Lolita Fashion

[Bessie Granata]

Lolita (ロリータ・ファッション, rorīta fasshon) is a fashion 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), 'ero' (erotic), 'guro' (grotesque), 'oriental', '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 Aline-

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).

Another confusion that often occurs is between the Lolita fashion style and cosplay. Although both spread from Japan, they are different and should be perceived as

independent from each other;one is a fashion style while the other is role-play, with clothing and accessory being used to play a character. This does not exclude

that there may be some overlap between members of both groups.This can be seen at anime conventions such as the convention in Götenborg in which cosplay and

Japanese fashion is mixed.[135] For some Lolitas, it is insulting if people label their outfit as a costume.

External links
日本ロリータ協会 Japan Lolita Association
Lolita library of brands at Lolibrary
Lolita fashion magazines archive at Lolitahistory
Best Lolita Fashion Dress on Sale