Lolita Therapy: Tackling the Frill Monster in the Closet Part 1

Anna Sui's Closet - Elle Decor

Apartment Therapy is one of my favorite websites. It not only provides helpful resources to find furniture and other home tutorials, but also provides pictures of other apartments to help you get organized in the right way.

I find this especially helpful in Lolita fashion. As such I'm going to start a series called "Lolita Therapy" to discuss such topics like how to slim down the wardrobe, store your petticoats and hats, accenting your kitchen, and just plain keeping neat. The posts won't try to turn you into a neat freak, but more keep your Lolita side organized and in check.

As you've started your Lolita wardrobe, I'm sure you've realized that one closet won't simple do. Your bedroom is already brimming with skirts, dresses, petticoats, and shoes, but it's still growing. It's probably to the point where you just have masses of skirts in piles on top of chairs because you're not sure where to put it all. (Note: This is even harder when you live in NYC and you have only one closet to share with your significant other or roommate.)

What you've got yourself is a frill monster - a collection of Lolita clothes that has no where to go but everywhere. (Keep in mind this happens with small wardrobes too!)

It's best to keep your Lolita closet seperate from your regular closet. This prevents unfortunate mishaps like pulling out AP's Cherry Berry Bunny JSK when all you wanted was that cute chick yellow blouse you've been meaning to wear.

However this doesn't mean you literally should have two different closets: one for Lolita, one for regular clothes (If you do, I'm super jealous.) More like have a mental library of what's Lolita, what's regular clothes, and what's both. With a mental catalog you can balance out your closets so one does not overtake the other. The world is simply not ready for an entire wardrobe of Lolita clothes, unless you are Maki and Asuka. This will allow your Lolita wardrobe to grow at a normal place than exploding.

One way to seperate your clothes is by color-coding your hangers (e.g. pink or white for Lolita, black or another color for regular clothes). I find using ultra-thin hangers are the best way to go. They not only slim down your closet, but also can give you an idea on how much room you have for future clothes. You can find them at any department store like Target or Kmart, but I prefer The Container Store.

If you must have a separate wardrobe, aim for an armoire (more expensive route) or a portable storage closet(less expensive). Reserve jumperskirts, OPs, and blouses to be hung up. Skirts, pants, socks, and anything knit can be easily stored in totes -- when you need them all you have to do is fluff it out. The storage totes at The Container Store come in an array of colors and prints. For a more classic look, scour vintage shops and vintage flea markets for trunks.

Housingworks is a thrift shop I like to go to for furniture browsing and designer shoes. The great thing about Housingworks is that all purchases go towards helping people who are living with HIV/AIDs. When it comes to thrifting you have to be sure to inspect every nook and cranny to find any flaws that you may or may not want to deal with.

It's best to start inside your closet first and use every space from top to bottom. Perhaps shoe racks at the bottom. Stackable drawers for socks and pants. (Note: wherever you keep your socks you should have dividers or separaters. They not only keep your socks neat, but make it easy to find both pairs together!) Top shelving for any clothes you aren't wearing that season, and middle shelving for anything in between.

One last thing I recommend is not neccessarily cleaning out your closet, but reorganizing it every few months. Sadly this means taking everything out and putting it back in a more organized fashion. Though I'm sure a lot of Lolitas do this as they find items they've never worn or simple have outgrown or was never there style.

Sounds common sense enough, but when it comes does to actually organizing your Lolita closet it can be overwhelming. I hope this helps when you realize your frill monster is out of control. Are there any particular ways that you try to organize your growing closet?

The Container Store - Locations
(58th and Lexington)
725 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022

(Sixth Avenue)
629 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Housingworks - Locations
(Brooklyn)
122 Montague Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
718-237-0521

(Chelsea)
143 West 17th St.
New York, NY 10011
718-838-5050

(Gramercy)
157 East 23rd St.
New York, NY 10010
212-529-5955

(Hell’s Kitchen)
730-732 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
646-963-2665

(Soho)
130 Crosby Street
New York, NY 10012
646-786-1200

(Tribeca)
119 Chambers St.
New York, NY 10007
212-732-0584

(Upper East Side)
202 East 77th St.
New York, NY 10021
212-772-8461

(Upper West Side)
306 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY 10023
212-579-7566

(West Village)
245 West 10th St.
New York, NY 10014
212-352-1618

(Yorkville)
1730 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10128
212-722-8306