How to Dress Like a Goth Lolita

The "Gothic Lolita" (often known as gothloli) trend has been happening around Japanese youth (specifically in the Harajuku area of Tokyo) for several years now. The look is very specific and is based on combining elements of the "Lolita" (young girl) and gothic looks. Here are a few ways to sport the Goth Lolita look.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Edwardian, Rococo, or Victorian style dresses
• accessories (dolls, teddy bears, crucifixes, bats, coffins, etc.)
• Top hats, stockings, tights, etc.

1. Emulate fashion from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Rococo eras. Dresses that are reminiscent from these eras are the foundation upon which the style is based. Gothic Lolitas like to dress like Victorian children or dolls made out of porcelain. This look is meant to be very youthful, innocent, yet seductive at the same time.

2. Combine black and white. The combination of black and white is the foundation upon which Gothic Lolita style is based. Other colors like pink and red are also often included. The element of pink is added due to the childlike "Lolita" aspect of the look, however, the main staples are black and white.

3. Sport lace, trims, and ribbons.! The Gothic Lolita look has a hyper girly aspect to it, so the lace, ribbons, trims and frills are always in full force. Petticoat and crinoline are often added to skirts, and stockings and over-knee socks are also popular. Tights are usually black or white.

4. Wear Mary Janes. Mary Janes are a very youthful shoe, and the Gothic Lolitas love to enhance that youthful, school girl look. Not only do Gothic Lolitas often wear Mary Janes, they like to wear high boots and platform shoes as well (usually black).

5. Add accessories. Gothic Lolitas are typically adorned in a lot of accessories, including miniature top hats, lace headdresses, and parasols. The more the merrier. Stuffed animals such as teddy bears and bunnies are also common. In accentuating the gothic aspect of the look, many Gothlolis carry around crucifixes, bats, coffins, and other rather morbid items.

Tips & Warnings

• The Gothic Lolita look is never subdued; it is always overly exaggerated. If you're going for a full-on Gothic Lolita look, do not be afraid to wear accessories or enhanced makeup. Less is not more when it comes to Gothic Lolita fashion.
• If you are going to wear the Gothic Lolita look out in public, prepare to get stared at, and possibly even heckled. In the Harajuku section of Tokyo, Japan (where the look originated), one might be able to get away with the style, but anywhere else, be warned.

[akumaxkami]

on 8/8/2009 Thank you TerraRushdie. Well said.

[TerraRushdie]

on 9/4/2008 3. [continued] If you have cheap, plastic lace you're likely to be mocked, as though you were wearing a cheap prom dress to a formal ball.

4. Mary Janes are often chosen because of the connection to vintage fashions, not to look immature or youthful. In fact, many choice MJs have a more sophisticated, mature look to them. Platform shoes are popular among shorter people, but be careful not to get shoes that are too high, cute, cheap, or sexy-looking because they're not appropriate.

5. Teddy bears are not common. Bunnies are only common because BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT released a very popular set of bunny shaped bags a while ago. Carrying actual dolls, stuffed animals, etc. gives the look a too-childish flair and is inappropriate.

Please learn SOMETHING about the style or get SOME experience before you write a tutorial and mislead people

[TerraRushdie]

on 9/4/2008 This is not THE worst rendition of Lolita fashion I've ever heard in my life, but it's in the top few. #1 is half true, it is influenced by Victorian-era children's and young adult's fashion, as well as adult fashion of the Victorian and Rococo eras. BUT IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE SEDUCTIVE IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. It is a very demure, elegant, and CONSERVATIVE fashion style that has NOTHING to do with being sexually attractive.

2. BLACK AND WHITE IS NOT THE FOUNDATION! In fact, most experienced Gothic-style Lolitas avoid black-and-white like the plague! It usually looks ugly and tacky and is hard to make it look not so. It's the mark of a newbie!

3. Not all Lolita styles, especially Gothic Lolita, are heavy on lace, ribbons, and frills. And this says nothing about the QUALITY of the lace, etc. Lolita style is ALL ABOUT QUALITY AND ELEGANCE. If you have cheap, plastic lace you're lik