The internet and style - The Migration of Subcultures

When I was fifteen, I fell madly and utterly in love with the Ramones and, quickly thereafter, The Clash, The Damned, The Sex Pistols and a whole host of other punk bands. The music lead me to the style and suddenly gave me something to focus on. Through my love for punk, I refined my own sense of personal style and found an "identity".

I've discussed this before, but a friend and I once had a conversation about this period of our lives, years later. We hadn't known each other then but both felt that, upon reflection, we had embraced subcultures as shields. When people weren't nice to us and we were lost and confused, stuck halfway between child and adult, these subcultures made us part of something bigger and we didn't have to feel so adrift. When people weren't nice to us, it was because of the music we liked and how we presented ourselves, not because of any flaw in our personalities, not because we were unlikeable. Subcultures fueled our bullies but hardened us against them at the same time.

Subcultures were a way of wearing "who you are" on the outside. They were a way of being able to identify potentially like-minded people at a glance.

But subcultures as we once knew them are dying.

The internet means that you don't have to wait until you go to a bigger town for a day, for a gig or merely dressed in your genre, in order to find like-minded people. It means that anyone, anywhere can find people with similar interests and outlooks - no matter how niche they might be.

And, so, it has been documented that subcultures are dying in the way that we used to know them. People don't need to clothe themselves in their identities anymore and they don't need to focus on one thing, they have access to a world of possibilities and references, even more than I did just a few years ago. When I first read about this vanishing of fashion subcultures as we knew them, I was sad, incredibly sad. Will teen movies no longer have goth kids and skaters and preps and nerds? Will the tribes that created a landscape of visual interest disappear? While they haven't been such a pronounced thing in Ireland for some time now, the idea of them being gone made a fashion nerd like me a little nostalgic and achey. The slow reduction into tropes to be recycled and taken from context on runways, turned me into a grumpy old man, hankering for times gone by (and, in many cases, long gone before I was even actually born, if I'm to be honest).

Yet, while this downturn has been documented by design historians and sociologists alike, even the layman can see that it is not necessarily the absolute end for fashion subcultures. The internet has long been a second home to subcultures, a place where new fashion tribes are bred and born. And, now, Instagram, Tumblr and Youtube mean that physically vocal proponents of subcultures and styles can be given a platform, hone their look, record it to perfection and, even, become a star because of it. Hell, their look might even become their career.

These new and reimagined subcultures may not be spotted lingering outside certain Dublin buildings, causing a nuisance, any more but they are out there, dotted across the globe, crafting a sophisticated image, quoting sources left and right and living on. Take Lolita, for example, a subculture that has divided into endless sub-genres and subcultures of its own and which has moved from the streets of Tokyo to a vast online community worldwide. In fact, in moving online, it has been given new life, perhaps sustained life, and spawned niches so specific that it can boggle the mind.

Subcultures aren't truly dead yet. They've been reborn as something more personal, more professional and more cultivated. They no longer seem to be born of unified ideas and movements belonging to specific and different generations but, rather, are at the beck and call of this generation, who have developed the skills to morph and manipulate according to their own desires. Perhaps the goths and skaters, as we once knew them, are largely invisible on the streets nowadays, but they have not died out. They have merely migrated.

And, maybe, if you're lucky, you'll get to see a rare mass-gathering IRL for a con or event.

Sarah, a friend and lover of Lolita styles

Josie, another friend and lover of Lolita

Gothic themes and inspired makeup being adopted at a fashion show

Paul Costelloe taking a cue from punk a couple of season back

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Sophie

In my series on subculture in Dublin I have previously interviewed and photographed two Lolitas thus far, Josie and Sarah. Continuing this trend, I met with Sophie and, once again had amazing chats about Lolita, subculture, clothing, gender, feminism and passion. Here's what Sophie had to say about the subculture she loves and life, in general.

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Moi: So, maybe the obvious starting point would be how you came to Lolita.

Sophie: Em, okay. So, originally, when I was younger, I was kinda big into drawing. It's always been something that I've been quite passionate about. And from there I found Japanese comic books, as many, y'know sixteen year olds do...and there's one called Paradise Kiss and it's based on fashion subcultures. So, they're all in this fashion school, they're looking for a model-

Oh, I've read it!

- yeah! It's still one of my favourites, out of everything. It's much more adult than a lot of them. But there's one girl in it who dresses in Lolita. And the minute I saw it, I was like, “I love that! I need to know what it is!” And there's Lolita elements in a lot of manga but it's never explained, whereas she's into the whole culture of Lolita and her older sister is a Lolita designer. Even the name of that brand is like, “Happy Berry” which is obviously a rip-off of AngelicPretty (A/N: One of the biggest Lolita labels). So, that's where I found it first. And I really felt like “What is this?! I need to know!” From there I started trawling the internet and found the Irish group back in the LiveJournal days...so, it's a long time ago altogether! It's kind of all history from there.

And why do you think people are drawn to it?

I think that a lot of people...like, I've always been into frilly clothes ever since I was a really little kid. My mum always used to joke that when I went to pick my Communion dress, she had to go to the store beforehand and had to pick the less garishly frilly dresses and hide the garish ones. And she said she knew before I even arrived that I was going to pick the frilliest one. And I did. She knew exactly which one I was going to pick. So, obviously there is a certain thing where you're just drawn to certain styles from a very young age. And, for me, when I saw it in Paradise Kiss, it was kinda like, “That's exactly what I want to wear. This is finally what I want to wear and love.” Instead of apathy towards what was in fashion, this was passion.

And that's a big thing I've noticed a lot. A very passionate community. It's obviously more than an aesthetic so why do you think people are emotionally drawn to it?

I guess it's slightly nostalgic...I mean, it's not childish but it has elements of childhood in it. And I think a lot of people, as they grow up, are taught not to be creative, to dress the same as everyone else, that you can express yourself but in a controlled way. I found for me, Lolita was kind of a way of saying, “I don't care if people judge me. This is how I want to look.” And it was a very deliberate choice of this is how I want to look. It's freeing...I mean, people will stare. But the thing is, I don't really care because I like how I look.

It's entirely for you.

Exactly. It's very much dressing for yourself and not caring about other people at all.

There's two things that I think are interesting there. One being that, I remember discussing this point with a friend. People found it strange that we'd been picked on in secondary school because they thought we seemed so friendly and normal. And he was a metalhead as a teen and I was a punk and we both said that we feel like a lot of people come to these sorts of styles, subcultures because if you're going to be judged it's not about you but how you're dressed.

Yeah, it's like how people joke that you're putting on your frilly armour. Because people are going to stare and comment and you know it's because of what you're wearing and you're kinda like...there's no pretense about it. Which is kinda nice because if people are giggling or whatever, you know, it's not because you have something on your face or your hair is a bird's nest or they know a rumour about you. It's like, “I know what's going on here,” and, therefore, I can just let it go.

The other thing that I think is interesting there, is the idea of ownership. I think it ties into the idea of women increasingly taking ownership of their appearance and bodies and how they display them.

When I went to Helsinki for a Lolita groupmeet of international Lolitas and one of the girls there did her thesis on feminism and the Lolita culture and one of the things that she was taking about and that I read about a lot is that, Lolita, as a fashion, is very...it's almost the opposite of male-centric. It's not sexual. It's not supposed to be sexual. People will read into it what they want but the whole idea is not to be provocative, to not show a lot of skin. A lot of people don't find it particularly attractive. Particularly, men. It's freeing as you're dressing for yourself and other women. You go to conventions and people compliment things you've made or your hair. It's very female-focused. There are some male Lolitas but it's quite uncommon and a lot of those dress in the female fashion rather than a male version. It's very female-focused and, as I said, most men don't find it appealing.

So, it's a good barometer, then.

Exactly, it's freeing that you're not dressing for the male gaze. You're not even trying. There's no underlying thing of “Is this sexy?” or “Oh, is this showing too much?” It's not for anyone else. It's for you and other Lolitas.

The Lolita community seems particularly progressive and feminist at large. So, where do you think the connection between Lolita and feminism comes in?

Well, I guess, the big thing is taking ownership of your look. Like, say, arguably, a lot of mainstream fashion is run by men. And even in instances where they aren't personally interested in women in a sexual way, the male gaze is still presented that way and sexuality is still prominent. In Lolita, it's almost the exact opposite. If you look at the ads...most of the owners and designers are female...and the ads are innocent and with no underlying sexiness.

Which is interesting with the name...(A/N: i.e. the connection, or lack thereof to the novel, Lolita)

Well, apparently, it doesn't have that connection at all in Japan. The book isn't as famous there. It's only in Western culture that we have to deal with, “But, really, deep down, it's got sexual undertones.” That doesn't seem to exist in Japan in the same way.

I should point out that we're not judging women who dress sexually, however.

Oh, no, of course not!

I just wanted that on the record when I have to type this out!

Oh, of course. It's not like...I mean, there's provocative trends I like. I'm just not comfortable with it on my own body. Especially as I'm quite hourglass-shaped and it drew unwanted attention when I was younger.

Yep, got boobs at fourteen and then it's like...

...suddenly have to deal with sexual attention when you're not ready for it...

...from much older men who think it's okay.

Exactly. So, ever since then I've dressed more modestly for my own comfort levels. Which is also probably why I was drawn to Lolita. It's so non-provocative-

-or provocative in a different sense.

Yeah, it's very pretty and girly-

-detail-orientated.

Which I would be in general. In everything in my life.

I think that kind of connects to feminism and Lolita as well. It's mostly women in the fashion, designing it, behind the brand. And traditionally, clothes-making and interest in and interesting clothes have been feminine or seen as feminine (A/N: throughout much of European history). That knowledge and understanding of clothes. Like, I love talking to Lolitas about clothes because they know about hems and silhouettes and fabrics. That's what they want to talk about. And it links up with the history of people, and especially women, and their relationship with clothing.

I think that women, in general, have a much more personal relationship with clothes. Women tend to express themselves more with clothing. And they would be expected to. If you don't put some effort into clothing you're seen as laid back or a tomboy or this sort of thing. I work in a software company and I wouldn't wear Lolita to work because it's very male-orientated and if I were to dress up, it's made a big deal of. “Where are you going?” Like, there has to be a reason to dress up.

Because you're not doing it for yourself, obviously.

Yeah, you must be going out. I can't just want to look nice. It's easier not to do it. I wear jeans and a t-shirt to work and I'm seen as a tomboy but really I'm not at all. It's just easier.

That is the uniform of guys around our age.

Yeah, especially in computers. It's like “Jesus, could you put some effort in?” I get it. But come on.

So, a word I always hear with Lolita is passion. And I feel like passion is something that can be discouraged a lot like it's dramatic or emotional or childish...especially as you get older...

Well, that's it exactly. Like, I work in IT but I studied computer games and that's another very passionate hobby. I've met a lot of Lolitas who also like gaming. I think it's because “geeky” hobbies allow for a certain amount of passion anyway. People really get into it. I think the two cross over for me. I think passion, in general, is a really good thing. As you get older, you're told to be more apathetic about things.

“Realistic”. “Logical”.

“Realistic.” “It's not that big a deal. Relax.” You can enjoy things but don't put too much energy into them unless you want it to be your career. I don't agree with that. I enjoy computers but my passions are other things. It's a good job, I enjoy it but it's, in no way, my passion. It will never be. And there are some people in my company for whom it is their passion and they love it and they go home and do more programming. I think it's great to meet people who haven't lost that kind of love of something, who can be passionate so freely, they're not holding back. They're enthusiastic. I've noticed, as you get older, lots of people lose that and I'm a very enthusiastic person about...most things. Meeting other people who are enthusiastic about life brings me great joy. When you meet a group of friends and they're all complaining about work and you ask about a movie and they're like “Oh, yeah, it was alright”...and you're all like “That was the best movie ever, what's wrong with you?!” It's nice to see people who aren't afraid to be enthusiastic and positive.

I guess you need the odd bubble of positivity now and then.

Exactly. I'm a very positive person and I think the Lolita community is generally quite positive. Not just about Lolita. I find a lot of Lolitas I meet tend to be positive people because if you're passionate about one thing it tends to bleed into the rest of your life. Having something you're crazy about makes you more enthusiastic and a joiner and Lolitas are good at that. They want to be a part of things. I think it's because it's less about the fashion and more about the people. People who are passionate are drawn to the fashion because you need to be really into it takes up lot of time and money. People who are passionate tend to be drawn to Lolita fashion and then, as such, Lolitas, in general, tend to be passionate people.

(Thanks to Sophie for meeting me, posing and waiting the TWO MONTHS it took for me to transcribe this interview...Apologies. I just HATE transcribing!)

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2014

This year has been a momentous one for me and this blog. In a single year, it has grown hugely in reader numbers, regard and opportunities. I've been sent away on a trip for it, been able to run more competitions than ever before, met amazing people and learned an inestimable amount.

I've started being invited to events and launches and now work on a regular basis with PR companies. I got the opportunity to go review the Lusty Beg spa and hotel in the North. I met and interviewed Kitty Moss, my favourite Irish illustrator, hung out with Natalie Coleman in her studio, had tea with Helen James in the recently opened Considered Café. I met and photographed the lovely Sarah and Josie and learned about lolita fashion. Friends were also made in the Irish blogger community. I got to indulge my love for Cleo on a deeper level and was invited to the first ever Dublin Institute of Design show. There were four press mentions of the blog in National media this year. Plenty of stuff got sent to me to review. Cool (I hope) outfits were worn. And I was shortlisted for Best Fashion blog in the Irish Blog Awards once more. Oh, and I made my blog aim for the year happen - I was at the Alexander Wang x H&M launch.

These things make me feel giddy, impossibly lucky and incredibly thankful. Thankful to you, the readers, and to any brands or designers or companies that value my hard work and the quality I try to ensure over insane numbers of followers. To anyone who reads this blog on a regular, semi-regular or intermittent basis - I sincerely thank you. You have no idea what it means to me. And, hopefully, with your help we can continue to grow together. To any first time readers, welcome and do pop back anytime! To those who've given me their time or who I've met through the blog - I'm so glad I got the opportunity to do so!

Everything I'm so proud of is pretty minor league stuff and I'm not getting ahead of myself here but I'm still happy with my wee achievements all the same. Let's hope it's only up and out from here!

How was your 2014?

Sarah.

So, a while back I chatted with Josie about Lolita style and her experiences of it. As that was so interesting, (and after much internet stalking and mutual retumbling) I decided I needed to also sit down with my friend Sarah and talk IRL about dressing the part, getting into the style and how it's affected her life.

So, I guess a place to start at is what Lolita means to you?

What it means to me...Well, I guess there's a part of me that says it's just clothes and I would tend to approach it as a normal person approaches just clothes. So, y'know, you're gonna build up a wardrobe, figure out outfits that work...But, if I'm honest about it, there's a lot more to it than that...There's...Well, I'm not gonna say it's who I am, in that respect, but it's become such a huge part of my life. My best friends - I've met through the clothes. Heh, it's something I get angry over. I get excited over. It's got a huge emotional effect over me. It's become an obsession, a hobby, a social scene. It's also become a defence mechanism out in the world. Because I get really shy out in the world and I'm pretty sure I've tricked myself into to thinking that if someone's staring at me, it's because of the clothes - it's distancing myself.

Yeah, I've always thought that, em - one of my friends was a metalhead as a teenager and I was a punk and I always feel like - we've discussed it, the two of us - and it's that thing that if someone's judging you or being mean to you it's not because of who you are. It's because of how you're dressed and I think that's why a lot of kids go towards these things as teenagers. So, it's interesting that you say that. I've also seen other people say that an attraction to the style is that it's a way of being "feminine" or girly without being sexualised. Is there anything of that for you?

Initially, there wasn't. It was just...I had seen things in magazines, heh...certain cartoons...hehehe...though I'm loathe to admit that I think one of my first experiences of the style was actually the silhouette of Cardcaptor Sakura's battle-outfit -

- ooooh, Cardcaptor Sakura...

...heh...then I found a fashion magazine that had people dressed like Cardcaptor Sakura and it hit me that real people were dressing like this and the pieces were available to buy in shops. And I was like, "This is a thing that exists! This is amazing!" But...in a way...What it is to me is definitely a way to be feminine but that's not ever been what I woke up and thought about...but it's kind of helped me with my approach to feminism, if that makes any sense? Em, I find myself finding feminine things as valid and worthwhile to like whereas, when I was a teenager, I was very much a tomboy and...God, I cringe now looking back at it but I was one of those girls that said "I'm not like other girls". But now I know that there's nothing wrong with being like other girls. And, the funny thing is that the clothes that I wear make people think that I'm not like other girls but it's made me realise the opposite. It's copped me on to myself that I'm no special little snowflake. Dressing in a way that'll stop traffic has made me realise that I'm more rooted and have more in common with most women than I ever would let myself ever admit as a teenager.


So, you mentioned that you stumbled across the silhouette but how did you transition from "hey, this is a thing that exists" to "I'm gonna start doing it too"?

It's...em...okay...I should just point out that even though Lolita has very enduring ties to Cosplay and anime, I've never been really that into it. Okay, I used to watch certain cartoons on tv which is how I found Cardcaptors but I just loved that it was a really a girl-centric story. Basically, it all stems from an insecurity about my legs - they're very short - and the girls in those animes always had really long legs. This is all...I find it hilarious that this has all lead to me wearing skirts that are knee-length or longer which is not the most lengthening of cuts but I just liked how the silhouette of the skirts looked. The flaring out that made your legs look so much slimmer. When I found out it was real the main image that would come up was Mana who makes the Moi-meme-Moitié line of clothing and he was, being a man, he was tall and had long legs and the look I was going for. So, it took me about...maybe...two years to grasp what Lolita was. I gradually learned what the style was and where to get it and...dear God...how much it costs. And I was like, "Hey, I'm looking at this a lot, I might as well wear it because...what's the point of appreciating pretty clothes if you're not going to wear them? It's what they're made for." So, I went and, eh, started out my journey on ebay and, luckily the dresses I bought were plain because you can get some woeful stuff on there -


- ugh, I've seen it.

Yeah, yeah...And I moved from there to finding Baby the Stars Shine Bright's website. And I went from there, building my confidence wearing things that didn't stick out in terms of colour or embellishment but stuck out in terms of wearing a petticoat underneath...ba-dum-dum tshhh. Heh. But you know what I mean, it's visually noticeable as well. But, yeah, it was a process. Which is why I'm always wary of young girls who are like, "I'm gonna do seven different styles and I'm gonna have a big wardrobe and buy everything and do this and that..." It's like, "Oh...." I had two years where, if I had just jumped into the style, I would have been a mess. My sources were all over the place, I hadn't really learned where to shop, I hadn't learned the nuances of how to make an outfit work. Like, I would have thought Gothic (sub-genre of Lolita fashion) meant anything black...Sweet can be black from head to toe - they call that koooro...heh, sorry, that was very North Dublin - they call that Kuro. Heh.


Hahaha.

But you learn everything as you go along and it does take a bit of time...You've gotta learn slowly because that's how you can be sure that what you know is correct...[Cost] is another obstacle people face in this style a lot. I mean, I'm on the online community a lot and there seems to be a pervasive notion that everything is three hundred dollars. Dresses are three hundred dollars. And a full outfit will cost you a thousand dollars - and, okay, that's not always true. There are sources that will let you put an outfit together for a reasonable amount but still it's...when I see young girls getting into the style I think, "Ooh, you don't know what you're in for." Like I've been working full-time and I have savings and budgets every month. When you're not really working full-time or if you're dependent on your parents, God help you. I don't know how young girls do this. Some of them manage but it's always one thing I'd say to be careful of and always value quality over quantity.

I used to wear it every day but it's not a style intended for every day...You wind up putting way more solid outfits when you wear it once a week or twice a year. You need to be able to save and think about it. And it is a money issue, I'm not going to lie about that. One of the first arguments I ever had with my husband was over a cardigan. When you spend that much on an item of clothing you have to be serious about it, approach it with caution.


Well, I mean, it has to be an investment...

It does! I mean, I bought that cardigan - I bought it! - I bought it five years ago and I wore it nearly every day for three years and on and off for two. It's now just a series of holes with a cardigan around it but I got my money's worth out of it. And then some.

And that's what I say to girls starting out. The flashy stuff is going to catch your eye and everyone wants it because it's beautiful but ask yourself if it's going to be worth it, if you're going to get the wear out of it. Are you going to feel comfortable going out in it? I mean, even after years wearing it, I still can feel uncomfortable going out in more elaborate pieces. I feel eyes on me.

I think what's interesting is that the style is the silhouette of a time where, other than homes and food, clothing was pretty much everyone's biggest expenditure up until the 20th century and people did invest. They didn't buy things willy-nilly. And it kind of just reflects in what you're saying that girls are going into the style with the ideas of our culture that don't go with that style of clothing because it's all about moving on to the next thing. And you can't just do that.

Well, there seems to be an emerging culture, - and when I say emerging, it's been about five or six years in the making - it's called "print of the month syndrome". And girls, they'll save up and shell out - Angelic Pretty is the brand most commonly associated with this, they'll bring out dresses and they can be highly seasonal so you feel a bit weird wearing them the rest of the year. Some girls will buy a popular print, do a photoshoot and sell it on, use the money they got to buy the next one. And it's very easy to get caught up in it. I've never gone in for it myself but every now and then a print will pop up that I like but if I see a massive amount of buzz around it, I'll take a step back. It's very competitive. I see it in other communities. Thankfully, mine is very chill and there's no one-upsmanship.

There's a divide in the community - in the global community. There's girls who'll buy simple pieces because they really love them and they'll clutch them with a death grip and never let them go and then there's the girls who'll say, "Yeah, it's nice but it's so last month." It's so hard to keep up with that but they're the girls that get the most attention online so if a new girl is approaching it she'll say, "That's what I want to do!" But it's just financially crippling for a normal person and it's kind of sad that that's become such a prominent feature in the style.

So, would you be among the first to adopt the style in Ireland?

No, but I'd be one of the first that stuck with it this long. 'cause I knew there were girls in Ireland that were scattered and loose. I know there was an attempt - whether it was a successful attempt I can't say because I wasn't part of it - but there was an attempt to build an Irish community, which was nice, before my time. And just as I was properly getting into the style that faded away and the girls moved on. My friend Eimear, she's very influential, she's the one who got me into the community in the first place. Like, I didn't know I wasn't on my own until she came into my shop where I used to be allowed to wear Lolita every day. And she was wearing red shoes with bows on them but she had a normal coat, normal hair but I could see she was wearing socks with lace tops on them. You could just barely see them poking out from under her coat. And there was that craning your neck, trying to see her thing...and I can see you're wearing stuff and you're looking at me too. It was that sort of eyes-meeting-across-a-crowded-room. But it was the first time I'd seen someone who wasn't fifteen years old wearing cat ears. I was like "This is someone who actually knows her stuff. She's actually wearing proper pieces from the style". And my heart was in my mouth and I was like, "Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God. Impress her! Make sure she thinks you're nice!" And, eh, we've just been sort of loose but good friends since. And she knew one of the original girls who went by the screen name Licorice. So, there were people before me but probably not someone who's been doing it as long...I've been pretty much solidly and fairly decidedly a Lolita for six and a half years. We won't talk about the half year before when I was getting into it and experimenting.

So, I guess the last thing I want to ask about is how do Irish people respond to Lolita?

Well, I've learned how to stand up for myself, let's put it that way - says a lot doesn't it? I know the impression the clothes give. They look like I'm soft in the head because that's the misconception around very feminine things - they think you're an airhead. So, people shout abuse at me and they think that I'm just gonna be like, "Oh...oh...you're just mean!" but I'm not. I'm like, "Well, fuck you and your ma." Like, I am horribly vulgar and aggressive in response to disrespect. I mean, I was a goth as a teen so I got used to people being less than pleasant but now I have that extra added fear of what I'm wearing is expensive so if someone threw something at me, a bottle of water, that might cause the print of my dress that I treasure to run. So, I think that changes things, it causes you to carry yourself in a different way. I think I carry myself in a way that comes off as unapproachable which - this is gonna sound terrible - but it suits me because I'm anxious around people. But, make no mistake, you do get a lot of attention.

To be honest, yes , the majority of reactions are positive. You get women being interested - I had a fantastic woman the other day, she came up to me at the bus stop and she said, "I'm sorry, I just needed to come up and see all the details. I saw you from the other end of the street and I needed to see it close up. What is it? Where's it from?" And she was so into it! It makes me very nervous to represent the style to people who are into it because they could be the next generation. It's all good most of the time. You will get a lot of people who are like, "Ugh, are you making your Communion?" or "Where's your sheep?" And, to be honest, I've no respect for people like that. People always think that you'll put up with their crap because the style has a very soft impression. People will push that and test it and you have to show you won't put up with it, even it ten minutes later you get in the door and collapse on the kitchen floor in tears while somebody makes you a cup of tea and says, "There, there, you've been through a lot." You just have to be ready for it and tough enough for it. And it has toughened me up.

Major thanks to Sarah for giving up an afternoon to chat to me and wander all over the city.

The Other Lolita

Lolita the novel and movie based upon it may make many people pretty uncomfortable but it is undeniably iconic. Particularly the heart-shaped sunglasses. The following is an outfit inspired by Americana fashion of the first half of the 20th century as well as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the costume design of the movie-adaptation.

Sunglasses - Topshop - Jeans - H&M - Top - Topshop - Shoes - Nine West