Lolita is a Japanese street fashion trend that is inspired (mainly) from the style of dress in the Rococo and Victorian eras. This trend started in Japan in the 1980s and has since grown and spread. Today, Lolita trends can be found all over the world. Try learning what clothing options are available to help create a Lolita look for you, and how to make it look elegant and stylish.
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Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Clothes
Step 1. Choose your clothes carefully
Lolita-style clothes can be found all around you, although it may take some effort to find items that match the aesthetic of this style. You can buy branded second hand items on the internet as well as find items for your Lolita style yourself in stores in your city. With a little creativity, you can create your own collection of Lolita clothes that you get from various places in your city.
- In Indonesia, clothing stores such as Forever 21, H&M, Matahari, and others sell collections of skirts and blouses that can be used as your Lolita clothing collection.
- Look for bargains at thrift stores for items like old skirts or dresses. Oftentimes, old and vintage dresses are just right and go with Lolita's style. What's more, by shopping at thrift stores, you can save even more money.
- When choosing clothes, pay attention to the silhouette in the clothes and the suitability of your entire outfit.
Step 2. Look for blouses and skirts that match each other
Party dresses, church dresses or summer dresses are all types of clothing that are suitable for establishing a basic Lolita style. In Lolita style, you need to create a classy look by using almost any clothes from the Victorian era, inspired by the floral patterns and elegant feel of the era. Basically, your Lolita style should look cute or elegant.
- The most common type of blouse for the Lolita style is a button-down blouse with a round collar (Peter pan collar). Although you can use any type of blouse, make sure that the blouse you use doesn't expose your skin too much. Think about how you can look elegant.
- Skirts or dresses that are suitable for the classic Lolita style are klok skirts and A-line skirts. A fluffy skirt can be formed by wearing an underskirt (petticoat) and bloomers (bloomers). Lolita skirts vary in length, from over the knee to as short as 6 centimeters. If you are small and short, it is advisable to wear a skirt that is slightly above the knee as it can make you appear taller. Note that you can apply these suggestions not only to Lolita styles, but to any style as well.
- Often in the Lolita style, details in matching or contrasting colors, such as black and white, are also shown in the outfit.
Step 3. Find an adorable hair clip or band for your hair
A Lolita should never leave the house without wearing adorable little ribbons or clips. Small hair clips, hair bands, and attractive flowers can be used to accent your hair. This is one of the characteristics of this style.
- Headbands are also quite a popular accessory, with a variety of shapes and sizes.
- The large ribbon is also a very common accessory used in Lolita style. Small ribbons (such as those attached with tweezers) can be an alternative if you want a less flashy look.
Step 4. Prepare the complete underwear
Klok skirts are often used to give your dress a bell-like shape (such a shape is very important in Lolita style), while bloomers are often used as an extra layer to your outfit, as well as being an element that can provide warmth. Although the use seems too complicated, but both types of clothing can create a more natural Victorian look.
Knee-high socks, above-the-knee socks, stockings and leggings are often used in Lolita style. However, the use of leggings is often considered too sexy for Lolita style, and wearing ankle-high socks is not suitable for this style
Step 5. Wear thick platform shoes
For Lolita style, Mary Jane shoes are the type of shoes that are very suitable to be worn. As an illustration, wear the kind of shoes that girls usually wear when they go to church. Shoes that are suitable for Lolita style are closed shoes with round toes, and have thick and strong heels or soles. Tea party shoes with short heels are also quite popular for Lolitas.
Boots are also quite commonly worn for Lolita goth or punk styles. In addition, the type of shoe that is suitable for Lolita style is the Vivienne Westewood Rocking-horse which has an upper that resembles a Mary Jane shoe, with a thick wooden heel on the bottom to increase the height of the shoe and often has arches in the front and back. which is cut
Step 6. Use accessories
Your Lolita look will be even better if it is supported with the right accessories. Depending on the Lolita style you want to display, you can use several items to make your look even more stunning. Use any of the items below, and learn how to create a custom Lolita look or style in the next steps:
- Sun protection umbrella (parasol)
- Stick
- vintage pocket watch
- Wallet or handbag
Part 2 of 3: Choosing a Specific Lolita Style
Step 1. Try to show off the 'naughty Lolita' style
' Gothic Lolita style is the most popular style among other Lolita styles. Her appearance is quite simple, characterized by the use of a bell-shaped skirt and voluminous sleeves, as well as dramatic and mysterious make-up and hairdo. The clothes for this dark Lolita style are usually black or luxurious dark colors, such as purple, dark red and navy blue (navy blue).
- In the Guro Lolita style, the appearance shown will be terrible, but still highlight the adorable side, like a 'broken' porcelain doll. A white dress with a splash of blood can be the most appropriate choice. How terrible you look will depend on you, and the choice of accessories used varies, from bandages, to carrying bandages, to blood splattering on your clothes. However, make sure the accessories (such as fake blood) you use don't contaminate your surroundings.
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In Punk Lolita style, the usual clothes worn are worn or torn clothes, nets, chains and clothes with lots of buttons. The key to this Lolita style is layers of clothing, with a mix of knee-high skirts and punk-style accessories. If you're imagining pink hair and an outfit with a button-down belt, you've got the picture right.
The popularity of Guro and Punk styles has started to fade, so it may be difficult for you to find the right items for these styles
Step 2. Try a more adorable Lolita style
This style is sometimes referred to as Sweet Lolita and, compared to Gothic Lolita which looks like a queen of darkness, Sweet Lolita shows the appearance of a queen of kindness. In this style, ribbons and hair clips, as well as lace are widely used. The clothes used are usually pastel colors, such as pink, cream white, light blue, and light purple. You can wear any pastel or pale light outfit, as long as it's not as flashy as neon. For hair, usually the hairstyle in this style is curly and wavy hair.
- Give a touch of country (country) by using rattan baskets, hats, fruits and clothes with a checkered pattern (gingham). In almost all Lolita styles, the use of a blouse combined with a jumper skirt can strengthen Lolita's appearance, but for this style you are fine to not wear a blouse.
- Some 'Princess' Lolita or 'Hime' Lolitas accentuate their appearance with a crown or small tiara, and luxurious hair and clothing.
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The Sweet Lolita style usually uses lots of clothes or accessories in white, or one striking color scheme. Sometimes, the Shiro Lolita or Kuro Lolita become a couple or team and match their clothes, of course with different colors (black and white). In the Lolita world, it's common for couples to dress in contrasting colors, such as light colors and dark colors.
Be a Lolita Step 9 - Wa Lolita style combines traditional Japanese clothing with a Lolita touch, with the use of kimonos, long sleeves or sodes, and obi or large belts that are part of the kimono. The patterns on the clothes and accessories used usually have details of traditional Japanese or floral patterns. However, keep in mind that it is quite difficult to show the Lolita side in this style because often, the appearance shown in this style looks like a costume. In addition, this style is also somewhat less popular.
- The 'Aristocratic Lolita' style combines a touch of the romantic era in the western world with the Lolita style. In general, in this style there are no adorable patterns on the clothes, lace, tassels on the whole outfit, or the use of ribbons. For this style, long skirts are often used, as are corsets. In addition, it is quite common to wear a hip-high corset and then pair it with a skirt. Tailcoats, shirts with tassels, top hats, and hoods are popular items in this style.
Step 3. Try a more masculine Lolita style
Although Lolita style is often considered as a pretty and girly style, some specific Lolita styles show a touch of masculine style and combine men's clothing in these styles. Surely it would be fun to surprise people and experiment with your looks and style.
- Some Lolita fans enjoy showing sailor or ocean themed Lolita styles. Styles like this are indicated by the use of clothing with a sailor collar, as well as colors such as dark blue and white. Marine symbols like ship anchors and ship steering wheels can be a cute touch to your look. As with most Lolita styles, the bell-shaped skirt is still used and the skirt may need to be folded. In addition, volume short sleeve blouses with pockets may also need to be worn.
- Kondona or boy style Lolita is a fairly common subgenre of Lolita style. This style has a feminine touch, such as feminine shoes and accessories paired with short capri pants that are cut to the knee and usually have details like lace or tassels at the ends.
- Other accessories or additions that are quite common to accentuate your appearance are suspenders, ties, bowler caps and long socks. For Lolita styles that are more upscale and flashy, things like spats (a kind of short leggings), canes, top hats, and accessories typical of the Victorian era can be used.
Part 3 of 3: Becoming a Lolita
Step 1. Use makeup that looks dramatic and different from your usual make-up
Most Lolita fans in particular don't use elaborate makeup. However, they generally use foundation with pale colors combined with the use of eye shadow (eyeshadow) and lipstick with dramatic colors to create a Victorian era look.
- For Lolita styles with a predominance of dark colors, such as Gothic Lolita, adjust the makeup used with the nuances you want to show. You can use dark purple or dark red lipstick, as well as dark eye shadow. On the other hand, for Sweet Lolita, focus on your skin tone and lighten your cheeks to create a bright and stunning look.
- Keep in mind that you don't have to wear makeup to show your Lolita style. If you don't want to wear makeup, you don't need to and show your Lolita style through the clothes you wear.
Step 2. Adjust your hairstyle to your desired Lolita style
Depending on your desire to create a gothic look, any hairstyle will have to be adjusted and each different hairstyle will suit different Lolita styles. In general, for the Sweet Lolita style, you need to style your hair to make it look curly. Meanwhile, for more 'darker' Lolita or Gothic Lolita styles, style your hair so that your hair is dark and straight with bangs.
- In the more adorable Lolita styles, colorful highlights can be applied to the hair. Colors such as pink and combed hair are the characters of Lolita styles like this.
- In the darker Lolita styles, dark purple highlights or similar colors can be applied to the hair. However, keep in mind that if you have blonde hair, make sure you look as gothic as other dark-haired Lolita fans. Try experimenting to find out what colors you like, and make your look stand out.
Step 3. Find a casual Lolita style that works for casual wear
Of course it will be difficult if you have to dress up and wear a Lolita dress every day. However, if you want to be a Lolita instead of just dressing up for a cosplay event or anime show, learn how to incorporate basic Lolita elements into your look so you can find a more relaxed Lolita style for your everyday life. There are various simpler versions of the basic Lolita style you can try. Although simpler, of course, these styles still retain the basic elements of Lolita.
- Look for simple skirts and hair accessories to pair with casual t-shirts and shoes. Taking the time to incorporate quirky little elements into your look can help you create a more defined Lolita impression, as long as you're not wearing trousers, of course.
- Take the time to do your hair and apply make-up, just as you would when you dress up for your most elegant look. Even if you're just wearing a plain t-shirt, your Lolita spirit will still radiate from your make-up and hairstyle.
Step 4. Read The Gothic and Lolita Bible
There are a variety of Lolita guidebooks or 'gospels' available. The book was first published in Japan in the early 2000s and, today, has been translated into several languages, including English. This book includes photos, style descriptions, and various Lolita lifestyle guides. Among Lolitas and Lolita fans, such books are common and popular to read.
Step 5. Attend anime or Lolita gatherings held in your city
Lolita gatherings are common in some areas and are usually attended by Lolita or Lifestyle Lolitas activists. They are people who are interested in applying traditional home skills in everyday life, including more traditional or Victorian lifestyles.
Events such as anime or cosplay gatherings are also places where Lolitas meet. However, for some people, Lolitas who attend such events tend to be seen as wearing 'costumes' and not showing the true 'personality' of Lolita. Despite that view, events like these are still a great place to get some dress tips and meet new, exciting Lolitas
Step 6. Try to learn domestic skills
Apart from being a fashion trend, some people also encourage Lolita as a lifestyle. Lolita lifestyle refers to the philosophy of a beautiful and elegant lifestyle. For some, traditional craftsmanship such as baking, embroidery, and sewing are considered part of an elegant lifestyle. While you don't really need to master these skills if you just admire Lolita for a new style of dress, they are a way for you to showcase Lolita's lifestyle even more. Try learning some of the skills below:
- Knitting
- Sew
- Repair socks
- Baking
- Preserving food
- Be a good housewife
Step 7. Be stylish for yourself
The term 'Lolita' comes from the novel by Vladimir Nabokov entitled Lolita. The novel tells about the relationship between an adult man and a girl named Lolita. Although the term is sometimes used to refer to girls who are sexually attractive, the Lolita fashion trend is not an interpretation of the term. For most Lolitas, this dress trend is strictly not to show sexiness or attract men's attention and conform to men's views on women's appearance. This trend is meant to bring back traditional versions of elegance and femininity. In addition, this trend must also be able to empower women.
Tips
- Worried about the expenses to be made? Learn to knit! Besides being able to reduce expenses, your Lolita clothes will also be more special and unique!
- Don't be shy about asking your Lolita friends! They will be happy to help you.
- You don't have to fill your wardrobe with only Lolita-style clothes! You can still have casual clothes, sexy clothes, pajamas, and other clothes that are not related to Lolita. Does that make you seem inviting? Of course not! You can still be an adorable Lolita.
- When Lolita day comes, gather as many of your Lolita friends as you can and have fun with them. Take photos and surprise your city with your cuteness, and admire the latest dresses worn by your friends and fans! If you don't have friends who both share Lolita, you can still have fun giving anyone or anything a sparkling Lolita touch, from your lover to your Starbucks glass. Then, find a 'victim' for you to give a shiny makeover and buy things with your favorite brands or visit a bookstore in your city and find interesting readings, take lots of photos and join a community of new Lolitas!
- Never wear black shoes for a Lolita appearance which is dominated by white like Shiro Lolita.
- Finding friends who share a love of Lolita can be difficult, depending on the city you live in. Maybe it's a good idea to show your friends what Lolita style is like. That way, they might like it too. You can also do feminine activities with your friends. If they don't like it, you don't have to force them.
