Classic Lolita delves into more vintage Victorian and Rococo prints, with mature colors, pleats and pin tucks, and floral or damask prints. It’s a good starting point for those new to the fashion, as it’s more subtle than some other Lolita styles. Gothic Lolita incorporates a darker look and feel, with some visual-kei influence. It has a strong emphasis on elegance, with dark colors and lace. Common Gothic Lolita themes include crosses, graveyards, skulls and dark imagery. [1] X Research source Sweet Lolita is punctuated with bright, colorful patterns and themes. It has more of an emphasis on frill, lace, and pastels, with more cupcake-style petticoats (as opposed to the A-line petticoats more common in Classic and Gothic fashions). [2] X Research source
For a classic Decora outfit, wear a neon tutu, a t-shirt with a cartoon character, striped stockings, a stuffed animal backpack, lots of colorful hair clips, and some neon bangle bracelets. [3] X Research source To dress in the Kawaii style, you could wear a pastel babydoll dress, pastel tights, a soft cardigan, platform heels, a cute purse, and a bow in your hair.
For a Visual Kei outfit, try wearing black-and-white striped pants, a loose black jacket, black boots, some black belts and chains, and a spiky scene hairstyle. If you want you can even get a pair of platforms.
To try the Ganguro style, wear a bright pink sleeveless dress, a Hawaiian-print kimono wrap, lots of bright leis, a big flower in your hair, some rhinestones around your eyes, and platform heels. Makeup is key to this style, so wear heavy, deeply tanned foundation, dark eye makeup, and white highlighter.
You could create an outfit by drawing elements that you like from the other substyles, such as the pastel colors from Kawaii style, a Sweet Lolita corset, a spiky Visual Kei hairstyle, and the floral accessories from Ganguro style.
Try layering tank tops and shirts, sweaters with vests and jackets, or dresses with leggings. Ruffled dresses are also a popular way to give the illusion of a layered look.
Try pairing some athletic tights with a white school uniform-style collared shirt to get the mixed style effect. Harajuku also focuses on a clash between traditional Japanese attire, such as kimonos and geta sandals, and Western clothing. Try incorporating elements of both, such as a classic kimono with American-style patches or pins.
You could wear a Decora-inspired mix of bright, clashing colors by mixing colorful patterns and neon statement pieces. For a monochromatic Sweet Lolita look, you could wear a ruffled dress, stockings, and a cardigan all in shades of soft pink.
Buy secondhand clothing to experiment with customization. This will make your clothes even more one-of-a-kind and lower the cost of your project.
Your accessories don’t have to match your outfit–clashing colors and patterns are acceptable and even encouraged in the Harajuku style.
Pile on the accessories. In the Harajuku style, excess is key so the more accessories, the better! Add all kinds of jewelry, hair accessories, purses, hats, and headdresses to make your outfit even louder and more unique.
For example, you could draw from the Victorian period and the Lolita style by accessorizing with headdresses, parasols, and bows. [5] X Research source Explore Ganguro’s Californian style by accessorizing with woven purses, flowers, beach hats, and baseball caps.
Do your hair in an attention-grabbing style, such as a spiky cut or a pair of high side buns. For a more Kawaii style, wear some cute pigtails or full bangs.
Cutesy substyles like Kawaii and Decora favor pink cheeks, round eyes, and pink lips. Edgier substyles such as Visual Kei and Gothic Lolita usually go for dark lipsticks, dramatic eyeshadow, and extremely thick lashes.
