The Popularity of Lolita Cosplays
The Japanese, known for their innovations in the technological world, are also popular for bringing in the colorful and fun concept of cosplay.
Cosplay is shortened "costume play" where people dress up in costumes patterned after a specific character or concept.
One of the more popular cosplay concepts is Lolita.
Not to be confused with Vladimir Nabokov's sexy protagonist, Lolita is a fashion culture that aims to be more "cute" or "pretty" as compared to "sexy".
The fashion itself does not have any clear origins but is speculated to have started in the 1970's when popular Japanese brands like Pink House, Milk, and Angelic Pretty started coming out with clothes that are very much Lolita-like.
When bands that don Lolita clothing's started coming out, the Lolita fashion started gaining more popularity in the 1990's.
Though most people show up on cosplays wearing Lolita, fans of the Lolita culture don't like the idea of it being called a "costume".
Since the fashion pieces, though, require very sophisticated materials and would often come in more than a one-piece ensemble, Lolita costumes are very expensive.
This is why most Lolita cosplayers opt to create their own dresses.
Lolita fans contest that there is a huge difference between someone who dresses Lolita on almost a regular basis as compared to someone who does it for cosplay.
Since the Lolita culture is usually associated with the Victorian and Rococo eras, Lolita fans argue that Lolita clothing should be made of the same materials of elegance and beauty.
Lolita cosplayers, however, put up Lolita costumes that are - arguably - cruder.
Lolita cosplay is associated with clothes that are haphazardly put together and is characterized by many scratchy laces and satin.
Lolita cosplayers also prefer their costumes to be a bit too short, with more than necessary skin showing.
They have a great resemblance towards anime nurses or maids.
This is, as most Lolita advocates will point out, very opposite to the concept of Lolita which mostly aims for cuteness and not sexiness.
If you ever get to Japan and you want to see authentic Lolita cosplay, try and visit the bridge next to Harajuku Station.
On Sundays, lots of cosplayers flock to this bridge and show off their costumes.
Because of its popularity amongst anime fans, Lolita cosplay is a popular concept in these events.
If you are interested in putting together a Lolita cosplay outfit of your own, Japan also sells them off-the-rack.
Japan department stores will carry these outfits at any point of the year, which just goes to show how popular the culture is.
Whether you agree that Lolita is a costume or not, seeing Lolita cosplays is always a fun adventure.
Cosplay is shortened "costume play" where people dress up in costumes patterned after a specific character or concept.
One of the more popular cosplay concepts is Lolita.
Not to be confused with Vladimir Nabokov's sexy protagonist, Lolita is a fashion culture that aims to be more "cute" or "pretty" as compared to "sexy".
The fashion itself does not have any clear origins but is speculated to have started in the 1970's when popular Japanese brands like Pink House, Milk, and Angelic Pretty started coming out with clothes that are very much Lolita-like.
When bands that don Lolita clothing's started coming out, the Lolita fashion started gaining more popularity in the 1990's.
Though most people show up on cosplays wearing Lolita, fans of the Lolita culture don't like the idea of it being called a "costume".
Since the fashion pieces, though, require very sophisticated materials and would often come in more than a one-piece ensemble, Lolita costumes are very expensive.
This is why most Lolita cosplayers opt to create their own dresses.
Lolita fans contest that there is a huge difference between someone who dresses Lolita on almost a regular basis as compared to someone who does it for cosplay.
Since the Lolita culture is usually associated with the Victorian and Rococo eras, Lolita fans argue that Lolita clothing should be made of the same materials of elegance and beauty.
Lolita cosplayers, however, put up Lolita costumes that are - arguably - cruder.
Lolita cosplay is associated with clothes that are haphazardly put together and is characterized by many scratchy laces and satin.
Lolita cosplayers also prefer their costumes to be a bit too short, with more than necessary skin showing.
They have a great resemblance towards anime nurses or maids.
This is, as most Lolita advocates will point out, very opposite to the concept of Lolita which mostly aims for cuteness and not sexiness.
If you ever get to Japan and you want to see authentic Lolita cosplay, try and visit the bridge next to Harajuku Station.
On Sundays, lots of cosplayers flock to this bridge and show off their costumes.
Because of its popularity amongst anime fans, Lolita cosplay is a popular concept in these events.
If you are interested in putting together a Lolita cosplay outfit of your own, Japan also sells them off-the-rack.
Japan department stores will carry these outfits at any point of the year, which just goes to show how popular the culture is.
Whether you agree that Lolita is a costume or not, seeing Lolita cosplays is always a fun adventure.
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