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What is Lolita?
Lolita is a fashion subculture from Japan that is based primarily on children's clothing from the Victorian era, as well as clothing from the Rococo period. From this, many elements have been added to twist the fashion into something unique.
The Lolita look consists typically of a knee length skirt or dress, hair accessories (headdress, alice bow, hat), blouse, petticoat, knee high socks or stockings, and mary janes or rocking horse shoes.
The fashion movement began in the 1970s with brands such as Pink House, Milk, and Pretty (now Angelic Pretty). These were soon followed by Baby the Stars Shine Bright, and Metamorphose temps de fille. In the 1990s, the fashion gained wider recognition from popular Visual Kei bands (such as: Mana from Malice Mizer)
The Lolita Handbook on "What is Lolita?"


Lolita Styles (and related fashions)
The Lolita Handbook on Lolita Styles
Gothic Lolita
The most well known of all styles, and the most commonly used term for all things Lolita, though it is by no means the only version. As the first word suggests, this style favors darker colors, such as all black, or black & white, as well as western goth motifs, such as cross motifs.

Sweet Lolita
Currently the most common style of Lolita, and where you're likely to find the very most fluff and frill. (Really. Take a look at Angelic Pretty.) This style favors lighter colors, such as white, pink, blue, lavender, or mint green and sweeter motifs such as fruit, cupcakes, candy, and fairytale prints.

Classical Lolita
A more mature version of Lolita, with very clean and simple lines and less emphasis on sweet or cute, and more emphasis on elegant. Colors are more muted than Sweet Lolita, but not necessarily dark: burgundy, plum, forest green, steel blue, dusty rose, & elegant floral prints.

Punk Lolita
One of the most difficult styles to pull off, and not reccommended for people who are new to Lolita. This incorporates elements of Western Punk, such as chains, plaid, spikes, studs, and deconstructed fabrics, into Lolita, so you will still find knee length skirts that are full enough to accomodate a petticoat, and frilled blouses.

Aristocrat
This style is NOT Lolita, but is often viewed as what Lolitas may grow up to be, because of its old fashioned elegance. Skirts no longer have to be bell shaped, and are typically longer, with heavy Victorian influence in the aesthetics of the outfits.

Boystyle
This style is also NOT Lolita, but related in the way that Lolita is Victorian children's clothing and so: Kodona and Dandy are typically a play off of Victorian boy/men's clothing!

Do's & Don'ts
Don't do white-face. Or blue, or black lipstick. The reason it looks good on the visual kei stars is that they have the time and money to devote to very very nice makeup and on learning how to expertly apply it, or have someone else apply it. 9 times out of 10, they're also taking photos in very specific lighting. We're all beautiful girls, but no one wants to look like a cheap drag queen who doesn't know how to apply makeup.
Do wear a fairly natural makeup scheme. Gothic Lolita may have darker tones, but no one needs or wants to look like a clown, and one big key to a youthful appearance is freshly scrubbed skin and a little lipgloss-- not deathly pale.
Don't wear a mini-skirt.
Do wear a KNEE LENGTH skirt. One or two inches above the knees is fine, but you do not want anything too short.
Don't show off your petticoat. Keep in mind that this is an undergarment, and is thus akin to showing off your bra or panties.
Do wear a petticoat that is an inch or two shorter than your skirt. This ensures that it won't peek out whenever you move. Also, be sure to wear a petticoat that will not show through your skirt-- a white or light colored petticoat for light colored skirts. A black or dark colored petticoat for dark colored skirts.
Don't wear clothes that don't fit.
Do wear clothes that suit your body. This is one of the easiest way to look gorgeous! Most of us are not built like tiny Japanese girls, and so not everything will fit us the way that we would like. Learn what styles and cuts work best for you, and work from there. Items should be tailored, but never be too snug or too loose.
Don't be a slob.
Do take care of your appearance! Wash your face, wash your hair, iron your outfits, wear sunscreen outdoors, and overall take care of yourself.
Don't wear cat ears for the sake of wearing cat ears. Lolita is a fashion style, not a costume. However, there are plenty of casual Lolita jackets with cat or bunny ears attached to the hood, but the key is to not just stick some on for no reason. The same goes for wings, or other cosplay items.
Do add animal appliques or accessories, if you really want to have a little fun with the animal theme. wink
Don't wear socks over tights.
Do buy a pair of wool, or winter weight cotton tights, for when it's cold out. Flannel bloomers are also amazing to help ward off cold weather!

Do ask yourself if your outfit is modest, well made, good materials (cotton fabrics, non-synthetic lace), the right shape (bell shaped, able to accomodate a petticoat), and elegant.
Don't be afraid to bend the rules, once you get the hang of them. You can have a lot of fun with this fashion, but the key to any game is that you must always learn the rules, and then break them, not the other way around.
Do remember to enjoy yourself. This fashion is really about loving the clothes and/or lifestyle, so don't take it too seriously and don't be afraid to be a little silly. No little girl is prim and proper all the time. wink