Before wearing Japanese alternative fashion, I wore t-shirts and jeans. I didn’t wear makeup. I at first saw pictures of alternative fashion on the internet, of girls wearing long, dresses tiered with lace and detailed patterns. I wanted to somehow wear the clothes myself, but wasn’t sure how. But after looking on the internet, I found out I could buy the dresses online… So I bought one!
I have been wearing alternative Japanese fashion, also known as J-Fashion for short, for three years now. The fashion in question is called: Lolita fashion. Lolita fashion is unrelated to the book of the same name and instead focuses on elegance and modesty. Lolita fashion originates from Japan, specifically in the streets of Harajuku, Japan’s fashion capital.
A few times a year I went to anime conventions. A few girls wore alternative fashion at the cons, and I was surprised to see people wearing it in the U.S. I never thought I’d be able to achieve their look, but once I put on one of the dresses, I felt not only beautiful, but motivated to wear the fashion more.
At a nearby convention, I found out that there were girls in my own local area who wore the same outfits. From there, I picked up my first dress and joined a local Lolita community called NJ Lolitas. Lolita communities are all across the globe and communicate online to meet up in the fashion to attend events, many of which are at the previously mentioned conventions, but also locations such as museums and tea house.
J-fashion has taught me that anyone is capable of being beautiful. It introduced me to many new friends, too. Wearing the dresses is much like wearing armor—the dresses make me feel stronger and this strength still lasts even when I’m in my regular clothes. And although I only wear the fashion to meet-ups, the dresses have certainly helped me gain confidence.