“What the heck is that!?” I thought (and okay, said out loud) to myself one day as I walked down the street. I had just seen a Japanese girl dressed head to toe in what looked like a slightly German version of Little Bo Peep, except this Bo Peep had on a pair of kick ass pink military boots and a matching top hat. Maybe she was going to a costume party? No. I soon discovered she was part of a big fashion trend here in good ole J-pan. The look is called ‘Lolita.’
So what is Lolita? Think Victorian doll meets angel and/or demon! The most popular Lolita look is– Goth Lolita. Basically, just take your cutest Victorian doll and make her a vampire. POW. This look is taking the fashion world by storm!! The girl I saw was straight out of Candy Land sporting the ‘Sweet Lolita.’
Could you rock something like this??
Another major fashion buzz here is Cosplay- short for costume play. It’s where you dress up like your favorite fictional character, many times from anime or manga. With a 40 hour part time job it’s easy to understand why dressing up in a costume in your off hours can be the perfect escape from your everyday life. Check out some of these kids in their manga character outfits…all you dungeon and dragon players out there, take notes.
I wasn’t particularly in the mood to gussy myself in such fashions on this day but my interest was piqued, so I did what any other curious (and hungry) girl would do…slip into the nearest MAID CAFE to gawk and eat!
Photo via Ricky G. Willems
These women dressed in their “maid” cosplay are more than happy to serve you a meal with love, play a game of your choice, and call you master. Pictures weren’t allowed, so you won’t get to see the darling cat face they drew on my eggs in ketchup, but here is a quick pic (that I purchased) with me and my maid. And as she said about my eggs, she was – Moi Moi Quuuu! (super cute).
So if you see a sister walking down the street dressed like a doll, don’t freak, pop open your own parasol and give a nod to the little Lolita lady!
Hearts and Stars,
Kawaii Kid
Filed Under: Uncategorized, What's Hot
Tags: an amercian girl explains lolita and cosplay, anima, Cosplay, Costume Play, costumes, dress-up, Gothic Lolita, In General, Japanese Fashion Trends, Live from Japan, Lolita, Lolita and Cosplay explained, Lolita Bible, maid cafe, maid cafes, manga, Sweet Lolita, To Wear, what is cosplay?, what is lolita? what does lolita mean?
Wow Kyla, what an experience. Those maid cafes sound pretty cool, except I think I’d be a little uncomfortable letting someone call me master. Do they have any designated dress-up days, like a Halloween, in Japan?
You look so cute in your little cat outfit, btw. Can’t wait for your next story. I’m living vicariously through you right now.
Thanks Trendspotter! Some people celebrate Halloween but with a costume subculture….it seems kind of trivial here.
kyla– can you bring me back some of those paws? I just got back from the oregon country fair and there was a whole lot of costuming going on there. Lots of big leg warmers as part of costume, lots of cats and bears. All to be warm and cute at the same time! (Gimme those paws).
What an awesome experience!
perhaps the Oregon County fair is as close to Cosplay as America gets…well, there’s also burning man but not nearly as “cute”. If I can get my paws on some paws I’ll bring em on home!