Tips for Surviving the Summer in Lolita

How do you make it through the summer in all these frills?

I will try my best to give some tips! I do not wear Lolita everyday, but I hope to eventually become a lifestyle Lolita. In the summer, the weather gets hot, so I have already pondered how to wear Lolita and still be comfortable in the heat of summer.

In my opinion, it is okay to go casual. When it is really hot out, I would rather dress more casually than overheat. For example, I have paired a printed skirt with a solid-colored cotton shirt to battle the heat.

It’s just a plain red t-shirt, but I think the outfit still fits with the Lolita aesthetic. I skipped a wig and decided to keep my natural hair for the coord, since wigs can trap heat and make me feel less comfortable outside. Instead of wearing a large hair accessory such as a bonnet or a jumbo headbow, I wore a small barrettes in my hair. I think less hair accessories can help keep your hair cool in the summer heat (or at least I feel more comfortable with small barrettes when it’s hot out). 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.

In a more recent casual coordinate, I paired a red t-shirt with a high-waisted strawberry skirt. In my sort-of-curly hair (my friend curled my hair, but it didn’t last too long; my hair does not take well to curling), I am wearing a small barrette and a jumbo hair clip.

My method for wearing Lolita in the heat: go casual! I try my best to stick to the Lolita aesthetic while attempting casual coordinates.. (Although I skipped the petticoat in that high-waisted skirt coord. I only wore a petticoat for the photo. xD)

Here are some items I think would be great for a Lolita in the summer:

1. A one-piece dress

The great thing about this item is that you can skip the blouse and still fit in with the proper Lolita aesthetic. 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 JSK without a blouse, go for it! Even though JSKs are meant to be worn with blouses, whether or not you wear a blouse is your personal choice. Do what makes you feel comfortable!

I wore this Bodyline OP and Headbow set that I got off the EGL Comm Sales on International Lolita Day. I paired this set with a necklace, two rings, a barette, a pair of cute crew socks, and mary-janes. I wore a light petticoat to minimize the layers.

2. Ankle socks

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 am usually okay with wearing knee socks (since I’m usually cold), but I know that sometimes, it gets hot! For some people, wearing knee socks or thick socks can be unbearable in the heat. I have seen a lot of cute ankle socks lately, so I think this would be a great summer alternative to knee socks and OTK socks. (If you find cute crew socks, crew socks could also work for the summer!)

Some examples of cute ankle socks!

Here is a better look at the crew socks I wore with my International Lolita Day casual coord. I love the ballet-slipper design!

3. Hair scrunchies

There are a ton of cute hair scrunchies and hair ties out there! Personally, I prefer to tie up my hair in hot weather. When my hair is all over my neck, I feel more uncomfortable in the heat. In the summer, you can tie your hair back in a ponytail or in twin pigtails. You could also do a cute side ponytail, or braid your hair! An updo or bun would be another (very elegant) possibility. You can use hair scrunchies in your real hair, but if you are wearing a wig, you could also style your wig with hair scrunchies!

There are a wide variety of hair scrunchies!~ (I love all of these scrunchies and I hope to use them in future coordinates! I’ve had these lying around since elementary school though. xD I used to wear them all the time as a little girl.)

4. Bolero or Cardigan

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 JSK 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 too. (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.

5. A summer hat

There are many cute 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 to the coordinate. You might be able to make a cute visor hat work for a Lolita coordinate as well (for example, use a pastel pink visor with a pink sweet lolita summer coordinate).

6. A parasol

I do not have a Lolita parasol or umbrella, but I love seeing this accessory in Lolita coordinates. 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. I wish I could find a parasol in a local store though. Unfortunately, I do not have advice on where to find a good parasol. Brand Lolita parasols are really pricey, but also really gorgeous. Maybe someday I will get a Lolita parasol? It’s definitely on my wishlist!

7. Remember your summer essentials!

Sunblock is important: you do not want to get sunburns! Sunburns are not 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.