What do you look for in bjd clothing?

quality and detail are what catch my attention. that and how much wear i would get out of it. i tend to not get something if its something i won't use for a long time. so i use the same approach i have with my clothes. i choose more classic silhouettes and cuts. i can make the more fun stuff that goes in and out more often. as far as price? well, if i pay 30.00 for a t-shirt that i will use for lets say 3 years. two dolls at least share it, so that's like 5.00 a year per doll for 3 years. i can live with that.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?

Fit really matters to me, but it doesn't trump style. An OOC outfit that fits well doesn't get me very far. Scale is also increasingly important to me.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?

I actually do expect slightly higher craftsmanship in doll clothing, because retail RL clothing tends to be very poor quality .

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?

I started preferring casual but am drifting more toward unique.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?

Occasionally.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?

Absolutely. If I have to take the doll apart to get it on, it had better be a really amazing outfit.

How much does price matter?

Some things are too expensive for my budget, and I sometimes run across outfits that don't appear to have the quality to match the price. For high quality stuff I am definitely willing to spend more when I can. For BJD clothing, I find the correlation of price to quality seems to actually apply more consistently -- possibly because brand name is not so all-encompassing?

 

I don't sew, so I buy clothing for dolls (way too much clothes).

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
Fit is important... but style is MORE important. I'm always looking for something wonderful and different.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?

Same or lower. The dolls don't have to move about and stress the clothing quite as much as humans--but they still are moved and posed... so things need to be well enough for that. I do like things fairly finished. I can understand shortcomings in craftsmanship when it comes to STYLE and things really not being necessary for dolls. But it all still has to LOOK good.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?

I like unique pieces. I understand the allure of casual outfits, but I'm usually looking for something different than what I can see every day. I like couture, evening wear, fashion trends--goth, punk, jrock, EGL, etc., x-dress cosplay, historical, fantasy, science fiction...

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?

Yes. I have before. Although I would appreciate at least a good picture of the outfit on a doll, sent along so I can try to figure out how it goes... and appreciate MORE some instructions! (that last has never happened, and I usually have to go find a picture, myself... or make sure I capture it when I buy the outfit)

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?

Easy to put on is nice. But I really like elaborate and special outfits--so easy is not really something I think about.

How much does price matter?

Of course, lower is better, but I'll pay up to $150 or more for an outfit I really like. Paying more than that--I might, but I haven't really seen something I've wanted that badly... Although I've assembled outfits that may have easily cost more.

...I shop a lot for doll outfits, but I have been into BJDs since 2004 and I have bought many outfits over that time, so I am getting more and more particular, since I have so much clothes for my dolls already.

Since they are not contemporary fashions, they don't become unfashionable quite as easily, and dolls don't wear them out.

What I'm usually looking for now are unusual fashions that I can't resist. But I still have too many outfits for my SD-13/Large/60cm dolls. I am mostly buying clothes for odd-sized dolls, now-- for Iplehouse EIDs and SIDs, for odd-sized tinies, etc. BUT, I still have many SD-sized and if I see something in that size, I can be tempted!

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?

Personally, I believe fit and style are equally important. However fit doesn't necessarily have to be perfect. My girls both have very unique, quirky styles so I may allow some leway for the fit if I were to find something perfect. I've found I've needed to commission most of my dolls' clothing so I can give specific measurements.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?

My mother used to sew clothes for my American Girl Dolls so I know that sewing on a smaller scale is tricky. I don't want to say my expectations are lower but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a seam rip or a loose button here and there.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?

Of course I love unique pieces, that tends to be the basis for my girls' wardrobes. However basic/casual pieces are important for a well-balanced wardrobe.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?

After the restringing disaster I had with Erin I don't think I would.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?

I definitely appreciate easy in the application of clothing but I suppose some difficulty shows the doll you love them, haha!

How much does price matter?

Well I figure if you spend 100s to 1000s of dollars on the actual doll you should buy clothes of good quality, especially if they are commissions. On the other hand I wish for a fairly large selection of clothes so I have to budget myself.

 

I have a difficult time finding clothes that I like for my girls and am trying to learn to sew in the hopes I can make clothes like I want. My taste in clothing for myself is very simple - jeans or slacks, t-shirts, and occasionally dressy blouse. What I tend to want for my girls is similar - shorts, jeans, skirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses without a lot of frills or fuss. Plain or simple prints. I have a hard time seeing multiple prints in the same outfit and won't buy one unless it comes together very well for me.
I do on occasion purchase dressier or fancier clothes, and occasionally I see a fussy outfit that I really love, but generally I want well made clothing, simple or classic lines, interesting use of fabric, and something that matches the personality of the girl I'm dressing.

 

Something that's cheap(not cheaply made, just not too expensive), good quality, casual and still cute, and...something that will express my doll's character.

 

I've ended up falling for the high-end clothing. I didn't start out like that, I was very reluctant to spend much money on my doll's clothes at first. For my first doll I made the clothes myself, but I did order shoes and wigs and a few small things. I quickly got frustrated with the limitations of my own sewing however. Then I saw some truly stunning dollclothes on meets and fairs (Raoukens work) and I realised how much difference clothes could make. I think it was about two years in the hobby when I commissioned my first outfit.

It's pretty much downhill from there.. Lol no, I don't consider it a problem at all. I think meeting Raouken made me very aware of the artist on the other end of the line, making those clothes. Their time and talent obviously has a price, and in return that price really can reflect quality pretty much one on one. That's different then what I was used to outside of this hobby, where shopping for a bargain doesn't have much downsides. If I buy a 10USD shirt by Hennes&Maurits the quality might not be superb but it is good enough and the style is incredible, so why pay more? In the dollhobby that is very different as everything is handmade, specifically for a certain size and in very small numbers. The prices just cannot come down without sacrificing something, being it the wages of the people making those clothes, or the time they can spend on it meaning the quality of the item you buy.

I found that I really care about quality, though it does not come cheap. It helps that I collect mostly slim-Mini girls that can all share clothes. I am much more reluctant with buying clothes that only one or two of my dolls can wear.

 

I do the same for my dolls that I do for myself. I sew & will generally make outfits that are unique & special (cosplay outfits, fitted dresses etc). I BUY tailored suits, because I can get very well-made suits for prices that equal the cost of material & general pain in the posterior I'd have to make one myself. I make my own jeans for the dolls because the quality & fit are NOT what I like in most of the marketed jeans - & if they are good, they are way too much $$$$ & I can make them very quickly & well
I love buying used clothing (Goodwill etc) for myself, so browse the market place for interesting, reasonably priced 2nd hand clothes for my dolls. I've gotten some great stuff.
You do NOT always get what you pay for. Believe me. In that, you can pay mega bucks & STILL have to reinforce buttons, redo seams & refinish them. This for both me & the dolls.
That said, I buy expensive footgear – looks better & lasts longer overall (although some brands are NOT worth it). I’ve got some bargain basement shoes (because people do & I expect my dolls to look like their characters) but mostly I go premium. Same w/wigs (especially w/wigs).

 

For more casual, everyday type clothes, average quality and craftsmenship is fine for me. I prefer the clothes to fit well, but it's not hard to make baggy clothes work.

For more expensive clothes (around $200), I am very picky. I love intricate and elaborate details and a great fit is a must! I'm also willing to wait a lot longer for shipping, heh.

 

Because I can't make my own BJD clothing (although I do hope to one day), I tend to buy but I always go for something that I look at as being affordable.

Casual clothes I don't mind that much - things like jeans and shirts and hoodies are okay, but with more intricate pieces like full-on sets, I don't mind paying a little more for something that I think is very good quality/absolutely gorgeous.

But I'd never pay so much that the sets or clothing costs more than my own clothing XD;;

 

In all honesty what I look for in clothes is dollheart D': I cant help myself. Its all so so cute and well made. I like clothes that are a little more classical in style. I guess you would call it Lolita. But most my characters need more modern clothes which are so hard to find it seems. Or maybe i'm really picky...which is probably the problem

 

I like casual clothes the best. Sometimes it's a bit difficult finding the right fit for dolls though.

 

The same outfit in different colours and sizes because every one of my dolls will get an own colour scheme but I want them to look as similar as possible.

 

I sew all my own clothes so it would have to be something in the right style with really good fit (since tailoring is my thing) that would be priced low enough to not want to make it myself.

 

vintaGe ?
allot of vintage styles ] and colorful clothing~
i would pay $$$ if its worth it >.<"

 

The doll itself should be the first consideration. Then the theme. I cant sew anything so , i really just buy things on a whim. Lately , i get picky. Price should be reasonable, if its more expensive than the doll... i think thats way too much to handle. I just literally walk away

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
I don't really like the clothes to be all baggy (or not fit) most of the time but each of my characters has a specific personality and things they prefer to wear so probably style is more important. But if my character has some sort of change in their story or something their style may well change.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
It's roughly the same for me.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
It depends on the character. Fantasy characters tend to wear more unique clothes whereas humans wear more casual stuff that fits with who they are.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
If I really love it and it's perfect for a particular doll then I would, I'd just be super careful with it and paranoid about tearing it, especially since intricate clothing tends to be more expensive.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
For the most part yes, but I'll certainly have some that's not. The clothes they sit in when they're not busy they are the lowest maintenance since those are basically like PJs.

How much does price matter?
It depends on the item, if I think the quality is good enough then I'll pay a bit more for it. But there are limits, for example I wouldn't spend $100 or more on a single item, an outfit maybe, but not like a top or pair of shoes.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
I think it depends on the doll, really. I know that Iris really likes stylish things, and if some baggy pants are stylish, they'd suit him. However, no matter how good something looks, I wouldn't just flood him with baggy clothes. --OH YEAH, and he's a Kizdoll, so he's hard to fit pants for. I'll either have a hip problem or a leg length problem. I have to choose wisely.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
Again, it depends. There's a certain charm to hand crafted things, and I would accept a certain flaw or imperfection here and there, depending on the garment. But if I bought expensive clothing from a company, damn right I would! I would expect the craftsmanship to be just as good.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
For Iris, casual and/or unique could work because of his personality. He's very fashion conscious, so he can't be so casual that he's in sweat pants, but he's not a very formal type at all. For Yukio, he's an odd individual, so he'd be more unique. Comparatively though, casual doesn't tend to be as expensive! So... I'd prefer casual if I could get away with it!

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
Honestly, I would, for Yukio. Definitely. Anything that makes him feel more like himself, especially if he appears happy in it, and makes me feel like he's coming into himself a bit more.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
I don't have a preference yet. One of my boys isn't home, and I only have but two shirts and two sets of trousers for Iris at the moment. (And those trousers aren't even here yet, he's wearing some unfinished capri pant project that he was mailed to me in.)

How much does price matter?
Logically, it should matter quite a lot. No matter how much I like something, I will always be responsible. In a freelance household, we can't afford to throw too much money around. That said, if I have enough "fun money" saved up and have been good for a long long time, maybe I would break that rule, but it can't be done frequently. Like Loves_Little_Angel said, I wouldn't pay so much for one item, but for a whole outfit I just may pay a lot, but it can't just be really nice. It has to scream to me that it suits one of my boys %100.

 

One of the most important things for me is scale. I like to see fabrics with very fine knits, and the weight/softness of fabric is important too. Things like patterns, buttons and zips all need to look right.

I have made some of my own stuff before but buying clothes is just easier, even though I think just about every single BJD item is overpriced.

 

That's what I forgot! I really try and look at scale in patterns and small stitches, if stitches are visible. Lately, ever since I started sewing a hoodie for my boy, I've been eyeballing other clothes to cannibalize and I've been really looking at things with smaller patterns, if they're patterned at all.