| 
Gothic Lolita
 |
Gothic Lolita is a fashion by japanese teenagers to manifest their favourite Visual Rock stars. The clothing style tends to imitate the looks of Victorian porcelain dolls. It has been described as “French Maid meets Alice in Wonderland styleâ€. Japanese culture places a higher value upon extremely youthful appearance and cuteness is very popular among Japanese teenagers. However in Gothic Lolitas, it can be described more as creepy cute. During weekends women dressed up as Gothic Lolitas pose for tourist’s pictures. It is also another way to gain attraction from the public. |
In Japan it is mass-marketed and has wide visibility particularly in the streets of Tokyo and Osaka, on television as well as on manga. The fashion was influenced and popularise by Visual Rock bands such as X Japan. These are bands that wears elaborate costumes during their performance.
(more pics inside)
|
Goken 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 extremely popular. |
|
 |
Resources
Wikipedia - Gothic Lolita
Morbid Outlook - Elegant Gothic Lolita
Related Website: Harajuku - info on the center of Gothic Lolita culture in Japan.
Related Posts
August 7th, 2008 at 3:23 am
I LOVE Lolita XD Im hopping to convince my parents to let me wear it in public XD anyways….oh and to Kawaii Negra, I LOVE Alice 19th ^^, oh and lol im fulled with “half” Japanese pride ^.^;
August 16th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Whoa, so many comments! XD
Well, I’m new to the gothic lolita fashion, style… er fad. I don’t know what I should call it before I’m made fun of for calling it something wrong… I’m a noob okay! ^_^’
Anyway, I’m completely new to this stuff and everyone seems to have their own opinion, saying it’s just another comforming way, or it’s “srsly ttly teh aweshomest thang eva!!” ….well, yeah, but calm down a bit before you hurt yourself. ^_^
I know no other goth lolitas in my school or city or ANYTHING but I’m not made fun of because of it. I have plenty of friends. So don’t think you would get made fun of just because you wore/wear it. And I’m sorry if you do. There can be some real bitchy assholes out there.
My point- idk, I just love talking. I am gothic loli and I’m proud. (even if I AM a noobie… :D)
August 19th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
honestly, i am a Gothic lolita myself and Im lovin it mann… i love dressing like that because i love the style and the fashion and whats more, i feel comfortable with the way i dress.. dressing as a lolita does not necessarily mean wanting to attract attention or show off.. -____-
And also, people should not give out bad blunt comments on other people as if they are so good. Reflect yourself man.. others may think that YOUR fashion sense is horrible the way you think that others are. AND to be too depressed is not goth, its just EMO.
anyway.. Japanese rawks! i wish i was one although i am Asian.. i just don’t own that japanese look… ^-^
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 am
Kawaii!! i luv the dresses.. X3
Does any1 know where i can get some gothic lolita clothes?
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I luv these out fits
August 24th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Huh, I’m suprised no ones gone into the “history” of gothic lolita, er at least they havent said what I remember learning. XD
From what I remember studying, although lolita was out there for a few decades ago it din’t really start to gain popularity until “Mana” ( at the time the lead guitarist for Malice Mizer) showed up in his lovley EGL attire. Honestly he’s the one that gave form to Gothic lolita and all it represents is a contrast to the sweet lolita that was so colorful and younger aged. (in a sense) The decided “gothic” description used for this particular type of lolita was more decidly used for a more darker/elegant approach to the innocent doll side of Lolita.
Mana currently owns a store that sells Gothic lolita and Elegant aristocrat lolita. Moi dix mois is the store I think.
((And I feel very blonde just now as I realised there is a second page…Oh boy I’m silly.. XD))
September 4th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Even though I dress up like that….but i find it very fasinatiing and interesting…im doing a Research Project which is 24pgs….and for college and there are SO many types…Lolitas from elegant to gothic and ganguro,gyau,mamba,manba,kogal..etc….but thnks for this….I’m kinda curious on how i would look like..dress up like that
September 15th, 2008 at 10:23 am
i love this fashion =D im personally more into EGL.
but everyone is cute/amazing, including puffs.
i think there is some conformity involved, but id say most people genuinely like it.
i can understand why people dont like it, but
whatever floats your boat dude.
tis love <3
September 29th, 2008 at 9:54 am
i find it stupppid how ppl say you cant dress up for a regular day…whats wrong with that? btw i think gothic lolita, goth, and lolita itself is REALLY REALLY CUUTE :]
October 5th, 2008 at 4:34 am
to Goth-Lolipop, I have just recently bought a nice, well made, good quality, Gothic Lolita dress on Ebay, and when compared to one I found on Moi-même-Moitié website it was MUCH cheaper, (the “brand name” dress was 38000 ¥ = $390.28). So I would have to say that Ebay is a good site.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
OMG its soo kawaii T_T i woud wear some off the clothes not all of them (because some are OTT) but the thing is that its b called weird if some one wear that in UK but if i saw that i would be like woooooow awesome!
October 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I love EGL style. It’s so cute. I made a lolita dress the other day but it isn’t finished completely yet. I have to hem it and decorate it with lace and bows…
I’m hoping to buy one but they are so expensive *sighs*
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
you don’t understand japanese culture so don’t ever dare to say bad things bout them. How would you feel if other people try to say bad things about your culture? 4 sho u’ll be very ashamed of your culture and yourself. If it is gay then why are there so many people addicted to dress like this. You guys just won’t really really understand so please pretty please respect each others culture.
thanks
=loli-shota-kun?
November 9th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’m 17 years old and have been dressing in EGL style since i was…. around 14 3/4. People who think they can wear this style, or so I’ve observed, and then go out and act depressed/like an outcast disgrace it.
Elegant Gothic Lolita is about being cute and enjoying child-like innocence. Not telling everyone the world’s a bad place. Also, people who dress this way and act… “crazy” make us look like a laughing stock.
That guy up on the first comment was entirley entitled to his opinion… I mean my friends take one look at Mana and call it all Gay. But if anyone actually had any pride in this lifestyle they would ignore it and think of themselves sinking to their level by reacting.
Gothic lolita is a lifestyle to and should be treated as such by the people who dress in this style. To be cute is to be Lolita. To act depressed is to be emo-ish/goth-ish stereotypical. And to be crazy… I’ll leave that up to you.
November 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
P.S. I live in England so don’t think you’re completely alone out there. xxx
November 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
How unfortunate. I have a tendency to use the word “gay” for almost everything just for fun. And I think you shouldn’t bombard Nicole even though what she said is bad. I think she just got the wrong idea of what ” Gothic ” is and she loves it strongly and so that’s why she responded like that.Put yourselves in her position.
What IF you took “Lolita” for “Punk” and you love Punk very much and you saw other people saying Lolita is all lace and soft and opposite of the real Punk. I would respond something like what Nicole did.
I think Nicole had enough and so you should stop stabbing her.
By the way, I love Lolita and I wish that there are Lolita shops in my country.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:28 am
I love the gothic lolita style, I’m not to sure what I like best however. The punk lolita or sweet lolita. ^=^ I like them both the same I suppose and I can’t wait to get my first dress!
I just wish they had more over sea stores.
November 30th, 2008 at 6:03 am
I think gothic lolita style is really cool, so I whant to know were I can buy gothic lolita stuff. Anywhere, I prefere emo.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I like LoliGoth clothes. But since most of the dresses nip in at the waist instead of under the bust they look better on me. I hate how most American dresses don’t show off the waist. But personally I don’t care about the arguing over whether or not its cute, but come on guys fashion is fashion. Some will like it some will not. But for those of you that like it http://www.cosmates.jp is decently priced.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, Shiro Lolita, Kuro Lolita,Guro Lolita, Punk lolita, Wa lolita, Qi lolita, Ero lolita, Sailor Lolita and Country Lolita. For male: Lolita Strongly recomand Punk/Aristocrat/Gothic
Notes For Whites: As an Asian, We dislike whites wearing lolita because it’s very “italoli” your size’s are like.. XL? and the clothes looks like it’s superr tight on you (kinda torturing to watch) BTW Lolita is a FASHION NOT A COSPLAY NOT SOME CHEAP SLUTTY HALLOWEEN OUTFIT unless your talking about the American version of punk/gothic then that is really “Halloween, costume or cosplay” Some people really devote their whole life to this lifestyle so don’t insult Lolita like it’s being “gay” Maid lolita is Cosplay but not the rest (the ones i mention on top)
December 18th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Whites stop acting cute and Asians are already orginally/born cute (:
<3 Asian Jam Rulez!
December 18th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Rcomanded for male lolitas: Aristocrat/Punk/Gothic
Lolita IS NOT A COSPLAY AND ALSO NOT SOME CHEAP SLUTTY HALLOWEEN OUTFIT unless your talking about the American: “punk/Gothic then that is halloween, cosplay, costume” they cost like a few $? but lolita is BRANDED and cost about $200/$400/$600 and it’s not even CHEAP
People devote their life to this lifestyles so don’t go around insulting it by calling it “gay”
Note For Whites: (honest answer) Do you know how torturing it is to watch you wear your lolita clothes? your size are like.. XL and it’s superr tight. eww.. totally agree with otokonoko. Not satisfied with the fashion? Go wear your jeans, T-shirt polo-T and mini skirts. lol
January 9th, 2009 at 8:41 am
I love this style! I got 12 imported dress for my 16th b-day!ni love them.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
i love this style and people who dont like it dont freaking just go out of your way to be douche bags. just dont even get on the internet and look for this kind of stuff if it irks you so much. gosh. immature people nowa days.
January 18th, 2009 at 2:56 am
ummm… gotta say this but…. (to Chiharu and Otokonoko) I’m white and I wear plenty of Gothic Lolita and Im and XS….. your trying to defend the fashion and tell people to be accepting and not judge…. and you just did. How does that make sense? O.o
P.S. Kudos @ nadleeh (post 90) I don’t even feel I have to comment on Nicole now!
January 24th, 2009 at 2:44 am
hi!!! I would like to know how you could make one of these or at least the drawings so i could maby make somethin like this?
January 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
LOL at otokonoko, i usually don’t reply to trolls but don’t you realize this “gothic lolita” fashion is
based off of white culture, ever heard of Victorian fashion, porcelain dolls, etc? So it would be wise to not bash white people when the clothing you’re wearing is based of our culture =). Anyways, I live in the 21st century not the 18th.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Wow Asians are so cool. I wish I was Asian!! ^-^ Love the style~
March 16th, 2009 at 3:14 am
I really like lolita i think it is very cute and i would really like to dress that way when ever i wanna find a dress like that it’s so expensive like 300$ it’s based of a russian book about a man in love with a 12 year old but i think it is so cute i wanna be lolita i just walk around in frilly clothing looking like a maid ^_^ i know you can find some stuff at halloween^_^
March 31st, 2009 at 8:53 am
Lolita is not gay. It’s an interesting cultral experience, and is supppper fun to do! ^_^
April 11th, 2009 at 4:27 am
hahah
i adore lolitas but there is no gothic lolita stores in america… is there? …….. PLEASE JAPAN, SHARE UR CULTUER WITH US!!!
April 11th, 2009 at 4:37 am
=( how can u asians talk that way to other people? sum people are born differint. and if we are white and like to were lolita we do it in pashion , we dont juge, lolitas are polite and good at heart. and if cant stop ur rude devistating behavior against our fellow lolitas then can you honestly call yourself a lolita? nope. youre the very hipocrits thaat soil the pure , wholesum lolita name … and size shouldnt matter!! and i quote “if ur heart is good and ur skin SOFT (not white or black or tan ex.) and cottoncandy envelopes ur heart then you are a true lolita”
April 27th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
To Sweet_Sugar: Ebay can be a good source for finding lolita items, but you still have to be careful of who you buy from and always check the seller’s feedback. A lot of “lolita” sellers are based in China and rip off stock photos from brand websites - you hardly ever get to see photos of what you’re really ordering. It’s tricky.
There are quite a few sellers in America these days, including Candy Violet, In The Starlight, La Dauphine, Blasphemina’s Closet and others. There is also bodyline.co.jp - which sells brand knock-offs for a very reasonable price.
The Japanese lolita culture is very different from the American lolita culture, in that most Japanese lolitas only wear the clothing for two reasons: dressing up for lives to “connect” with their visual kei idol or as a way of escape the social world and live in a fantasy.
Whereas the American and western lolitas often just wear the style because they find it cute and like to indulge their inner child - they want to feel like princesses and find other like-minded individuals.
Anyone can wear lolita, not just asians, as these styles are based off Rococo and Victorian fashion, which were of course originally worn by rich white people in Europe, so needless to say, anyone can wear the fashion and still look great if they wear it properly.
May 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 am
Talk about Parasols-At-50-Paces! They’re just pretty clothes, people. Having said that, it’s always nice to see Lolitas who go the extra mile and behave according to the ideal. Bad manners in a beautiful outfit is tantamount to Lolly-Rot (only sweet on the outside) And to all the people who leave horrendous, negative rants about how much they “hate lolita”, I wonder: Why then, did you bother to not only READ such an article, but also COMMENT on it? Leave us be, we’re not harming you.
Viva Lolita!
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
Well, i love this style.
I thought i was scene. Cuz i was sweet. But im gothic.
I plan on going to asia next year. i cant wait. But im prolly going to Laos to see my gma.
And we wont be able to go to japan
Well, Gothic Lolita is not gay. Bastard. :p
May 6th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Helloooo x
I’m currently into the lolita fashion at the moment (any kind of lolita :D) and I think it’s really cute.
I know other people have different opinions of it, but I don’t think it’s anything to fight about.
I also L.O.V.E Vis Kei and Oshare Kei music/clothes/style! I think it’s amazing! (The GazettE and An Cafe fan :P)
JJ-chan :3
PS - does anyone know where I can get a cute loli dress off the internet? I wanted a metamorphose one, but I can’t afford that brand XD
May 13th, 2009 at 9:00 am
http://www.fanplusfriend.com/ is a nice site. I don’t really consider it affordable being a starving artist, but its got “cute”. Lots and lots of cute =p
I love the genre, but its easier for me to come across cheaper pieces for Steam Punk, so I tend to follow those leads more. I love the dresses though because you really do feel more feminine. I look twelve at 22. Might as well run with it..
May 30th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Its not the kind of gothic most people think of. Its Victorian style, which is what most goths go for anyways. And goth has nothing to do with being happy, depressed, ect. That’s personal and different for each indivisual. You have no idea how retarded you sound to say that they aren’t goth because they look ‘happy’. There is more than one type of gothic, duh. Lolita is cute, and dressing that way, you would have to be brave, and confident, not depressed and insecure. Seriously, think about this. To dress like a little dolly when everyone else is dressing like hookers and whatnot, yes, you are going to stand out in crowd.
Doing anything for attension is typically frowned apon, but whether or not we admit, every one does do something for attension ocasionally. Every now and then every one likes to get noticed. Its our nature as human beings.
Lolitas don’t dress this way for attension, more likely to look the way they want to look. Everyone has a different perspective on beauty. Its perfectly acceptable to express yourself through clothing, and it always has been, so why is this so different? People should dress however they want, and screw what other people think.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:12 am
#1 GOTH is a culture and state of mind which inhibits high intellectualality and “dark” and gloomy thoughts and objects…
#2 GOTH wears dark colors… not neccesarily black but it must be rich and dark in colour
#3 AMERICAN GOTH is a trend… same with GOTHIC LOLITAS… it is NOT GOTH!!! GOTHS will still be around long after these trends/fads wear completely out….
#4 GOTH is not suppose to look innocent…. GOTH is all about disestablishmentarianism through knowledge…. we don’t look innocent… we look guilty… eventho we try not to…
#5 It is immature to hate a trend/fad…. I do not hate gothic lolitas… but I do disapprove of the name because they simply put are NOT GOTH… AMERICAN GOTH, CYBERGOTH, PUNKGOTH, EMOGOTH, ETC. IS NOT GOTH EITHER!!! They are trends… they will disperse over time…. but GOTH will remain…
#6 I think some lolitas are cute…. but to put goth infront of the name is damn near an oxymoron….
I hope I have answered some peoples questions and settled all the conflicts in this commentary… I am not saying I am better than anyone here nor am I saying that I’m less…. I’m merely stating fact over opinion (except #6 that is my opinion). I am not hate filled and I am not biased…. I just know many things about these cultures and trends to know the specific differences within them… and for those of you who are still in question of my knoledgeability, I have an IQ of 143 (not trying to be cocky) so you are pretty safe in beleiveing what I said is fact… thank you and have a nice day/night
June 15th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Hey, GothGuy411:
Let me clear some things with you, eh?
1) This is the internet. No one cares about your IQ. It could be a crap of lies for all we know. Pictures or it never happened.
2) You are extremely biased, even your name says that. Your many ‘facts’, yeah, those are opinions. In fact, I don’t see any confirmed facts in what was written. If you want to argue this with me, take it up with worthy professors and doctors before you tell me that anything you have written is fact.
3) The ‘Goth’ that you speak of? Dark and gloomy? Guilty? Disestablishmentarianism? That’s what a few decades ago called ‘punk’.
4) Gothic was a style of architecture used on every building in Europe in many different eras that brought us to where we are now. It consisted of sticking points at the vertex on every building rather than rounding them off like roman architecture. Gothic wasn’t a specific description of a type of style.
5) Goth, however was a band of people a couple hundred years ago. While I’m sure that few of them had dark and gloomy thoughts, they certainly didn’t write them down on myspace. The Visigoths were the same. Both, I’m sure didn’t wear dark clothing unless it was wartime, or were in mourning, as was custom. I believe what you think you may be describing is ‘gawth/western goth’, a style known for it’s very wide range of clothing styles rather than it being one big fashion. Lolita, however, is a fashion, where if you bend a rule, you are no longer dressing in the fashion, Lolita, but rather a style of your own. It would be like a roman wearing a kilt instead of a toga with his laurels.
6)Yes, your ‘western goth/gawth’ is a style, not a fashion, because you don’t have enough rules for it to be considered a fashion. Why, I could throw on a plaid minskirt with a black top and some black tar on my lips, and people would call me goth, right? No one would be able to say that there was a rule against what I was wearing that would make me not ‘goth’. However, you take an inch off the rules of the skirt in Lolita and you’re automatically not Lolita, and people will step up and say you aren’t with information that can be backed up.
My writing is filled with facts and opinions, but this is the internet, so believing me doesn’t have to happen, now does it?
July 27th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I love the style and I hate american styles cause they look like they kill a homeless guy for his clothes! LOL and it so blah! no color! its all neutral color, with gothic lolita and harajuku, you got fashion and a way to express yourself…with american fashion you got breakups and lawsuits and supermodel wannabes! I would give my right arm for a gothic lolita dress
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Not to sound obnoxious, but I was just reading through everyone’s comments and I noticed that almost every comment is in some way disrespecting someone else. I understand that people can not always share opinions, but what I do not understand is why some people insist upon being so rude. Each of you is entitled to his/her own opinion, but it is not right to discuss dropping atomic bombs or to use the word “gay” in a way that is not actually what the word means.
September 11th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I aim to dress gothic lolita. I’ve wanted to since I was 5. It’s such a beautiful style! People that dress that way now, sure are lucky…The clothing is so expensive though…I have to save up but, there’s so much Manga and Anime that I want! TT^TT
It’s not fair! TT^TT
September 26th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Hello I hope I can be of service to you,
there are two places that I know of that sell some cheap gothic lolita clothes and accessories. Cosmates has some affordable lolita clothes and some nice jewelry. Also The White Peacock sells some good lolita clothing as well, the only problem being is there are not many items compared to Cosmates.
If any of you like Kawaii, harajuku, lolita fashion I run a small online site full of cute cell phone charms, kozies, keychains and other cute items as well!
This site is new and is still being worked on~ be sure to check in once in a while if you like or contact me through the site.
http://www.wix.com/Kittychan/Candy-Apple
Also people do have the right to state their opinions, yes, but there is also thinking before posting.
Simply if you have anything good to say, why say it at all? You know that the person who posted this likes the lolita fashion and wanted to show you their photos, why respond rude?
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
would you tell me where to find good and cheap lolita dress?
October 17th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I really like this style BECAUSE it’s unique. (Well, not so much in Japan, really…) But it’s different from what most people wear, at least in my country. If I had enough money and the right body frame to pull this off, I’d totally try it out. Sure, people’d look at me like I was nuts, but what’s new? I actually like the Gothic Lolita moreso than regular Lolita, if only because it’s darker, with less innocence attached to it. I really do, however, love the idea of them being so doll-like and sweet. They aim to be polite and child-like and I LOVE that because there are so many rude people in the world these days (just look at the posts on here!)
The term Gothic was actually coined from the Germanic tribe, “The Goths.” They were uncivilized and barbaric and therefore, gothic was regarded as such. However, later on it became more of a symbol for anything macabre and dark, almost a sad kind of romantic themed term. I regard Gothic as anything intricately detailed and dark. Sad romance is what I think.
I lovelovelove the intricate designs on these outfits!! They are just stunning. AND they are just too darn cute on those little Azns!!! <3333
November 19th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I don’t really see how Gothic Lolita can be “gay” meybe brolita.
Gay isn’t an isnult, you stupid jerk…