EGL girl in Tokyo (Photo by Bernard Langham) We know it's the anniversary of Queen Victoria's coronation today, but what's with the Victorian garb? But wait -- they wear those historical outfits year-round. History buffs? More likely these walking fashion plates are a part of an underground movement à la mode known as Elegant Gothic Lolitas, or EGL. These young women take on a nostalgic style that's hard to miss, donning the look of girls from the Victorian era. Clad with elaborately laced dresses and sporting decorative parasols, they originated from an urban Japanese music scene. The EGL subculture has been around since the late 1990s, and a few clothiers even specialize in this distinctive mix of elegant flamboyance with dark tendencies. If you happen to be a Victorian doll collector or a costume fanatic, consider taking a trip to Japan -- you might find real dolls roaming the streets of Tokyo. Suggested Sites... Avante Gauche - check out EGL galleries and literature. Metamorphose - EGL fashion brand with stores all over Japan. The New York Times: Gothic Lolitas - Demure vs. Dominatrix - Americans following EGL fashion.

Directory categories: Elegant Gothic Lolita, EGL Clothiers, Victorian Era, Queen Victoria

Archived under: Fashion, History, Japan, Royalty, Society and Culture

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