Lolita Glossary

This is a compilation of terms that you may come across when browsing Lolita websites, or reading magazines. In some cases I have chosen to include which terms are commonly used in which continent, to avoid confusion.
Use the alphabetic list below to skip to a section of your choice.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Alice Bow

A band worn on the head; holds hair from the face. Is usually adorned with a big ribbon. It's named after Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Other forms: headbow, kachuusha.

Alice Deco

An inspirational magazine that contains Lolita and other fashion styles.

Alice Loli (アリスロリ)

Alice Loli, a style resembling the character Alice from Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland. Color scheme is usually saxon blue, with a white apron and black & white/saxon blue striped socks. This term is nonexistant in the west.

A-Line

The shape of a dress or skirt, which flares out to create the silhouette of an A. Very popular in the 60's.

Aka Loli (赤ロリ)

Aka means red. As an Aka Loli, all clothing and accessories are red with white lace. This term is nonexistant in the west.

Ama Loli (甘ロリ)

Ama is short for amai (sweet). The style is known for it's childlike innocence, bright colors and imaginative prints. Other forms: ama lolita, sweet lolita.

A&P

The new abbreviation for the pirate-themed Lolita brand Alice & the Pirates.

AP

Abbreviation for the Lolita brand Angelic Pretty.

AatP

Old, but commonly used abbreviation for the pirate-themed Lolita brand Alice & the Pirates.

B

Baby

Abbreviation for the Lolita brand Baby the Stars Shine Bright.

Bloomers (ブルマ)

Shorts-like undergarment worn under dresses and skirts.

Bonnet (ボネット)

A form of headwear with a large brim framing the face, used in various Lolita styles. Introduced in the latter part of the 17'th Century.

BPN

Abbreviation for Black Peace Now. A goth, punk and Gothic Lolita clothing brand.

Brolita

Term for a male dressing in Lolita.

BtSSB

Abbreviation for the Lolita brand Baby the Stars Shine Bright.

Bustle Skirt (バッスルスカート)

A skirt that is pulled up in the back to reveal an underskirt.

C

Casu Loli (カジュロリ)

A toned down style of Lolita for everyday use. Casu is for Casual. Other forms: casual, casual loli, casual lolita.

Classic Loli (クラシックロリ)

A more mature, classic style of Lolita. Often has an A-line silhouette and floral patterns. Other forms: classical loli (Japanese communities).

Cosu Loli (コスロリ)

Cosu is short for Cosplay. People who dress up in Lolita-themed clothing for Cosplay conventions. The clothing often has awkward designs and low-quality materials and usually looks very costumey. Common accessories are nekomimi (ネコミミ; cat ears). Other forms: cosplay loli.

Cutsew (カットソー)

Clothing often made in t-shirt material (jersey); commonly includes t-shirts, cardigans, and hoodies, but also in some cases, dresses and skirts. Often has simple lace details and a Lolita-themed print. Goes well with Casu Loli. Other forms: cutsaw (incorrect).

D

Dandy

A term used by western Lolitas to incorrectly label a mature aristocratic boystyle. Actual dandy fashion is not part of Lolita fashion.

Deco Loli (デコロリ)

Deco Loli is short for Decora Lolita. An older style that was created with the rise of Decora, another Japanese fashion. This style can be said to have merged with Ama Loli to create the Kote Loli style.

Dosu Loli (ドスロリ)

Derogatory term used mainly by Japanese Lolitas to refer to other overweight Lolitas.

Drawers (ドロワーズ)

Shorts-like undergarment worn under dresses and skirts. Longer than bloomers, and can be seen peeking out from underneath skirts.

E

EGA

Abbreviation for Elegant Gothic Aristocrat, a term mainly used by the brand Moi-Même-Moitié for their Aristocrat clothing.

EGL

Abbreviation for Elegant Gothic Lolita, a term mainly used by the brand Moi-Même-Moitié for their Lolita clothing. May also refer to the EGL Livejournal community in the west.

Ero Loli (エロロリ)

Ero is short for "erotic". An Ero Loli may dress more challenging than the average Lolita, displaying cleavage or use fetish elements and materials in their outfits. This style is very rarely seen. Other forms: erotic lolita.

ETC

Abbreviation for Emily Temple Cute, an older Lolita / Otome brand that has a slightly more mature look.

G

Goth Loli (ゴスロリ)

A Lolita magazine containing photos and sewing patterns. Other forms: gosu rori.

Goth Loli (ゴスロリ)

One of the major and most recognized styles in Lolita fashion. Has both cute and gothic elements. Other forms: gothic lolita, loli goth, egl (incorrect).

GLB

Abbreviation for Gothic & Lolita Bible. A Lolita magazine with the latest news, articles, photos and sometimes sewing patterns.

Guro Loli

A horror-themed style that has the look of a broken, often blood-stained or bandaged doll. Guro is an abbreviation of "grotesque". Other forms: grotesque lolita, guro lolita.

H

Hime Loli (姫ロリ)

Hime means princess. A style that incorporates extravagant Lolita, and sometimes Gyaru items into their outfits. Other forms: hime lolita, princess lolita.

I

Ita Loli (痛ロリ)

Derogatory term used by some Lolitas to label one who does not (in their opinion) get the fashion "right". The term itself comes from the japanese word "itai" or ouch, and literally translates to painful Lolita, as in, a pain for the eyes to look at.

An Ita Lolita may use too much low-quality lace and fabrics, cosplay items or show too much skin. Other forms: ita, ita lolita.

ITS

Abbreviation for the now closed American Lolita brand In the Starlight.

IW

Abbreviation for the Lolita brand Innocent World.

J

JeJ

Abbreviation for the Classic Lolita brand Juliette et Justine.

JSK

Abbreviation for jumper skirt. A dress without sleeves that can be worn with a blouse underneath.

K

Kachuusha (カチューシャ)

A headband often adorned with a big bow, lace or flowers. A common term used by Japanese brands. Other forms: headband, alice band, alice bow.

Kera

A fashion magazine with news and photos on cute trends, including Lolita.

Kodona (コドナ / こどな)

An incorrect term used by western Lolitas to label a childlike and innocent boystyle. Kodona, short for kodomo otona; means "child adult". Originally came to be due to the description of the singer of Plastic Tree, Ryūtarō Arimura, in the Gothic & Lolita Bible. May be seen as offensive by Japanese.

Kote Loli (コテロリ)

Kote is short for kotekote (over the top). It's an evolved, and more over the top version of Ama Loli. Was popularized by the brand Angelic Pretty in 2006, and is currently (2010) one of the most popular styles.

Kuro Loli (黒ロリ)

Kuro is short for kuroi (black). As a Kuro Loli, all clothing and accessories are black.

Kyanotie (キャノティエ)

Often a circular headdress with lace, ribbons or flowers. This term is used by Japanese brands. May be an attempted romanization of the French word canotier (boater hat).

L

Lace Monster

Western term to describe (usually) a dress with a very large amount of lace.

Lucky Pack

A secret pack of Lolita clothing, which combined value is worth more than the set price paid. They're sold seasonly by various Lolita brands, and you can often choose between different packs, containing only clothing or only accessories.

M

Mana

Mana, Visual Kei artist and owner of the brand Moi-Même-Moitié. Made Lolita popular in the late 20'th Century.

Meta

Abbreviation for the Lolita brand Metamorphose temps de Fille.

MM

Abbreviation for the Classic Lolita brand Mary Magdalene.

MmM

Abbreviation for the Gothic Lolita brand Moi-Même-Moitié.

O

OP

Abbreviation for onepiece, which by itself means dress. In Lolita fashion, it refers to a dress with sleeves.

Ota Loli

Ota is short for otaku (meaning: geek). A person who wears Lolita-style clothing on Cosplay events and conventions. Usually used as a derogatory term.

P

Pannier (パニエ)

Underskirts that are worn under Lolita skirts to create the poofy Lolita silhouette. Other forms: petticoat, underskirt.

Pink Loli (ピンクロリ)

Pink Loli style, all clothing and accessories are pink with white lace. Often mentioned in Japanese Lolita websites and communities, but its use is nonexistant in the west.

Pirate Loli

A style with pirate elements. A brand that caters to this style is Alice & the Pirates.

Punk Loli (パンロリ)

A Lolita style which intergrates punk elements in the outfits. Other forms: punk lolita.

R

RHS

Abbreviation for Rocking Horse Shoes (ロッキンホース). Platform-styled shoes with wooden soles.

S

Sailor Loli (セーラーロリ)

An unofficial themed Lolita style with sailor elements.

Sax Loli (サックスロリ)

Sax (sakkusu; short for saxon blue) Loli style, all clothing and accessories are saxon blue with white lace. Often mentioned in Japanese Lolita websites and communities, but its use is nonexistant in the west.

Shiro Loli (白ロリ)

Shiro is short for shiroi (white). As a Shiro Loli, all clothing and accessories are white.

Shirring (シャーリング)

Stretchable gathering found on dresses, blouses and skirts.

T

Tea Party Shoes

Flat, extremely popular shoes released by Angelic Pretty.

Twin Loli (双子ロリ)

Two Lolitas dressing up into the same outfit. May be in different colors schemes. Shiro and Kuro Loli twinning is common.

W

Wa Loli

A Lolita style with japanese kimono elements.