/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>9867515

>>9401153
>the most ita styles
only when they're done poorly. desu i've been noticing a resurgence of interest in wa-lolita, with quite a positive reception from the community. pic related is gorgeous, but compare it to one of bodyline's shitty red&black butterfly kimono sets...
here's the thing: in the west, it's much more difficult for the average girl to receive any kind of 'exposure' to lolita outside of flawed representations in their favorite animes. Japanese lolitas don't *have* to do research on the 'rules' online, when they can go to a shop and look at the store mannequins for ideas, or receive suggestions on how to coordinate a purchase from the shop staff. it's a much more organic process of learning the fashion, which is probably why they never had to make the same kind of homebrew guides that western lolitas have had to.
most western lolitas aren't as touchy about the labels as you seem to think. the mentality is more like, 'wear whatever substyle you want, as long as it looks good'.
i also think western lolitas are a lot more guarded than Japanese lolitas, because we tend to be misunderstood more frequently. Overseas, while lolita may be seen as a weird subcultural niche fashion, most people at least know what it is. Here, you're just as likely to be mistaken for an ageplayer/cosplayer/sissy/weeb/thespian/historical reenactor/disney princess, usually to the detriment of your reputation. The rules sort of help to weed out (or guide) people who are confused as to what the fashion is all about.