"We are dolls, they seem to say, but don't play with us. We bite. "

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

Posting in: egl, miss_tokyo, littlebiggirls and gothiclolitas.

[Edit: Apparently, my link was incorrect. I apologize for that, girls. I was in the middle of doing something else and it turns out I accidentally got the coding a little bit off. The link is now corrected. Thanks to het for staying on top of things and providing a corrected link for all the girls via the comments page. Once again, sorry for the mistake! ^_^ ]

I'm back with another article about EGL for any of you that are interested. This time it comes straight from the GGA (Game Girl Advance) Zine. It is entitled "Playing Dress Up," and written by Jane Pinckard (C/o 2003 GGA).
Excerpt: The creepy cuteness is meant to disturb, to provoke. The "Lolita" is alluring, but the "Goth" says you might not like what you get. The Goth is twisted, in control of herself and of the Lolita. She's a little girl, but a fake little girl, because she's actually Death disguised, decay clothed in innocent frills.

Get Sent To The Article By Clicking Here

Hope you enjoy.
<3. Lacy

Comments

[het.livejournal.com]

Get Sent To The Article By Clicking Here (http://www.gamegirladvance.com/zine/200307play/playing_dress_up.html)

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[weetziefae.livejournal.com]

wanna trade zines
??

http://www.faerygrrrl.com/zine.html

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

Your zine seems really interesting and I'd love to.. But unfortunately GGA isn't my zine. Hah. I wish.

[manaphobia.livejournal.com]

That's not my _favorite_ depiction of us... >.>;; It seems like a really Westernized point of view. I don't try to be creepy.

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

Yeah.. I agree they could have described us better. But you're right, it's a "typical" Americanized point of view from the general populus.

However I have to give them something and say that I also think some girls who dress EGL do it simply for the shock value. We'd be foolish to say otherwise... It applies to pretty much any form of alternative dressing.

But it's unfortunate we are usually deemed by those that don't necessarily best represent us. EGL is so much more to so many people (Including myself) than "Shocking" our society.

[manaphobia.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say it's really many girls that dress EGL do it to shock others... More like the so-called "horror girls" with the eye patches and bloody feet walking around Harajuku... o_o;; Then again, I don't know every loli out there ^^;;

Myah...I only had one day off work this week, so forgive me for the short post...gomen...

[aqui.livejournal.com]

The author of the article does not seem to realize that most "goths" try or intend to shock, alarm, challenge or disgust... They dress the way they do because THEY LIKE IT.

e_e The author has a very ignorant, judgmental Western attitude. Truly unfortunate.

Thanks for sharing, btw. <3

[aqui.livejournal.com]

Wow, I just lost all credibility! =p I meant to write that goths DO NOT try to shock or alarm, etc.

I was editing my post a bit and accidentally deleted those two most necessary words. *shakes head*

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

Aha. I figured that's what you meant.. And I agree with what you said, as well. The majority of alternative dressers do it because it fits them. They don't go around planning their outfit saying, "You know... I really want to disgust my teacher today. Maybe I can even shock my best friend!"

To me.. It's as simple as picking out an item, matching it, creating an outfit and walking out the door. I dress that way because.. Well.. It's the way I dress. I think it's pretty, I love the way I feel in it, I love the way it looks on me. I don't pick the most radical outfit in my closet. All of my clothes are beautiful. ^_^

And you're welcome.

[aqui.livejournal.com]

To me.. It's as simple as picking out an item, matching it, creating an outfit and walking out the door. I dress that way because.. Well.. It's the way I dress. I think it's pretty, I love the way I feel in it, I love the way it looks on me. I don't pick the most radical outfit in my closet. All of my clothes are beautiful.

Wonderfully put! That is exactly how I do it, and how everyone else does it, I think. =\ People who don't like "alternative" styles automatically think we are out to get them. I wonder why...?

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

That's what I found most amusing.

Aside from the whole bit about EGL girls dressing this way to say "Screw You" to older men.

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

Very true.

But as I alluded to in another response, for people who do not understand a particular movement.. They seek to explain it in the easiest way they know how. Not to -Actually- listen to the majority of the girls, but to pick out a few "Oddballs" of the movement and accept their reasons. Shock value. Sexuality.

Why? Because it's the simplest thing to do. And it's best understood by the general populus. Of Course they do it for shock value! They're a bunch of kids! And what do kids do? Explore sexuality! I see, I see! This is also the easiest thing to accept psychologically.

We don't just accept alternative views, here. We have to mold them to our liking and understanding, analyze them... And basically come to a whole bunch of incorrect conclusions to "Explain" their odd behavior.

[seeinglife.livejournal.com]

the author does have some issues. if i am not in egl getup, i am in some variant of gothic dress. i do not wear it to shock or arouse. i wear it because i find it aesthetically pleasing. if you asked me why i dressed that way, yes, i would tell you that this is who i am, and that doesn't mean i don't have a grip on reality as the author implies. if i tried to trick myself into thinking i like "normal" clothes, that would be me not having a grip on reality.

while i don't do egl to be "creepy," i AM personally into egl for the contrast and interplay between "darkness" and "innocence," to be like a little girl but not, to be like traditionally frilly elaborate porcelain dolls but slightly "gone wrong." i'm not into it to be *all* sweetness and cuteness. that's whu i like elegant GOTHIC lolita and not sweet or country lolita. if that's not how it's "supposed" to be for lolis, well, too bad.

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

I think it's been made quite clear that "Goth", "Lolita" and various other names of trends are -Entirely- subject to our interpretations.

I believe some people just find themselves in particular styles of clothing. It is an outward expression of ourselves. It's as you say, what we find "Aesthetically Pleasing." Thus, it is logical to say at any given time that our clothing is, "Who We Are." I agree with you and I do not think that it has anything to do with not having an "Appropriate" grip on reality. While one of the many reasons some girls dress Ren. is to feel like the "Old Ages," that is perfectly harmless. We can all wish our society and times are different.. We all do! Even if it's as simple as less animal cruelty.

I think I understand where the author was going, but I think he was entirely misdirected. I can see how dressing like Slim Shady because you want to BE Slim Shady (Not be "Like" Slim Shady. Or be "Successful" like Slim Shady. But actually trying to -Be- Slim Shady) can be harmful. But falling into a particular fashion trend like EGL.. I don't think that we are any less solid in our "Grips with reality" than the next person. It's entirely harmless.. And you're right. Trying to be something you aren't could be considered wandering a little off base. When you begin to do that, you are denying yourself and are essentially just playing a part in a huge masquerade.

In my opinion, every Lolita's take on the fashion trend is perfectly valid. There is a very wide array of outfits for that very reason. We all have different tastes. And in your case, wanting to play up on the contrast between the Femme Fatale and the little girl does not mean you are trying to be "Creepy" and scare other people. If you think about it, it's what we all are.. In a sense. We're almost always bordering two lines of titles. And we usually end up somewhere in between the two.

"Supposed To".. I hate that phrase. We are what we are. I'm set with my interpretation and it sounds like you are too. We have our different tastes and ideals, but all in all.. We're still bound by a common trait. We're all Elegant Gothic Lolitas. If anyone wants to question us, go right ahead. They can get over it.

So rock on, girl.

<3.

[incineratedcat.livejournal.com]

I just re-read the comments section and found a new one posted on October 7th under the name "Brandee." It sounded a lot like some of the things you girls have said as comments to the article.

I was just wondering if it -Was- one of you. And if it was.. Bravo.