Yumekawa Plus

Articles

Sizing reviews, outfit ideas, brand stories and shopping guides — see all our latest writing.

All articles

Brands like Liz Lisa: 6 Japanese girly and jirai-kei labels, and which ship overseas
Shopping Guide

Brands like Liz Lisa: 6 Japanese girly and jirai-kei labels, and which ship overseas

If you like Liz Lisa's ribbons, checks and tiered skirts, these six Japanese labels sit nearby: Ank Rouge, NOEMIE, axes femme, DearMyLove, MA*RS and Nogenki. Style, price range, sizes, and how to buy each from outside Japan.

Japanese kawaii brands that go past L: measured in cm (Bodyline, DearMyLove, JIRAPI, CIELOHUK)
Shopping Guide

Japanese kawaii brands that go past L: measured in cm (Bodyline, DearMyLove, JIRAPI, CIELOHUK)

Four Japanese jirai-kei and ryousangata brands sell sizes beyond L. Real bust and waist measurements, in centimetres, from the official product pages for Bodyline (to 4L), DearMyLove (to 3L), JIRAPI (to 5XL) and CIELOHUK (to XXL), plus how to compare them.

Liz Lisa size chart: what “free size” measures in cm, by item
Shopping Guide

Liz Lisa size chart: what “free size” measures in cm, by item

Liz Lisa sells almost everything in one 'free' size. Here are the real measurements in centimetres for dresses, blouses, knits, skirts and coats on the official Japanese store, how to read the 'max waist' figure, and how to compare against a dress you already own.

Shift your whole look with 4 accessories, no new clothes required
Accessories

Shift your whole look with 4 accessories, no new clothes required

You don't need a new wardrobe to try jirai-kei or ryousangata — the fastest, cheapest way in is accessories around the face and neck. A practical technique for shifting a plain outfit toward either style.

The 7 types of jirai-kei (and a quick quiz to find yours)
Stories

The 7 types of jirai-kei (and a quick quiz to find yours)

Jirai-kei isn't one look — it splits into at least seven distinct styles, from soft ryousangata to full gothic. What defines each one, and a quick branching quiz to figure out which fits you.

Bodyline: the Japanese lolita brand most beginners start with
Shopping Guide

Bodyline: the Japanese lolita brand most beginners start with

Bodyline is the budget Tokyo lolita brand most overseas beginners buy first — and one of the few with an official international storefront. What it sells, how sizing works, and how shipping and customs actually work from outside Japan.

Liz Lisa: buying Japan's classic girly brand from outside Japan
Shopping Guide

Liz Lisa: buying Japan's classic girly brand from outside Japan

Liz Lisa is a 1999-founded Shibuya girly brand known for floral prints, ribbons and frills. What it costs, how its 'free size' actually fits, and how to order it once you're outside Japan — including the international storefront and proxy-shipping alternatives.

What is jirai-kei? A primer for international readers
Stories

What is jirai-kei? A primer for international readers

Jirai-kei (地雷系) is a Japanese street-fashion aesthetic centred on dark cuteness and emotional ambivalence. A short, friendly primer for anyone new to the look.

Chokers for jirai-kei: velvet, lace, and the one mistake to avoid
Accessories

Chokers for jirai-kei: velvet, lace, and the one mistake to avoid

A choker is the single accessory most associated with jirai-kei. A short, practical guide to thickness, material, and pairing with the rest of the outfit.

Socks for jirai-kei: knee-highs, over-knees, and the lace tops in between
Accessories

Socks for jirai-kei: knee-highs, over-knees, and the lace tops in between

The single most underrated accessory in jirai-kei. A short, practical guide to picking sock lengths and details that work with the rest of your outfit.

“How old is too old for jirai-kei?” — On wearing what you love at any age
Stories

“How old is too old for jirai-kei?” — On wearing what you love at any age

Ever felt like you should “graduate” from jirai-kei? A gentle look at why age and clothes feel tied together — and why they don’t have to be.

Buying Chinese lolita brands from outside Japan: a practical guide
Shopping Guide

Buying Chinese lolita brands from outside Japan: a practical guide

Chinese taobao and Tmall lolita brands offer Western-friendly sizing at a fraction of indie-brand prices. A step-by-step guide for international buyers.

Coloured contacts for jirai-kei and lolita: a beginner’s guide
Shopping Guide

Coloured contacts for jirai-kei and lolita: a beginner’s guide

Coloured contacts are the single accessory that changes a jirai-kei or lolita look the most. A practical, safety-first guide for first-time buyers.

How to wash jirai-kei and lolita pieces without ruining them
Stories

How to wash jirai-kei and lolita pieces without ruining them

Tulle, organza, polyester satin, lace appliqué — Japanese fashion subculture pieces are easy to damage with the wrong wash. A practical, low-effort routine.

Platform shoes for jirai-kei: how to choose a pair you can actually walk in
Accessories

Platform shoes for jirai-kei: how to choose a pair you can actually walk in

Platforms anchor the jirai-kei silhouette, but the wrong pair will hurt your feet before you reach the station. A practical guide to height, shape, and which strap style to look for.

A starter guide to ribbons in jirai-kei: where to put them, what to avoid
Accessories

A starter guide to ribbons in jirai-kei: where to put them, what to avoid

Ribbons are the single most expressive piece in a jirai-kei wardrobe. A practical guide to wearing them in your hair, on your top, or in your hand without overloading the look.