes Gothic is lace stockings because they still allow air circulation.


Open shoes will give your feet more air which will cool you down. You can also wear tea parties, but just try to avoid boots. If you're not wearing socks, of course, try a pair of summery platform or heeled sandals in a matching color.


One more big issue is hair. Do you wear a wig? Is that too many layers? What about if you just have really long or thick hair? How do you keep a cute elegant lolita look without getting overheated? My best advice, is to use your natural hair and avoid wigs if possible. Go easy on your hair. You're probably not going to want to use a whole bottle of hair spray in the heat of summer, or worse yet, a wig because they trap heat from your head. If you want to wear a wig then try to wear a shorter wig. Bobs or boy cuts can be really cute with Lolita and great for hot weather. If you keep hair off the back of your neck, it will cool you down. Another option is to just pull your hair into an updo. Depending on your hair length this will differ. Pulling your hair up and keeping it off of your neck and shoulders is a great way to keep cool. Wear your hair either down and loose, with maybe a bit of a wave to it, or up in something very simple like curled pigtails.


In addition to keeping your hair light and simple, wear an easy head piece. In the heat of summer you're not going to want to wear a big square headdress that just makes your head hot, instead go for a simple headband with a flower or a bow on it. There are a ton of cute hair scrunchies and hair ties out there! You can tie your hair back in a ponytail or in twin tails. You could also do a cute side ponytail, or a nice braid! An updo or bun would be another very elegant possibility. You can use hair scrunchies in your real hair, but you could also style your wig! I think less hair accessories can help keep your hair cool in the summer heat or at least I feel more comfortable with small clips and barrettes.


A short-sleeved or three-quarter-sleeved bolero or cardigan is a cute way to stay covered up in the summer heat. Look for a thin or open-knit one so you can keep cool while maintaining modesty! You could skip the blouse and wear a bolero or cardigan over a jumper skirt as well. The less layers you wear, the cooler you will be. You can probably find cheap loliable boleros or cardigans easily in local stores as well. Even a plain solid-color one could work in many coords! A basic bolero or cardigan can be worn in and out of Lolita. If you want a made-for-lolita bolero or cardigan at a good price, check community sales online, or local swap meets if there are any.


Sun hats will help protect your head from the heat, they can also look really cute. There are many adorable and functional summer hats out there, and I think many of them are loliable. Go for a wide-brimmed hat for the most protection against the sun, but you can also choose to wear an adorable boater hat or a simple straw hat. If you are wearing a floral dress or skirt, a hat with silk flowers on it would be a cute addition. You might be able to make a cute visor hat work as well. For example, use a pastel pink visor with a pink sweet lolita summer coordinate. You could also wear a nice sun hat with a wide brim as part of your coordinate to help shade your face from the sun.


Parasols provide great shade from the sun while also acting as a stylish accessory. If you want an easy-to-carry parasol, look for a collapsible one or a light one. That way, it will not weigh you down when you aren’t using it. There are so many gorgeous lace parasols and parasols/umbrellas with ruffles along the edges that I’ve seen online. Parasols create shade and also look adorable. Try to avoid the ones made out of lace, they don't create shade and just acts as a decoration. Brand Lolita parasols are really pricey, but also really gorgeous.


Summer its a great excuse to wear summer themed clothes or accessories. Dress for the season. Wear a lot of light pastels or look for prints that feel summery to you.


Sunblock is important: Sunblock helps protect our skin from Ultraviolet radiation which the sun emits. It can also cause skin cancer. So to stay safe wearing sunblock can help. You don't want to get sunburns! Sunburns aren't fun. Bug repellent is also a good idea since you do not want to get tick or mosquito bites. You can easily find combination sunblock and bug repellent lotion! Lip balm with sunblock is also a good thing to stash in your purse. Also, remember to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration! Stay safe in the summer. It's important to keep hydrated by drinking lots of liquids. In the heat your body needs more water then usual otherwise you could collapse. Electrical, battery or hand fans can be a big help! They give out a cool waves and also can look cute.