What My Family Thinks of Lolita Fashion
The people that a family comprised of changes from person to person. My family consists of a colorful arrangement of my mother, father, brother, fiancee, aunts, uncles, cousins, future in-laws and my fiancee's family. It is quite a diverse group of people!
This post involves my intermediate and extended family's reaction about lolita fashion through the years. This topic was particularly interesting for me to recount since I have liked this beautiful alternate fashion style for over a decade!
My Mother
When became interested in lolita, my mom was okay with it - as a costume. My mother has spoiled me with handmade costumes since I was born, so she was used to my love of over-the-top looks or requests. It was difficult to explain that this Japanese street fashion could be worn at any time and by anyone. Also, this fashion did not require a special occasion to be worn.
Over the years, my mother has come to understand that lolita is a fashion, all be it an extravagant one. It helped when I began to wear lolita more often daily. Now, my mom goes out in public with me dressed in lolita fashion, and she even dresses up herself (but not in lolita). She even helps me to creates lolita pieces! Aside from my fiancee, my mother gets outwardly excited when I wear coords.
My Father
My father has approved of lolita fashion, probably since the style is modest. My dad has always supported whatever hobby I am passionate about. He has the most thought provoking questions about the style! Gothic lolita is his favorite and he appears to like Classical Sweet lolita, too. I believe it is fun for him to see me express myself in such a bold manner since I am usually shy in public.
My Brother
My brother has always been supportive! He did have a year or so when he insisted that lolita fashion was the same as certain kink or fetish. Thankfully, that was only a minor blip in the history of my interest in lolita fashion. My little brother is pretty awesome! We are only a few years apart, and we tend to stick by one another no matter what. While he isn't necessarily interested in the fashion, he does not mind that I wear it. My brother treats me the same, in or out, of my frilly fashion style.
My Fiancée
My fiancee has known me since I had an active interest in lolita fashion. Unlike the other people I dated in the past, my fiancee has been supportive of my hobbies. She is the only person that has seen my full lolita progression, which includes my embarrassing beginning.
While she is not interested in wearing the fashion herself, she appreciates that I am so passionate about it. Best of all, my fiancee accompanies me in public without a second thought! My fiancee has never misunderstood lolita fashion, and she enjoys that this style gives me so much joy. I would be completely lost without her photography or back bow tying skills! Whenever I make a coordinate, she can't help but take photos or compliment it. I'm very lucky!
Extended Family
I do believe that my extended family knows that I dress in alternative fashion. I used to have a separate Facebook page so I could hide my extreme geek related items and fashion, but it seems like such a silly thing to be embarrassed about now. My family would have to work very hard to not see it. That being said, I haven't had an opportunity to wear lolita around my extended family as of yet.
Ironically, I have worn lolita fashion around my future in-laws! They did not have any reaction save for my mother-in-law being impressed with my lolita coordinate for Halloween. With Facebook, I am sure that my fiancee's family knows that I am a total magical girl nerd and Japanese fashion fan.
And there you have it! It has taken a bit of education and understanding on my part and my family's. I still have some work to do when it comes to my extended family members. However, it is nice to know that my intermediate family accepts it.
What about your family? Do they know that you wear lolita fashion? Do they accept it?
I would love to read your comments and hear about your experiences.
Stay Frilly~
“I spent many years studying the fashion from afar before finally starting my wardrobe a few months ago. During my research time, I got to introduce my family to the fashion, so the concept wasn’t entirely strange to them when I started acquiring pieces. They’ve all been very positive and excited about the outfits when they arrived. I think it’s refreshing for them to see their sworn tomboy finally wearing frills, haha~”