Putting Together a Lolita Outfit

First of, when I say lolita, I'm not talking about the novel by Vladimir Nabokov. I'm talking about the fashion style. The lolita style is a fashion style that originated in Japan. The style of the fashion is based off Victorian Era clothing, as well as Rococo Period costumes. Since the fashion first started, it has spread around the globe. One of the major lolita icons is musician Mana (ex. Malice Mizer).

What Clothing Items Complete a Lolita Outfit?

To be able to label an outfit as lolita, one must have a certain number of layers, and specific types of garments. These clothing items include:

• Headwear
• Blouse
• Skirt
• Dress
• Bloomers
• Socks
• Shoes

Now, obviously you can make alterations and the outfit is still considered lolita. These alterations might be that instead of wearing socks with your Ero Lolita outift, you may want to wear fishnets, or instead of wearing a top/skirt or dress, you may want to wear aa blouse and shorts, to make your lolita outfit considered Kodona. There are many alterations you can make, but the above mentioned are what make the basic lolita fashion.

Headwear

Headwear is a must-have when it comes to lolita fashion. Weather it be a headress, a bonnet or a hat, a headress is compulsory for a lolita outfit. A headress is what was traditionally worn in the lolita styles, but more and more people are slapping on a simple bow, instead. This is okay, too. The most popular type of bow worn is the Alice bow, which is an over-sized bow worn in the center of the head.

Blouses

When it comes to the lolita fashion, skin is mostly covered up, which means shoulders are usually covered. The style of lolita that may go against this is probably Ero Lolita, but right now, we're not going to worry about that. A skirt that is common in lolita fashion - the Jumper skirt - was designed to be worn over the blouse. Outside the lolita fashion, this type of skirt is quite similar to a pinafore dress. The traditional lolita blouse has buttons on the front, and a collar in a rounded shape. Blouses usually contain ruffles, creases, and sometimes lace, depending on what style of lolita you're after.

Skirts

Here, I'll be talking about the most common type of lolita skirt, which is the Bell-shaped skirt. This doesn't simply apply to skirts, but also dresses. Petticoats shape the skirt to this style, as well as bloomers. If a skirt can't achieve this look with the amount of peticoats needed, then it may be for a differeny style of lolita, such as Aristocrat, Ero Lolita, Punk Lolita, etc. The length of a lolita skirt should not be more that 2 inches above the knee, unless it's allowed for a certain style of lolita, such as Ero Lolita.

Undergarments

The most vital keys to a lolita outfit are the bloomers and petticoats, which are always, always at the top a beginner's list. The petticoats needed for lolita are proper ones, and not the ones used for cosplay. Petticoats are used to achieve a shape in the skirt or dress, whereas bloomers are there to retain the modesty of a young lolita. The reason why the petticoat is worn is that when the skirt is shaped and one turns around, the underneath of that skirt becomes visible. For underwear to be seen is unacceptable in the lolita world.

Legs

The average Lolita tries not to expose her legs and knees too much, as this is improper and unacceptable, even though the Lolita's skirt may accidentally be showing a bit of skin. In lolita fashion, it's good to keep ones legs covered, at least up until the knees. This refers to what can probably be considered one of a Lolita's best friends - the knee-high sock. Other common options include over-the-knee socks and opaque-coloured tights. The tights found in the average shop is considered too sexy for most lolita styles, and ankle socks are too much of a reminder of unassociated subcultures, such as Sissy. They're also much less flattering to the legs, compared to higher-rising garments.

Footwear

A Lolita's best friend when it comes to shoes - the Mary Janes. These are the most common option when it comes to lolita footwear, but there are many similar options available. The basic lolita shoe consists of a closed-and-rounded toe, thick chunky heels and/or platforms, and usually straps. Flats may also be worn as an option. Boots can also be worn, but the styles are limited when it comes to the more popular styles of lolita, and are commonly used for either the darker side of lolita, or for ssome styles of Sweet Lolita. Another popular style of shoe when it comes to lolita is the rocking horse shoe, thanks to Vivienne Westwood in Japan.

I hope this has taught you about the anatomy of a lolita outfit, and has given you a general insight of what work is put into building up one's wardrobe with lolita-related garments.