Day two of DMC was a lot more relaxed. The tea party started much later in the day than the Saturday event, and the fact I wouldn't have to do any organising or vending meant that I felt more calm. Too calm, perhaps, because I fell into bed the night before without really thinking through what I would be wearing the following day.
The tea party is when people really ramp it up a notch, as this is the day when the special guests make their decision about who should be awarded a prize for best outfit. I knew that some people had been planning their coordinates months in advance. Me? I grabbed something that morning and headed to the train station. I wore Dreaming Macaron-- a cute, fruit-themed print that I figured would be pleasant on such a hot, sunny day. In the last minute decision making, I didn't coordinate the dress as well as I knew I could have, but honestly, I didn't really care. Looking a bit ita was very much secondary to the fact this would be my first time going to a big tea party like this, and absolutely nothing could dampen my excitement!
I arrived right on time, and found myself at One Whitehall Place, the same venue as Frock On! 4 years previously. That sense of things coming full circle embraced me as I stepped into that familiar lobby, with its winding staircase at the back. Instead of heading upstairs, though, I was advised to go down, and found a crowded, talkative room of lolitas in a basement waiting area. I chatted to a few people, before it was finally time to be seated. Most unexpectedly (for me, at least), there was a mini-stampede as everyone pushed and shoved to be as close to the front of the queue as possible. I was actually separated from my friends because people barged in front of me. Thankfully, my pals promised to save me a seat and went on ahead.
The tea party room was large but very crowded. It was difficult to move between the tables, and I felt that too many tickets had been sold. There were people who I didn't get to speak to because it was simply too difficult at times to make my way across the room to talk to them! It took a bit of manoeuvring for me to merely claim my saved seat, and I felt tired at the thought of having to leave it again! I particularly felt for the wait staff. They did an amazing job of keeping us all topped up with tea, despite the space constraints.
There was an assortment of small gifts laid out on the tables. I claimed my pieces and we sat chatting, waiting for something to happen. Nothing did, so we got up to take pictures, to mingle with the other attendees, and generally relax.
There was an assortment of small gifts laid out on the tables. I claimed my pieces and we sat chatting, waiting for something to happen. Nothing did, so we got up to take pictures, to mingle with the other attendees, and generally relax.
My table! We were given badges, fans, and hair accessories. As well as food, of course. Look at those pretty sandwiches!
After a while, it was time for everybody to settle down for food. I quite enjoyed the afternoon tea-- the sandwiches had particularly nice fillings, and thee were enough provided to go round for everyone. Our table didn't seem to have very many desserts, though, so all I ended up with was a slither of carrot cake-- not that I'm complaining! I was very content! The only tea choice was breakfast tea, though, which was slightly disappointing as I'm an earl grey girl through and through! Bizarrely, an announcement was made as soon as we started eating that we would now all need to go take the group photo. I couldn't be bothered: I'd been in the group photo in the past and never really felt excited by the tiny brown blob that was my face way at the back each time. I continued to eat instead, and it was nice having the room a little emptier for a while. You can see who was on my table in this little clip of Charlie's video about the event! (can't lie, I really enjoy the rare occasion I get filmed by other people because I look much better on film than in pictures!)
It was wonderful to chat to some new people, and catch up with old friends. Not even getting my dress tulle stuck between two chairs, causing it to tear, affected my day too drastically (I'm thinking fabric glue will fix this little issue). Once upon a time I would have felt so anxious, and not made the most of the event. This time, though, I felt so in my element, and just enjoyed being there, being a lolita, and being part of this community. The day was such a whirlwind that I didn't really remember to take pictures. I actually filmed a lot of the weekend, though. Whether or not I will be able to create a decent event report out of this dodgy quality footage is another matter entirely, but we'll see!
Not my best look, complete with harsh sunshine to create a delightfully unflattering image, but whatever, haha.
Towards the end of the event, Kyra announced the end of the Tea Party Club, something I'd seen coming many months back. Regardless, it still felt like such a bittersweet moment. I completely understood why she did it, and I felt so privileged to have been there to see it go out with a bang.
The Tea Party Club gave me a social life. It introduced me to people I never would have met otherwise, who I share real hobbies and interests with. How different would my life be had I not joined the LiveJournal way back when I was sixteen years old? It doesn't bear thinking about! But I've grown and changed so much since then, and so has the Tea Party Club. As painful as it can be to move on, to leave the past and your old self behind, it can also be rewarding and refreshing, and I have no doubt that while this era comes to an end, something new is just around the corner.
I didn't win anything in the raffle, and as the event had overrun by half an hour, I had to leg it to catch my 6 o'clock train home. I made it with mere minutes to spare, and couldn't help give myself a pat on the back for this impressive feat!
So, that was my Run DMC weekend! I think back on it often, because it truly is such a happy memory, and makes me feel so cheerful and positive inside! I know for sure that it will stay with me for years to come ❤
I didn't win anything in the raffle, and as the event had overrun by half an hour, I had to leg it to catch my 6 o'clock train home. I made it with mere minutes to spare, and couldn't help give myself a pat on the back for this impressive feat!
So, that was my Run DMC weekend! I think back on it often, because it truly is such a happy memory, and makes me feel so cheerful and positive inside! I know for sure that it will stay with me for years to come ❤
Haha our table was full of foodies so we asked the staff for more cake and it was acutally possible to order more food if you asked (but I think most people didn't knew this unfortunately). I also didn't stood up to take the group picture because I just wanted to eat and it was such a hassle to move between all the chairs ^^'''
ReplyDeleteYeah, I didn't know there was more cake! I sort of regret not taking some of the extra scones home, personally!
DeleteHaha, agreed! I was way more interested in the food, and avoiding dealing with the cramped room layout!
It's interesting to read your honest review of the day, and that you had a great time despite things that could have knocked the wind out of your sails. I really like your coord, I'm tired of the OTT stuff and it's refreshing to see a nice, simple coord. Since the end of TPC, and other things like GLB, Kera, and shops closing, I've been feeling like Lolita is coming to an end for me personally, which has taken me by surprise. I will still wear it, but I probably won't buy anything new. (I think Facebook has also changed the scene a lot and the mystique of it has disappeared). There's other things I want to explore. Has the ending of the club changed your perspective on the fashion at all? It's fantastic to meet so many people through it though, especially people you know you will keep in touch with outside of the fashion.
ReplyDeleteAhh, thank you! I did feel my coord was pretty lacking and could have been colour balanced a lot better. I think it especially contrasted to other people's -- my thick cotton, brightly coloured dress is nothing like the muted tones and ott chiffon layers of "modern" lolita, so I stuck out rather a lot. I've made peace with it, though!
DeleteI sort of "got over" the way lolita changed maybe last year, when I started going back to my experimental fashionista roots and not being confined to this one subculture/label. I had to let go of the fact that the era of lolita I knew as my own was over, and accept that my aesthetic in lolita is pretty passé. The fashion as it currently stands doesn't interest me much as it bears little resemblance to the attitude or aesthetic that appealed to me in the first place... but there's nothing stopping me from wearing what I enjoy, doing things I enjoy, and surrounding myself with people I enjoy. The event reminded me to go out into the world and meet new people, visit new places, and indulge in afternoon tea as regularly as possible!
It can be a little scary or intimidating feeling as though a label no longer fits, or that something that became a big part of your identity doesn't really define you anymore. I feel that sometimes. But taking a step back has made me enjoy lolita more because I'm no longer chained to it. And honestly, I feel my life now more resembles the lifestyle/vibe that was prevalent in my early days in the fashion-- getting together with people who share your interests for days out shopping, eating food, and chatting for hours while looking however you want to look ❤
That's a really positive outlook on it and it's interesting to think of what is behind the fashion that drew you to it, like meeting people and seeing new places. I guess you can also apply those thoughts to other fashions and hobbies, for example, a different style might align more with one's aesthetic. For me, Otome fashion fits what made me fall in love with lolita, more than lolita now. I just can't afford Jane Marple 😅
DeleteIt's good that you don't feel chained to it. I think there was a period of time where I felt any spare cash I had needed to go on completing aspects of my lolita wardrobe, so I ended up stressed by it, wasting time hunting for bargains, and not enjoying it as much. I feel free now to buy more western brands, while still keeping the lolita pieces I love. I think the part that makes me feel lost is not truly knowing what my aesthetic is, and how to apply it to other labels. I still want to wear lolita at times, but I am done with it taking up too much of my life when it is the lifestyle aspects I like about it anyway!
I don't understand why those brands are even more expensive than the straight up lolita brands. Maybe the production costs are higher as their company is smaller? I love a lot of Leur Getter's pieces but the prices seem a bit much at times when the cuts are so basic.
DeleteThere were times when I felt a bit self conscious about how rarely I bought pieces, and how often I re-wore certain dresses compared with others who seemed to have a new release to wear every month... but I'd remind myself that ~back in the day~, resourcefulness was a big deal on EGL, and things didn't used to be about mindlessly consuming as much as possible.
I don't often think in terms of what my aesthetic is. I just wear what I like, and am trying to avoid feeling the need to put myself in a box so much. I used to have this thing where I'd feel like I was "cheating on lolita fashion" if I wore other things, so now I'm just like, I am me and I like to wear what I like to wear. There shouldn't be pressure involved because it's meant to be self expression at the end of the day! I think you reach a point where you see things and instinctively know that that's "you".