there are many types of Lolita these are all of them (that I know of)...
- PUNK: Is one of the hardest styles to pull off because it takes someone with alot of knowledge of the Lolita style to be able to fuse the image of a Lolita and that of the Eastern punk style. Punk Lolita comes in two forms, the first is an outfit that is the general Lolita style, a bell shaped, knee lengh (or a bit shorter for this style) skirt without as many clean lines as the other Lolita styles. Accessories and fabric are very important to this style: deconstructed fabrics and fishnets are a good choice, so are chains and studs. Just wearing a studded belt with a skirt doesn't make it punk, either does just wearing a plaid skirt with an outfit. The second form of Punk Lolita is an outfit that has a lighter feeling than a normal punk outfit and takes quite alot of inspiration from the Lolita style but doesn't quite conform to the general shape. It is a much girlier punk outfit with bows or frills. Though skirts may not be bell shaped and knee length they are still not skin tight and crotch length. Make-up can be more heavier than sweet or classic Lolita.
- GOTHIC: Although the name Gothic Lolita alludes to goth fashion as a whole, the style is influenced by victorian inspired goth style and not cyber goth or industrial style.
A Gothic Lolita outfit, like all Lolita styles, is very modest in today's standards. As with other Lolita styles a Gothic Lolita outfit can usually be recognised by the puff sleeves and bell shaped skirt. A Gothic Lolita outfit usually comprises of black or rich dark colors such as burgundy, purple and navy. It is common for this style to include details in contrasting and complimentary colours, such as the infamous black and white coordination choice.
Makeup for this style can range from a light natural look to a dramatic smokey eye with a dark red lipstick, it depends on the outfit and occasion. A common mistake by beginners is the use of black lipstick and white face. Both white face and black lipstick take away from the elegance of the lolita style and should only be used as stage makeup as a general rule.
The term Gothic Lolita is often confused with the term Elegant Gothic Lolita, which was coined by the Japanese musician Mana to describe the clothes of his brand Moi-Meme-Moitie.
- SWEET: Sweet Lolita is the most over the top style and includes aesthetics almost exclusive to lolita. It is also the most child like of the lolita styles, using many bows, ruffles and light colors to make up an outfit. The most common colors used in a Sweet Lolita outfit are white, pink and powder blue, but an outfit can be made with nearly any pastel, plaid or nearly any color at all as long as it is not neon. Common motifs in Sweet Lolita are strawberries, toys, cherries, cakes and candies, hearts, polka dots, flowers, as well as prints inspired by fairy tales are all quite common.Natural, Light make-up compliments this style. Bouncy curls and teased out pigtails are commonly worn by Sweet Lolitas.
- CASUAL: Casual Lolita is more toned down version of the style, while still retaining the basic lolita elements. It is very hard to put together a casual, nice lolita co-ordination unless you have years of experience or are a natural at it. Most favoured in the Casual Lolita co-ordination, in a way, is simplicity, so a nice simple cut-sew perhaps with a motif of some sort paired with a lolita skirt and hair accessory/headdress. However the hair accessories are usualy toned-down as well. Casual Lolita can be best described as what a Lolita would wear when not 'dressing up.' Still elegant and modest but not as over the top as most other Lolita styles.A great Casual Lolita can be compiled out of any colour, as long a you remember to match prints, colours, etc. as you would with any other Lolita style. A simple caridgan over a skirt creates a nice casual look.
- HIME: Hime, or 'Princess Lolita,' is a very elegant style of lolita that often involves miniature crowns, tiaras, and extravagant or large hair and dresses. Because Hime Lolita does reflect a sense of class and royalty, it is hard a hard style to pull off unless you are very well preened and have done your best to look 'Princess-like.'There is a fine line between Hime Lolita and the other styles because it is almost only defined by how you style yourself and not on the clothing. It is mostly common to see
Roses, pearls and bows suit this style perfectly.
- SHIRO: Shiro, or 'White Lolita,' is a Lolita outfit made entirely of white/cream/off-white co-ordinates. Shiro Lolitas usually pair themselves with Kuro Lolita's in twin outfits to create an interesting contrast.Shiro Lolita can be taken from any style of lolita, whether it be Sweet, Gothic or Classic, if the co-ordination is completely white then it is accepted as Shiro Lolita.PLEASE NOTE: Wearing black shoes with a Shiro Lolita outfit looks terrible and is to be avoided.
- KURO: Kuro, or 'Black Lolita,' like Shiro Lolita, is an outfit made-up of co-ordinates of one colour, in this case, black.Kuro also follows the same guidelines of most of the other Lolita styles, so it is still fairly easy to pull-off for beginners
- CLASSIC: Classic Lolita is the tamest of all the Lolita styles as many Classic dresses could pass for a church, garden party or summer dress. Unlike Sweet Lolita that is about looking cute, Classic Lolita is about looking classy and goes back to Lolita fashion's roots in Victorian fashion, taking inspiration from the floral patterns and the sense of elegance of the era, bold colors aren't normally found in Classic Lolita clothing. Unlike the other styles of lolita, many Classic Lolita skirts have an A-line shape instead of bell shaped. Like the other lolita styles, light makeup is suggested but depending on the occasion or outfit, darker makeup that still creates a soft look, can be appropriate.
- COUNTRY: Country Lolita is derived from the Sweet Lolita style and is often hard to distinguish due to the use of the same sweet patterns, and motifs that the Sweet Lolita style uses. However, the Country Lolita style can be recognised by straw baskets, fruit, hats, and gingham patterns.Most lolita outfits require a blouse under a jumper skirt to obtain the Lolita look, but because Country Lolita is associated with the out-doors one may be able to get away with out a blouse.Like Sweet Lolita, Country Lolita follows the same guide-lines, as well as the full, bell-shaped skirt.The make-up best suited for this style would be very basic, and natural. If you're going outside try some sun-screen, some light lipstick, and some blush.
- SAILOR: Sailor Lolita is a greatly nautical-themed style of Lolita that is very much inspired by Japanese Sailor-styled uniforms. Sailor collars, whites and dark blues are often key factors in recognising this style. Nautical motifs are often used in this style; symbols such as wheels and ship anchors make very cute additions to this style. Like most Lolita styles, the same bell-shaped skirt is expected, quite often this skirt may be pleated, and the outfit may often include a puffed-short sleeved blouse with pockets.Although striped socks may not work with many of the Lolita styles, they often look nice when coordinated into a Sailor Lolita outfit.Again minimal make-up with suit this style, including some lip-gloss to stop your lips from cracking if you'll be out near the sea!
- WA: Wa Lolita is a style that is often recognised because of the outfits resemblace of a kimono, and is for those Lolitas who may love to get in-touch with the country that brought about Lolita fashion.Wa Lolita involves long 'sode'(sleeves), and 'obi'(sashes) that are taken from Kimono/yukata outfits, and paired with the bell-shaped skirt of lolita. Wa Lolita fabrics are often very extravagant like most Kimono fabrics, involving cranes and detailed flowers. Like all Lolita outfits and Kimonos, Wa Lolita should not be made out of shiny fabrics such as those that Chinese qi-pao(form fitting chinese dress) are made of.Although this style is quite different from usual Lolita styles, modesty is still a large part of this style. Your skirt should be a reasonable length for lolita. Sadly, a lot of Wa Lolita outfits on the market today have very short skirts, causing many people to be turned off by Wa Lolita.Traditional Japanese Kanzashi or flower hairclips may work lovely with this style instead of a Lolita head-dress. Make-up can range from light and natural to Japanese geisha inspired. It's best not to do makeup very similarly to that of a geisha as it will most likely end up looking costume-y, and end-up ruining your beautifully put together outfit.
- GURO:Guro, or 'Gore Lolita' is exactly like the name sounds, gory. How gory is always up to you and can range from anything to a sling, some bandages or some blood splatters on your clothing. (Try not to over-do it though!) Guro Lolita is a style of Lolita that tries to portray a 'broken-doll' sort of look, a gruesome yet innocent sub-set of Lolita.A Guro Lolita outfit can really be pulled off in any colour, but white really does look fantastic if you want to have some blood splatters! (If you're worried about getting blood splatters on your lovely dress, perhaps you could make yourself a small apron to splatter.)Although Guro Lolita may sound costume-y, just like other Lolita styles it is a part of a fashion, and not a costume. It follows all of the guidelines that the other styles do.This style really is not acceptable for a lot of group Lolita activities such as tea-parties, and special events.Make-up for this style is really up to you, as long as you're still fairly modest, the sky is the limit. Fake blood is great to have for this style, and can be purchased at most local party stores.
- ERO: Ero, or 'Erotic Lolita' is a controversial style because a lot of people unfamiliar to the style may get it wrong. Even though it sounds less modest, it does'nt involve suddenly being naked wearing only an alice bow, it just contains more fetish elements such as collars, leather and corsets that one may not be able to pull off with any other style of Lolita while still being fairly mosest. The skirts ae also a bit shorter than normal but nothing over the top. Ero Lolita is the only style of lolita where you can pull off wearing fishnet stockings. Ero Lolita is a hard style to obtain and should not be attepmted by a begginer. Make up is more mature than girly as in the other styles of lolita.
- COSPLAY: Cosplay is not a subset of lolita, but it's importanat to know the difference between cospaly and the real lolita. Cosplay Lolita is usually looked down upon because it is seen being worn at anime conventions by people who don't understand the Lolita style and are happy to just throw on an costume from an anime charachter without knowing what type of fashion it is or the background. Cospaly doesn't comform to the actual standard of Lolita and is usually made of low quality materials such as thin cotton, synthetic raschel lace, shiny fabric, satin ribbon, square dance petticoat, stripper-esque high heels, short, unmodest skirts, etc. Cospaly pushes lolita elements to the extreme like by over-doing the quantity of lace to pout on a skirt. Make up cam be from white face ,heavy eyeliner thick goth eyeshadow and black lipstick.
- KODONA: Kodona Lolita is often called boystyle as it includes more masculine clothing. Kodona is a western term. In
- ARISTOCRAT: Aristocrat a.k.a elegant gothic lolita, is a lot more mature than the other lolita styles and has a lot in common with western romantic gothic. There are usually no frills, lace, bows, etc. because they are to young. Skirts are usually worn long but can be worn short in the hotter months. High corseted waists are common. So are actual corsets of any type. Fitted jackiets with tails are popular as are veils, top hats, etc. Hair is usually worn in a lifted, more mature style but can be worn down, short and curly but no barrel curls. If you wear an extreme hairstle, wear extreme make up but only for special occasion such as fashion shows, etc. Make up is more mature but can be worn on the dark side. I don't reccomend wearing extreme make up for everyday, only for going out to clubs, fashion shows, etc. One may wear light colours but only on the lips. Women and men can wear this style easily. Aristocrat is also good for men who want to dress up
