Waverlily
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- Posted: Fri, 09 May 2014 02:41:29 +0000
spuntino
Waverlily Hime
Princess JessieKate
Waverlily Hime
Princess JessieKate
Waverlily Hime
I thought I'd add that the Lolita style has become more of a sub-culture as of today.
Like how Goth and Punk are considered sub-cultures, so is Lolita. Though definitely a much newer one!
It did start off as simply a street style in Japan, but has definitely evolved into a way of life and large social community for many girls including myself.
Like how Goth and Punk are considered sub-cultures, so is Lolita. Though definitely a much newer one!
It did start off as simply a street style in Japan, but has definitely evolved into a way of life and large social community for many girls including myself.
I mostly mean more recently as compared to Goth and Punk.
But, I also think it's fair to say that, regardless of the fact that Lolitas may have thought they were a culture since the beginning, It's only more recently that outsiders are beginning to recognize this too, especially outside of Japan.
I guess this is unless of course you mean that to also be recent since you're comparing to goth and punk fashions.
Took me a while to respond because finals and I wanted to think about the post a while, sorry
I think we misunderstood one another~
I was comparing Lolita to the lengthy histories Goth and Punk have, but, see, I also consider the late 80s-early 90s to be recent.
I definitely think since then Lolita has been a culture.
What I meant before, is that prior to the late 80s and early 90s, though I'm sure some girls took their style very seriously, but from what I've researched the style/culture was not as developed/still developing that long ago and the term Lolita may not have even been used, so I don't necessarily consider Lolita to have been an established sub-culture prior to about the late 80s.
Does that make sense?
Honestly, I don't consider lolita to be a subculture. Particularly not outside of Japan. We're too diverse and separated from one another to be considered anything other than a commercial anomaly.
There's no cohesion around a central body of literature, music, or a philosophy/political cause (as was the case with groups like hippies and mods, or goth and punk). Having shared beliefs and a cohesive set of values is one big key to being considered a legitimate subculture. Actual subcultures in the past have formed as a part of political dissent or as a counter to the mainstream. Ask most lolitas why they've gotten into the fashion and they'll tell you it's because of the pretty clothes. A few might give you a deeper answer than that, but even then, they're varied considerably.
With lolita, the only 100% common factor is the clothing. There is no "lolita music" or "lolita philosophy" or "lolita lifestyle" that every member adheres to or likes. While there are a few bands that wear lolita, they frequently treat it as a costume rather than their lifestyle; many of these bands receive sponsorship from brands, like Babymetal or Aural Vampire with Atelier Pierrot, or Nana Kitade with BtSSB. Their music isn't different from other bands within their genres, only their wardrobes for when they go on stage. They're still the same pop or rock or electronica.
It's sort of like trying to say that all people in black t-shirts are a single subculture. They look alike, sure, but they may not share the same beliefs, morals, political views, or tastes in literature and music.
I feel otherwise quite strongly, but sorry I don't have time to really explain right now.
I just want to say that I really appreciate your explanation.
I have noticed that there are Lolitas who don't consider it a culture, as you do, and no one had given me a legitimate reason much beyond "I just don't think so," or something like that. So I thank you for the "food for thought." ^-^
