The Modern Tokyo Times

International news and neglected issues

Tokyo and Osaka fashion: Lolita fashion and different styles

Tokyo and Osaka fashion: Lolita fashion and different styles

Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Lolita fashion began to sprout up in Japan in the late 1970s to early 1980s and over time you have had many offshoots within the “Lolita fashion style.” The clothing image and aesthetics relate to France and the United Kingdom within the realm of all the positives of the Rococo and Victorian periods. Irrespective if the vibe of today hides the real reality of the Victorian period and Rococo period, the role of fashion is to transcend this and to create an image of cuteness, positivity and pure class.

Since the early period which evolved around a small number of individuals this fashion style continues to develop and grow. Therefore, despite this fashion style being relatively obscure in the initial period and being extremely minor in the field of everyday fashion in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and other cities, this style is increasingly popular worldwide. Also, you have special areas in Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities in Japan which cater and are influenced by Lolita fashion.

Lolita fashion unlike kawaii culture, the punk period, and various other trends, is relatively constrained within certain boundaries. However, despite this you have various styles within the Lolita fashion style. Also, like all fashion trends, it is clear that the natural beauty of many Lolita outfits is being utilized by other fashion styles when it comes to creativity.

Kansai was the initial bedrock of Lolita fashion in Japan but in time areas and companies would adopt this style in parts of Tokyo. Early boutiques which began this movement many decades ago applies to Milk and Pretty (known as Angelic Pretty in time), Pink House, The Stars Shine Bright, and Metamorphose temps de fille.

In time music groups who liked the Lolita image would help this fashion status and Lolita went from obscure shops and a small client base to major powerful stores today in Japan. Most notable, would be Marui One in Shinjuku where you will find beautiful boutiques selling Lolita fashion, kawaii fashion, and other trends emanating from Japan.

Despite the name Lolita having sexual connotations in Western culture this fashion scene is not about looking sexy. Lolita is about elegance and cuteness and sometimes you may see images of Lolita style fashion with ladies in long boots and so forth, but this is outside of the Lolita image and style. Therefore, Lolita on the whole expresses the beauty of the fashion designs and cuteness of both the design and the individual (some Lolita styles are not based on this) who feels special in elegant clothes.

Just like other fashion trends some people will just love the special feel of wearing sophisticated clothes and looking different. However, for others, they will also like the lifestyle associated with Lolita and this applies to philosophy and living in a world based on beauty and other aspects of this movement.

Of special appeal to both writers of this article is Classic Lolita because unlike Sweet Lolita and other areas of this fashion, Classic Lolita suits a wider age group and connects more strongly with aspects of Victorian fashion. This applies to floral patterns and looking classy rather than being focused on cuteness and bold colors.

In contrast to Classic Lolita you have Sweet Lolita which certainly suits the younger generation because this style is based on more expressive styles and is more “child-like” in the positive sense. Therefore, outfits relating to Sweet Lolita are very popular in the colors pink, white, and powder blue. Also, light make-up and a natural approach suits the style of clothing and often you will see hairstyles with lovely bouncy curls and stylish pony tails.

Kuro Lolita (Black Lolita) is a fascinating style based on the co-ordinates of black and the style of this fashion looks very elegant. Also, if an individual is new to Lolita fashion then Kuro Lolita is a great starter because this style isn’t so complex. Despite this, the Kuro Lolita and the Classic Lolita look are extremely classy and both styles suit the images of the Victorian period.

Most intriguing from a Japanese cultural point of view is Wa Lolita because this fuses the culture where Lolita fashion took off. Therefore, you have a fusion of Lolita with the styles of yukata and kimono outfits and when this style works it really looks exquisite and graceful.

Also, just like the special fabrics used for a lovely kimono you also have flower prints with great detail and other aspects of the kimono and yukata style. Kanzashi hairclip styles based on flowers also works beautifully and creates a lovely Japanese style within the Lolita fashion range.

Overall, Lolita fashion keeps on evolving and for the puritans it isn’t all positive because Ero Lolita and Cosplay Lolita are going in the wrong direction and have little to do with the real fashion image. Other styles of Lolita apply to Gothic, Casual, Country, Shiro, Hime, Punk, Kodona, Aristocrat, Sailor, and several others.

The website Lolita Fashion is very good for information about the different styles. Also, the Lolita Fashion website shows many beautiful images and if you prefer other styles of Lolita than mentioned in this article, then please check the images and information from this website.

Lolita is very varied and the elegant nature of the vast majority of these different styles means that many fashion designers will borrow from the creativity of Lolita fashion.



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