Vocabulary: Lolita Fashion

A group of Sweet Lolitas

 

Classic Lolita

Brief History of Lolita

Lolita is a fashion subculture that originated in Japan, specifically Harajuku with brands such as Angelic Pretty and Milk. Lolita fashion takes its inspiration from Victorian and Rococo eras and aims to be fanciful, fluffy, and elegant.

The name of Lolita does not have any known roots but it shares its name with the novel by the same name by Vladimir Nabokov. There is no known connection between the two, though.

Gothic Lolita

Lolita is thought to begin in the 1970's, popularized in the 1990's, partly as the more "feminine" counterpart of Visual Kei, along with Fairy Kei.

There are many subdivisions of Lolita, including Sweet Lolita, Gothic Lolita, Classic Lolita, and more.

Sweet Lolitas wear pastel clothing inspired by sweets and cute patterns. The goal of Sweet Lolita is to look as cute and, as the name implies, sweet! Sweet Lolitas'  skirts are often shorter than those of Gothic Lolitas and Classic Lolis, their skirts stopping at or above the knee. This style is closest to fairy kei out of all subdivisions of Lolita.

Gothic Lolitas often wear styles similar to those that goths wear; usually black, spooky, lacy, Victorian-inspired outfits.

Classic Lolita is the most Victorian-inspired of the substyles of Lolita. It is often seen as the more "mature" version of the other styles of Lolita, due to the more toned-down colors and elegant fashion. (but I feel as though this is a bit of a bash on the other styles of Lolita!)

Many Lolitas buy their outfits- generally called "coords"; but due to the clothing often being expensive due to the elaborate stitching, pleating, and whatnot, but many also sew their own coords, and even sell them.

Creep it real!

Si