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'''Elegant Gothic Lolita''', or '''EGL''', is a fashion trend particularly popular among ] ] and young women. A subset of ], EGL emphasizes ] girl's dress and often aims to imitate the look of Victorian porcelain ]s. The male analog to this fashion is "EGA" or ] which shares EGL's emphasis on the Victorian era though not on children's clothing. Elegant Gothic Lolita is heavily influenced by the imagery of more feminine ] (or "visual rock") bands. Visual kei is a popular Japanese sort of ] featuring performers in elaborate ]s.
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== The style ==
Voluminous and frilly knee-length ]s characterize elegant Gothic Lolita. These babydoll dresses are typically some combination of black and white, often black with white ]. Skirts often have a concealing ]. Earlier EGL dresses were often adorned by an "]"-style ], but this is no longer common. Skirts are usually worn with long ] that often go up to the knee or higher. Long stockings are popular in ] in their own right. Black ] (often with intentional holes), white, brown, or black tights, bows, and ruffles are common for the stockings. Clunky shoes are usually worn, and they're often mary janes.

Frilly, ruffled, and elegant ] ]s accompany the bottoms. Typically black or white, other colors like red and ]s are occasionally accenting colors. Tops are ], sometimes with long lace-capped sleeves. A flat chest is preferred. Cleavage and breasts are de-emphasized to preserve a child-like look. Sometimes blouses have "]" collars and sleeves.

Headpieces usually compliment the outfit. Mostly black or white, ] might consist of a headband with ruffles, ribbons, lace, or bows. Sometimes even ], or askew ]s (also seen in ]) are worn. Hair is sometimes curled to complete the porcelain doll look. Hair color is often lightened by normally dark-haired Japanese girls, but rarely to ].

] is used sparingly by EGL adherents, although it is seen more often than with other ] styles. Black eyeliner is typical. A pale complexion is preferred, so white foundation might be used. Red or black ] is seen, but less makeup is the rule.

Elegant Gothic Lolita outfits may be accessorized with other ]s like conspicuous pocketbooks, hatboxes, handbags, and other bags, sometimes featuring the shapes of ]s, ]s, and ]es. ]s are also common as are lace gloves.

Longer dresses and dark makeup are more akin to ] styles than what purists consider Elegant Gothic Lolita. ] also reflects popular musical sources, and is more commonly seen in other ] sub-types.

Typically, EGL is not everyday clothing for adherents. Worn primarily in public for concerts and on weekends, the style is for show and not a practical fashion.

== "Lolita" ==
Although "]" is apparently a reference to ]'s famous novel, and EGL is often worn by teens, the style doesn't seem overtly sexual to most westerners. Adherents present themselves as Victorian ] or baby ].

However, Japanese girls are considered sexually attractive to many males in Japan. It's been said that Japanese men have a "Lolita complex." Therefore, the term "Lolita" implies that sexual allure is involved with dressing like a child. It's been suggested that dressing this way makes some young women feel sexually powerful while simultaneously allowing them to escape growing up.

== Influences ==
Elegant Gothic Lolita can be understood as a type of ] ]-play, or "]". Among other things, Japanese youth cosplay ] characters, but EGL has different influences.

EGL originally inherited pre-established trends in ] and drew upon ] and French maid ]. The style has branched out however, and several other forms of the "]" style exist.

=== Visual Rock ===
] ] or visual rock encompass a wide variety of bands. Most of these groups are ] ], but visual rock groups in ] are also known for their tendency to dress up, often elaborately. This can be thought of as an extension of the more familiar "]" in ] music. Few visual rock groups are particularly Gothic Lolita, but those that are have greatly informed the style. Many young women in Japan try to emulate groups like ], ], and the band ] (] "Marisu Miseru").

In particular Malice Mizer's ] ] player, ], is credited for starting ]. Mana, a male, often wears large ]-looking ]-style dresses with dark makeup and big hair. EGL sprouted from this darker and more ghoulish form of ]. Mana has founded his own band, ].

=== Gothic & Lolita Bible ===
Although many elegant Gothic Lolita costumes are homemade, the look has also been significantly ]. ]s devoted to EGL attest to this ]'s ]. One magazine in particular, the irregularly published ''Gothic & Lolita Bible'' has played an instrumental role in standardizing the style. The 100+ page magazines include ] tips, photos, sewing patterns, catalog descriptions, ] ideas, and even ]s. The ''Gothic & Lolita Bible'' is now on it's 12th issue.

== Cultural impact ==
Although the heart of Gothic & Lolita culture remains centered on the outskirts of Yoyogi Park, surrounded by the many EGL shops of Shibuya, Tokyo. The popular subculture has begun to spread, mainly to Europe and the United States. EGL along with with ] and other Japanese cultural phenomenons can be seen at ] Conventions throughout the United States. The style has not yet been mass marketed in the United States, and perhaps never will be but there are plenty of dedicated fans filling the gap. Gothic & Lolita magazines are widely available for purchase on the internet, and at local Japanese bookstores which also deal in ] and ]. EGL fans in the United States have even begun creating their own homemade EGL fashions. Sometimes offering them for sale to make up for the difficulty of acquiring them from ].

== External links ==
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=== EGL outlets ===
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Latest revision as of 20:00, 24 March 2018

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