Lolita fashion, this is one of the Japanese subcultures that had taken the world by storm. The Lolita look is known to be heavily influenced by the Victorian era type of clothing. This is very evident by the types of dresses they wear and how they accessorize it from head to foot. Classic Lolita is the primary baseline for this trend but there are many subtypes under it, and one of them focuses on pastel colors and a child-like demeanor and it is called Sweet Lolita.
Dark tones are usually avoided for this style because there is already certain substyle under Lolita embracing darker palette and motifs, and that is the Gothic Lolita fashion. Applying dark accents would just make this style loose its baby doll, child-like essence.
Photo: JoeBuy
Sweet Lolita is literally about looking sweet, cute and colorful. It just means that the silhouette is exactly the same as Classic Lolita but it is more on the brighter side, in contrast to the much darker tones of the said classic and gothic Lolita. Below are everything you need to know on how this style is put together and what are all the key things to remember to be able to differentiate this style from the other substyles.
Key features
Dress
The dress is everything, there's something about the Victorian inspired outfit that is so appealing and eye catching that even non-Japanese people apply this style for themselves. Sweet Lolita though, takes it to a whole new level, it's just a shower of pastels, ruffles and overall sweetness. Most sweet Lolita dresses are adorned with bright colors and cute and sometimes childish patterns. Most common of them are desserts, fruits, cute animals, berries, even some fantasy accents. The dress also should not be showing anything revealing specially on the shoulders or cleavage area, keeping the child-like look true to its form. There should never be any dark pieces or it will be associated with Gothic Lolita instead.
Photos: Lolita Show, Pinterest, malinoo
The dresses usually have a bell shape silhouette, which adds to the sweet nature of it. Ruffles, laces and bows are typically also part of the clothing, really going for that consistent cute and modest look.
Blouses
Most Lolita dresses are jumper skirts that you would need to put on blouses underneath. Most Lolita appropriate blouses would have long sleeves that are ruffled, a high or a baby girl collar with some bows or ribbons incorporated. For classic Lolita, they rarely use pure white blouses, it is always off-white or ivory, but for sweet Lolita, pure whites can be used due to it being a symbolism of purity.
Photos: Girls On Film, Hilolita, My Lolita Dress
Accessories
This is probably the best part of being a sweet Lolita, after you put on that perfect dress, you surround yourself with all the kawaii goodness and sweet little things like necklaces, bracelets and earrings. These usually are designed with desserts, fruits, bows or pretty much anything cute in all shapes and sizes.
Photos: etsy, How To Lolita
Chokers with laces and cute pendants are very common, as well as pastel colored bead necklaces. Different types of rings are also worn, as long as they fit into the category of cute. Charm bracelets works best for this, but pastel bead bracelets is a good option as well, it really will depend on your preferences.
Hair accessories is also a great addition but rather optional, though Lolita fashion would work better with certain head dresses. Some Lolita outfits have matching head pieces but if they don't, they choose something that would mostly coordinate with their dress.
Photos: Lolita Wardrobe, moeenergy
Hair pins, hair bows, headbands, you name it. As long as they are sweet and kawaii to look at, this fits the look. And lastly, the nails. Nail art is also a part of this style since nail decorating has gone a long way, you can now have a much more personalized touch for your nails.
Photos: AliExpress, Pinterest
There are a lot of ways to decorate your nails the way you want it, like painting on a cartoon character, a simple Ombre of pastel colors or a glittered one and all of those you can do yourself. Here are kawaii nail art that you can try at home to serve as your guide.
Shoes
Just like Classic Lolita, Sweet Lolita stays in tradition and uses Mary Jane shoes most of the time, though, there are lots of options for this look. Pastel colored shoes and also ballerina ones with ribbons is a great choice.
Photos: Lolita Wardrobe, iMall
However, boots can be worn as long as they fit the aesthetics, like cute ankle boots, usually adorned with lace or ribbons. Since we're in the topic of footwear, some socks and stockings is also a must. Ankle socks with lace, cute knee high socks, printed or patterned one are considered a good choice, too.
Photo: Pinterest, eBay, IvyByCrafts
Skin tights or stockings with prints or patterns are very common for this look as well, it could to with cute animals, berries, or something simple like hearts or stars. White is the most worn one but some likes to have something of a different color as long as it's light and pastel.
Petticoats
Like what was emphasized earlier, the silhouette for Lolita fashion is usually the bell-shaped skirt that is rather poufy, so in order to achieve that, it is recommended that you wear petticoats underneath, not only it will help you the much needed volume of your skirt, it will compliment it aesthetically with all that glorious fabric beneath.
Photos: Lolitashow
Hairstyle / Wigs
For sweet Lolita, they usually wear a pastel colored hair color or just wigs if they cannot permanently change their hair dye. Pink is the most typical shade, but a lot of other pretty colors are trending to date. Pastel purple, mint green and even pale blue can fit the category. In other cases, two-tones Ombre wigs is considered and we can all agree that these types are so pretty to look at and accessorize.
Photos: Lolita Show, Lolita Wardrobe, Tokyo Fashion
Makeup
Sweet Lolita is all about sweet, baby doll face. Pinks and blush is key all the way. Sweet Lolita is the epitome of sweet and cute like a child so this should be reflected on the way the makeup is applied, ranging from really simple with an emphasis on the eyes to some pink palettes and blushing looks. If you want a more detailed guide in doing kawaii makeup, check out our kawaii makeup tips and 15 kawaii makeup looks for reference.
Photos: Pinterest
Bags
Being cute looking while carrying your basic stuff is a great deal. Bags will never be a hindrance to Lolita fashion because there are a lot of bags and purses that are very cute to go with any sweet Lolita dress. Pastel colored bags are very common nowadays but the types of bags used for Lolita fashion are cute sling bags or small, kawaii backpacks. Shoulder bags are great too and of course, handbags.
Photos: Pinterest
You can find kawaii bags that are in different shapes and sizes, like based on a cartoon character or fruits. Like this kawaii milk carton bag and this cute kitty paw sling bag. You can never have too many cute stuff when it comes to sweet Lolita fashion, because that's what it's all about.
Conclusion
Things to keep in mind when considering sweet Lolita fashion is the color palette, next is the silhouette and the type of accessories you need to get your hands on. Transforming into this style is easy if you set your mind into it. The guideline above should be able to help you get started in becoming the kawaii sweet Lolita of your dreams.
Which of these elements above is you favorite when it comes to Lolita fashion? Do you consider applying this style for yourself? Tell us in the comments below!
