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Lolita fashion might not be all the rage in Western society yet. But it’s causing a scene in Japan. But what is Lolita fashion? Chances are, you might have seen examples online or the odd Lolita styled individual in a local bubble tea bar or the anime section of Waterstones. The Lolita look originates in Japan and is heavily influenced by Victorian and Edwardian fashions and ways of dressing. There are three main subcultures within Lolita fashion: original, gothic and sweet.
Original
Original Lolita fashion was one of the first youth subcultures to really take Tokyo by storm. It’s a more mature style of Lolita. It incorporates Regency and Victorian fashions in subtle and muted colors. The outfits are notably historically inspired.
Gothic
Gothic Lolita takes a darker turn. The clothing takes similar inspiration but is in darker colors, such as black, navy, deep red and dark purple. Dark lipsticks and eyeshadows are also used on skin powdered to look paler than usual.
Sweet
Sweet Lolita is probably the most popular style at the moment. Sweet Lolita essentially turns the wearer into a living doll. Designs include childlike motifs and pastel or powder colors. For example baby pinks and blues, lemon yellows and mint greens. Outfits will generally involve lots of lace, ruffles, ribbons and bows.
The Rise Of Lolita In Western Society
Though Lolita styled individuals are still rarely encountered, the scene is on the rise. This could be due to the rising popularity of other aspects of Japanese culture. Studio Ghibli films have recently been screened on major television channels. The novels of Haruki Murakami are selling in greater quantities. Sushi bars and bubble tea rooms are also drawing in more customers. People interested in these things are likely to dig deeper into Japanese culture and subculture and encounter Lolita fashions. The sweet and endearing looks hold mass appeal and may well take off here soon.
Eyes
It’s not surprising that accessories and makeup play a huge role in this rather extreme and eccentric form of fashion. Anime is a huge inspiration to Lolita fashion and anime characters are notable for their large, wide, childlike eyes. How does an adult person achieve this cartoon look? Well, contact lenses are a good place to start. Check out circle lenses. These make the wearer’s iris look huge, giving a soft doe-eyed look. Dark colors will give the best effect if giant eyes is what you aim for. However, bright blues are also sweet and greens are a great alternative. Remember, international rules note that lenses with a diameter larger than 15mm can not be sold. Some sights will show larger sizes, but this should only be the effect diameter. That is the diameter that your eyes will appear to be. If they are legitimately a larger diameter than this, do not purchase the product. They can prove dangerous and also show that the company you’re buying from is not practicing safely and legally. This could suggest other flaws in their products.
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