Lolita fashion is a subculture from Japan that is highly influenced by Victorian clothing and styles from the Rococo period. A very distinctive property of Lolita fashion is the aesthetic of cuteness. This clothing subculture can be categorized into three main substyles: ‘gothic’, ‘classic’, and ‘sweet’. Many other substyles such as ‘sailor’, ‘country’, ‘hime’ (princess), ‘guro’ (grotesque), ‘qi’ and ‘wa’ (based on traditional Chinese and Japanese dress), ‘punk’, ‘shiro’ (white), ‘kuro’ (black), and ‘steampunk’ lolita also exist. This style evolved into a widely followed subculture in Japan and other countries in the 1990s and 2000s and may have waned in Japan as of the 2010s as the fashion became more mainstream.
The main feature of Lolita fashion is the volume of the skirt, created by wearing a petticoat or crinoline. The skirt can be either bell-shaped or A-line shaped. Components of the lolita wardrobe consist mainly of a blouse (long or short sleeves) with a skirt or a dress, which usually comes to the knees. Lolitas frequently wear wigs in combination with other headwear such as hair bows or a bonnet (similar to a Poke bonnet).
Lolitas can also wear Victorian style drawers under their petticoats. For further effect some Lolitas use knee socks, ankle socks or tights together with either high heels or flat shoes with a bow are worn. Other typical Lolita garments are a jumperskirt (JSK) and one-piece (OP).
Lolita has also been heavily inspired by Victorian, Edwardian, and Rococo styles of clothing and dress.
The slang term Ita-Lolita refers to someone that dresses in a lolita fashion style but is really bad at it.
Lolita focuses on pastels and far more OTT themes. Males that indulge in lolita dress are called Brolitas. And these dudes know how to dress.
What is considered beautiful or cute in Lolita fashion is separate from mainstream tastes and trends. It’s about dressing for your own enjoyment, not dressing for others. The goal here is to feel happy and beautiful on your own terms.
With so many different branches of the trend to choose from, there’s never been a better time to get lost in the world of lolita fashion – and if you’re creative enough, you might even start a new sub-style of your own.
Happy Adorning!