What is Lolita Fashion?

Lolita fashion is a Japanese street fashion inspired by the Victorian and Rococo periods that started in the 80s, and has been evolving and gaining popularity through to today. It is characterized by a knee-length skirt worn with a petticoat for volume, covered shoulders and legs, and matching hair accessories and shoes for a complete look. Within these “rules” there are a TON of variations in style that can be enjoyed by anyone!

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Classic Lolita

Classic Lolita pulls heavily from historical Victorian fashion, with an emphasis on elegance and maturity. Creams, browns, and muted jewel tones are common, along with a-line skirts and fitted tops. Boleros or high-collar blouses are common. Like other Lolita fashion, a petticoat and legwear such as tights or over-the-knee socks are required. Headwear includes bonnets, full-size hats, bows, and Alice bands.

Popular Classic Lolita brands: Innocent World, Mary Magdalene, Juliette et Justine

Model: Konekoanni

Gothic Lolita

Gothic Lolita is a genre of Lolita fashion inspired by the romanticized “Victorian Gothic” look of mainstream Gothic fashion. It is a darker, more elegant style of Lolita with black, red, and jewel tones as the main colors. The skirts are typically bell-shaped, worn with a tailored blouse and petticoat underneath, and OTK socks or tights are popular for legwear. Headwear can be anything from a full-size hat to a simple bow headband--flat, highly decorated “maxi-pad headdresses” are a favorite with this style.

Popular Gothic Lolita brands: Moi-meme-moitie, Alice and the Pirates, Atelier Pierrot

Model: Konekoanni

Sweet Lolita

Arguably the most popular Lolita style, Sweet Lolita is characterized by pastels and girly imagery such as bows, hearts, and cute animals. A bell-shaped full skirt with a super poofy petticoat is typical, worn with OTK or knee-high socks and chunky shoes. Shoulder covering is usually a blouse, which can be short or long-sleeved, and is frequently pastel or white in color. Boleros and cutsews (essentially fancy t-shirts) are also common. The most common headwear are “head-eating bows” that match the dresses or skirts, but bonnets, mini hats, Alice bands, and double bow clips are also popular.

Popular Sweet Lolita brands: Angelic Pretty, BABY THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, Metamorphose

Model: Hoshiko