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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 elegant Gothic Lolita 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 sort of ] with elaborate ]s, which is popular in Japan. | |||
| ] | |||
| == The Style == | |||
| '''Gothic lolita''' is a ] style popular among ] youth. Usually worn by girls, the image is that of a ] ], with pale skin, neat hair, knee- or mid-thigh-length Victorian dresses, ]s, ], stockings and shoes or boots. It can be seen as a counter-reaction to the ] look. | |||
| Voluminous and frilly knee-length ]s characterize elegant Gothic Lolita. These babydoll dresses are typically some combination of black and white, usually 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 at least go up to the knee. These 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 and white, other colors like red and ]s are occasionally accents. Tops are often very ], soetimes 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. | |||
| Sub-styles include ] or EGL (with a monochromatic palette), classical or country gothic lolita (pastels), ] or EGA (essentially the same for men) and industrial gothic lolita (including PVC, leather, zippers, chains and other ] elements.) | |||
| Headpieces usually compliment the outfit. Mostly black or white, they can be headbands, with ruffles, ribbons, lace, and bows, or they can be small bonnets, or askew ]s (also seen in ]). Hair is sometimes curled to complete the porcelain doll look. | |||
| ''See also'': ], ], ], ] | |||
| ] 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. | |||
| 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, Mana, 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 ]. | |||
| === 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, catalog descriptions, ] ideas, and even ]s. The ''Gothic & Lolita Bible'' is now on it's 12th issue. | |||
| == External Links == | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ] ] | ] ] | ||
Revision as of 04:01, 1 July 2004
Elegant Gothic Lolita, or EGL, is a fashion trend particularly popular among Japanese teens and young women. A subset of gothic lolita, EGL emphasizes Victorian-style girl's dress and often aims to imitate the look of Victorian porcelain dolls. The male analog to elegant Gothic Lolita is "EGA" or Elegant Gothic Aristocrat 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 visual kei (or "visual rock") bands. Visual kei is a sort of heavy metal music with elaborate costumes, which is popular in Japan.
The Style
Voluminous and frilly knee-length skirts characterize elegant Gothic Lolita. These babydoll dresses are typically some combination of black and white, usually black with white lace. Skirts often have a concealing crinoline. Earlier EGL dresses were often adorned by an "Alice in Wonderland"-style apron, but this is no longer common. Skirts are usually worn with long stockings that at least go up to the knee. These stockings are popular in Japan in their own right. Black fishnets (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 Victorian blouses accompany the bottoms. Typically black and white, other colors like red and pastels are occasionally accents. Tops are often very modest, soetimes 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 "Peter Pan" collars and sleeves.
Headpieces usually compliment the outfit. Mostly black or white, they can be headbands, with ruffles, ribbons, lace, and bows, or they can be small bonnets, or askew top hats (also seen in EGA). Hair is sometimes curled to complete the porcelain doll look.
Makeup is used sparingly by EGL adherents, although it is seen more often than with other Gothic Lolita styles. Black eyeliner is typical. A pale complexion is preferred, so white foundation might be used. Red or black lipstick is seen, but less makeup is the rule.
Elegant Gothic Lolita outfits may be accessorized with other props like conspicuous pocketbooks, hatboxes, handbags, and other bags, sometimes featuring the shapes of bats, coffins, and crucifixes. Parasols are also common as are lace gloves.
Longer dresses and dark makeup are more akin to visual kei styles than what purists consider Elegant Gothic Lolita. Plaid also reflects popular musical sources.
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 "Lolita" is apparently a reference to Vladimir Nabokov'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 children or baby dolls.
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 Japanese costume-play, or "cosplay". Among other things, Japanese youth cosplay anime characters, but EGL has different influences.
EGL originally inherited pre-established trends in gothic fashion and drew upon Alice in Wonderland and French maid cosplay. The style has branched out however, and several other forms of the "Gothic Lolita" style exist.
Visual Rock
Japanese visual kei or visual rock encompass a wide variety of bands. Most of these groups are heavy metal rock and roll, but visual rock groups in Japan are also known for their tendency to dress up, often elaborately. This can be thought of as an extension of the more familiar "glam rock" in English 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 Dir en Grey, Kana, and the band Malice Mizer (transliterated "Marisu Miseru").
In particular Malice Mizer's crossdressing guitar player, Mana, is credited for starting Gothic Lolita. Mana, a male, often wears large Victorian-looking mourning-style dresses with dark makeup and big hair. EGL sprouted from this darker and more ghoulish form of Gothic Lolita.
Gothic & Lolita Bible
Although many elegant Gothic Lolita costumes are homemade, the look has also been significantly mass-marketed. Magazines devoted to EGL attest to this sub-culture's marketing. One magazine in particular, the irregularly published Gothic & Lolita Bible has played an instrumental role in standardizing the style. The 100+ page magazines include fashion tips, photos, catalog descriptions, decorating ideas, and even recipes. The Gothic & Lolita Bible is now on it's 12th issue.
External Links
- Morbid Outlook description of EGL
- Elegant Gothic Lolita Livejournal
- Page with Gothic & Lolita Bible scans, info, and links