Co-ordinates: Casual Dressing

This month's co-ordinate theme will be casual Lolita outfits.
You don't want to be decked out in your best blouse and skirt, only to be caught in a sudden shower and have it turn into several pounds of sodden cotton.
It's better to dress lightly and comfortably until the season turns a little more predictable.

And, although aimed at anyone languishing in damp weather, these co-ordinates can of course be adapted to any season.
The important thing to keep in mind is: 'casual', not 'sloppy'. You still want to maintain an air of elegance and dress-up, even if you're technically dressed-down.

Cutsews (what?),, which can be as fancy-looking as a blouse, are nontheless a comfortable and inexpensive alternative if you're out or just stuck indoors.
They're stretchy- good if you're active outdoors- and also don't crease like blouses can, so you can wear them more freely with less looking-after.

Here's a relatively fancy cutsew and skirt pairing, suitable for going-out wear:

Corset Bodice, Porcelain Skirt, Victorian Underskirt.
For super-casual days (not *quite* slumming...) a t-shirt can even be used- providing it's reasonably fitted (i.e. not a huge great to-your-knees shapeless one)
and at least somewhat related to the rest of your outfit.
A t-shirt can be made into an instant cutsew with the addition of a detatchable collar:

Ruffle Skirt, Baby Collar, Victorian Underskirt.

What if you wanted something more substantial? For extra warmth and cover, cardigans are grand:

Lace Cardigan, Bouquet Onepiece, Toybox Headdress, Lace Petticoat
...either lacy cutsew-style ones, as here, or a sturdy and sensible knit version. (A project for girls who knit, maybe?)
Worn over a fairly simple onepiece dress, they look a lot more dressed-up than they feel. And if extra frill is desired, return once more to the detatchable collar!

Bouquet Onepiece, Baby Collar. Cardigan from who knows where.

If it's miserable outside, but you are forced to venture out, a suitable sweatshirt will help you maintain your dignity...or not, if it has a hood with ears. But you'll be warm as well as endearingly daft!

Accessories are key to casual dressing with style. The attention to (entirely unnecessary, but cute) detail is an important aspect of
Lolita fashion, and more so if your clothes are on the simple side.
A full headdress would probably look overdone, so wear your hair either up in pigtails (or whatever your preferred style) with bobbles or clips... ...or down, and tamed, finished off with a simple ornament or headband. As long as it's neatly arranged and has a touch of decoration it will go a long way to making your casual outfits work.

Finally, you'll probably be wearing sensible shoes, but don't neglect your socks. Even plain tights are a vast improvement over random odd-socks, and bare legs will earn you a spanking. Casual styles are a bit more forgiving as regards individual quirks, so this can be a good opportunity to incorporate any really bizarre legwear you might have. If you prefer formal style long socks, ensure they're neat and that they'll stay up on their own- or with garters.
And of course, that they match!
Co-ordinated sock toppers are also a good addition. Personally I prefer these because even the laciest of socks will wear out eventually, whereas sock-toppers won't- plus you only need one pair for any number of socks.

Last of all... get a reliable umbrella. Parasols will have to wait until the sun is more substantial!