his-bee asked:Do you have any links for a starter out fairy to places that sell cheaper fairy kei clothing? Thanks ^^
Dear Fairy,
This is a tricky one, I must say. Of course a lot of brand things from Japan are going to cost a fortune, especially with shipping involved. So, a few other main options are retail shopping, independent sellers, secondhand shops, or thrifting. If you know anything about shopping for lolita, it’s basically the same for fairy kei, except better because you can’t exactly find lolita dresses at a retail or thrift store.
I highly recommend thrift shopping at your local thrift or vintage stores. Look for good condition clothing/accessories that emulate an 80s/90s sweet style, young girls’ clothing, pastel clothing. Even going to mainstream clothing stores now is a good venture with 80s/90s styles coming back into fashion or looking in the young girls’ sections is good too.
When it comes to shopping at retail stores such as Hot Topic, Forever 21, or Old Navy, I always find it useful to look in almost every store in the mall when the big sales are going on (50% off or more). Again, look for those items that emulate a nostalgic and sweet look reminiscent of the 80s/90s. The most unlikely place I found one of my favorite shirts to wear was American Eagle! I also suggest buying a size larger than you might normally wear since it will give a less fitted look. Remember, when you get a gift card from someone for a retail store, try looking around that store to find any items to wear in fairy kei when you go shopping.
When it comes to shopping at retail stores such as Hot Topic, Forever 21, or Old Navy, I always find it useful to look in almost every store in the mall when the big sales are going on (50% off or more). Again, look for those items that emulate a nostalgic and sweet look reminiscent of the 80s/90s. The most unlikely place I found one of my favorite shirts to wear was American Eagle! I also suggest buying a size larger than you might normally wear since it will give a less fitted look. Remember, when you get a gift card from someone for a retail store, try looking around that store to find any items to wear in fairy kei when you go shopping.
Though if you are looking for online independent seller sources, Ebay, Etsy , and Storenvy have many things for sale which are good for fairy kei if you do some searching. Etsy has lots of independent sellers who make very nice fairy kei style accessories and clothing of varying prices. Also, Etsy is another good source for cheap vintage clothing. You can easily find lots of cool 80s/90s stuff for cheap. Storenvy is a bunch of independent sellers similar to Etsy, but they usually sell things that are imported from other places or are secondhand as opposed to handmade items. Like Etsy, Storenvy is also varying in prices.
REMEMBER that if you're looking for a specific price range of items in places like Ebay, Etsy, or Storenvy, always adjust the price range search option on the left side of the screen!
Retro Magic Store is a cool store that sells retro graphic tees with My Little Pony, Popples, anime, Disney, etc. for one good price across the store.
I highly recommend looking at the LiveJournal and Facebook community sales as well where people will sell their secondhand or brand new J-fashion items at various prices.
Below are some links where you can find good priced secondhand fairy kei/lolita pieces and a few general shop lists.
REMEMBER that if you're looking for a specific price range of items in places like Ebay, Etsy, or Storenvy, always adjust the price range search option on the left side of the screen!
Retro Magic Store is a cool store that sells retro graphic tees with My Little Pony, Popples, anime, Disney, etc. for one good price across the store.
I highly recommend looking at the LiveJournal and Facebook community sales as well where people will sell their secondhand or brand new J-fashion items at various prices.
Below are some links where you can find good priced secondhand fairy kei/lolita pieces and a few general shop lists.
http://popkei.livejournal.com/ (Fairy Kei LiveJournal Comm Group)
http://80s-cuties.livejournal.com/ (Fairy Kei LiveJournal Comm Group)
Fairy Kei Sales (Facebook Group)
Fairy Kei Sales N’ Swap (Fairy Kei Facebook Group)
http://fairy-tips.tumblr.com/shops (General Fairy Kei Shop List)
Where to Find Lolita Sales on Facebook (Lolita Facebook Group List)
http://egl-comm-sales.livejournal.com/ (Lolita LiveJournal Secondhand Sales Comm Group)
Etsy (Independent Designers/Sellers/ Secondhand/ Vintage)
Storenvy (Independent Sellers/Secondhand/ Vintage)
Etsy (Independent Designers/Sellers/ Secondhand/ Vintage)
Storenvy (Independent Sellers/Secondhand/ Vintage)
Closet Child (Japanese Brand Secondhand)
Lacemarket (Secondhand Sales and Auctions)
Lacemarket is a recent development that has almost become an extension of the EGL Comm Sales on LiveJournal. It is basically the "Ebay" of lolita with both immediate sales and auctions. I also recommend looking here since there are new items updated every day by users and I've seen a few fairy kei worthy pieces on here as well. The option to search by brand can be helpful as well~
Another option that is very helpful are online Japanese secondhand shops such as Closet Child. Closet Child has mainly gothic and lolita brand pieces, but many pieces that go through there can be used in fairy kei. I got my first Nile Perch dress from there. Also, be sure to check their "New Accessory" category for relatively good-priced kawaii accessories~
Lacemarket (Secondhand Sales and Auctions)
Lacemarket is a recent development that has almost become an extension of the EGL Comm Sales on LiveJournal. It is basically the "Ebay" of lolita with both immediate sales and auctions. I also recommend looking here since there are new items updated every day by users and I've seen a few fairy kei worthy pieces on here as well. The option to search by brand can be helpful as well~
Another option that is very helpful are online Japanese secondhand shops such as Closet Child. Closet Child has mainly gothic and lolita brand pieces, but many pieces that go through there can be used in fairy kei. I got my first Nile Perch dress from there. Also, be sure to check their "New Accessory" category for relatively good-priced kawaii accessories~
I hope this helps a bit and that it isn’t just a rehash of what you already know haha ^_^
Later on I hope to keep updating posts with my personal fairy kei finds and recommendations, so keep an eye out.
Later on I hope to keep updating posts with my personal fairy kei finds and recommendations, so keep an eye out.
