Welcome to Gaia! ::

Quick Background story: I've wanted a Lolita outfit for years, kept telling myself I'd make one, and never did. Last summer, my boyfriend studied in Sendai and came back with a present for me: A Bodyline brand Wa-Loli outfit, which consists of a kimono top, elastic waist/obi-thing, clip-on bow, and a teeny tiny skirt with a petticoat. Now, since I am not of Japanese body build, the skirt is... well, barely a length that is legal for me to wear in public. There is a meetup near me at the end of June, and I'd like to go, wearing this outfit, except... I'm not comfortable in that skirt. I unfortunatly don't have pictures, but the kimono top is white with a slight purple floral print, and dark purple plaid ruffle trim on the sleeves and opening, which is the same dark purple/black plaid as the obi, bow, and skirt.

TL;DR: I have a white/purple + black plaid wa-loli kimono top and obi, and a matching skirt I don't care to wear. What to do?

I'm thinking of making a knee-length black skirt, since I don't think I can match the purple plaid intime, and I thought it'd be nice to have a loli staple like that. Other than wanting butt-ruffles (like on the original skirt), I have NO IDEA how to trim it to match the kimono/general style of the outfit! Also, completing the outfit:

-socks or tights? My heeled maryjanes or some traditional wooden sandals? I'm making kanzashi to put in my hair, but, what to DO with my hair?

Any help would be apprieciated. If you want pics, I can get some up tomorrow (@ boyfriend's house right now)

EDIT: It's this set, in purple, floral print is more subtle, and the skirt is WAY shorter than it looks there.

I'm not sure when you needed this by, but a plain black skirt is definitely your best bet. Just make a normal rectangle skirt with the trimmings you want, and an elastic waist. The obi [I assume you'll still wear it?] should cover and conceal the waist from view, so making a fitted waist isn't necessary at the moment.

Accessory-wise, kanzashi would be great. As to what to do with your hair, that's a bit hard to say without knowing what your hair looks like. Definitely some form of up-do with most of your hair near the back of your head. Maybe leave some curls loose, too? I dunno. Like I said, it's hard to do without seeing what your hair looks like already.

For the socks and shoes dilemma, I'd say go with lace-top socks and mary janes or similar shoes. With that particular set, I don't think that the traditional geta/sandal idea will particularly work. You'd need to customize them and make them suit the outfit, which would end up being more time consuming and possibly not come out exactly right since you stated you have little time to get it done.