While this is not a super thorough website dedicated to lolita fashion, I do love it and wanted to say a few things about it and give some definitions of the different styles. I do have some links on the bottom, but there are a lot more. I do have a more complete list and if you want a copy send me an e-mail request. I just don't want to put that many links on this page.
Lolita is a Japanese street fashion that originated in the 1980s and has since grown to pretty epic proportions. Lolita is based on Rococo and Victorian fashion with a childlike whimsy added in. The style picked up popularity in Harejuku, Tokyo, where the Japanese youths would congregate and dress in outfits based off their favorite visual kei bands. A street photographer, Shoichi Aioko, started cataloging the "styles" of dress which soon were given names, such as decora, lolita, ganguro and more. The photographer published the book of photos, known as "Fruits."
There are many "rules" for dressing lolita, but don't worry, while there are rules, there are also a lot of different sub-styles within the genre of lolita. The rules help you create the perfect outfit, not restrict you from what you want to wear. I started wearing lolita a few years ago and I love it. Just remember, like any other hobby or lifestyle, there will always be elitist who try and pull you down. My advice, just love the fashion and have fun with it.
Types of Lolita ( a summary of sub-styles):
Sweet Loli ( Amai Lolita or Amarori)-this style of lolita. The colors are usually pastels or sweet prints. They are usually frilly and lacy and can be paired with more child-like accessories, like bunny/bear bags and they wear headpeices. They usually wear minimal make up as well.
Classic Loli: This style is more often worn by a slightly older crowd who feel that the other styles are a bit juvenile for them. They act ore reserved. Classic loli is less ruffled and consists of more elegant floral prints and colors, it's basically where everything that is not frilly, or black and white fits into. The emphasis is on the cut of the dress and not on ruffles and lace.
Gothic Lolita: The Colors stay with black, dark blue or white. The style is kind of emo, like dark and brooding. Not really cute, but kind of scary and dark.
White, Black, Pink, and light blue lolita: These are color based lolis, meaning their outfit is entirely that color. White and black usually fall into a more gothic style, while blue and pink tend to be more sweet loli.
Princess loli: This is what it sounds like, princess style dresses complete with mini-crowns and even scepters. The style is taken from European princess image, not Halloween dresses though.
Aristocrat: This is a gothic style also often worn by a slightly older crowd, it can be longer skirts and more Victorian era blouses. It is also unisex, being neither female or male and can be worn by both.
Kodona/ dandy: The male version of lolita fashion. This style can be worn by women and is a more gothic style, sometimes with long shorts and striped socks. Top hats, jackets with tails and even canes can complete this outfit.
Punk loli: lolita style dress with a punk flair, think plaids and ties and boots. This also usually incorporates screen printing and tattered clothing.
Sailor Loli: Reflects sailor outfits, usually with sailor collars and white/black motifs complete with anchor details.
Country loli: This is a style very similar to sweet, but usually with fruit prints, small straw style hats and baskets.
Ero loli: The ero stands for erotic, this is the more sexy version, with shirt skirts and corsets and the like. Colors are usually black and red, can have some of a bondage feel, it is a little hard to pull off.
Cyber Loli: Cyber loli is basically the cyper punk-ification of the style, complete with bright dreads, goggles and big boots. This look tends to stay with black, like bright pink and black or red with black.
Decora Loli: This is another style that is two styles mixed together, decora and lolita. This is basically the lolita with a lot of acessories.
Guro loli: Loli outfits splattered with blood or with bandages and bruises. It is a broken dolly kind of look. Came about mainly as a result of Romain Slocombe's photography where he would use "injured" Japanese models.
Wa/Qi loli: Lolia style crossed with a kimono style sleeves.
Pirate Loli: This style became very popular after Baby the Stars Shine Bright released Alice and the Pirates. I have seen treasure chest purses, pirate hats, asymmetrical hems and fun flared sleeved jackets. Think Jack Sparrow meets Nana Kitade.
EGL/EGA: Style inspired by Mana, a more mature version of gothic lolita. Mana coined this term and his clothing store Moi-Meme-Moitie sells this style. It has since become a little more main stream and available though other retailers.
Photos are scanned images from Gothic Lolita Bibles and Gothic Lolita Pattern Books, not my original work.
Lolita is a Japanese street fashion that originated in the 1980s and has since grown to pretty epic proportions. Lolita is based on Rococo and Victorian fashion with a childlike whimsy added in. The style picked up popularity in Harejuku, Tokyo, where the Japanese youths would congregate and dress in outfits based off their favorite visual kei bands. A street photographer, Shoichi Aioko, started cataloging the "styles" of dress which soon were given names, such as decora, lolita, ganguro and more. The photographer published the book of photos, known as "Fruits."
There are many "rules" for dressing lolita, but don't worry, while there are rules, there are also a lot of different sub-styles within the genre of lolita. The rules help you create the perfect outfit, not restrict you from what you want to wear. I started wearing lolita a few years ago and I love it. Just remember, like any other hobby or lifestyle, there will always be elitist who try and pull you down. My advice, just love the fashion and have fun with it.
Types of Lolita ( a summary of sub-styles):
Sweet Loli ( Amai Lolita or Amarori)-this style of lolita. The colors are usually pastels or sweet prints. They are usually frilly and lacy and can be paired with more child-like accessories, like bunny/bear bags and they wear headpeices. They usually wear minimal make up as well.
Classic Loli: This style is more often worn by a slightly older crowd who feel that the other styles are a bit juvenile for them. They act ore reserved. Classic loli is less ruffled and consists of more elegant floral prints and colors, it's basically where everything that is not frilly, or black and white fits into. The emphasis is on the cut of the dress and not on ruffles and lace.
Gothic Lolita: The Colors stay with black, dark blue or white. The style is kind of emo, like dark and brooding. Not really cute, but kind of scary and dark.
White, Black, Pink, and light blue lolita: These are color based lolis, meaning their outfit is entirely that color. White and black usually fall into a more gothic style, while blue and pink tend to be more sweet loli.
Princess loli: This is what it sounds like, princess style dresses complete with mini-crowns and even scepters. The style is taken from European princess image, not Halloween dresses though.
Aristocrat: This is a gothic style also often worn by a slightly older crowd, it can be longer skirts and more Victorian era blouses. It is also unisex, being neither female or male and can be worn by both.
Kodona/ dandy: The male version of lolita fashion. This style can be worn by women and is a more gothic style, sometimes with long shorts and striped socks. Top hats, jackets with tails and even canes can complete this outfit.
Punk loli: lolita style dress with a punk flair, think plaids and ties and boots. This also usually incorporates screen printing and tattered clothing.
Sailor Loli: Reflects sailor outfits, usually with sailor collars and white/black motifs complete with anchor details.
Country loli: This is a style very similar to sweet, but usually with fruit prints, small straw style hats and baskets.
Ero loli: The ero stands for erotic, this is the more sexy version, with shirt skirts and corsets and the like. Colors are usually black and red, can have some of a bondage feel, it is a little hard to pull off.
Cyber Loli: Cyber loli is basically the cyper punk-ification of the style, complete with bright dreads, goggles and big boots. This look tends to stay with black, like bright pink and black or red with black.
Decora Loli: This is another style that is two styles mixed together, decora and lolita. This is basically the lolita with a lot of acessories.
Guro loli: Loli outfits splattered with blood or with bandages and bruises. It is a broken dolly kind of look. Came about mainly as a result of Romain Slocombe's photography where he would use "injured" Japanese models.
Wa/Qi loli: Lolia style crossed with a kimono style sleeves.
Pirate Loli: This style became very popular after Baby the Stars Shine Bright released Alice and the Pirates. I have seen treasure chest purses, pirate hats, asymmetrical hems and fun flared sleeved jackets. Think Jack Sparrow meets Nana Kitade.
EGL/EGA: Style inspired by Mana, a more mature version of gothic lolita. Mana coined this term and his clothing store Moi-Meme-Moitie sells this style. It has since become a little more main stream and available though other retailers.
Photos are scanned images from Gothic Lolita Bibles and Gothic Lolita Pattern Books, not my original work.
Here is a list of helpful lolita resources
Lolita Handbook, History of lolita, Great picture resource and links, Mooky Chick style guide, Gothic Lolita Style Guide, Lolita Fashion.org, | Here is a list of lolita popular Japanese brands:
Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Angelic Pretty, Metamorphose, Victorian Maiden, Mary Magdalene, Juliette et Justine, Putumayo, Miho Matsuda, Innocent World, HeartE , Here is a list of western/other lolita brandsCosmates, Lolita Kisama, Blasphemina's closet, Rakuen Fashion, Lady Heather's Fashion, Dream Shoppe, In the Starlight, Candy Violet, Anna House, |
