Bibliotheca: March(ing) Music Madness

It's the time of month when I actually blog, that is, Bibliotheca time! This month's theme is March Madness, and to celebrate, several bloggers are doing polls to create a tournament for their favorite lolita items. My theme is Marching Madness, as in marching bands, because I love music. The winner was Angelic Pretty's Fancy Melody JSK.

My chosen theme is music prints, of which I've chosen 32 representatives in four categories: Cute Critters, Retro, Instrumental, and Eleganza. Choosing them was tough: I had to eliminate some of my dream dresses just to get a good spread. However, for the sake of honest sport, it's worth it. I paired dresses based on similar vibes, themes, or designs, and I chose the cut and colorway which best showed off any unique features. Although a lot of dresses have instruments or music, many were excluded because the focus was on another theme, like angels or toys. Once each category is narrowed down to one winner, Retro and Instrumental will face each other, along with Cute Critters and Eleganza, and the winners will compete in the final round. 

View the first round results here. 

View the second round results here. 

The third round results are here. We actually had a tie between Classical Melody Switching JSK and Violin JSK, so I just asked my non-lolita friend to decide and he liked the Violin JSK better. 

The semifinals are here. 

Here are the finals responses:

Here's the complete list and categories in order and as brackets: 

Finals Bracket

Retro

1.       https://lolibrary.org/items/meta-girly-note-jsk-with-collar

2.       https://lolibrary.org/items/ap-recital-jsk

3.       https://lolibrary.org/items/meta-melody-note-jsk-with-belt

4.       https://lolibrary.org/items/ap-fancy-melody-jsk

5.       https://lolibrary.org/items/meta-vintage-record-pinafore-jsk

6.       https://lolibrary.org/items/ap-melody-doll-op

7.       https://lolibrary.org/items/meta-musical-cat-dress

8.       https://lolibrary.org/items/meta-music-note-embroidery-jsk-special-set

Instrumental

1.       https://lolibrary.org/items/iw-anniversary-violin-flare-jsk

2.       https://lolibrary.org/items/iw-violin-jsk-0

3.       https://lolibrary.org/items/iw-revival-stradivarius-high-waist-jsk

4.       https://lolibrary.org/items/iw-orchestra-instruments-just-waist-jsk

5.       https://lolibrary.org/items/ap-classic-melody-switching-jsk

6.       https://lolibrary.org/items/chantilly-antique-elegance-piano-op

7.       https://lolibrary.org/items/ap-quartet-chocolate-op

8.       https://lolibrary.org/items/jane-marple-musical-instruments-print-jsk

 Eleganza

1.       https://lolibrary.org/items/indie-lady-sloth-dark-symphony-op

2.       https://lolibrary.org/items/moitie-harpsichord-trio-print-satin-op

3.       https://lolibrary.org/items/aatp-dance-of-the-black-cats-jsk-i

4.       https://lolibrary.org/items/aatp-the-grace-hymn-of-the-departure-jsk-i

5.       https://lolibrary.org/items/iw-a-maidens-prayer-on-a-starry-sky-flare-jsk

6.       https://lolibrary.org/items/aatp-lecrin-de-votre-gauche-jsk-0

7.       https://lolibrary.org/items/btssb-sister-marias-humming-birds-long-frill-jsk

8.       https://lolibrary.org/items/indie-instruments-regimental-stripe-long-sleeve-op

 

Cute Critters 

1.       https://lolibrary.org/items/meta-band-in-the-forest-collared-jsk

2.       https://lolibrary.org/items/bodyline-kitten-piano-concerto-jsk-l562

3.       https://lolibrary.org/items/ap-melody-toys-high-waist-jsk-2020-0

4.       https://lolibrary.org/items/btssb-meow-meow-symphony-lace-up-jsk

5.       https://lolibrary.org/items/btssb-la-la-la-swing-furry-puppy-jsk-ii

6.       https://lolibrary.org/items/btssb-poodle-parade-dot-tulle-jsk

7.       https://lolibrary.org/items/max-lovely-pooch-march-pt-jsk

8.       https://lolibrary.org/items/taobao-diamond-honey-cello-cat-jsk

Reflections 

Despite the undeniable dominance of Angelic Pretty in the community, I tried to put plenty of other brands in the beginning selection. I was personally very happy too see MAM's Lovely Pooche March win against AP's Melody Toys in the first round. It was also nice to see four different brands in the Final Four: AP, IW, Meta, and AatP all had worthy contenders. 

 

My favorites from each category are AP's Melody Doll OP, IW Violin JSK, MMM Harpsichord Trio, and Meta's Band in the Forest; each of them play into music in a different way, displaying both elegant and playful sides. As a musician (recovering), I fell in love with this theme early on in my lolita career. My overall favorite, Melody Doll, didn't even make it past the first round due to its match-up against the eventual champion! Still, it was great to see everyone's thoughts. Thanks so much for voting!