It is often said that Lolita brand Angelic Pretty’s best years were from about 2010 until the end of 2013. I’ve seen this statement about their so called ‘Golden Age’ pass me by quite a lot and when I was thinking of a small series to blog about, I decided to go back in time for a bit. Thanks to
this fantastic overview by Fuwa-Fuwa-Fashion I was transported back to my starting years as a Lolita. I wore my first outfit at the end of 2011, but had been an aspiring Lolita for about three years by then already. I followed the trends and new releases faithfully and it brought back lots of memories, so I decided to do a personal rating of Angelic Pretty print releases from 2010 and up.
Keep in mind:
these are only my personal opinions! Feel free to share yours in the comments! I’d love to discuss. Also, a heads up: the layout of this blogpost works better on pc than on mobile phone, so apologies if it looks a little... wonky.
This time I'll focus on: 2010.
Prints owned: 6/16
Prints on wishlist: 3/16
Powder Rose
Powder Rose comes in four colourways: black, pink, yellow and white and three dress cuts: OP, Frill JSK and Chest Ribbon JSK.
Powder Rose came out really early in 2010 and is a typical example of a print I really love: flowers floating down from the top and coming together as the print at the bottom. The flowers are really beautifully drawn and have a simple colour scheme of light pink, dark pink and yellow, combined with green leaves. Unfortunately, no matter how beautiful the print, the cuts are a little weird. Both the OP and the Frill JSK have strange, frilled panels on the chest, which makes the dresses lose some of their beauty. The Chest Ribbon JSK has, as the name suggests, a big bow on the chest, which isn’t a much better alternative. I own this dress in black, which strangely enough is the least beautiful version in my opinion, but I still love it and the frills on the chest are least visible on the black version. Overall I like this print, but the cuts could have been better.
Owned: yes
Grade: 7/10
Jewelry Jelly
Jewelry Jelly comes in five colourways: black, pink, sax blue, lavender and mint and three dress cuts: OP, Switching JSK and JSK.
What can I say about Jewelry Jelly? Honestly, it is
perfection. I love this dress to death. The print is pastelly, cute and soft and even glitters! Long lines of whipped cream and candies flow down the dress and end up raining into the broad, jelly print. Pictures don’t do this dress the justice it deserves: it’s amazing! I’ll admit the black version looks a little strange, with the broad, bright print against the black fabric, but I’ll be lenient since this print is e-ve-ry-thing. Both the JSK and OP have a frilly neckline with horizontal bows and crossed straps, where the Switching JSK has a border with bows going down vertically. This dress is still one of my absolute favourites in my closet.
Owned: yes
Grade: 10/10
Happy Garden
Happy Garden comes in four colourways: black, pink, sax blue and lavender and three dress cuts: OP, High Waist JSK and JSK.
For the longest time I absolutely loved Happy Garden and it was quite high on my wishlist, but over the years I’ve come to love this dress less and less. Don’t get me wrong: it has bunnies and chicks and both are very cute, but the print is a bit bland and not very special. The cuts of the dresses are also not very exciting, although I bet they’d work great for toned down outfits. Overall I think this print is a mere ‘okay’.
Wishlist: no
Grade: 5/10
Wonder Cookie
Wonder Cookie comes in five colourways: black, pink, sax blue, dark blue and white and three dress cuts: OP, Bustier Style JSK and JSK.
Wonder Cookie really has that OTT Alice in Wonderland vibe that many Lolitas are looking for and I too have fallen
hard for this print. All three dress cuts could be worn by waitresses at a cute diner and honestly I am living for that aesthetic. The print consists of falling cookies at the top of the skirt and a border print of tea pots and (card) cookies. Not only that, but none of the dresses are one set colour, but are made up of stripes of several colours. This is especially visible in the white version, where the green, sax blue and pink stripes combined with the colourful print create an almost pastel rainbow-esque dress. The unique combinations of colours and print of these dresses are what draw me the most to it, but also cause me not to be able to give it a solid 10, as the print can also be a bit too busy at times.
Owned: yes
Grade: 9/10
Milky Berry
Milky Berry comes in four colourways: black, pink, mint and white and three dress cuts: OP, Halter Neck JSK and JSK.
I love Milky Berry. There is absolutely no denying that I do. Give me a bright red fruit print combined with sweets and parfaits and I’m sold. Especially the mint and pink version of this print are stunning and just make me happy when I look at them.
However, even though I’ve seen it worn and actually quite loved it, I think the white version is bordering on hideous. I just don’t like white x red very much, as opposed to red x white (yes, there is a difference). Also the JSK cut is just downright saggy, yeesh. The Halter Neck JSK though, which I own, is darling. Overall I love this print and its cuts both for about 75%, bu then I do love them
a lot.
Owned: yes
Grade: 8/10
Milky Planet
Milky Planet comes in four colourways: black, pink, sax blue and yellow, with a special set in lavender, and two dress cuts: OP and JSK.
Ho boy, Milky Planet. That print really caused some intergalactic wars now didn’t it. I get it though. When talking about the Golden Age of Angelic Pretty, Milky Planet is definitely up there. The print is pastelly and cute and features ice creams, carousels, cupcakes and even rainbows, so what’s not to love? Both cuts also come with an adorable scallop border and JSK even with a scalloped neckline. The reason I mention the special set here and not with other prints is that back in the day, I especially loved the lavender version of Milky Planet, which was only the special set. Honestly, there’s not much
not to love about Milky Planet, hence why it’s still on my wishlist after all these years.
Wishlist: yes
Grade: 9/10
Fantasic Dolly
Fantasic Dolly comes in five colourways: black, pink, off white, red and lavender and three dress cuts: OP, High Waist JSK and JSK.
If I could somehow get my hands on every single colour of Fantasic Dolly, I would go for it without a question. Fantasic Dolly is just
amazing. It has dots, it has bows, it has Eiffeltowers, it has make up and bottles and it’s got that retro vibe. It also has a colour you don’t see that often which is off white (or ‘pastel yellow’ as I like to call it), which I very much appreciate. I seriously have no complaints about this dress whatsoever and I think every Lolita deserves this dress in her closet.
Owned: yes
Grade: 10/10
Melty Chocolate
Melty Chocolate comes in five colourways: mint, pink, brown x beige and brown x pink and two dress cuts: OP and JSK.
Yes, Angelic Pretty has released at least five hundred chocolate prints and yes, they all feature the word ‘melty’, but this is the OG of them all! At least, I think so. Well, for me it is. I had to blink twice as I was convinced this print was released in like 2005 or something, it really was released in 2010 and honestly, I love it. Well, the JSK cut. And well, just the mint and pink colourways. The other ones are not my cup of melty chocolate. I used to long for this dress like crazy, but over the years it has become less of a must-have for me. Although, if someone handed me that pink version, I definitely wouldn’t say no.
Wishlist: sorta
Grade: 6/10
Wrapping Ribbon
Wrapping Ribbon comes in four colourways: black, pink, ivory and black x pink and three dress cuts: OP, Ribbon Tiered JSK and JSK.
I was so ready to type up a raving review of this print and then I opened the pictures and thought: ‘Oh.’ First of all, the cut of the JSK is downright ‘no boobs allowed’ and the all-over ribbons and bows print is much busier than I remember. The cuts of the OP and Ribbon Tiered JSK are cute, but somehow not as appealing as I remembered. This print had a second release with different colours, but those don’t appeal to me either. Oh well, that’s growth I guess?
Wishlist: no
Grade: 5/10
Little Bear’s Cafe
Little Bear’s Cafe comes in five colourways: black, pink, ivory, brown and green and three dress cuts: OP, High Waist JSK and JSK.
Now I know many Lolitas are raving about this dress, but… it never really appealed to me. The print looks like you’ve run into a cupboard with shelves where bears are eating all sorts of donuts and somehow that’s just not really for me. I do appreciate the quirky green colourway, that’s a cool one. However, other than that, this print doesn’t do it for me.
Wishlist: no
Grade: 6/10
Merry Making Party
Merry Making Party comes in five colourways: black, pink, navy, yellow and white and three dress cuts: OP, Collar JSK and JSK.
A dress that doesn’t have tea, milk or hot chocolate on it, but
booze!? Sign me the f up! she said, while never drinking alcohol. Nevertheless, this print is a welcome change from the everlasting tea is effin’ awesome. That being said, this print is just… very busy. Somehow it doesn’t really work for me. I love the use of quirky colours like yellow and navy, but sadly, they can’t save this print for me.
Wishlist: no
Grade: 6/10
Candy Treat
Candy Treat comes in four colourways: black, pink, lavender and white and three dress cuts: OP, Chest Ribbon JSK and JSK.
Although Candy Treat may not be the most exciting candy print Angelic Pretty has ever released, it has a special place in my heart. The print is very cutesy Halloween, with falling candy and bright colours. The cuts aren’t very special and neither are the colourways, although you gotta admit that the white version with its red border is… rather bloodlike.
Owned: yes
Grade: 7/10
Holy Night Story
Holy Night Story comes in five colourways: black, pink, wine, green and white and three dress cuts: OP, Switch JSK and JSK.
The only way this dress could scream more ‘Christmas’ is if it had Christmas trees or ornaments. Because what it more Christmas-y than… a giant castle cake? No, I’m kidding. The print is very Nutcracker-themed and I really appreciate the unexpected colour choices, which are very winterlike. That being said, I don’t like it that much. It’s overly busy and I’m not that into the Nutcracker aesthetic. I do love the military style bodice of the Switch JSK though.
Wishlist: no
Grade: 6/10
Twinkle Ornament
Twinkle Ornament comes in six colourways: black, pink, wine, mint, black x pink and white and one dress cut: a JSK (and the usual skirt).
Well would you look at that! The missing ornaments from the previous dress. If you’re more into the non-Nutcracker side of Christmas and more into… well… ornaments, this certainly is the dress for you. I really like this dress and its simplicity, combined with some polka dotted details. However, as it’s made from velvet, I bet it’s super-hot, which is a bit of a downside for me. I do think the print sparkles though? Which again is a plus.
Wishlist: no
Grade: 7/10
Trump Carnival
Trump Carnival comes in four colourways: black, pink, red and blue and two dress cuts: OP and JSK.
I’m not easily swayed by card prints and this one is no exception. It’s a dress. With cards. And ponies. Alright. Also, the name feels a bit unfortunate, but if you realise ‘toranpu’ is just ‘playing cards’ in Japanese, perhaps it feels less awkward. But still. Anyway, this print is nice in red, but the rest doesn’t really appeal much to me and the cuts aren’t interesting either. Next!
Wishlist: no
Grade: 5/10
Whimsical Vanilla-chan
Whimsical Vanilla-chan comes in four colourways: black, pink, lavender and mint and three dress cuts: OP, Tiered JSK and JSK.
This is one of Angelic Pretty’s many cat prints and honestly, I really love it. The print is really simple, with cats framed by ribbons, and lace ribbons and bows flowing down the skirt. The chosen colourways also suit the print really well. The OP has a lovely, preppy girl cut and both JSK cuts are lovely as well. However, although I love cats, where are my dog prints AP!?
Wishlist: yes
Grade: 8/10
Overall grade: 7.1
Whoa, that was a very long post! I admire you if you read it from beginning to end. I hope you enjoyed it! See you for the 2011 edition soon!
Thank you for reading! ~☆~
