Step By Step Be Gothic Lolita

1. Throw away any pre/misconceptions you may have! Gothic Lolita is not necessarily related to what you think of as "Goth". It is not a reference to Vladimir Nabokov's famous novel Lolita and followers of the style do not consider it to be a sexual style. Instead, adherents present themselves as young victorian girls and consider it necessary to look "cute," "beautiful," or "elegant" rather than "sexy."

1. Purchase one of the Gothic & Lolita Bibles from a Japanese bookstore, comic book store or online. These magazines are a great resource for anyone interested in the style. If you don't have the funds to spend 15 to 20 dollars on one of the Bibles, visit one or more of the listed External Links for more information on what exactly "Gothic Lolita" is. It's good to have a strong foundation regarding what the style consists of before you attempt to dress in that way.
2. Invest in a few essential items. These include (but are not limited to) a white blouse and a black blouse, one or two full skirts and a petticoat. Bloomers and socks are also good to have. After you have these, expand into other colors than black and white. Red, pink, light and dark blue, brown and floral patterns are common.
   • Get a good pair of shoes and/or boots. If you are of average height or a little short, high-heels and platforms are encouraged. If you are relatively tall, you may still wear these shoes, but Mary-Janes are nice, too.
   • Headdresses, chokers, parasols, plushies, bags, jewelry, nails and makeup can make the outfit more spectacular and interesting. Lace, frills, ribbon and other details are vital to the look.
   • Hair is important. Use references to see what hairstyle works for you - and wigs are always an option! Bangs (a fringe), ringlets, long hair and pigtails are common. Wild, unnatural color is optional.
3. Look at stores like H&M, Target and even TJ Maxx - popular stores like these often have nice blouses, skirts and stockings that can be considered Lolita. You do not have to pay 300,000 yen for a dress from Japan!
4. Be polite, kind, and generally have good manners. Cross your ankles when you sit and always smile at people. Look straight ahead when you walk, as it improves your posture.
5. Try to look as natural as possible. Pale skin is ideal but if you have darker skin then you can still look lovely! If you have dark skin, do not wear white powder; it looks awful.

Be confident! Don't take anything from anyone; don't let people make fun of you. If someone makes a rude comment, reply with a smile or ignore the person. Getting angry is not the best response. If you are having trouble being confident to go out this way, start in a place where you are unlikely to see people you know.

The Example Gothic Style :

The Dark Dress with Simple Acse