Japanese Lolita Fashion

1. Japanese Lolita Fashion One of my favorite fashion trends Rebecca Holden

2. The Basics What is the Lolita fashion trend? Lolita fashion draws much of its inspiration from Rococo, Victorian style and Edwardian fashion and often aims to imitate the look of Victorian porcelain dolls. Are there different kinds or is it all the same? Gothic Lolita is the best-known of the various �Lolita" looks. Other categories include �Elegant Lolita", which is often more mature-looking and contains more muted colors and floral prints and �Kuro (or Sweet) Lolita" which is identified by childish pastel colors and cute prints.

3. In depth One of the major Japanese fashion movements is the Lolita movement. First off, this is not the lolita from the sexy novel. It's not a movement about a sexual style. In point of fact, there is less skin showing in this fashion style than in most others worn by young people. The young men and women dress in a fashion related to the Victorian era, in a style that the dolls of the time were dressed in. There are a number of categories of the fashion, but frills, lace, petticoats and half-dresses are common elements. This is related to the concept of kawaii or cuteness which can be related to a desire to return to a more innocent past time, a sort of reaction against the psychological pressures of present-day life that the young people have to contend with. When one thinks of the Victorian era one thinks about politeness, courtesy, grace and a refined approach to other people, all traits that are sadly lacking in today's world. The fashion can also be a desire on the part of young women to rebel against the constraints still put upon Japanese women. Basically, there's a lot of reasons and explanations why people choose this fashion style. The style is about as peaceful as you can get; there's not really anything aggressive about the style (other then all-black color which upsets some people.)

4. Gothic Lolita Gothic Lolita: Again, there is a tendency to confuse terms. Using the word "Gothic" would cause many people to think along the lines of safety pins, all-black clothing and nasty behavior, but in the fashion sense only the all-black is actually used, and even a mix of black and white clothing will be found. The accessories carried around include purses and parasols. There is some argument I've seen about other colors; some sources say darker sheds of red, green, blue and purple will also be used, and other sources say it's almost totally limited to black and white or all-black clothing. Gothic Lolita style is usually a combination of black and white, often black with white lace and typically decorated with ribbons and lace trims. Skirts are knee length and may have a crinoline or petticoat to add volume. As in mainstream Japanese fashion, over-knee socks or stockings are popular. White or black tights are also common. Child-like shoes or boots such as Mary Janes complete the look. Frilly, ruffled or lace-trimmed Victorian blouses are also popular with Gothic Lolitas and designs are usually modest, sometimes with long lace-capped sleeves and/or high-necked blouses. I like one description that I read which compared the Gothic Lolita look to that of creepy dolls, saying that "We are dolls, they seem to say, but don't play with us. We bite." Lolita fashion with a gothic twist, perhaps the most populuar. The colors used most often for the gothic look are black and white, as well as darker shades of red, green, blue, and purple. Accessories most carried around by Gothic Lolitas are purses and parasols. They can be thought of as the "big sisters" to the Sweet Lolitas, and don't always smile for the camera.