About Motifs

Hello again everyone.
Now that the holiday season has come to a close, we can relax a bit after all those hectic days of hustle and bustle shopping. So this time, I'd like to go back to basics a little bit and talk about motifs. In Lolita fashion, just as there are many standard colors that appear time and time again, we also see many of the same motifs being used. The motifs used as prints and decorations for clothes, and on charms and accessories are easily discernable as reflecting the world of Lolita fashion. By reviewing the mainline motifs, I believe we can get a better understanding of what makes Lolita fashion what it is. Therefore, allow me to introduce a few points on this subject.

Ribbons

How is it that a simple ribbon can be so very cute? Without ribbons, Lolita fashion would be quite drab and wouldn't be at all what it is today. Speaking of which, even a simple outfit becomes instantly sweet with just one ribbon added to it. For those who appreciate a more mature style, choosing a black or chocolate colored ribbon can take sweetness to the next level for a high-class and feminine appearance. Also, ribbon shaped brooches can make your appearance innocent and childlike when attached to the collar or right in the middle of your outfit, but by simply offsetting the brooch at an angle you can really change the image you present. When accessorizing with complex ribbons, make sure to choose the size and color carefully for a nice balance.

Sweets

Motifs of sweets are very popular in the world of Lolita fashion. Some of the most commonly seen designs are of candies, cakes, ice cream, parfaits and such. I touched on this a little in one of my previous columns, but macaroon motifs have also become a common sight on accessories and key chains. Usually very colorful deigns with spring-time imagery are also combined for the total effect. These can be combined with casual wear like certain accessories, T-shirts, and hoodies to bring out an even more adorable look. How about trying out candy-like colors for your nails and make-up to compliment the focus of your coordinate, like your jumper dress?

Fruit

Juicy and lovely, fruit represents a very feminine image in Lolita fashion. It's not just any kind of fruit that will do though; strawberries and cherries are the most important for this role. Their red color is eye-catching and cute. Some of the best colors for matching with these fruit motifs are similar colors of red and pink, or black and white, pale blue, or navy. These motifs usually show up in the spring, but can be seen in any season on a variety of different items such as accessories and hand bags. You might try adding some of these brightly colored motifs to the usually more somber winter coordinates.

Hearts

This motif is the symbol of a maiden's pure heart. In Lolita fashion, hearts often show up as pockets or buckles and are quite frequently used as the shape of hand bags and purses. Hearts have a different impact than ribbons and are used more in Ama-loli than in classical Lolita fashion. While you can't go wrong with heart motifs in Ama-loli and casual Lolita, you might try only adding small accessories decorated with hearts, such as rings or necklaces if you're going for a more mature look. This motif is perfect when you really want to show off your cute side.

Roses

If we're talking about flowers in Lolita fashion, the rose is at the top of the list. It is truly a symbol of romance. There are a myriad of prints and accessories covered with roses and endless ways to fit these in to your coordinate, but one of the easiest ways is to choose something with a corsage on it, such as a brooch. I might be repeating myself here, but one of the most important things in choosing a corsage is to find one that does not look cheap or poorly made. Colors that are not too bright make for a very elegant image.

Animals

In cold seasons like the current, animals motifs look incredibly cute. Combining these motifs with fluffy materials like fur and fleece on earmuffs and scarves makes them all the more adorable. Three of the most popular motifs are of bunnies, teddy bears and poodles. Coats and jackets with bear ears on the hood are always a popular item. At some of the live houses I've been to recently, I've seen many girls carrying purses and clutches that are shaped like animal faces too. The charm of bringing stuffed animals into our coordinate is truly a step up in the world of cuteness. This motif can be used in Ama-loli and casual Lolita styles.

Alice in Wonderland

Just as many artistic designs have sprung from the imagery of Alice in Wonderland and such fairy-tales, it is also an essential source for imagery in Lolita fashion. In these fairy-tale motifs, you'll see the suits of cards and tea cups designed on all sorts of accessories and small items and they are a perfect match for Lolita fashion. (Adding an apron to a dress can make a lovely "Alice coordinate", but sometimes end up looking like you're cosplaying, so there are pros and cons to the look, but personally I think it is very darling) There are other fun motifs that bring out a fairy-tale like atmosphere, such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and little witches and princesses. A lot of times the patterns on these items can be quite detailed and complex, so try matching simpler accessories with them for a nice rounded out coordinate.

Crowns

The strong classical image of crowns is very charming and can be seen in punk and gothic fashion as well. Besides being a symbol of royalty, they also take us into a fairy-tale mode. As I mentioned before, this isn't a motif that is particularly cutesy or girly in of itself, but makes a wonderful accent when coordinated well. Try matching crown motifs with an antiqued look in classical Lolita, or with one of the softer looks of Ama-loli. Crown motifs also look very impressive when paired with plaid dresses or traditional looking items.

The motifs listed above are the main ones you will encounter in the world of Lolita fashion, but there are new styles coming out all the time and many, many more motifs such as Merry-go-rounds, chandeliers, music notes and so on and so forth. Keeping this information in mind, you can expand your possibilities by shopping at stores outside of your regular Lolita brands and pick accessories that have similar motifs to make it easier to match with your Lolita coordinate. You can start a collection of one of your favorite motifs or even try your hand at making some of your own accessories for fun! Until next time!