Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Very Common
Cost: Varies, can be inexpensive
Classic lolita is one of the main three lolita substyles. While all styles of lolita are influenced by historic fashion, particularly victorian fashion, classic lolita takes more from historic fashion than any other substyle.
Solid color pieces, florals, and stripes are common in classic along with prints featuring motifs like crowns, fleur de lis, crests, antiques, animals, architecture, and reproductions of old master paintings.
Animals and fruit prints in classic lolita tend to have a realistic or antique look to them, as opposed to the more cartoon or fantasy like styles favored by sweet lolita.
Colors tend to be muted pastels (dusty rose, sage green), rich jewel tones (red, wine, navy, emerald) and neutrals (browns, blacks, creams).
Classic lolita tends to have more streamline A-line skirt shapes and skirts tend to be longer than what you would see in sweet lolita. Tea length skirts (skirts which come to the mid calf) are popular, and underskirts (a plain slip-like skirt with a lace ruffle at the bottom) can be used to lengthen a knee length dress to tea length.
Classic lolita pieces tend to feature heirloom details like pintucks, ruffles, and other sewn details.
Common hair styles include bobs, neatly styled curls or waves, and various braided updos. Makeup is typical more natural and subtle than gothic or sweet.
Classic has enjoyed a healthy second-most-popular status for about the last 10 years, though it is currently experiencing a dramatic increase in popularity.
