Ensayo.Lolitas.

Frill and Lace: Feminism in Japan
The Japanese have never been shy about showing off their sense of style to the rest of the world. It is unlike any other for their love of all things cute and unique is its driving force. Tokyo in particular is the capital of the Harajuku style and similar fashion subcultures. One such trend is that of the Lolita fashion. The term “Lolita” originates fromVladimir Nabakov’s novel about a middle-aged man’s obsession and love affair with a twelve-year-old. In the modern Western culture that term is used to describe sexually precocious girls, but the Lolita subculture has no direct ties to the novel or anything sexual in nature. It is about returning to childhood and escaping the approaching responsibilities that being an adult brings.
The Lolita lookcan be best described as young women wearing Victorian based knee length dresses or skirts. Some women also choose to wear headdresses, blouses, petticoats, knee high socks or stockings, and rocking horse or high heel shoes. Although the majority of Lolita enthusiasts are in their twenties, the age of typical Japanese college students, there are some older women who choose to done this fashion.Their looks are impeccable, often requiring several hours to curl their hair and adding the right oversized bows to complement their dress. The elaborate dresses are expensive and often the girls resort to do-it-yourself methods to create their own articles of clothing at a fraction of the cost.
Within the group there are several sub-categories such as the Sweet Lolita which use lighter pastelsin their clothing. Accessories usually include stuffed animals, flowers, lace, and ribbons to accentuate the overall cuteness. This look emphasizes the childlike theme. Another popular look is the Gothic Lolita which is more of the same style of clothing adding a gothic twist. The colors of choice are black, purples, and dark blues. The theme is definitely darker as the jewelry portrays crossesor religious symbols and the accessories are of bats and coffins. The Classic Lolita look is more mature than Sweet and there is also a mix of some Gothic Lolita. It is the more sophisticated look.
Not only is looking the part important, but acting the part is essential to completing the look. The goal of these girls is to act young and look cute doing it. For all styles the girls always standwith their toes turned in and make cute childlike gestures. They also hug their stuffed animals or baby dolls. They are polite and hold out their skirts similar to a curtsy and also stand while placing one hand on top of the other. Another gesture the Lolitas do is to hold up two fingers in front of their face, like a peace sign. Practical or not the style is unique and expressive.
Most peopleengage in certain subcultures as a way to escape the real world and imagine and live out their wildest fantasies. This is the case with the Lolita girls in Japan. This is a group of girls who want to return to childhood and not only avoid being an adult for the moment but also put off holding any responsibilities that come with growing up. It could also be that participation is “expression ofsocioeconomic uncertainty, academic discontent, job disappointments, and a sense of personal failure or dissatisfaction. There is a complex interplay of many sociocultural and psychological factors behind engagement in a subculture.” (Mong-tai 10). It is a way to rebel against the modern norm and expectations society has put on these women. It is not only a way to express themselves through a certainclothing style or make a fashion statement. The Lolitas are part of a bigger picture; they are a part of the female gender.
Japan is a country where women get paid less than men and the extent to which the marriages are unequaled is exasperating. The role of the woman is to take care of her husband, her children, her household, and even her job. That is quite a handful. Young women might see...