What is Lolita?
There already are several attempts to describe lolita on the internet, and anyone who
has done it will tell you it is very difficult. This is
my attempt, but keep in mind the golden rule of any fashion, even lolita: it's what
you make of it (No matter what other lolitas may tell you ;D)
Lolita Foundation
The primary foundation of lolita is elegance (even punk lolita is elegant!) and the second
foundation is probably youthfulness. Lolita blends together three of the most elegant
periods in time (Victorian, Rococo, and Edwardian) with children's clothing. Also,
there's femininity. With few exceptions, Lolita isfrilly and girly. No matter the style,
lolita is always beautiful.
Lolita Earmarks
Sometimes it takes a seasoned loli eye to determine what for sure is lolita, but most
lolita styles contain at least one of the following:
Lace. High-quality (usually cotton) lace is very common in lolita fashion. But not always--there are enough lolita dresses without lace at all (I'm just saying it's common!) Furthermore, there are limits: a dress drowning in unnecessary lace is certainly not lolita.
A bell-shaped skirt. Really, any kind of skirt shape is just fine, but the bell-shaped is probably the most common in the lolita fashion, hands down!
Headdress/Bow/Something in the hair. Lots of lolitas wear at least some form of head accessory!
Modesty. Even fetish lolis (ero lolita) are modest! RARELY are skirts above the knees, and no cleavage! Too much skin will label you an ita lolita!
Looks expensive. If you can tell by looking that an outfit took a lot of care and is nothing but high-quality, it just might be lolita.
Lolita Is NOT
Possibly even more important than understanding what lolita IS, is understanding what lolita is NOT. These are novice ideas to keep out of your newbie lolita head!
Lolita is NOT a costume! Get that out of your head! That is probably one of the most worst mistakes a new loli can make! Lolita is not cosplay at all! If you walk around shouting "hey, look at my lolita cosplay!" the real lolitas will eat you alive! It is a fashion genre, just like preppy (American Eagle, Areopostal), or gothic or Industrial! It's FASHION! Not COSPLAY! (Once more! Lolita =/= cosplay!)
Lolita is NOT thin, cheap fabrics. Lolita clothing shouldn't ever be made of shiney material. This jacks up the price of lolita clothing considerably--get used to it.
'Sexy'. Even Ero lolita is modest. Slutty outfits are NOT lolita no matter WHAT!
Lolita is NOT drowning in lace! Any ruffles or lace or bows just splattered on without a purpose look stupid! D<