Top 10 Lolita Facts

Ten Things to help you not sound like a noob when talking about Lolita

1. Lolita is considered a fashion, or a manner of dress. Not a fandom. It is based on Victorian, Edwardian, and Rococo style of clothing and dress. If you don’t have a hoop skirt, or a big round bell shaped skirt with a petticoat, you are not Lolita.

2. It has nothing to do with the book and movie adaption of Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. It has nothing to do with sexualizing young girls.

3. It is based on a sub-culture fashion originating in Japan. It began in the late 1970’s when big fashion labels such as Pink House, Milk, and Pretty began selling clothing. It grew larger in the 1990’s and brands like Princess Princess gained popularity. The style then caught on with Japanese youth and gained popularity in the US as well.

4. There are many different types of Lolitas. There are Gothic Lolitas, Sweet, Classic, Old School, Deco-Lily, Sailor Lolita, and several others.

5. There are several ‘slang’ terms associated with the fashion. For example, an Ita-Lolita. That is when a person is dressing in Lolita fashion, but not succeeding at it.

6. Women and girls dress as Lolita as a way to feel feminine and girly and to pamper themselves. It is not done to get the attention of a male, or to impress others.

7. Lolita fashion, while being sweet and girly, is also a very modest style of dress. Dresses are knee length or tea length, they usually have some kind of tights or leg coverings, and a head piece such a hat, bow, or headband. Because it is more modest dress, people from all backgrounds and religions can dress in Lolita fashion.

8. Japanese phrases such as "Kuro (黒)/Shiro (白)", meaning black and white is a type of Lolita fashion that is restricted by colors. Kawaii or Cute Lolita focuses on pastels and over the top themes like candy, etc.

9. Lolita is perfectly acceptable to wear to conventions, but it is not defined as cosplay. There are some characters that wear Lolita fashion, but Lolita itself is not cosplay.