Theres two #LolitaFashion stores in my city now but they're importing designer brands from Harajuku and dang this stuff *costs*.
Also it's mostly Sweet #Lolita styles which is like, the direct opposite of my interest (gothic and #egl all the way!) so.
I'd like to see Gothic and Traditional styles at more approachable prices even if it's not going to be direct designer stuff. I'm more into looking good than showing off how much I paid for a cloth.
Suppose I could learn to sew. 
👗
@polychrome oh man i've just now seen this and i'm late to the party BUT
have you looked into taobao resellers? taobao brands are like... 'chinese indie' but gaining more and more popularity. not the same exact snob appeal as BTSSB or Angelic Pretty, but more variety, and MUCH more reasonable prices, as well as a lot more of them willing to take custom size orders!
lolitawardrobe and Devil Inspired are too really good taobao resellers to check out!
@polychrome if you fit into lolita 'straight sizes' (i don't, i'm never going to fit into them lmao, i'm 5'8, over 300 lbs, and have the bone structure of a brick shithouse. absolutely no japanese designer is gonna make shit that fits me off the rack), there's also lacemarket! that's the really big second-hand market for lolita fashion. not everything is going to be cheaper second-hand - some use brand as 'investment pieces'. but you can also get some serious steals, friends tell me!
@wigglytuffitout I'll check out Lace market! First I hear of it.
I am small but I am not Asian Girl small. They're like, small-small. 
So, it might not really fit? We'll see.
@polychrome the good thing about lacemarket is that you're buying from (usually western/english-speaking, if not american etc.) people, so they'll be up-front with "it fit me and here's my vague measurements/it has shirring" etc.
the other oddball idea to put in your hat - eshakti is not lolita. but they do a lot of a-line dresses with customizeable necklines that i think you can *make* into casual lolita, especially if you're comfortable sewing on some lace after.
@polychrome eshakti is fucking quality as well, i have a dress from them that's been just keeping on keeping on for like... fuck, 6 years at least? 7 years? i swear to god that cotton is like the cast iron of dresses. its embroidery is only now starting to show the occasional loose bit but otherwise, it's the fucking same.
totally rec them hands-down. they do custom sizes too for like 10 bucks (covered in the same fee for changing neckline, hemline/length, sleeve type, etc.)