What do you look for in bjd clothing?

Some thing what will fit my dolls. I am finding out just how hard that really is.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
They both matter equally.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
The same, although sometimes I will accept lower quality doll clothes if they don't cost much but are unique.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
I love it all, but definitely veer towards casual these days. Before I was very into dramatic goth/fancy looks, but now it seems kind of cool to have dolls wear "normal" clothing too.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
I have before. It was extremely beautiful and well made. I had to remove parts to get it on, but it was worth it.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
I prefer clothes that don't stretch out when I put them on a doll. Easy is nice, but not a requirement.

How much does price matter?
There are certain outfits I'd never reveal the price of. I prefer for things to be cheaper, but I'd rather have a well made item.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
If I don't like the style, I'm certainly not going to purchase; but poor fit is guaranteed to keep me from buying from the same designer/company.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
My expectations are going to be lower because the clothing doesn't have to move with a doll the way it would with a human body. But I am still going to appreciate quality fabrics and quality tailoring (see venecja's work, for example).

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
I'm going to splash out for gorgeous, more formal or historical pieces, but nothing can beat the versatility of good basics and separates.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
I have, from Souldoll, for my Soul Double boy. It's gorgeous, but pretty fiddly to put on/take off.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
I suppose so. I'm doing more knitting these days for my dolls, because a knitted fabric has got a lot more give, and usually doesn't require buttons or other fasteners.

How much does price matter?
It depends on quality and the reputation of the designer/company.
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I haven't been in this hobby long yet and have only bought one bjd clothing item (a pair of leggings) and made the rest. But, I plan on buying some more clothes soon because I'm not great at sewing.

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa? It definitely has to fit, though I'd be okay with making small alterations if it was something I really wanted. But I think style is what draws me to an item in the first place, I wouldn't check the measurements for a fit if I wasn't interested in the style, obviously.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing? As long as the clothing isn't going to begin falling apart after a few uses, I'm good. I guess I'm the same with human clothing, I'm fine getting stuff from Wal-mart as long as it doesn't feel like it's going to come apart while I'm wearing it. I do expect clothing I would buy not to be raveling/ pulling at the seams/ stained, etc. though I'm fine not hemming clothing I make.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa? Pretty casual pieces so far, my girls character's aren't all that eccentric (or developed in general). Plus unique stuff is expensive, in general.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll? I'm okay with taking off the head/hands to put clothing on, but if it's going to take more than 3 minutes to put on even after I first figure it out, I probably would learn my lesson and not use it much or buy a similar style again. However, I'm not sure that I would be able to tell before buying that an item would be difficult to put on... it's not normally something I'd consider.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for? Probably. Especially if that means when I'm in a rush or only have a few minutes to take some pictures, I'm not going to hurt the clothing or the doll.

Also, I really don't want clothing that truly needs "care". I don't iron my own clothes, so once they're made, I'll probably never iron doll clothes.

How much does price matter? A lot. As I said, I'm pretty new, and feel pretty guilty spending as much on a doll sweater as on a sweater for myself. At the moment, all my doll outfits are under $5 (either in supplies, or I bought some Wal-mart clearance Barbie-ish clothes), and I can't see myself in the near future spending over $25 for an outfit (except maybe some well-made jeans...)

 

Basically I shop for my dolls the same way I shop for myself. Quality matters and basically if I wouldn't wear it, then neither will my doll! Of course I have a few exceptions: Lolita outfits, Maids outfits, and Fluffy Animal pj's, LOL.

 

I think it all depends on the character.
Personally I prefer Victorian styles and fantasy c: But I also really enjoy skinnies and grunge styles haha so my preferences are really varied
I love intricate accessories and clothing to add detail and personality as well!
Price doesn't matter so much as long as it is worth what I paid for. ♥

 

Unique colorful but casual street clothes. Usually with cute print t-shirts.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
Fit is a little more important to me than style when it comes to casual clothing. If it's a special outfit that's not considered casual, both fit and style are equally important though.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
Sadly, higher. lol. Dressing my dolls in higher quality clothing though is getting me to pay attention to my own clothing choices, so it's a good thing!

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
I definitely prefer casual. I do plan to have a slew of SD dolls with specific commissioned outfits though.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
Yes, I would if it brought a fantasy character to life.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
For dolls I play with and redress often, I do, but I plan to put a lot of money and work into customizing my SD crew. They'll be more like posable display pieces probably.

How much does price matter?
For casual, I'm a recent subscriber to fewer higher grade items. My first pass at the hobby, I did the many cheaper items, but was never satisfied with the makeshift outfits I I made out of them. I'm very proud of the wardrobe now and am not ashamed to show judgmental family members, "THIS is what I do with this doll." They're more impressed too.

My family and many of my friends are notable quality over quantity individuals. So am I, so I feel much better about myself and my choices in the hobby when I'm picky about what I purchase. That's not to say there aren't amazing seamstresses out there on etsy or here on DOA, because there are!

 

I personally love getting new clothes for my boy! Fit matters to me but I think style edges it out by just a bit.

But in terms of quality and stuff, I like good quality but not to the point that it's more expensive than either normal clothes or cosplay clothes I'd buy. No matter how beautiful a piece of clothing maybe for my boy, I promised myself I wouldn't spend more than a certain amount. I like to get clothing that is easy and simple to put on - I wouldn't want to pay a lot for something only to have it arrive and then I have no idea how to put it on and then get frustrated about it (and possibly end up breaking something! D: )

 

For the most part, I do try to make my boys' clothing. I do, however, occasionally buy them outfits/articles of clothing here and there. Especially when the actual making of their clothes isn't turning out so hot. XD;

Caleb's got this gorgeous coat I bought from iloveDollHeart that I love to pieces. I had to buy a full outfit to get it, but it's absolutely worth it. I made Caleb's pants, his shirt, his frilled cuffs and his cravat. But that coat's just amazing, and was well worth the money spent.

I made Wraith's current pants, but they're pretty glaringly imperfect to me, just as Caleb's pants are, and will need to be redone at some point.

When I look at outfits, I do like things that are easier to put onto the doll, I admit. Though, when I fashion my own creations, I try to account for that.

I'm not professionally trained or anything, so it's always a learning experience for me. It does make the times that something works out well all the more worthwhile, however. ^^;

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?

No, they both matter. The clothes have to fit, and they have to suit the doll they're intended for.

If they don't suit him, then they have to suit SOMEbody in the house (sometimes you end up matching a doll and a garment you'd never expected would go together).

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

From many places, I expect the craftsmanship will be more like "doll clothes" than "human clothes". I don't always mind this, if it's something that will photograph well. Many items that're made pretty shoddy turn out great-looking in photos; the camera has more blind spots than you'd think, sometimes.

But, generally I prefer doll clothes that don't look like doll clothes, with craftsmanship you'd find in fine humanwear. DollHeart and AnotherSpace, Musedoll and Souldoll, Freedom Teller and Sadol, and sometimes Volks, manage these garments that just floor me. In-scale buttons, teensy scale stitching, tailoring to the doll's exact shape, it all wows me.

To be fair, lotsa times my expectactions for craftsmanship in MY clothes doesn't soar very high either... you can pay such money for shoddy crap these days! :P

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

Both. You've GOT to have the basics. But to stop at the basics would be criminally boring, I could never tolerate that. In the end, I always follow the least-probable outfits. Give me glam and flash and drama, and don't skimp on the grommets and bare midriffs. (I'm not into quiet good taste for my own clothes, either.)

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


Absolutely. If it's going to look stunning when all the details are together, then I'm going to do what it takes to dress that doll in it.

Most companies don't include diagrams with their complex outfits, so I'm in the habit of printing out sales-photos and storing them with the outfit for future reference. Otherwise, I'd forever be forgetting whether this belt goes around that leg or not, or what's the configuration of these straps, or how the hell do you tie that obi, etc.

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

Sure, if it happens to look good. If it doesn't look good, then no. Nothing that looks like doll clothes or repurposed baby clothes.

How much does price matter?

It's got to at least be remotely worth its price.

 

I buy/make what I think my dolls would wear depending on their tastes and personalities. Quality is important, but not the defining thing, that's mainly just whether or not I think they'll like the outfit I'm getting for them. XD

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?

I prefer fit over style. The best looking clothes can look like burlap sacks if they don't fit right.


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

I have about the same expectations. Especially considering that my doll clothing costs as much as MY clothing!


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

I like both equally.


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

Probably, but I've been called a masochist before.


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

YES. Because some doll clothing, I have to wonder if the designer ever actually tried to put it on a doll. =/


How much does price matter?

Not much. If it's easy, I can make it. If it's really nice, I'll buy it.

 

I just like a piece of clothing to be made decently well and fit in with my dolls' style. It doesn't have to be super detailed or anything, just as long as it'll hold up under being taken on and off and rubbing against the dolls' joints for at least a year or two.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
I would say that fit does matter more than style but I'd also say that I'm willing to take the time to search for the piece of clothing that is the perfect fit physically as well as stylistically.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
The same or higher. Doll's clothing should not wear out like human clothing does, seeing as they aren't being active like us "big people" are. :p I think doll clothing should last pretty much forever.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
Eh. Depends on the doll's style I'd say. (: Most of my doll's characters are pretty casual but there's a few characters floating around in my head that would require more unique/complicated/specific clothing ensembles.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
Yes I would, as long as the end product would be worth the trouble!

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
I do prefer easy, but who doesn't? However as I said above, if a piece of clothing is so beautiful/awesome that it's worth the trouble of getting on the doll, I wouldn't mind taking the time to put it on. (:

How much does price matter?
It matters a bit to me because I don't make that much money, but I'm willing to pay for quality. If it means my doll only has one full outfit of great quality vs. six or seven of bad quality, I'd go for the one outfit for sure. Quality over quantity. :3

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
Style matters more than fit for me. I can modify size as long as it's close but I can't do anything if the style doesn't work.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
Lower, since doll clothes do not have to stand up to the same kind of wear human clothes do. They should still look nice, but structurally they can be lacking a little.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
Both. My dolls are mostly casual dressers but each of them has a different 'dress up' style and like different casual styles as well. I like to make and buy things that are a little more personalized to them, so jeans and a t-shirt can mean a sloppy shirt and baggy pants on one and day-glow orange cargo pants and a beater for another, or jeggings under a pleated mini with a cut-sew and bustier vest.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
Yes, if I really liked it. They can wear it for the next month if it's that hard to remove.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
Usually, but sometimes the fancies are just too tempting

How much does price matter?
A lot. I can't justify spending more on a doll shirt than I would on an entire outfit for me. Professional stuff is nice, but I'm cheap and broke. I make most of my doll's clothes or buy less expensive pieces I can't. Maybe someday it won't matter, but for now it's the biggest factor.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?

style matters more than fit to me depending on the item.


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

lower. they're so beautiful, they can wear rags and pull it off. ^^ i must make sure my clothes are a flattering cut/fit.

however - quality of fabrics is important to me. i can't stand nasty, shiny, plasticy, cheap fabric.

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

i would prefer unique casual. ^^

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

if i liked it enough, yeah. =)

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
it doesn't matter to me

How much does price matter?

yes, there is only so much i'll spend on doll clothes. if it's just what i'm looking for, i'll spend more. or if its something i think would take me way too much time to make on my own.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?

Scale to me matters most, and affects both. If something fits well and will keep my dolls from being naked for cheap while I work on expanding their wardrobes, then it's okay if the style is wrong, and conversely, if something is stylistically perfect, then the fit doesn't have to be exact, it just needs to go on and come off without too much trouble and be within a reasonable size range.

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

Lower, but then, it doesn't need to be as high-- my dolls don't move around on their own, or sweat, or put very much wear and tear on their things, so if I'm careful with them, then they don't need to hold up to the level that human clothes do, and it's hard to do tiny seams in scale.

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

Oh, both. I try to do a good amount of my own sewing, and casual is definitely my current comfort level, but I try to make those casual things a little unique.

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

Probably not... I am a fan of ease-of-dressing, and those intricate items tend to be part of very expensive sets...

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

Definitely. I don't mind taking heads off of a couple of my guys if that's what has to happen-- and it's pretty standard for me to pop Vince's wig off when I'm changing him, but I prefer to keep his head on at least, and I only want to take hands off for changing if they magnet on.

How much does price matter?

A lot-- I don't have a big budget for this stuff (part of the reason I'm trying to do a lot of my own sewing!). I'm pretty broke a lot of the time, so if I can find a mass-produced doll outfit that will fit a doll I have as well as fitting the kid's toy type doll it was made for, I might go for that, and I spend money on shoes, but I very rarely buy a piece of clothing just because I'd rather save up for something I know I can't make-- or another doll! But if a piece is really perfect, and it's in stock when I have money (and especially if I can buy it WITH a doll or other item(s)), then I'll go ahead and go for it. I bought Pete a basic shirt because the colour and cut were perfect for him, and it wasn't too expensive, and I could buy it from the seller I was getting him from.

 

OK, so this just makes me look like a complete sucker!

I love buying sets, usually from iplehouse as they fit the dolls the best.
Quality and detail is essential, as all my boys love clothes as much as I do and as for price, If I want it that badly which means I keep looking at it. Then I have to have it!
Working with so many designer clothes through work you get used to a certain level of quality.

I have made clothes for dolls before, usually the intricate insertion lace and pin ticks on underwear were my favorite, although I have not tried to make anything beyond mohair wigs for my boys.
Having been a bridal wear designer sewing is second nature, unfortunately I just don't have much time, so when I do have any its precious and I want to play! lol

Yes I am Spoiled, I don't even need to stamp my feet. Because I work hard & I'm worth it.

 

Does fit matter more than style? vice versa?
To me, both are important but if something's on the larger side (but not too too much) I could deal with it. I probably wouldn't try altering it for fear of messing it up completely but fitting too big is better than not fitting at all.

Do you have lower/same/higher expectations for craftsmanship of doll clothing compared to human clothing?
I guess I'd expect something more expensive to have better craftsmanship than something cheaper in regards to pretty much everything, not just doll clothing. (Most of it runs more than anything I've ever bought, clothing-wise @@; ) Since bjds are many steps above play dolls (Monster High, Bratz etc) I guess I'd pretty much expect any clothing to have the same or close to the same craftsmanship. (Overall. Granted, there's some pretty crappy clothing lines that make pretty good clothes and some pretty good ones that make crappy clothes.) I only have a Dollhearts outfit so I'd say that has the same craftsmanship as something I'd buy myself to wear.

Do you prefer very unique pieces vs. casual pieces or vice versa?
I'm not really attracted to 'ordinary' so the more unique the better... but unique tends to carry a higher price tag than casual. I wouldn't be opposed to buying any piece of clothing unless it just didn't look good aesthetically, like the colors didn't go together or it wouldn't fit the character of the doll I had in mind.

Would you buy an intricate piece of bjd clothing even if it is difficult/confusing to put on the doll?
The outfit I bought went on easy enough but I hadn't realized the buttons on the front of the vest actually required you to button them. (No snap closures) It was a nice added touch, though. I wouldn't be opposed to it since I could figure it out after a while.. and probably a lot of swearing.

Do you prefer clothing that is easy to put on and easy to care for?
For a smaller doll I'd prefer ease since they are so tiny.. but for a larger doll it probably wouldn't bother me if it was a little harder to put on. As far as maintenance goes for clothing, I probably wouldn't want to go farther than hand washing.

How much does price matter?
I'd expect to pay around 50-60 dollars for a doll outfit.. but I usually try to find cheaper things that look nice. If there was no other alternative I'd spend a little more and get what I want as long as it wasn't over $100.