The Lolita style is a type of Japanese street fashion mainly inspired by the clothes and aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian period. Begun in the Land of the Rising Sun in the 1980s, this movement has evolved and spread since then. Nowadays, it can be seen all over the world. Thanks to this article, you will discover which items of clothing to wear to make it yours, but also how to wear it with style and elegance.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Clothes
Step 1. Choose your clothes carefully
Lolita-style garments can be found everywhere, but it may be necessary to do a little more research to find items that perfectly fit the aesthetic canons of this style. Online and in some specialized shops, it is possible to find used clothing (or not) of brands that are purely for Lolita. In any case, with a touch of creativity, you can enrich your wardrobe by purchasing from different stores near you.
- Stores like H&M sell skirts and shirts that can be used to form a Lolita wardrobe.
- Browse thrift stores to find vintage skirts and dresses at an affordable price. It is often possible to find apparently out of fashion clothes that will perfectly fit the Lolita style, not to mention that you will have a considerable saving.
- When choosing clothes, remember which models predominate in this style and consider how to match them.
Step 2. Look for matching skirts and shirts
Simple cut cocktail, formal or summer dresses are ideal for creating a Lolita style without too much effort. Your goal should be to be classy by wearing an almost Victorian style, inspired by the floral prints and elegance of the era. The look can be cute or elegant.
- Classic shirts with a Peter Pan collar, or rounded, are the most popular for this style. You can use any shirt, but it shouldn't be too loose. Always think in terms of elegance.
- The classic Lolita skirt or dress has a flared cut. This shape is achieved thanks to the petticoats and shorts. It can be as low as the knee or more or less five centimeters above. If you are short and petite, it is best to choose a model slightly above the knee, in order to look more slender. This tip generally applies to any look.
- Complementary or contrasting color details, such as black and white, are often included.
Step 3. Look for cute hair clips and ribbons
A true Lolita doesn't leave the house without a hair accessory. The clips, headbands and flowers can all be used to decorate them. Among other things, they represent one of the distinctive elements of this style.
- Headbands are also popular. It is an accessory available in different shapes and sizes.
- Large ribbons are also very popular. If you prefer a more discreet look, you can use clothespins decorated with a bow.
Step 4. Buy some fancy underwear
To create a flared shape, essential for having a Lolita silhouette, it is often necessary to use a petticoat. Shorts are also used many times to layer and enrich an outfit. It's a bit of an elaborate process, but it allows you to retain the Victorian nature of the look.
Knee or thigh socks, stockings and opaque stockings are often an integral part of the Lolita look. Sheer stockings are sometimes considered too "sexy" for this style, while ankle socks are not elaborate enough
Step 5. Wear platform shoes
Mary Janes are perfect for this look. Think of the shoes a little girl would wear to go to church. A true Lolita shoe should have a closed, rounded toe, but also a sturdy and thick heel or platform. A shoe with a bow on the front and a lower heel would also work.
Amphibians suit Gothic or punk Lolita styles. Other ideal shoes are the Rocking Horse by Vivienne Westwood: they are in the Mary Jane model, with a high wooden platform, a curved front and a cutout on the back
Step 6. Use accessories
A good Lolita look can be enhanced even more with the right accessories. Depending on the specific style you intend to rework, it is possible to enrich it with very distinct additional items. You can choose from the following (in the next section, you will find ideas for specific variations of the Lolita look):
- Sun visor;
- Sticks;
- Old-fashioned pocket watches;
- Clutches or bags.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing a Specific Look
Step 1. Try a classic bad girl look
The most common variant is that of the Gothic Lolita. It's a pretty simple style, featuring a flared skirt and puffed sleeves, with intense makeup and a gothic hairdo. Dark Lolita outfits are usually black or a deep dark color, such as purple, burgundy and navy blue.
- The Lolita guro portray a look that is reminiscent of a broken doll, macabre, but at the same time innocent. White bloodstained clothes allow you to work this style out to great effect. Decide to what extent to create a gory effect - you can use patches, an arm harness, and bloodstained clothing. Just make sure you use substances that don't go away easily on the go and don't mess.
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Punk Lolitas wear shabby clothes, fishnet stockings, chains and studs. The secret to flaunting this style is to dress in layers and decorate simple knee-high skirts with other punk accessories. Pink hair and studded belts? This is the classic look of a punk Lolita.
Guro or punk Lolita fashion has lost its popularity, so it can be difficult to find items for this type of look
Step 2. Try a cute girl look
This is the style of Lolita sweet, a kind of good version of the dark and gothic look. It features ribbons, clasps and ruffles. It usually includes pastel colors, including pink, creamy white, light blue and lavender. You can also use the Scottish pattern and other colors, as long as they are not phosphorescent. Hair is generally curly and fluffy.
- Add a country touch with baskets and hats made of straw, fruit and checkered prints. Most Lolita outfits include a shirt paired with a dungaree skirt, although a shirt is not mandatory.
- Some princess or hime Lolitas enrich the look with miniature crowns, tiaras, extravagant or voluminous hairstyles and elaborate dresses.
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The prevailing color of this look should be white, but you can also choose another one, the important thing is that one color predominates in the outfit. Sometimes shiro and kuro Lolitas get together before going out to match black and white dresses as if they were twins. In the world of Lolitas, we often play with the contrast between light and dark.
Be a Lolita Step 9 - The Lolita wa style is characterized by traditional Japanese elements, such as kimono, sode, meaning long sleeves, and obi, meaning sashes. Prints and accessories typically feature typically Japanese flowers and detailed patterns (remember this is a very difficult style to rework without giving the impression that you are wearing a costume. In general, it is not a very popular look).
- Aristocrat Lolitas incorporate Western romantic elements. In general, this style does not involve cute prints, lace, frills or ribbons. Skirts are often long, bustiers and corseted skirts are also used. Dovetail shaped jackets are widespread, but also frou frou shirts, top hats and veils.
Step 3. Try a more masculine Lolita look
It is often considered a fairly feminine style, but some variations include masculine elements and clothing. You can try it to surprise others and experiment with your own style.
- Some Lolitas opt for a nautical or nautical theme. Sailor collars, navy and white items are key to this style. Nautical symbols such as anchors and rudders allow to enrich the look. As with most Lolita styles, there is a flared skirt, perhaps pleated. You can also wear a shirt with short puff sleeves and pockets.
- The kodona or boyish style is another fairly common subgenre of Lolita fashion. It has a feminine touch, especially when it comes to shoes and accessories. Capers are worn at the knee, usually with details such as lace edges or ruffles.
- You can also make your look more masculine with suspenders, ties, bowler hats and long socks. More extravagant looks can include items like spats, canes, top hats, and other Victorian accessories.
Part 3 of 3: Being a Lolita
Step 1. Create an intense contrast with the makeup
Most Lolitas don't put on a particularly elaborate make-up, but typically apply a light foundation in stark contrast to eyeshadow and lipstick to achieve a Victorian look.
- The darker gothic styles need to be reworked in the right way, with purple or deep red lips and dark eyeshadows. A sweet Lolita look should focus on the complexion, in order to brighten the skin and achieve a rosy effect.
- Makeup isn't always necessary for a Lolita look. If you don't want to wear makeup, you can avoid it and let the clothes be the undisputed protagonists of the style.
Step 2. Comb your hair according to the style you have chosen
Depending on the type of Lolita you are going to represent, certain hairstyles will be more suitable. In general, the sweet Lolitas have curly hair, while the dark or gothic ones have dark, straight hair and fringe.
- The prettier styles often feature colorful locks as well. Pink locks and particularly teased hairstyles are typical of a Lolita.
- To have a dark style, someone dyes the locks a deep purple or other colors. Platinum blonde also creates a gothic effect, just like dark hair. Experiment to figure out what you prefer and try to stand out from the crowd.
Step 3. Try a casual variant of the Lolita style to dress in a relaxed manner
It would be hard to dress up as a Lolita everyday, but if you really care about it and don't want to use this look just for a cosplay or anime convention, you can learn how to integrate some basic elements into your everyday style. There are various more moderate versions, which still maintain the characteristic aspects of the look.
- Wear a simple skirt and a discreet hair accessory. Pair them with a t-shirt and regular shoes. Adding a touch of femininity to your look will help make it more defined. In general, avoid long pants.
- Take the time to do your hair and makeup, just like you would when dressing in a particularly sophisticated way. Even if you wear a simple T-shirt, you will still show your Lolita soul.
Step 4. Read the Lolita Bibles
There are several guides in this regard. They were initially published in Japan in the early 2000s and have recently been translated into various languages, especially English. With photographs, ideas and lifestyle proposals, these books are a must in the library of a Lolita and all people interested in the look.
Step 5. Go to an anime or Lolita convention
In some areas, meetings are organized for lovers of these styles. They often appeal to lifestyle Lolitas, interested in incorporating classic household skills into their lives, along with a more traditional or Victorian style.
Even anime and cosplay conventions allow you to get to know Lolita. For some, however, it is more a costume than anything else, which differs from the style of a real Lolita. However, they are good opportunities to get inspired and meet interesting people
Step 6. Learn to do housework and housekeeping
In addition to fashion, some girls are interested in becoming a Lolita lifestyle, following a real philosophy of life that praises beauty and elegance. In certain cases, the skills traditionally attributed to a housewife, such as baking, embroidering and sewing, become an integral part of one's style. If you are simply interested in clothing, there is no need to consider this, but there are ways to incorporate it. Read the following articles to acquire new skills:
- Embroider
- Sew
- Mending a sock
- Prepare sweets
- Preserve food
- Be a good wife.
Step 7. Dress this way for yourself
The term Lolita is taken from Vladimir Nabokov's novel of the same name, which deals with a relationship between an adult and a girl called Lolita. The word is sometimes used to refer to a sexually attractive young girl, but fashion is meant to stand out from this interpretation. For most Lolitas, the look has no sexy purpose and doesn't try to conform to male preferences. The aim is to recover a traditional vision of elegance and femininity. Lolita fashion is supposed to make a girl feel strong.
Advice
- Are you worried about spending too much? Learn to sew. It's cheaper, plus you'll get even more special Lolita dresses.
- Feel free to ask the other Lolitas some questions. They will be more than happy to help you.
- You don't have to have a closet full of Lolita clothes. You can have normal clothes, sexy clothes, pajamas and so on, in short, clothes that have nothing to do with this style. Would that make you a poser? Of course not. You will still be a Lolita.
- When celebrating Lolita Day, call your Lolita friends, take a photo shoot, post them on the internet to seduce everyone with your style and browse the Fanplusfriend brand website to find new clothes. If you don't know girls with a similar style, you can still have fun decorating everything from your boyfriend to a mug with glitter. Look for guinea pigs for makeup using cosmetics full of glitter. Treat yourself to a dress or accessory from your favorite brand, walk into a bookstore and browse an interesting book, take lots of photos and maybe join a new Lolita community.
- If you are a shiro Lolita, never wear black shoes in combination with an all-white outfit.
- Depending on where you live, finding other Lolitas can be very difficult. If you explain to your friends what this style is all about, they might start to get hooked. You can also do some purely feminine activities with them. But if they're not interested, don't force them.
