Lolita 52 Challenge: A Lolita Topic a Week!

I was inspired by one of my favorite blogs, F Yeah Lolita to try a little challenge. I'm borrowing the picture she used on her blog because it is really, very lovely...

While you're supposed to do these one per week, over the course of a year, I may do two per week, depending on my mood. I'm just going to do these in order, because goodness knows that if I don't, I shall easily forget which ones I have and haven't done, then there will just be a big mess. And I'm not fond of big messes, mostly because that means I'll have to clean it up, and I'm not particularly fond of cleaning, either. (However, this past week I finally made the plunge into adulthood and cleaned my house! All that's left is the bedroom, but it's such a huge project because we are redoing things...it's a bit daunting.) But without further ado, here's the 52!

1.  5 pieces that every Lolita wardrobe should have, regardless of style
2.  5 movies for Lolitas
3.  What my own Lolita lifestyle is like 
4.  Favorite thing to put on my head
5.  My wardrobe turnover
6.  My favorite Lolita brand
7.  Why I wear Lolita?
8.  Why don't I wear Lolita more often?
9.  5 keywords that describe my personal Lolita style
10.  How I first found out about Lolita
11.  3 trends I wish would come back
12.  Combining other fashions with Lolita
13.  Lolitas I have met in real life
14.  Lolitas I would love to meet
15.  3 things I wish I was told when I was a new Lolita
16.  10 facts about my Lolita wardrobe
17.  My first meetup
18.  Trends I thought I would never get into, but I now love
19.  Trends I thought I loved, but now I'm not too keen on
20.  How satisfied I am with my current wardrobe
21.  Plan for a trip! A week's worth of Lolita outfits I can fit in a small suitcase
22.  How I accessorize
23.  What influences my Lolita style
24.  What's in my makeup bag
25.  Best places to wear Lolita
26.  How I get out of a wardrobe slump
27.  Purses that I love
28.  Bloomers or no bloomers?
29.  Lolitafying things in my everyday life
30.  How long it took me to build a complete wardrobe
31.  Impulse buys that were totally worth it
32.  My best deal
33.  Something that I made
34.  Wardrobe blunders! Things I bought that I ended up regretting!
35.  What I thought when I got my first real piece of Lolita
36.  Nails to match my favorite looks
37.  Something that's not my style, but I love anyways
38.  Favorite hair style
39.  Most versatile Lolita item I own
40.  5 inspirational fictional characters
41.  Fondest meetup memory
42.  The ways in which I fit the cliche
43.  The ways in which I do not fit the cliche
44.  How strangers react to my clothes, and how I react to their reactions
45.  Something that was a gift
46.  Parasols: Vital or frivolous?
47.  The item in my wardrobe that was the hardest to get
48.  My "signature" outfit
49.  My favorite Lolita print
50.  What's in my closet, but I haven't worn yet!
51.  Predict the next Lolita trend!
52.  How Lolita has changed me

So, for number 1. 5 Pieces that Every Lolita Wardrobe Should Have, Regardless of Style

I don't want to sound repetitive, but I feel that there are a few set pieces that every wardrobe should contain that won't vary at all, no matter who is writing. In fact, when you're building up a wardrobe, it's always best to start with these items that complete a basic outfit, then, by changing one piece at a time, start building more. Essentially, you're going to want a white cupcake pannier, a white blouse, a grey skirt, black shoes and a black head bow:

Basics every lolita should start with by orchid2 featuring bodyline

Obviously, you can't see the petticoat in the picture, but it's still on the list! Just before a basic white blouse, a petticoat is probably the most important part of a lolita wardrobe as it gives lolita its signature shape.
Why grey though, you may ask? Grey is a very versatile and unfortunately, frequently overlooked color in lolita. I feel that grey can swing to almost any of the major substyles, and so makes a great base piece to any wardrobe.
Black accessories are also versatile. A basic headbow and mary janes can go a long way, even in sweeter styles.
Notice, also, the cut of the skirt I've chosen. I thought Innocent World's Astarte skirt would be the best choice. It's simple, yet still obviously lolita. I also liked that it is high-waisted, and that the bow belt is detachable, so that you can leave your blouse untucked if you like. Both tucked and untucked can be very attractive, and lend two very different looks to an outfit:

And once you have the basic outfit securely in place, you can begin changing it! Say you prefer a more gothic style, change the white blouse out for a black blouse to lend an overall darker tone to the coordinate. Then subtract the bow and try a lovely canotier with a tulle veil. When you're ready to make the big changes, take away the skirt and add more signature gothic pieces! Ta-da! The beginnings to a full and versatile gothic wardrobe is born!
And the same can be done for other styles, swapping things out one by one until you have an entirely new outfit, and a whole trail of outfits behind you to work with!