After seeing the recent drama go down in the community it got me thinking about the differences between goths and lolitas. For context my mother is a 90s goth and I find it fascinating how the different groups interact with the world.
Lolita Fashion, at least in the US, is an Internet based subculture. We mostly find each other online and posting pictures and videos online is a major part of the subculture for many who participate. Most of us buy our clothes online and discovered Lolita Fashion through the Internet. I think it gives our fashion a certain perspective of the world sometimes for better or worse.
I think Lolita fashion being online makes it easier to connect quickly with our subculture and find others like ourselves if only virtually. However I think this can breed a rather harsh environment given the polish the modern Internet is known for. It isn’t in all spaces of course but it’s no secret within the community.
I think this can lead to some misunderstanding of our community when new people join as we take so much of our subculture for granted over time. One thing I can think of is concrit which has become integral to our community where outfits are seen as works of art and critiques the same way one might critique a painting in art class.
It’s important for us to keep in mind that when new people enter our spaces that they aren’t going to be familiar with our intrinsic rules and culture and although it can be exhausting I believe that patience can go such a long way to making our community a more accepting and inviting place.
Luna By The Lake With Cake 