Lolita is a subculture which originates from Japan. The fashion is highly influenced by Victorian and Edwardian children’s clothing and styles of Rococo period. Lolita is distinctively cute, and its fans love it because of that. The style over the years has evolved to different sub-styles which share the same distinct aesthetic and cuteness just like original Lolita design. The fashion became popular in the 1990’s as a radical form of street style. The Lolita clothing subculture is categorized into three sub-styles namely Gothic, classic and sweet Lolita.
The fashion in the 1970’s wasn’t popular, only a few Japanese fashion houses embraced it. The situation changed in the 1990’s because more fashion houses began to merge it with urban street fashion thus making sexier, beautiful and cute. The fashion hit the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo fashion districts and since then Lolita went viral. Music bands like Princess and visual key helped to popularize the brand within and outside Japan. In some districts, the Lolita is nicknamed “Loli” .
Classic Lolita
This is the original and purest version of Lolita fashion. Classic Lolita has few decorations compared to sweet Lolita, Gothic or Punk sub fashions. The print on the dresses is simple and has few adornments. Fashion enthusiasts consider classic Lolita as a more mature style . The reason why they consider it mature is that the design is historically inspired compared to other Lolita styles. The style designers focus more elegance rather than cuteness. Authentic Classic Lolita is made from fabric with muted colors like dusty pastel and jewel tones. Also, the floral prints or solid colors are often embedded on typical Classic Lolita thus making more fancier regarding prints.
Gothic Lolita
Gothic Lolita original fashion is heavily influenced and popularized by Visual band. The Gothic Lolita frock is made of black but not all them. At times the brand is called Elegant Gothic Lolita and Elegant Gothic Aristocrat. The names were coined by Mana and Japanese Visual band Malice Mizer respectively. The fashion is also called Bittersweet Lolita. The design is popular with Harajuku teens, and the clothes are influenced by the fantasy world feel. Gothic Lolita cosplay wearers wear heavy knee length socks and boots, bonnets and sometimes parasol which are influenced by modeled by Rococo period fashion common features. The heavy styles influence comes from the Eastern and Victorian Goth style. Most of its brands are characterized by dark colors, crosses, bats and spiders. Also, other Gothic icons and designs are seen on the dress prints. The skirts have petticoat beneath and are normally worn at knee length. The blouses or shirts worn together with skirts are usually lace-trimmed or ruffled in Victoria style.
Sweet Lolita
Sweet Lolita has more frills and lace compared to typical Classic Lolita. The brand is different from typical Classic Lolita regarding aesthetics. The fashion uses a lot of pink, parasol and other decorations to represent an authentic baby doll look. The fashion is a hybrid of both Classic and Gothic Lolita. The style originally was inspired by Victorian children clothing and Alice in Wonderland. Sweet Lolita is characterized by pop cultures like Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma and other popular cute culture. Pastel colors together with other mute colors paint the fashion. Individuals wearing Sweet Lolita should wear huge Head bows, cute purses, and elegant parasols. Generally, the fashion is worn by individuals to look cute and beautiful.
Punk Lolita
Punk Lolita is an experimental style which blends Gothic Lolita with rock style attributes. The fashion is popular with both gothic and rock lovers. The style has been accepted all over the world due to its uniqueness, craziness, and cuteness. The style was inspired by Vivienne Westwood and influenced by British punk style. The style consist of frilly Skirts paired with cut sews and at times it can be worn with a more delicate blouse with a tighter skirt or pant. The outfit is characterized with feminine accessories to lighten the look. Lolita silhouette look dictates that the wearer must have a bell-shaped skirt which falls down about the knees but be shorter if the wearer wants it that way.
Even though Lolita has term has a sexual connotation in the Western world, the Japanese use the name to refer to cuteness, elegance, and modesty. The fashion at first was associated with Japanese schoolgirls, but currently, the fashion trend is being rocked across the world. Before the fashion was associated with Nabokov with tempting school girl but today the fashion it’s about cuteness and beauty. s
The core feature of Lolita fashion is the frilly skirt which is often created with petticoat or crinoline. The skirt can either have cloak-shaped or A-shaped design components. The skirt or dress can be worn with either long or short sleeved blouse. Women wearing Lolita frequently wear fashion wig accompanied by beautiful headgears such as hair bows or bonnet. Lolita street fashion is normally gothic cosplay style and is popularized by visual key Japanese popular music.
Lolita designer brands are darling of many due to their authenticity and cuteness. The Lolita designers make elaborate clothes which go out stock within a short period.
Conclusion
Lolita fashion is a unique style characterized by cuteness, and over the years the love for style has grown over the years across the world. This shows the importance of designers picking up classic and traditional/ ancient fashion trends and blends them with urban fashion styles. By doing this, they will promote essence appreciating our fashions, and many will buy and wear the brands. Lolita frocks have brought girlish stylish in our streets .