Otome Kei

I am a romantic, at least when it comes to fashion. So it is easy enough to figure out why I fell head over heels for Otome kei.

According to dailyotome, a Livejournal community:dailyotome, a Livejournal community.

Otome (乙女) means "young lady" in Japanese. Otome-kei (乙女系) is a Japanese street style that focuses on details like bold colors, unusual mixing (but not necessary- can match) of colors, fabric ruffles, embroidery, and ribbons. It can be classified as a substyle of lolita. A lot of the clothing can be used with lolita, but the silhouette is a little different. Petticoats are often unnecessary. The look of otome is romantic and girlish; it can even be described as the more mature version of lolita. Unlike lolita, there are no strict guidelines for this style. Typically, the look one tend to want to achieve with this style is a "refined young lady"; most often, you get the late 1950-1960's feel from the clothes. Some have even called this style as casual OL (office lady) style.

Of course after carefully dissecting many otome style outfits, I came to the my own conclusions.

I would not call otome a substyle of Lolita fashion (another fashion I also indulge in). Otome is a style on its own. If it had to be classified as a substyle I would place it under vintage fashion more than Lolita.

To achieve the look:

Otome kei, or maiden fashion, draws from the fashions of young ladies fashions from 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. It has a very innocent look to it, It is wholesome and clean. Simplicity is a must. Jewelry and other accessories should be used minimally. Saddle shoes, oxfords or simple Mary janes (no chunkiness here) would be good footwear.

As for beauty and hair, again simplicity is the name of the game. Simple ribbons tied in a small bow or simple barrettes, or for cooler days a beret should suffice. Make up should be natural and soft, and accentuate the eyes. Lips can be colored with soft pinks or left their natural color with a lipbalm to give them a supple look.

Ma égérie: Marie Antoinette

Salut mes amis, J'espere que le jour te trouve bon humeur.

I sincerely believe that inspiration comes from everything and every direction. Life is a boundless source for muses one just has to be willing to open ones eyes and see beauty even in ugliness.

Among my many muses is the famous (until this century infamous) tragic french queen, Marie Antoinette.

I am in love with all things 18th century, and she is the icon of fashion before the outbreak of revolution.

Though it is still argued how much she has to do with creating the deficit, I still believe much of what was charged against her (not all but a good portion) can be attributed to bad publicity.

Yet beside the debate about her roles as queen, she is still admired for her beauty, style and joie de vivre.

A film that is particularly sympathetic to the queen is Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette.

Though in dialogue in the film is lacking, it is a visually beautiful and worth watching if simply to gaze upon the costumes and settings.

Quaintrelle et la mode

As season roll in and roll out and designers showcase their spring and winter lines, fashion is an ever evolving beast with many facets and many appeals.

So how is the quaintrelle supposed to dress?

... Any way she wants.

It is my firm belief that a quaintrelle has many liberties in the manner she expresses herself. In fact she can quite easily become a style icon without much effort, because instead of dressing for the world she dresses for herself and that makes the world take notice and follow suit.

For the aspiring quaintrelle the problem isn't what style she chooses, it is that she have the courage to wear that style, no matter how the world will receive it.

Confidence is a trait all quaintrelle should have in their arsenal of weapons. To live a life of passion she must not dwell on insecurities or negative criticism. She must always trust herself and wear what feels and looks good to her, no matter what others think is "fashionable" or chic.

The quaintrelle is a woman of style not fashion