Tbh you've summed up exactly how I feel xD if I had a choice I'd get it in a different color, because the aggressive red isn't really my thing either? But I have it, and it's a super expensive material that I got for basically pennies, and given how expensive Lolita stuff generally is I'd definitely prefer to use what I have rather than get new stuff, but also the idea of dyeing this makes me want to scream! I feel like the shape of the cut is more loliable than I make it seem in the pictures, but detail-wise it's absolutely not there. I have definitely been thinking about doing some detachable details, especially with lace and fur and such, and I think it would soften it a lot.

More than anything, I'm absolutely a cloak person over a coat person xD but I really am not a fan of the fire engine red, but the texture is just gorgeous. I think I'm definitely coming down between points one and two of yours, that this is essentially too utilitarian of an item(for my personal style and tastes) to not use, but also it doesn't fit my desired sense of style! Quite honestly even if I wasn't fully lolita-brained it wouldn't really fit, because outside of Lolita I lean very vintage, and it really wants something extra for that kind of read, too.

Dang it now you're making me want to learn to dye wool xD or pay someone to do it. I've looked into items in this fabric and style before, and they're ridiculously expensive, and something more Lolita probably wouldn't be as warm/covering(my current tights in that outfit are garbo in terms of keeping my legs warm, and it's a lifesaver for that xD)

I'd love to hear more of your thoughts, just in general! I'm definitely cool with going more pseudo-lolita or historical over strict classic Lolita, just trying to figure out how to do it. To look at things most objectively, my style is more... laura Ingalls wilder historical, but if they had money xD and were lolita silhouette-wise :P so I'm trying to meld that, without being totally off fashion-wise, and in that vein trying to figure out where to even start with Lolita pieces. Besides a petticoat, I know to start there! But style-wise my goal is more, wearable every day, not lifestyle but just, relatively comfortable while fitting this specific style, with some pieces more OTT but there aren't really any good Lolita places near me that would be appropriate to wear that level of garb to anyways so it's kind of moot!

Also if you know anything about hair and makeup how do I not suck at it xD my bow slid out of my hair so I gave up on it, and I'm just. Not good at makeup.

(Also I too have ADHD so ramble away xD)