What Makes a Lolita, a Lolita? The Psychology Behind it

Lolita fashion has grown popularity over the few decades, originating from Japan, and branching out to other countries. It is said, that fashion designer and musician Mana Sama was the one that made the fashion popular, particularly in gothic lolita category. Lolita fashion is based on the Victorian/Rococo Era. The Lolita fashion often has the same concept: Lots of lace, frills/ruffles, bows, puffy skirts, mary-jane shoes, stockings, parasols, thick fake eyelashes, or anything to give a doll-like appearance. But what makes lolita, what it is? And what drives people, into this fashion movement?

To give a brief overview of the categories within Lolita fashion before we go off to talking about what makes a lolita, a lolita, there are:


•Aristocrat: Skirts are often long and slimming, along with slimming frilled blouses, and tailcoats. It can look like something from the Victorian/Rococo Era. This is one of the more mature styles within lolita.
•Casual Lolita: Name explanatory, the style is a mix of casual clothing put together the right way to become a lolita outfit.
•Classic Lolita: Often having floral patterns, this style aims to look classy, as if you were going to a Victorian Tea Party. This is one of the more toned down styles within lolita.
•Cosplay Lolita: It is believed that Cosplay is not considered part of Lolita, as it is felt that the standards are not met and that it feels fake. An example could be a nurse outfit.
•Country Lolita: Often with bell-shaped skirts, this style has floral/fruity/”country patterns.” Something a country girl may wear while going out to pick fruits.
•Ero Lolita: Contains fetish elements such as corsets, leathers, fishnets, etc.
•Gothic Lolita: Mixing Victorian Gothic elements into the style, and the outfits are often dark with few to no colors. Makeup is also dark and intense.
•Guro Lolita: Incorporating gory elements such as blood splattering on clothing, or an eyepatch. As odd as it seems, this is still considered lolita while cosplay lolita truly isn’t
•Hime Lolita: “Princess Lolita” The point of it is to look princess-like, whether with crowns or huge elaborate skirts and hair.
•Kodona: The image of a kodona looks tomboyish w. few feminine elemts, similar to what a male aristocrat would wear.
•Kuro Lolita: Wearing only black.
•Punk Lolita: Mixing eastern punk fashion with lolita. Plaid is often popular.
•Sailor Lolita: Inspired by Japanese sailor school girl uniforms. It looks like a school girl outfit except the skirt may be puffier, and of course the sailor collar.
•Shiro Lolita: Wearing only white.
•Sweet Lolita: One of the most extreme styles within lolita, and very child-like. Pastel colors are common, with motifs of sweet items such as cupcakes, fruits, flowers, hearts, etc. Along with many bows and frills.
•Wa Lolita: Incorporating modern looking kimonos into the style. The skirts are shorter of that of a traditional kimono, and puffier.

One theory is that the lolita followers want to live in a fantasy world of continuous childhood (applies to the more child-like lolita styles), as when you are a child, there is nothing to worry about, everything is safe and sound. In the adult world, people can be deceiving and you also have to take on harsh responsibilities. A second theory, is for the self-expression of your femininity, bringing out the princess in you! A third, is for being able to control your sexuality, not necessarily to drive men away from women, but to just have control of the modern society’s standard of sexiness.

Being lolita isn’t just all looks. It’s believed that “True Lolita-ness” also has strict guidelines, in way of living, such as how to act or what to do. Or simply whatever reason you choose to become one.

My personal experience with the lolita fashion: I was drawn to the fashion because I felt everything about it is just so adorable and elegant, and that in modern times people can actually still dress up like something from a fantasy/fairy tale. When I’m in my lolita style, I feel happy and free, and I can live life as if it was a true fairy tale, everything would be beautiful.  You don’t have to have it, to feel it. In every-day life, I don’t always dress up as a lolita, and most U.S. lolitas don't on a daily basis, in the U.S. it is not something that is quite common to be wearing on the streets, so I feel a bit shy, but if I was in Japan, I would. I feel lolita has changed my way of thinking significantly, it’s more than just a “fashion,” if you’re a lolita, you would know.

“This style is not influenced by fashion, I hope it’s your style, your way of life, no matter what anyone tells you. I want you to love the world for all your life” –Mana Sama

Photo Example of gothic lolita style~Magazine Page of innovator Mana Sama