How to be a lolita (with pictures)

Lolita style is a Japanese streetwear fashion mainly inspired by Victorian and Rococo era dress and style. This fashion was born in Japan in the 80s and since then it has expanded and developed. Currently, the lolita style can be seen all over the world. You can learn what clothing options are available to help you create your own lolita look and how to wear it with elegance and style.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Get the Appropriate Attire

Step 1. Carefully select the clothes

Clothing styles for this fashion can be found everywhere, although it might take a little time to find the accessories that aesthetically match the style. You can buy second-hand brand accessories on the Internet, you can also find lolita accessories in your locality. But with a little creativity you can create your own wardrobe from a variety of places around you.

• In stores like Forever 21, H&M, Macy's, among others, there are skirts and blouses that you can use to build your wardrobe.
• Look in thrift stores where you can find good deals on vintage skirts and dresses. You can often find dresses that may seem "old-fashioned" that will fit the style perfectly. Also, you will save a lot of money.
• When choosing your clothes, look at the silhouettes, which are essential in the style and movement of the outfit.

Step 2. Find matching tops and skirts

Basic party dresses, church dresses, or summer dresses serve to mimic a basic lolita look. The goal is to achieve a classic image with an almost Victorian style and inspired by floral prints and the sense of elegance of that time. It is a cute and elegant style.

• The most common type of lolita blouse is a "Peter Pan" style button-down neck, that is, a round neck. You can wear any type of blouse, but it shouldn't expose your skin too much. Think elegantly.
• The commonly used lolita skirt or dress has an A-line and flared shape. This shape is achieved through the use of petticoats (petticoats) and shorts under the dress. The length of a lolita skirt can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) below or above the knee. If you are short and petite, it is best if the skirt fits slightly above the knee. It will make you look much taller. This works with any style, not just the lolita.
• For this style it is common to include details with colors that complement or contrast it, for example, black and white.

Step 3. Find cute pins and bows for your hair

A lolita should not leave the house without a beautiful bow or pin in her hair. You can use cute little pins, headbands, and flowers to accentuate your hair a bit. This is one of the hallmarks of the style.

• Headbands are also very popular and come in all shapes and sizes.
• Large ties are very common. Small bows like the ones that come in barrettes can also be used if you want a less overwhelming image.

Step 4. Find elaborate undergarments

Petticoats are often necessary to achieve the flared shape that is very essential for a lolita silhouette; On the other hand, shorts are also frequently used to add layers and warmth to clothing. It is a bit elaborate but matches the Victorian nature of the style.

Knee-length stockings, over-the-knee stockings, pantyhose, and opaque leggings are all part of a lolita style. Sheer leggings tend to be "very sexy" for a lolita, while ankle-length stockings are not elaborate enough for the look

Step 5. Put on chunky platform shoes

The "Mary Jane" are perfect for this fashion. Think of them as the shoes a girl would have worn to church. A shoe suitable for the lolita style has to be closed and rounded toe, as well as thick, with high heels or platforms. Low-heeled "tea party" shoes are also very popular.

Boots are also very common among some styles, such as gothic or punk. Another good shoe option is Vivienne Westwood's "Rocking Horse Shoes", which have a "Mary Jane" style with a wooden platform to make you look taller. The front is generally rounded and features a carved cutout at the back

Step 6. Use accessories

A good lolita image can look much better with the right accessories. Depending on the specific look you want to try to create, you can add some additional accessories that will make it stand out. Use some of the following accessories and learn more about creating specific styles in the next section:

• Parasols
• Canes
• Antique style pocket watches
• Handbags

Part 2 of 3: Pick a Specific Lolita Style

Step 1. Try looking like a "bad girl"

Gothic lolita style clothing is one of the most popular among all lolita styles. It is a very modest style characterized by a flared skirt and puffed sleeves, as well as a mysterious and dramatic makeup and hairstyle. The "dark lolita" style clothes are usually black or in beautiful dark shades such as purple, dark red and navy blue.

• Guro-style lolitas try to look like "broken dolls", macabre but innocent. White garments with red stains are the best option. The level of gory style is up to you and can range from anything to bandages, a sling, or a few bloodstains on your clothing. Just be sure to use materials that don't litter your surroundings.
• The "lolita punk" style demands ripped garments, socks, chains, and studs. Layered clothing is the key to style, as is embellishing your basic knee-length skirts with other basic punk accessories. Pink hair and studded straps? Perfect.

  The popularity of guro and punk styles has waned and it may be difficult to find accessories for those styles

Step 2. Try looking like a "pretty girl"

Sometimes called "sweet lolita", this style is like the good side of the dark goth queen. She wears various bows, hair clips, and pleats. Usually this outfit is in pastel colors like pink, cream white, powder blue, and light lavender, but such an outfit can be any pastel, plaid, or any color as long as it's not neon. The hairstyle normally includes curls and waves.

• Add a country flair with straw baskets, hats, fruit, and gingham prints. Most lolita outfits must wear a top under a jumper skirt to get the lolita look, but it can also be worn without a top.
• Some "princess" style lolitas, also known as "lolita hime", accentuate their attire with crowns, tiaras, dresses, and long, extravagant hair.
• This style should use either the white color a lot or a single notable color scheme. Sometimes the "shiro" and "kuro" lolitas (white lolita and black lolita) wear an identical black and white style to go out for walks as a team. Light and dark is a common combination in the lolita world.

  

• The "wa lolita" introduces traditional Japanese clothing in its style through kimonos, "sode" or long sleeves and the "obi" or girdle, which are typical of the kimono. Prints and accessories are usually covered with Japanese flower details and designs. (Note: this is a very difficult style to imitate without making it look very traditional. It is generally not a popular style.)
• An aristocratic lolita incorporates western romantic styles into the genre. In general, she does not wear cute prints, lace, ruffles, or bows. Skirts are often long, corsets can be worn, and corset skirts at the waist are common. Tailored tailored jackets are very popular, as are ruffle blouses, top hats, and veils.

Step 3. Try a more masculine lolita image

While the lolita style is thought to be quite feminine, some outfits incorporate masculine styles and "boy's clothes" into the genre. It can be a great way to change people's expectations and play with your style a bit.

• Some lolitas lean towards the nautical and marine theme. Sailor collars and dark blue and white colors make up this look. Nautical symbols like anchors and rudders are very cute additions. Like most lolita styles, the skirts are expected to be flared, very often this skirt can be pleated and the outfit can include a short-sleeved blouse with a pocket.
• The "kodona" or "manly style" is another common subgenre of lolita fashion. It has feminine touches, for example feminine shoes and accessories with capri pants that reach the knee and generally include details such as lace trimmed hems or ruffles.
• Other common accessories to look more masculine are suspenders, ties, bowlers and long stockings. More extravagant styles can include leggings, canes, top hats, and other Victorian accessories.

Part 3 of 3: Be a Lolita

Step 1. Try dramatic contrast makeup

Most lolitas don't have a particularly complex makeup routine, but generally a pale face goes along with dramatic shadow-based highlights and lipsticks that are used to create the Victorian look.

• Darker gothic styles should wear the corresponding makeup, that is, dark purple or dark red lips, in addition to very dark shadows. The sweet lolita look should focus on skin tones and brighten the cheeks to create a rosy look.
• Makeup is not always necessary for the lolita style. If you don't want to wear makeup, you can skip it and let your outfit do the styling work.

Step 2. Make your hair match your specific style

Depending on your particular interest in creating a gothic image, a different hairstyle will be necessary for each style. In general, sweet lolitas need curls, while goth or dark lolitas will want to sport straight dark hair with bangs.

• Adorable styles often feature colored highlights as well. Pink highlights and quite playful styles are very distinctive of lolitas.
• Darker styles will sometimes include purple highlights or another type of color. But a dyed blonde can also be as goth as dark hair. Try a few to see what you like and try to differentiate yourself from the rest.

Step 3. Find a casual lolita style to wear

It could be a bit tedious to dress up as a lolita every day but if you really want to be a lolita and not just wear it as a cosplay (costume) or for an anime convention, you can learn to integrate the most basic elements into your casual style to wear a look. daily lolita. There are several moderate versions of the basic lolita style that still retain the basic elements of this style.

• Find a simple skirt and a simple hair accessory to pair with tops and shoes. Taking the time to add a little feminine accessory to your own style will make it look more pronounced. In general, you will want to avoid wearing long pants.
• Invest time in your hairstyle and makeup as if you were to show off your most elegant finery. Even if you only wear a t-shirt, your lolita spirit will shine through.

Step 4. Read goth and lolita style bibles

There are a variety of Lolita Bibles that were first published in the early 2000s, which have recently been translated into several languages, including English. With photos, style descriptions, and a variety of lifestyle guides, these books are common and popular with Lolitas and those interested in style.

Step 5. Attend an anime or lolita convention

Lolita get-togethers are common in some areas, these are often perfect for lolitas who carry this fashion as a lolita lifestyle. They are those who are interested in incorporating more traditional household skills into their lives, as well as a more traditional style or Victorian.

Similarly, anime and cosplay conventions are places where you can meet other lolitas. However, for some, this is more of a "costume" not to be confused with a "real" lolita. It can still be a good place to get some fashion advice and meet new and interesting lolitas

Step 6. Consider learning traditional household skills

In addition to being part of this fashion, some people enjoy living a lolita lifestyle, in which lolita style is considered as a philosophy of a beautiful and elegant life. For some, traditional household skills such as cake baking, embroidery and sewing are seen as part of the elegance of this style. While not necessary if you are just looking for a new style of dress, these are ways to embrace the lolita lifestyle. Check out the following articles on some traditional household skills:

• How to embroider
• How to sew
• How to darn a stocking
• How to bake
• How to preserve food
• How to be a good housewife

Step 7. Dress this way for yourself

The term "lolita" comes from Vladimir Nabokov's novel of the same name that recounts the relationship between an adult man and a young girl. The term is often used to refer to a sexually attractive young woman, but fashion tries to differentiate itself from this interpretation. For most lolitas, this style is not intended to be "sensual" or "attractive" based on the idea that men have about how a woman should look. Rather, it seeks to recover a traditional version of what is elegance and femininity. The lolita style should show strength.

Advice

• Are you worried about spending money? Learn to sew! It's cheaper and makes your lolitas look even more special.
• Don't be afraid to ask other lolitas questions! They will be more than happy to help you.
• You don't need a closet full of only lolita outfits! You can have normal, sensual, sleeping clothes, etc. that have nothing to do with lolita styles. Does it mean you're pretentious? No, of course not. You're still that cute lolita.
• As for the "international lolita day", you should gather as many lolita friends and have a wonderful day of photoshoot, so they will scare the world with their spectacular cuteness and show their obsession with the latest dress from the fan-plus brand. -friend. If you're the only one using flights (according to you) around the world, you can still have fun putting glitter on everything from your boyfriend to your Starbucks cup, then find unwilling victims and give them a glitter makeover, buy yourself. something cute from your favorite brand, go to a local bookstore and read something interesting and take lots of photos. You can even join a lolita community!
• Never wear black shoes with an all-white outfit, for example for the "shiro lolita".
• Becoming friends with other lolitas is very difficult and depends on where you live. Maybe if you show your group of friends what the lolita style looks like, they might start dressing like this too. You can also participate in women's activities with your friends. But if they don't like it, don't force it.

Warnings