Tea Rose Garden

Organized by Aleria and edited by verity, with contributions from Anh, Hayley, Jo/Ton, Lee, lepidopteran, and Lyrs.

What is a Theme and how does it differ from a Substyle?

In addition to the core substyles that we spoke about in our Lolita Substyle Guide, some lolita coordinates may feature a theme, which is an even more specific aesthetic the wearer is aiming towards. Most themes can be expressed through multiple substyles and have an identifying mark that separates them from other coords in that substyle. (For example, you can have sweet, gothic, and classic sailor coords, and a sweet sailor coord is set apart from other sweet coords by its sailor theme.) Some themes take inspiration from outside the fashion; coordinates with those themes may sometimes bend the rules on what is and isn’t lolita.

In this guide, we will feature example coords directly from brands both big and small, images from print ads, and community-submitted coords to demonstrate the wide range of coords possible within each theme. Each image can be clicked on to view in full. This guide is meant to be a partner to our Lolita Substyle Guide and we recommend reading that first.

Punk

Inspired by the western punk fashion and uses tartans, fishnets, leather accessories. Skirts are often shorter and coords can feature non-lolita elements to accentuate the theme.

Hime

Evolved from hime gyaru, now usually refers to a princess-y aesthetic interpreted through a lolita lens. Features trumpet sleeves, pearls, and extravagance.

Country

A casual, summery theme, often featuring straw hats and straw bags, gingham, fruit motifs, and aprons.

Kuro

All-black coordinates, often paired with a shiro buddy to match. Typically solid black, but can have black-on-black prints.

Shiro

All-white coordinates, often paired with a kuro buddy to match.Typically solid white, but can feature tone on tone prints.

Qi

Coords featuring elements of qipao/cheongsam, such as qipao collar, cropped short sleeves, and sometimes silk-like fabric for bodices. May take inspiration from cultural aesthetics, such as accessories and hair style. 

Wa

Coords featuring elements of kimono, such as kimono collar, obi, and wide sleeves. Prints have traditional Japanese patterns and motifs (wagara, 和柄). May take inspiration from cultural aesthetics, such as accessories and hair style.

Han

Coords featuring elements of hanfu – hanfu collar, empire waist, long swishy sleeves. May take inspiration from cultural aesthetics, such as accessories and hair style. 

Ero

A more daring theme that may feature shorter skirts or uncovered shoulders, with an emphasis on texture. Often uses revealed cage skirts, flowy and semi-transparent fabrics, or fabrics like vinyl and leather.

Guro

Gory and horror inspired, very often a medical theme with blood splatter or syringe as common motifs. Often DIY’d, but some releases do exist.

Sailor

Inspired by a sailor uniform. May use a sailor collar, marine motifs, or stripes. Typically has a limited color palette (navy, white, black, red) and simpler lines. A popular summer choice.

Pirate

Takes inspiration from pirate aesthetics. May feature tricorn hats, big boots, bustled up skirts.

Nun

The biggest hallmark is the nun collar; may also feature bishop sleeves, catholic imagery, and rosaries. Typically black and/or white.

Maid

Coords using aprons and mob caps or ruffled headbands. Can also have a waitress vibe.

Nurse

Coords using nurse caps, medical imagery, sometimes combined with plague doctor aesthetics. May overlap with Guro.

Military

Takes elements from modern aDnd historical military uniforms. May overlap with other uniform inspired aesthetics including marching band.

Casual

Coords designed to evoke a casual feeling, often incorporating cutsews, hoodies (known as parkas), salopettes, and/or sneakers.

OTT aka Over-the-Top

The art of adding more to your coord! OTT coords have an excess of accessories and layering, usually with big hair or a wig to top it off. Often overlaps with Hime.

Didn’t see your preferred theme here?

This is not an exhaustive list of themes and what themes are common or popular among the community has fluctuated with time. A coord can start from any idea or concept, so go wild with your imagination!