A Solution to the SL Lolita Gap? Bring on the Goth Lolitas!
by Alphaville Herald on 01/12/05 at 3:16 pm
by Kendra Charlton
The Lolita look; while it has become increasingly popular in Japan, I have never seen a Lolita in SecondLife. I even joined a Lolita club but I have yet to see any of my fellow group members come online. So I asked myself, “why are there so few Lolitas in SL?” Perhaps the problem is that in SL, anyone can be anything that pops into his or her head; I’ve come to the conclusion that there must be people with the first lives of Lolitas who don’t dress in special in SL because their avatars can be children instead! After all, In SL you don’t have to act like a child, you can simply *be* that child. But I still think there is room to develop a branch of the Lolita sub-culture in SL – the Goth Lolita.
Many people are not familiar with the term “Lolita”, so allow me to explain. The original term comes from Vladimir Nabokov’s famous novel about a man who becomes sexually obsessed with a pubescent girl. In Japan, however, the term doesn’t necessarily mean the Lolitas are dressing up for a sexual reason; they dress up so that they can look cute. The actual style can range from Victorian children to baby dolls.
In Japan, the girls who would dress in this manner are characterized under the same traits; they work hard in school, achieve top grades, did not have a happy childhood, and just want to let loose and have fun. You might say these girls have an arrested development as they ride miniature merry-go-rounds, in clothes that look much too small, speaking in the voices of little girls, in the mall on their days off. Given this information, I can only assume many others would come to the same conclusion I stated previously; there isn’t a need for Lolitas in SL. However, it could be argued that the fashion of the Lolita is at least needed because it would bring something fresh and different to the gothic fashions of SL.
I have a great interest in bringing the fashion of the Gothic Lolitia to SecondLife because it is so unique. The dresses are usually a combination of black and white, or grey, with lace and ribbon attachments. The skirts are knee length (although the skirts are usually short, the style is very modest) and have a lot of volume, as you can see in my pictures. If dressing to reflect “first life” Lolitas, over-knee socks or stockings would be the first choice, but black fishnet stockings or tights are another choice. As for footwear, shoes or boots with high heels or platforms are the norm, and usually fall under a Mary Jane style. For the Lolitas that would rather not look so childish, frilly, ruffled or lace-trimmed Victorian blouses could be worn with long skirts and jackets. What would an outfit be without accessories? A few accessories that are popular in Japan are aprons, tiny top hats, parasols, lace gloves, and lace headpieces. Some Lolitas even wear bonnets, but it’s very rare.
In SecondLife, however, I have only seen lace headpieces and dresses made with aprons, and I often carry an umbrella with me made by Bedazzle from the China Town promotion. Hair, another important aspect, is usually curled to give a porcelain doll look. Of course, the hairstyle is mostly determined by what accessory the Lolita places on her head, especially in a place like SecondLife, where prim attachments must be placed strategically. Make-up is also very important. Unlike my personal style, make-up is usually kept to a minimum, though black eyeliner is often used, and of course the completion is pale so white skin would be a popular choice.
If you are interested in more information about the Gothic Lolita, the following links should provide you with the most information. For info about Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Lolita has a run down about the book, and for general information about Lolitas and their style http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Gothic_Lolita is very useful and includes a short list of titles Lolitas can fall under. The two dresses shown in my pictures were made by Kyrah Abattoir and can be purchased at one of her many venders throughout SL.
Dis Guy
Dec 1st, 2005
Why would you even publish this blog rant crap on an e-newspaper. Get back to making up stories about griefer threats ok!
Walker Spaight
Dec 1st, 2005
Nothing we’ve made up lately has come close to what’s actually taken place over the last couple of months, so we’ve sent our story-maker-uppers for some refresher courses at the Iowa fiction workshop. You’ll have to content yourself with the news for the time being, Dis, our apologies.
Stellsy ( Fallen Hasp )
Dec 1st, 2005
kinderwhore <3
The Real whatever
Dec 2nd, 2005
Do they also clean houses because the girl in the pics looks like a gothic maid.
montserrat
Dec 2nd, 2005
this designer does some of the most interesting work i have seen in my many shopping trips within SL. it is not easy to find designers in SL doing interesting and original work. thanks for sharing.
Lillie
Dec 2nd, 2005
Nice article, Kendra! Great look for you!
Munchflower Zaius aka Nomine has some nice Lolita styles as well, as does Keara Morgan!
littlewhiterabbit
Jan 29th, 2007
I know what you mean about the few lolitas in sl, so far the ones that I have found are part time lolitas or band girls. But also in order to be a true lolita you have to adapt to a certain lifestyle, that doesn’t mean acting like you fell out of a anime either (like the painful lolitas. The reason why they are called painful lolitas is because other real lolitas don’t accept that they are lolitas. Mostly because of the cheap clothes and the way they act like girls off animes.) But also, remember that there is a lolita maid fetish, and also remember that real lolitas don’t wear maid dresses all the time.
Something also to know, that many lolitas have been criticizing the childish way some lolitas talk. In short the best way to know the culture is to be a part of it, not just study.
littlewhiterabbit
Jan 29th, 2007
Forgot to put something else in the post, is that most lolita skirts and dresses are knee length.
waffle
Apr 29th, 2007
in second life i only dress like lolita (because in rl i can’t in Chile we don’t have any stores!), and i don’t think i’m a “lolita” is not a life style like gothics or vampires, it’s just a fashon thing, also i love anime and all things related with japan, but i ‘m not an otaku (i have more life than anime), i hate girls that act like anime girls there are so annoying, i talked with real japanese lolis (not just gothic, sweet lolis and elegant lolis also), they don’t have an idea for life about loli thing, not like others sub cultures that love dead and things like that, lolis just dress cute and that’s all.
pd: my english sucks i know =P i speak spanish.
Miraren Firefly
May 11th, 2007
While it is small, there most certainly is a loli scene in SL! It’s grown quite a bit since this article was written. While i do not like Nomine’s loli stuff, there’s a wonderful place in Caledon – it has rose in the name, i believe – that puts out what i believe to be the best loli garb in SL. Elka Lehane also makes an AMAZING loli ensemble, and some other folks have gotten into the fray recently with primarily positive results.
i used to dress all loli all the time IRL; i eventually moved towards wearing deathrock (old-school goth/punk) clothing mixed with some loli elements and a lot of Victorian finery. i was repelled by the immaturity of the American lolita scene, which is dominated by snooty 16-year-old purists, and felt that my creativity of dress was stifled. However, i continue to love the style, and i doubt i’ll ever abandon it entirely.