The Style of Lolita ------ Punk Lolita

• Punk Lolita (also: Lolita Punk) is as the name suggests, heavily influenced by Western punk fashion, but is generally a cuter adaption. Punk Lolita was highly popular during the early 2000's, along with the traditional Gothic Lolita silhouette. However, it's had a noticeable decline in popularity in recent years with the rise of Ama Lolita.
• This style is often more casual-looking than other Lolita styles. A typical outfit will have a mini tophat, a simple cutsew with a deconstructed Lolitaesque print, a pleated tartan skirt and chunky platform boots. Sometimes Punk Lolitas will be seen with nekomimi (cat ears), although it's considered cosplay by the majority of Lolitas. 
  

• Style is edgy and cute.
• The most common color scheme is black x red. Black x white, pink, purple and yellow are also frequent.
• Patterns include tartan, polkadots, checkerboard, diamond, stripes, spider web and leopard.
• Common print motifs are crowns, crosses, roses, skulls and trump.
• Clothing features a mix of punk and lolita elements. Small amounts of lace and ribbons. Frills are found in larger quantities.
• Fabrics are usually deconstructed with several layers. Leather/pleather is used at times.
• Headwear is most often mini tophats, headbows or nekomimi (cat ears; associated with cosplay).
• Blazers and biker jackets are associated with Punk Lolita.
• Skirt length is usually knee-length or a tad shorter.
• Punk Lolita has generally less skirt poof than other styles.
• Pleated skirts.
• Striped knee/overknee socks, fishnet tights, tartan tights/socks, torn tights. Often mismatched.
• Punk Lolita is the only style to feature poofy leg and arm warmers.
• Accessories are standard punk-related items, such as chains, rivets, studded belts, round badges, safety pins, ties, studded bracelets and studded chokers with lace. Spiked items are a bit more uncommon in Punk Lolita.
• Shoes include platform Mary Janes, platform combat boots, platform oxford shoes and creepers.
• Bags can be plain to match a more edgy style, or in shape of animals for a more cute look.

The Style of Lolita ------ Sweet Lolita

• Powdery pastels, bouncing cupcake-shaped skirts and imaginative prints are the main trademarks of an Ama Lolita. Ama is derived from the Japanese word amai, which translates into sweet. In most western Lolita communities, this style is referred to as Sweet Lolita.

• Style is playful, magical, childish, innocent.
• The main eras of influence are Rococo, Victorian and Edwardian.
• Clothing is usually pastel colors, such as pink, sax blue, lavender, or mint. But there is also red, white, black, yellow and dark blue.
• Prints of fairytales, pastries, toys, flowers or other magical themes. Fabric patterns include tartan check, gingham, hearts, stars and flowers.
• Clothing is often decorated with many ribbons, pearls, embroidery, lace and other delicate details.
• Headwear include big ribbons, bonnets and headdresses (now unfashionable).
• Skirt length is usually knee length, but new trends has skirts a few inches above the knee.
• For a casual style, standard poofy pannier. Kote Lolitas stretch the limits of the skirt/dress.
• Overknee socks has become increasingly popular rather than knee socks. Ankle socks are also rising in popularity.
• Flat shoes or low thick heels are most common, but high-heeled shoes also exist.
• Accessories include chokers, and usually plastic jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets) in shapes of hearts, ribbons, animals, pastries etc.
• Bags are plain, or in form of animals, ribbons, hearts or stars.

The Style of Lolita ----- Classic Lolita

Classic Lolita

• Classic Lolita (from: Classical Lolita) is a refined and elegant style influenced by various eras in history, such as Renaissance, Elizabethan, Baroque, Rococo, Victorian, and Edwardian. The prominent features of the style are neutral dusty colors, simplicity, high-neck collars, a-line skirts and soft floral patterns. Due to the nature of the style, many Lolitas consider Classic to be their natural choice as they turn older.
  

• The main eras of influence are Renaissance, Elizabethan, Baroque, Rococo, Victorian, and Edwardian.
• Colors are usually neutral. Brown, ivory, wine, dusty pink, dusty green, navy and black.
• Prints are most often floral (roses or other flowers), but may also feature animals, old toys, fruits and berries. Other patterns include tartan check, stripes and gingham.
• Clothing is kept modest, with a smaller amount of frills and lace than other styles. Elegance is the highlight.
• Headwear includes bonnets, berets, dress hats, braided hats, mini hats, rose corsages, rose garlands, simple headbands, headbows and smaller bows.
• Skirt length vary from knee-length to longer.
• Skirts often feature corset lacing.
• A-line shaped panniers are normally used.
• Solid/lace floral overknee/knee socks and tights. Ankle socks have also become increasingly popular.
• High heeled shoes are most frequent. Victorian style boots/shoes, strapped sandals, low-heeled ankle shoes.
• Accessories come in forms such as cameo pendants, pearl necklaces/chokers, antique watches, rose brooches, bird cages, and short/long lace gloves.
• Bags are plain (sometimes with floral patterns), or in special shapes such as berries, spades, violins, crowns or animals.

The Style of Lolita -----Gothic Lolita

Gothic Lolita

There are two types of Gothic Lolitas: the traditional one that has come to symbolize the style as whole, and the one with visible gothic influences.

The traditional Gothic Lolita wears plain black clothing with white lace; very much looking like a cute darker version of Ama Lolita.

The secondary type is less 'cute', and has more influences from western goth fashion. Motifs such as crosses, bats, coffins are common. The clothing also breaks out from purely black, revealing colors such as wine, royal blue, deep plum, white, silver and gold (the latter two are usually used to accent prementioned colors). 

The style is dark, cute or elegant.

Colors include black and white, wine, emerald green, royal blue, deep plum, silver and gold.

Prints often contain gothic motifs, such as crosses, castles and bats.

Common materials are cotton, chiffon, polyester and velveteen.

Has less ribbons and lace than its sweet counterpart.

Headdresses include rose corsages, alice bows, bonnets and headbands (now unfashionable).

Skirt length is the standard knee-length or longer.

The lolita silhouette is kept by the use of panniers, but may be less poofy than Ama Lolita in some cases.

Overknee socks and tights. May sometimes be of lace or fishnet.

Chunky platform or elegant high-heeled shoes are most common.

Accessories include lace chokers, cross, crown or pearl necklaces and lace gloves.

Bags are often adorned with gothic motifs, or may be shaped as crowns or bats.