Gothic Lolita originated in the late 1900. This fashion features a combination of the Gothic and Lolita fashion. Mostly, it’s inspired by music, especially visual Kei. Compared with gothic Lolita, classic Lolita can be seen as somewhere between the Gothic and sweet styles, which is not dark as Gothic Lolita but not as cutesy as sweet Lolita. This style looks more sophisticated and mature.

Otherwise, Gothic Lolita usually consists of all black or black and white, and the prints are more gothic themed like crosses, church gates, roses, black and white stripes or checks. Basically Gothic Lolita is supposed to look sorrowful and mournful, as if you were dressing for a funeral. However, Classic Lolita consists of neutral antique colors, like creams, white, brown, antique rose, wine, royal blues, grays and so on. The prints are also usually more along the lines of classic flowers, bows, teddy bears, tea cups and things like that. Classic Lolita is supposed to look more like something a classy young Victorian girl or child would wear day to day.

Accessories in Gothic Lolita style usually include bags and purses which are often in modernly common shapes like bats, coffins and crucifixes. A with some Western Gothic styles, cross jewelry and other religious symbols are also used to accessorize the Gothic Lolita look. On the ground of Classic Lolita, shoes and accessories are less whimsical and more functional. Jewelry with intricate designs is also common.

In short, the styles of the clothes themselves, both gothic and classic Lolita, are pretty much the same. The difference is more in the colors of the clothes and the prints used as well as how the person wearing them accessorizes them…I’ve seen people take a classic Lolita dress and make it look more gothic with the accessories they used with it.